My views on politics, life, death, the army, and other things too miscellaneous to mention here. This is a personal blog. This blog is 100% factual.
Bill Duckwing
Poet, Author, Journalist
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Your Super-Cute Daily Terror Alert Update Will Be Forevermore:
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"There are some myths and untruths surrounding the role God plays in our daily lives. To say that religion and politics do not mix, is certainly a myth, unless you ask a liberal. Anything that affects a Christian (and voting is one of them) — enters into the religious realm. Trying to separate the two is like trying to separate oil from a glass of water, it's impossible to do. "
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Thursday, September 30, 2004
Tonight: Kerry vs. Bush, Will We Finally Have a Winnar?!
First, a confession. I totally suck at debating in a formal setting. In a normal social circle jerk I'm actually okay, I automatically assume devil's advocate and utter such preposterous and insane claims and assertations against humanity that my typical political opponents usually back off a little on their own positions and end up taking my own real position. It's fun, you should try it some time.
I was in a debating club back in High School, though, and you cannot imagine how truly awful this approach works out when there are things like time limits on speaking and rules.
I wasn't actually a debating club in the sense that you'd take on a team of students from another High School or anything. You'd simply be assigned a few arguments to make, form a team with some of your classmates, and do the research to back the arguments up. Which would then be judged by a team of moderators, all with Ph.D's and all well aware of when an argument was preposterous and had no factual research to back it up. They were pretty good at guessing when you were full of shit.
After every team made their argument to the mods, they would select some to go on to a second round with their second argument or something. I have no idea, because I'm pretty sure my team didn't make it to the second round. In the first round, my teammates, whom in fairness did most of the research, clammed up completely and made me present the argument to the moderators by myself. I think our argument had something to do with the Founding Fathers being assholes that didn't embody the principles of the nation they founded. My key evidence for this claim: "Well, even Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, and they were scared of the poor taking over their country AmeriKKKa so that's why they didn't give them the vote." This got a quick nod of the head and a smile from the cute girl on my team ("Yeah! You're ona Roll!"), but a roll of the eyes from the moderator who was asking most of the questions.
One and out.
Anyway, on to the debates. I'll be watching them on MSNBC, and offer my occasional commentary on the Updates. Stay Tuned.
Update (7:59 PM): Why the fuck is Chris Matthews stuck behind the desk at Hardball and not moderating ANY of these debates? I can't believe it. No. Especially when he asks a guy like Ben Ginsberg: "Do you think Kerry will try to get his typical long-winded responses out within the time limit by taking real fast like a half-mad benny addict?" Ben: "Uh...yeah, maybe, Chris." I will simply never know nor understand what criteria those with power have when choosing moderators. Never, never.
Update (8:17 PM): Bush/Cheney Sr. Advisor Tucker Eskew calls John Kerry "a master debater." Huh-huh, huh-huh. The funny thing is he almost checked himself in front of the camera, which means it was unintentional.
Update (8:46 PM): Al Sharpton -"We must totally kick the ass out of voter suppression!" Agreed, Reverend. At least that's what I think what his argument is. Of course, if you're a partisan, it's all about registering and turning out the base. Republicans and Democrats both do this...Actually, I'm not even going into get into this argument with my TV tonight. I feel assured that this election will be watched very closely, and if any party feels shortchanged, you better push your case a lot fucking harder this year than you did in 2000. As if this needs to even be said -like they say -"I was like totally fooled once, and shame on me for that, but if, and I mean it's a big motherfucking if...I was like totally fooled like ...two times, and if they were kinda in a row, but separated by four years or some other thing, man, that's like, get out the gasoline and start some fires, really. Seriously."
Update (9:05 PM): What's the deal with Jim Lehrer as a moderator? I don't get it. He's a rules freak, and to my best guesstimate, has served as a debate moderator for the last two centuries. Blah, this is going to be a boring debate. "Pluck." Yuck, Kerry.
Update (9:15 PM): Kerry is not doing well at all so far. I'm sorry, he seems incredibly nervous, and he really isn't my type of candidate. I'm going into the debates hoping he'll turn into a candidate I'd feel more sympathetic with. Unfortunately, he's trying to play himself off to Bush supporters as kinda like Bush but not quite Bush. And nobody does Bush better than George W. Bush.
