Dispatches from the RNC-The Drive To Minnesota

by elpresidente | 11:01 pm, August 31, 2008

I hate the wind.

Ok, not really hate so much as dislike intensely, especially when it forces you to drive 10 miles under the speed limit through a rather boring stretch of South Dakota.

Yes–I drove (won’t be a green convention for this blogger!).

However, lest you think I shirked my blogger duties, here is a sample of what I saw along the way, which included a stop in the Black Hills of South Dakota and a visit to the Crazy Horse Monument (which likely won’t be finished in our lifetimes, but is entirely financed through–shocker–private enterprise) and, of course, Mount Rushmore:

BFE, Wyoming.

Custer, SD

Crazy Horse Monument

“Authentic,” but waaay overpriced.

A preview of how the mountain will eventually look, sometime around 2500. Just kidding (not really).

Made in Denver.

Just in time for the evening lighting ceremony.

Come on, Vogue!

All lit up.

When I was last here in 1994, there was a much smaller, old-school National Monument building and very little improvements (since the 1960s). A larger parking lot and entrance, enhanced museum, new amphitheater, and this flag-lined walkway all augmented the decidedly patriotic experience.

I’ll have video from the lighting ceremony tomorrow.

First, we watched a Mount Rushmore “Cliff Notes” video on the four Presidents represented, and then members of the audience who were veterans of our armed forces (or a representative) were invited to the stage for the nightly flag lowering, carried out with much dignity.  Our ranger narrated the Star-Spangled Banner’s first 3 verses, and sang the final verse quite beautifully.  It was clear from the tone of her voice that she was truly overcome with emotion, and this feeling permeated the audience.

On a cool night on Labor Day weekend following the week of hell (temperatures and my poor feet) that was the DNC, it was an outstanding opportunity to reflect on the greatness of our country, the eloquence of our Founding Fathers, and the immense gratitude we should have for our rights and for the ability to exercise our freedoms in a manner unmatched almost anywhere else on this rock.  Sandwiched as it was between the DNC and RNC, my visit to Mount Rushmore reinforced the necessity of an educated and engaged citizenry that is politically active and civically oriented.

But that’s not why you’re here, is it? On to the convention schwag!

RNC schwag bag–”refresh, recycle, re-use.”  Surprisingly, there wasn’t a Coke product inside.

The logo may be much-maligned, but the message is important–water is essential for convention survival!

Cool! Mac & Cheese  . . . hey–wait a minute! We are Republicans.  Where is my RNC filet mignon?

Can the Republicans weather the storm that is Hurricane Gustav?

Fellow Coloradan Brad Jones from FacetheState.com (bookmark it) arrived a little earlier in the day, and managed to snap a few photos of those protesters arrested Sunday and the arrival of the Colorado delegates. Check back in at FTS for updates throughout the RNC.

Meanwhile, Gateway Pundit details the moonbat protesters of the “RNC Welcoming Committee” raided over the weekend and arrested for possessing devices meant to “disable” delegate buses.

Same crap (literally), different city/convention.

Oh, it’s gonna be a fun week. I’ll have updates tomorrow, including more details on the reduced and mainly “procedural” first day of the RNC.

The Troof is Out!

by T.L. James | 9:29 pm, August 31, 2008

Meanwhile, on the other side of the looking glass… Remember, kids: shiny side out!

WOW!! 20,000 Turn Out to See Palin & McCain In Missouri (Video)

by Gateway Pundit | 8:45 pm, August 31, 2008

WOW!! Record crowds turn out to see SARAH PALIN and John McCain in Missouri!

Click on Photo to see Video From Missouri–

(Reuters Photo)
20,000 in Missouri rally with McCain and Palin!

WOW… Just Wow!
It looks like Missouri approved of McCain’s VP pick!

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a podium as vice presidential candidate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, listens during today’s rally. (KSDK)

KMOV reported on the Missouri rally:

McCain spotlighted Palin at the suburban St. Louis rally — giving her the clean-up speaking spot on a stage erected over the ballfield’s home plate. She got an enthusiastic reception from the crowd that filled the infield bleachers and spread from the dirt base paths into the outfield grass. At various times, they chanted, “Sarah, Sarah.”

The ball team’s president said the stadium holds about 15,000 for such concert-style events. Republican consultant John Hancock, who served as master of ceremonies for the event, estimated there were about 20,000 people.

KSDK in St. Louis has video of McCain’s speech today in O’Fallon.

Bob McCarty has an excellent roundup from the rally today.

Sunday Night at the Radio!

by John Martin | 7:56 pm, August 31, 2008

And one last bizarre DNC juxtaposition.

First up, Jack Benny! A two-parter: “The Fright-Wig Murder Case” (25 January 1942); and part two (2 February 1942).

The juxtapo: At the pro-troops rally at Pioneer Monument last Sunday, it was hard not to notice this guy:

Didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s Mike Jones, destroyer of Pastor Ted Haggard and an occasional subject of D-blog “humor.” Never mentioned him in the context of the DNC, though. When worlds collide.