Update (9:27 PM): Ooohhh. Kerry slips up Bush on that one. Kerry posed " Will tax cuts keep our people safe?" Simple question, but Bush totally fucked that one up. It really doesn't take all that much, guys.
Update (9:40 PM): George Bush is totally killing Kerry on the rebuttals, but he's fucking up on the direct questions. That's not good, because Bush, to a more limited extant than Kerry, does need to build a case for himself tonight.
Update (9:48 PM): One thing I think the Bush Campaign maybe didn't quite factor into this debate is that Bush's minimal talking points, while strong to begin with, get quite boring after 45 minutes. If the next 45 minutes are more of the same from Bush, he loses the debate, sorta kinda. Bush's Plan according to Kerry, "More of the Same." Good one, Kerry.
Update (9:58 PM): An hour on Iraq. Holy fucking cow. Bush: Speak clearly and speak a little more clearly. And he said this at least three time during a 90 second response. Is there clarity in repeating something a gazillion times? I guess if you're a child, that kinda works out.
Update (10:10 PM): Kerry seriously needs to learn some body language. Nothing too overt, I mean he doesn't have to flail his arms around when he's passionate or pound the podium until it's in splinters. He's focused entirely on Lehrer, and he never takes his focus off of him when he speaks. Knock it off, and address the audience or President Bush or a camera occasionally, it looks like you're staring at the floor. I know it shouldn't matter, but it's true -body language really does kill the message if you're bad at it.
Update (10:14 PM): Wow, a joke. Bush: "I don't hold it against him that he went to Yale." Lame-o, Bush, lame-o. Bush really needed to pull a Reagan on this debate to win tonight. Only problem, he's not really all that funny (although I can give him props for being really snarky).
Update (10:51 PM): Anyway, before the spin gets too heavy, I'd like to say it looks like a win for Kerry, I think. Critique for Kerry: lose the future tense, it makes you look like you're not quite ready for Prime Time, and sounds like a bunch of promises that may or not have conviction. Critique for Bush: you keep repeating shit, substituting conviction for saying what your campaign thinks are obviously catchy memes over and over and over again. Bush needs more depth and definition to score. But overall, I'm actually quite amazed Kerry is perceived as the winner here. I'd probably call it a draw. But even Joe Scarborough said Kerry won "on points." Whatever that means. FoxNews also vaguely confirms a win for Kerry. Kerry seems poised to win the spin battle, for some reason, and that's not bad to start off debate season. Not bad at all.
(absolutely awful image, I know. I'm truly sorry and horrified by this.)
-duckwing, at 7:24 PM
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The Rotten Library
Blogger is running really slow, so before the debates start up, I wanted to make sure I posted this. The Rotten Library is the encyclopedia of Rotten.com, and it's an entertaining resource that connects historical data with interesting modern information. Example -in the Adolph Hitler entry, it mentions Godwin's Law ("As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving the Nazis or Hitler approaches one.") and interesting if not necessarly pertinent links to other entries in the library. A fantastic site.
-duckwing, at 7:05 PM
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Wednesday, September 29, 2004
It's Official!
Expos are moving to DC, says Selig.
-duckwing, at 4:31 PM
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Monday, September 27, 2004
This Could Be the Year
A few topics here I want to get into in one post:
Where are the Bush Supporters? DC's not exactly a hotbed of Republicanism, so I'm not surprised that nobody I know here is exactly crazy about George W. Bush. But I grew up in a Red State, most of my old friends from said state have consistantly voted Republican, and with a couple of "holdouts," most of those guys are now solidly either in the Kerry column or sitting this one out. Where is this 50% of America willing to vote for Bush no matter what? Where are these 70% of Americans so content with their choice for President that they don't give a shit about what either candidate says at the debates? I know they apparently exist on the internet, but to quote Butch and Sundance, "Who are these guys?"
Red Sox and Baseball: I'm psyched the Red Sox walloped the Yankees over the weekend, but I'm a bit perturbed over what's going on in Bud Selig's head right now over annoucing a decision to move the Expos to Washington. Last week, all of the reporters and heads at the Post were calling it a slam dunk. As much as I'd like to believe that signs point to yes, and as much as I am indifferent to the Orioles (I mean, I'm a Red Sox fan, I hate the Yankees, and the O's, while in the AL East, have always seemed to be in some sort of Cal Ripkin Jr. nostalgia that I don't really understand), Pete Angelos has me guessing. He's got something up his sleeve, but I don't know what it is, do I? See, the problem is that, while there's absolutely no other place that's going to offer a sweeter deal to MLB this year than Washington, Bud Selig really does like to stall and play up the drama a bit. In reality, there's no hurry for MLB, for in a year from now there could be the possibility of a sweeter pot with less animosity from other owners. Anyway, if MLB doesn't take DC's offer, it will probably be the last time in awhile for the prospect of baseball in DC to be considered. We will see.
Patriots and Eagles: I've got a feeling this could be the year for them to face each other in the Superbowl, finally. While I am at heart an Eagles fan, I was a huge fan of the Patriots back in the day when they were getting their asses kicked by the Jets on a regular basis. Wayne Chrebet became a sort of demon to me who could and did catch every incredible hail mary over Ty Law and Lawyer Milloy and all the other guys who should've known better. But now the Patriots do know better, now they are incredible, and even though you know it's going to be tight, you still feel confidence in knowing they're going to win, being a fan of this team, rather than tension and angst. The Patriots have come a long way, but I still got to believe the Eagles will prove a better team this year. At least, this year they're my pick.
-duckwing, at 10:08 PM
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Friday, September 24, 2004
Unlikely Movie Prequels
SomethingAwful does a weekly thing called Photoshop Phriday, in which they invite the goons that frequent their forums to contribute photoshoped images based on whatever theme or topic they happen to pick for the week. Today's theme was a pretty neat idea, and some of the contributions are hilarious, so I invite you to check it out.
-duckwing, at 9:34 PM
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Thursday, September 23, 2004
Thanks Be!
Thanks be to all of you, gorgeous and healthy internet community! The last few days have been perfect, in both weather and in health. Praise be to Jesus, the weather has been warm and not at all humid, and my health has not lately been getting worse! If only I could work out how to text wrap my pictures in blogger, I could say in all honesty that life for all God's creatures and all God's critters would be pretty decent.
Thanks be.
So I got a question for you guys. Given all the bunch of really cool and crazy things going on, who do you think God would vote for President this year? Actually don't answer that, the answer is obvious. He'd write in himself! Gotcha, lol! You totally thought I was going to say he'd vote George W. Bush, right?
Actually, if Almighty God were actually running for President on a third party ticket, or even just as an independent -between John Kerry, George Bush, and God, I'd probably vote for God. I mean, I live in Washington DC, so it's not like George Bush would win our District if I just went ahead and decided to vote for God instead of John Kerry. In fact, people might even give me high-fives for making a prudent decision.
I'd like to hear the debates, man. That would be so cool...that is, if they actually let God into the debates (Shocker!)
Actually, I don't even know what I'm talking about. I'm not even registered to vote, for God's sake! I'm considering doing it, but that would mean renewing my driver's license at the DC DMV, which is known the world round as the most inconvenient and frustrating government agency ever. I'll have to think about it.
-duckwing, at 9:18 PM
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Wednesday, September 22, 2004
The Sanctity of Vietnam
You know, I've been thinking about the Vietnam War lately. Sometimes it's just on the back burner, like when I'm cooking in the kitchen and I'm trying to re-ignite the pilot light on the gas burner with the gas on. Sometimes it gets quite a bit obsessive, and I certainly won't get into that with you, dear reader. But I can definitely say that if there's been one thing on my mind the last few months, it's been Vietnam.
As you might know, I was once the War Correspondent for the District Examiner back in the late 60's. Those were weird times -I missed out on the big thing going on back home as I was reporting various war atrocities and assisting our soldiers in razing Vietnamese villages in a manner reminiscent of Jenghis Khan. It was da bomb, in a terrifying sort of way. I kept them relaxed by smoking opium with them while we took turns reading stanzas from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to each other.
Given my experience in Vietnam, I've come to some tentative conclusions. For one thing, I certainly can't blame George W. Bush for skirting out of serving our country in Texas. There's no opium in Texas, and nobody can read there. In a similar fashion, I cannot blame John F. Kerry for doing some of the things he did once he got out of Vietnam. He was clearly deranged. I myself was there to throw my various Pulitzer Prizes right alongside the Vietnam Veterens Against the War protestors in Washington, DC. And what could possibly be the point to that? I don't know, honestly, but clearly I needed to take a break. The weed back in the sixties really fucking sucked. I still don't quite get what the big deal with Woodstock was when I came back from the War. With the weed as weak and horrible as it was, they were obviously retards. The dawning of the Age of Aqueerious, indeed (sorry, that was horrible).