Support Your Local Blog: Slapstick Politics Goes To The 2008 Republican National Convention

by elpresidente | 4:13 pm, August 31, 2008

Slapstick Politics has been selected as an Official Blogger to the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul from Sept. 1-4. While this is a distinct honor and incredible opportunity to represent the center-right of the Colorado blogosphere on a national level, there is also a substantial cost associated with travel and accommodations.

If you’ve enjoyed SP’s coverage of the DNC (and there will be plenty more in the coming weeks, I can assure you) and you are willing and able to help SP cover the costs of the trip, know that it is greatly appreciated. If you have a business or are a candidate this election and would like to help by sponsoring SP in return for advertising space, then please contact me by email.

SP will feature the usual news roundups, but will also bring you photos and video straight from the RNC–a view from the “other side,” with interviews and backstage access.

If you have Colorado-related questions for GOP bigwigs you’d like answered, leave them in the comments or shoot me an email.

First SP just has to make it out of Denver and the DNC alive!

Latest Lib Smear: Palin Was Not Against Bridge to Nowhere

by Gateway Pundit | 3:36 pm, August 31, 2008

My, they sure are having a difficult timing attacking this pro-gun, pro-Life, conservative mother of 5 who enjoys an 80% approval rating as Governor of Alaska.

(Flickr)
The latest lib smear is that Palin did not oppose the “Bridge to Nowhere”.
The Left is already starting to lie about Sarah Palin.

But, sadly, it is the Left, once again, who is lying.
They have such a difficult time with reading comprehension.
Here is what the Anchorage Daily News reported today:

“I told Congress, thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere,” Palin told the cheering McCain crowd, referring to Ketchikan’s Gravina Island bridge.

But Palin was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.

The Alaska governor campaigned in 2006 on a build-the-bridge platform, telling Ketchikan residents she felt their pain when politicians called them “nowhere.” They’re still feeling pain today in Ketchikan, over Palin’s subsequent decision to use the bridge funds for other projects — and over the timing of her announcement, which they say came in a pre-dawn press release that seemed aimed at national news deadlines.

“I think that’s when the campaign for national office began,” said Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein on Saturday.

…McCain also claimed to have found, in Palin, “someone with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies” and “someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past” and “someone who has reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats and independents to serve in government.” On those scores, Palin can fairly claim credit, according to Alaska political leaders and others who have followed her career here.

She did fight corruption as a whistle-blower, even before an FBI investigation burst into public view. She also stood up to “party bosses,” as McCain claimed, running against Republican incumbents as an outsider — though she has yet to unseat her nemesis, Randy Ruedrich, as state party chairman.

Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said Saturday that as projected costs for the Ketchikan bridge rose to nearly $400 million, administration officials were telling Ketchikan that the project looked less likely. Local leaders shouldn’t have been surprised when Palin announced she was turning to less-costly alternatives, Leighow said. Indeed, Leighow produced a report quoting Palin, late in the governor’s race, indicating she would also consider alternatives to a bridge.

There you have it.
Sarah Palin opposed the “bridge to nowhere”.
It’s so sad to see the Left stoop to deceit in order to discredit the popular Palin.

They are having such a difficult time bashing this woman and mother.
It’s really too bad.

Breaking: Republicans Cancel First Night of Convention

by Gateway Pundit | 2:49 pm, August 31, 2008

It looks like Michael Moore’s prayers to the great earth god were answered.

Don Fowler and other liberals will surely get a kick out of this…
The RNC Convention was cancelled for tomorrow night.
Chron Watch reported:

Virtually all of the Republican National Convention’s Monday night program, including an address by President Bush, will be canceled as national attention focuses on Hurricane Gustav, party officials said today.

“It is doubtful that there will be any kind of program tomorrow night” when the four-day convention was scheduled to commence, House Minority Leader John Boehner told reporters. “The convention is going to be handled on a day-to-day basis.”

Boehner, of Ohio, the top Republican in the House, said the convention is concerned about potential victims of the storm, “and the best way we honor that is to help Americans who are in need.”

“There will be efforts to engage the delegates, alternates and our friends in relief efforts.”

John McCain, who will formally receive his party’s nomination for the presidency, said today that the GOP is turning its focus on those who are facing the storm’s impact.

“I pledge that tomorrow night, and if necessary throughout our convention, we will act as Americans and not as Republicans, because America needs us now,” McCain said.

“We must redirect our efforts from the really celebratory event of the nomination of the president and vice president of our party to acting as all Americans,” he said.

There was a mandatory evacuation ordered from New Orleans today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with people on the Gulf Coast.

Nutty Far Left Pro-Choice TV Host Attacks Palin On Prenatal Care

by Gateway Pundit | 1:16 pm, August 31, 2008

Well, this was pretty sick.
Far Left pro-choice TV host Alan Colmes attacked Governor Sarah Palin on her prenatal care!
A man who has absolutely no problem with Palin killing her own baby feigns concern about the delivery of her baby earlier this year.
Nuts.

Kim Priestap at Wizbang has the story.
Colmes accused Governor Palin of not taking enough care of Trig when he was an unborn baby.
Oh brother– The Left sure is stretching to bash the Alaska governor.

BTW– Colmes already yanked the post.