Anyway, while you're pondering all of this, make sure you check my newish and revised Amazon picks (scroll down, left hand side). Read up on the Illuminati to get the comfort you'll need the next time you're handed a one dollar bill , appreciate the newly remastered and highly stylized booming voice of Jim Nabors, or buy a mosquito magnet for your pleasure. Have fun, for what it's worth.
-duckwing, at 10:16 PM
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Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Wow
Wowie-Zowie, readers! I was trying to stay away from the politics this week, because it seems like most cable news networks have plunged headfirst into the looney bin, but I will say this:
Dan Rather is not just a corrupt liberal unethical fuckwad. He's also completely fucking batshit insane!
I'm obviously not going to refute the charges here. I mean, he is clearly bonkers. I've watched CBS News for over thirty years, night after night, year after year, just to see if Dan Rather could reach the point where he could let himself go start frothing at the mouth live on camera and finally acquire the strength need to sever those chains that held his wrists tethered to his anchor's chair. Like an animal. He just needed reassurance that we, the viewing public, would be okay with that.
That was never to be. For truth be told, we failed Dan Rather. We the public could never give him the confidence he needed as a newsanchor to wolf out on air. He had to air his mania in secret, alone with a few equally insane news producers and some key insiders from the Democratic Party, in desperate deception. Forging Documents. Making "What's the Frequency -Geroge W. Bush" jokes every 15 seconds. We should really think about that.
Dan Rather will soon be confined, and we should all privately rejoice to have this dirty little secret lifted from our shoulders.
-duckwing, at 11:08 PM
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Friday, September 17, 2004
The Patriot Index
A new guide for Republicans to understanding the 2004 election on a state by state basis. Indices include "Gun Dealers per 100K" and "Percentage of Foriegn Born Population." Anyway, the only "Red Blooded Republican" state I've ever lived in was Virginia, and for only two years, which I guess explains a lot.
-duckwing, at 10:43 PM
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Thursday, September 16, 2004
Question
Now I know this isn't going to be a deep thought moment for all of you, but I want you to concentrate, okay? Good.
Go back to the early 70's for a second. Think about it. Talk about it with your friends or coworkers or whatever. Now answer this question -would Watergate bring down Nixon today, here in the early 21st Century, with Fox News and bloggers and the internet and all of that? I mean, we've got Rathergate now, which totally looks like it's going to bring Dan Rather down now with the heads asking "What did Dan Rather know, and when did he know it?" (I actually did hear that said on Scarborough Country today, no joke) and stuff, but right now it's enough to stab your eyes out with a fork.
Of course Watergate would be covered "in depth" and analysed to death on the cable news networks and talk radio and newspapers and stuff. But the keyword here is death.
My best guess is that everything important in judging the case would be so buried in the constant crossfire that Nixon certainly wouldn't have to resign today in the 21st Century. And he certainly wouldn't have to apologize.
Cool.
-duckwing, at 10:15 PM
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Holy Cow, Open Thread!
Guys, I'm totally at a loss here. I mean honestly and truly. I mean, I have just totally lost my marbles here, but while I'm checking out the floor trying to recover them, I mean, really... just go crazy here. Open thread!
See, the thing here is, and I mean thing, I mean the real big problem here is, you guys are just crazy. Actually, that isn't the problem, really. I mean, the thing here is that if you see an open thread on the Internet, and don't take full advantage of the full range of possibilites of thought and opinion here, you're crazy. But I'm serious here: go crazy here -I won't mind.
Got a politicial opinion here -go crazy. Got an off-topic piece of news. Don't Worry...it's all safe here. Open thread.
You know, I get emails from people freaking out about commenting all the time. They say things like "will I be banned if I just go ahead and say something crazy?" or "Will my post count go down if I say something un-kosher?"
And I just reply. I say, "yeah, totally, you will, unless you post in an open thread." And that's the truth.
And so this is my gift to you, my Open Thread. Enjoy yourself. Freak out. Go ahead. I give you my Seal of Indifference here. Go nuts. Hang out. Think for yourself.
Holy cow.
-duckwing, at 9:23 PM
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Friday, September 10, 2004
Got Some Time to Kill?
While I'm a bit more cynical than this guy and believe that the real reason why liberalism isn't even an ideology in America anymore is because America is fundamentally and perhaps irrevocably a conservative nation, it might be worth it to check out Rick Perlstein's article in the Boston review on how the Democratic Party can stay afloat for the long term. He hits upon the crucial idea that a minority party with an ideology and a platform is a far better thing to be than a minority party without any foundation or guiding principles.
-duckwing, at 9:23 PM
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Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Ick! Politics...
Checking the news today, and finding Dick Cheney uttering something almost as controversial as "The American people are stupid and evil denizens of the Lord Satan if they decide to elect John Kerry," and George Bush essentially admitting the fact that he basically has no idea what OB-GYN's actually do on a day-to-day basis, I have lately found it basically impossible to add any comedic angle to our current political climate.
In fact, the only real sensible thing to do anymore is to just throw you hands up and shrug as you turn the TV off, or to give in and stare at Brit Hume wide-eyed with your tongue hanging out. I mean, your choice. Whether you choose to ignore TV politics or embrace it in a messianic fervor, it is of course at your own peril.
-duckwing, at 9:13 PM
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Saturday, September 04, 2004
Oh, Crap!
This is my 300th post to the Apple Coda, and I'd like to say, before I head out tonight, that of course John Kerry is doomed. Doomed.
The Democrats are so totally finished that at times it can be hard to comprehend just exactly where and exactly how much they fucked up. Maybe it was nominating a war hero. Maybe it was nominating somebody from Massachusettes. Maybe it was nominating somebody who was not George W. Bush. Whatever the case may be that will eventually lead to the Democrats obvious destruction, the truth remains: it's over, baby!
On the night of Bush's inaugeration, the bombs will be released. It will be unavoidable. If you're a Democrat, you're basically resigned to sit on your couch and watch the tube as the nukes are launched and smirk at Bush and say, "See, American Voters, I told you so!" Hey, with an 11 point lead in the polls for President Bush after the Republican National Convention, what else could you say?
Me, I'm digging a hole right next to Lisner Auditorium in DC to use as a permanent shelter, because honestly I'm freaked out. But at least I'm safe. I'm going there tonight with some soup cans, a can opener, and a hot plate tonight after I finish this post, just in case things get to weird in the next couple of weeks. I probably won't be able to get internet access after the fall of America, but I'll keep a diary and hand my notes up to some guy who works over at the IMF building I know who can be trusted enough to upload my posts onto the site.
Right. Grow some balls, guys! It's not over, not by a longshot. Nobody, least of all the American Public, likes a guy who'll crawl into the ground rather than fight the good fight. So fight a good fight, it's not over yet.
Edit: Yeah, I'm a dumbass and I miscounted, it's actually only post #260. Anyway, I'll strive to catch up and hit 300 before Election Day, I hope.
-duckwing, at 9:10 PM
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Thursday, September 02, 2004
A Final Descent into Madness and Listlessness (the Republican Convention Day 4)
Okay, before I start off today's liveblogging thing, I've gotta make a confession. Liveblogging is absolutely the easiest thing in the world to do ever. It requires absolutely no thought, no composition, and still comes off (relatively) entertaining. It's just writing down reactions to what's going on, kinda like what you did as a teenager and had to keep a "journal" or something: "Today, well right now I'm sitting on my bed and watching MTV with the sound off, and kinda listening to the radio trying to figure out what to write about. School sucked today. My teacher was being a total bitch and made us put our heads down on our desks for the period because of the food fight, which I didn't even start. I just took one look and walked out and ate my lunch in the hallway. They're playing Led Zeppelin right now, they're pretty cool. I like wigged out on the drum set during band pratice earlier this week like Jon Bonham would have if he wasn't dead. People just looked at me, I don't think anybody likes me for some reason."
So one more night of this, and then I'll actually have to think about what I want to write about before I write it down. The big thing tonight is that it has to stay interesting. This is hard. Zell Miller gave one of the craziest speeches last night I've ever heard from a politician, and the heads are already toning it down to make way for President Bush. My best guess is that Bush is going to try to tone it down too, make a bold attempt to recite an intelligent and nuanced speech that address all of America's woes and strengths. That is, IMHO, frankly impossible for Bush to pull off tonight.
Maybe just bring out a mannequinn prop puppet John Kerry, which he could "interview" and show the conventioneers and the world that John Kerry is just a "puppet" to liberal special interest groups like MoveOn and Michael Moore. Maybe he could interupt his speech to start speaking in tougues, and an aide could bring out a basket full of poisonous rattlesnakes, which he would then dump out into the....
Alright, enough crazy talk. Updates to follow, let's roll...
Update (19:56 EST): So, is Zell Miller Lester Maddox-lite? According to David Gergen, he is. According to Laura Ingraham, he's not. And they almost broke out into a fistfight over it. Gergen was annoyed because Zell Miller is a conservative like Ann Coulter who thinks that everyone that doesn't agree with him is a traitor. Laura claimed that his anger is "righteous." "And you will know that my name is the Lord when I lay my vengenance upon thee!" I don't know if Zell's the Second Coming of Lester Maddox, or the Lord for that matter, but I do know that he's at least one wild and crazy guy.
Update (20:40 EST): Tommy Franks: "Wow, this Convention Rocks!" Well, the Convention might rock, but Tommy Franks just sucks! Really, he's pretty much just a boring low-key speaker and warm up act to (who's next in the queue, I don't remember). Can't really knock him too much, maybe I'll just have a contest -say something really funny and surprising about Tommy Franks. Yeah, okay, I'll do that. Tommy Franks -"giving people a chance." He'll give you a second chance if you want one. I totally have absolutely nuthin on this guy. I give up. I surrender. I'm going to go listen to some Jeff Buckley.
Update (21:17 EST): Next up will be George Pataki, who will introduce the President. They sure aren't pulling any punches tonight on the excitement factor tonight. Maybe they're afraid the President could be overshadowed by an Alan Keyes or a Tom Delay.
Update (21:41 EST): George Pataki has the worst hair I've ever seen. In my life. He looks kinda like Adam West, with a hairline slightly more inclined to receed. This is also one for the record books. I cannot believe this guy was in a debating society. My eyes are closing by themselves. Probably the most boring intro to a Presidential Candidate evar. And I think the biggest and best idea is that before you introduce a Presidential Candidate, you get a few licks in at Senator Kerry. Can we make this a new rule? A new proceedure? Let's work on that. "We'll just call John Kerry 'FLIPPER' from now on! And now, here's George Bush, the President of the United States!"
Update (21:51 EST): Atrios has the Bush speech. Honestly, a cursory glance, especially at the end, which is the only thing people are really going to remember, it looks fucking good. The trick, of course, is in the delivery.
Update (22:01 EST): What the Fuck! Fred Thompson narrorates the Bush bio thing like that guy who used to narrorate the Dukes of Hazzard. I almost snorted the 3 fingers of vodka I had downed to prepare myself for Bush's speech out of my nose when it started, but it's actually true. I can't think of any other way to describe it. The defining point of GW Bush forever and ever is going to be him speaking into that megaphone on top of the rubble of the World Trade Center. And now, also, Fred Thompson. Cool.
Update (22:14 EST): Bush looks chipper. That's a good sign. Feek! I'm actually following along with Atrios speech, and he meant feet, I think. I know I'm nitpicking, but still, "feek" has got to be my new favorite word, after "What?" Just saying.
Update (22:21 EST): Yikes! The world of pensions, health care, and job security is the world of yesterday. Welcome to the New World Order and the World of Tomorrow! Yay!
Update (22:29 EST): Outdated labor laws -Ovetime pay. FYI.
Update (22:44 EST): I'm bored. Do I really have to finish watching this? This isn't as good a speech as I thought it was. A new slogan for the Bush Campaign? "Whatever it takes!"
Update (23:12 EST): Well, it looked good on paper, at least. I guess delivery matters. I can't really say anything else about this -he's finished. He needed to deliver a speech that was a knock out, and I mean really. He needed a bit more definition, because as much as Bush gets heralded as a decisive President with strong convictions and morals, it doesn't actually come through when he speaks. Not that Kerry is any better at this, really, but this speech lacks any type of sincerity or even conviction. I will give Bush some bonus points on the threat of terrorism and freedom and stuff, which of course was always his Ace. But really, Bush needed that elusive conviction factor to win this, and the Kerry and media bashing didn't work at all in his speech. Unless some unpredicted major factor influences this race for Bush, I think it's over right here. The truth is, after having George W. Bush as President for four years, I have no absolutely no idea where he stands. Muhalo.
Update (23:30 EST): Well, most people are getting on board the greatest speech Bush has ever done train, which actually doesn't really surprise me. Kerry is going to get a rebuttal, though, so I guess I'll cover that tonight, too. To expand on my previous remarks, I do think it's over for Bush, but yeah, Bush did a good job on the last few paragraphs in his speech. It was well written, and his delivery was pretty good. So there.
Update (23:55 EST): I'm sorry but John Kerry totally has that gigolo look to him doesn't he? Like the Night at the Roxbury Crew, when he smiles. It's scary. I am frightened by John Kerry. John Edwards had a good warm-up. I'll recap Kerry's speech in a rebuttal -let's thank the Grace Temple Praise Team!
Update (00:00 EST): Not a knockout speech by Kerry, not horrible either, but you know where I stand. A stimulating Convention to stay the least. I really cannot believe there'd be too many undecideds after this.
-duckwing, at 6:50 PM
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Wednesday, September 01, 2004
OH BOY!!! (Republican National Convention Day 3)
Wow, so are we voting on a referendum on Republican Ideology or a referendum on George W. Bush this election year?! Who knows! I guess we'll find out tonight, "Bulldog" Night in New York.
Big controversy over Zell Miller tonight. Chris Matthews seems so rhetorically confused by Zell Miller, and unfortunately the Republican commentators aren't helping "clear the air." I guess it'll just remain an enigma.
As before, I'll keep you updated as the night wears on. Muhalo.
Update (21:26 EST): Ronald Reagan....Ronald Reagan....Ronald Reagan....Ronald Reagan. Okay, so it's a tribute to Ronald Reagan...Ronald Reagan...Ronald Reagan. Lee Greenwood is always patriotic. A-OK for America. Ronald Reagan....
Update (22:05 EST): Holy crap! Did you see the stache on that guy in the audience during Zell Miller's speech! He looked like John Wilkes Booth or something! Zell Miller's talking about bipartisanship, despite the fact the with the Republicans holding the majority of the legislature, and the Supreme Court (and of course the Presidency), bipartisanship is kinda a moot point.
Update (22:09 EST): Quick point of annoyance. Agitators and Protestors have been huge in making positive changes in this country, Zell. Two obvious ones: Abolitionists during the Civil War, and Woman Suffragists during WWI. The mainstream at the time, of course, thought they should have remained silent during times of war.
Update (22:23 EST) : We love the Cheney! He definitely needs to smirk more, that's what I'm thinking as he hits his introductory remarks.
Update (22:32 EST): Traditional by yer bootstraps talking points. Yikes, praising No Child Left Behind (he doesn't mention it by name, but still)! Stick to the talking points, man! Tax cuts, more like it. Now that I think of it, I think the letter W should be retired along with Bush's Presidency. Retire the letter "W" -I mean not as a component of words and such, I mean, that'd be weird. Just put a jersey up in the portrait gallery with the letter "W" silkscreened onto it. I mean, that'd be a moving tribute.
Update (22:44 EST): Moving us towards a lasting peace that only freedom can bring? Holy crap, did I hear that right -if they're terrorists and rogue nations, why would we want to achieve a lasting peace with those guys? I'm confused. Now he's attacking Kerry for...something. I'm sorry, I'm starting to get totally lost following his train of thought. More in a second, as I clear my head...
Update (23:00 EST): The commentators on MSNBC seem pretty hyped up on Cheney's speech, but like most of this Convention, the speeches feel like red meat with a ton of holes. It's up to someone else to dissect the speeches here tonight, and I could pick apart the general weirdness on the message and the attacks on John Kerry, but the holes struck a chord with me more than anything else. Cheney spends a part of the speech urging appeasment and understanding for other nations, then blasts John Kerry for those (perceived) same tendancies? The same charges can be applied to Zell Miller, more red meat, less appeasment, still some weird views on history. That's all for tonight, more tomorrow.
Update (23:27 EST): Well I'm not going to go to bed before this: Zell Miller went nuts on Chris Matthews during their interview, and at least we know that this is at least insanely personal for Miller. That's all I got to say, I mean Matthews isn't all that antagonistic, at least in any real partisan way. He plays softball, for the most part. For Zell to react the way he did was just really weird, but I guess I understand it. If I sold out my party, I'd feel pretty defensive about my motives myself. Just saying.
-duckwing, at 6:43 PM
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