WE GOT MAIL… Soros-Lackey Responds to Pro-Victory “Vets For Freedom”

by Gateway Pundit | 11:25 am, August 31, 2008

Yesterday, we posted video of Vets For Freedom founders Pete Hegseth and Dave Bellavia crashing the antiwar, anti-military “Bush Legacy” bus.
The anti-Bush exhibit is traveling the country promoting an insurgent snuff film of an attack on US soldiers.
Here is the video- Click on the photo:

The director of communications of the “Bush Legacy” bus was nearly in tears after the pro-American, pro-Victory veterans confronted him on the insurgent filth that the bus is promoting.

Well… We obviously hit a nerve because late last night, the curator of the Soros-funded propaganda bus, Jeremy Funk (who appears in the video) posted a comment to the original thread for this video.
Here is his comment:

I’m the “loser” that with the “irrational rage” and “lack of objectivity” and “bottled-up anger” in the video. Here I thought I had I given an Iraq War Veteran the utmost respect he deserves. Here I thought I treated him like the hero he is. Here I thought I was respectful, conciliatory, humbled, and open-minded to his opinions.

But, personal stuff aside, it boils down to serious a difference of opinion. Like the majority of the American people, I don’t want to see one more of our brave men and women dying in the crosshairs of an Iraqi civil war. I don’t want to see another mother suffer, like the mother of Sgt. Patrick R. McCaffrey. Sgt. McCaffrey’s mother reached out to us with her son’s story of how the Pentagon lied to her about her son being killed by the same Iraqi forces he was training. She donated his combat boots to the Bush Legacy Bus in hopes that not another mother would feel the same pain and betrayal.

I want our troops to come home from Iraq as quickly and responsibly as possible, and I want the eye back on the ball in Afghanistan where the real threat is – where the terrorists that actually attacked us on 911 are thriving once again. Even Ambassador Ryan Crocker admits that Afghanistan, not Iraq, is the central front against Al Qaeda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH57bOZbJ3o

We’ve heard a lot from the “liberal media” you folks decry so much about the so-called “success” of the “surge.” The reality is, civil strife is still flaming every day: just one example this week, a suicide bomber killed 28 police recruits in Quaragh Tappah:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSLP67913620080826

But you probably didn’t hear about that or any of the other deadly civil bombings this week or last or the week before. Certainly, the increased troop presence has helped decrease violence on U.S. forces, thank God, but terrible Shiite on Shiite violence continues every day, and a good deal of the overall decrease in violence is credited to a cease fire agreement, albeit a fragile one, between radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr and Shiite Iraq PM Maliki.

Shiite on Shiite violence has been nothing new. And, in the last several months, the U.S. government has taken one side of a bloody, religious, sectarian civil war – spending $12 billion a month and many U.S. dead and wounded in the process. That’s where Veterans for Freedom/John McCain and Americans United for Change, the American people, and the Iraqi government disagree. VFF and McCain want to keep our soldiers in harm’s way of a civil war indefinitely until they achieve some undefined, unattainable “victory” whether it takes 100 years or more. But, our troops have already done everything they’ve been asked to do and a lot more serving 2-3 or more tours. My best friend Dan Burke is in Iraq right now serving a second tour.

Now that the Iraqi parliament and PM Maliki have publicly called on us to leave and are close to a deal with the U.S. government for a timetable for withdrawal, it’s time that Vets for Freedom and John McCain of 2008 concur with the John McCain of 2004 who when asked what he would do if a sovereign Iraqi government asked us to leave said: “it’s obvious that we would have to leave because — if it was an elected government of Iraq, and we’ve been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government then I think we would have other challenges, but I don’t see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people.”: http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2008/07/in-2004-mccain.html

Even President Bush has agreed to “time horizons” and his administration is reportedly set to agree to a status-of-forces agreement with Iraq that begins the safe and orderly withdrawal of most U.S. troops by the end of 2011. While stomping about the Bush Legacy Bus and complaining about our fact-based Iraq exhibit, I didn’t once hear Veterans for Freedom call President Bush a “traitor” or a “cut and runner.” Why not?

Jeremy J. Funk, Americans United for Change

Of course, if Jeremy and the staff of “Bush Legacy” bus wanted to give the veterans “the respect they deserve” they’d TAKE DOWN THEIR FILTHY INSURGENT SNUFF FILM!

And, if they really wanted respectful dialogue they would accept the undeniable truth that the Bush Surge worked, that violence is down to record levels, that the benchmarks are being met, and the war is being won.

But first they’d start by TAKING DOWN THEIR TERRORIST FILM!
What a disgusting shameful bunch.

More Good News… Sadr City Public Pool Reopens After 5 Years

by Gateway Pundit | 10:51 am, August 31, 2008

More good news…

A young Iraqi does a backwards dive off the platform at the grand re-opening of the Mithaq Pool Complex, Aug. 30, 2008. The boy was competing in a diving competition to celebrate the pools opening. The pool complex is an important hub for recreation in the Thawra 1 neighborhood. (DVIDS)

The Sadr City pool opened this week.
DVIDS reported:

The District Advisory Council and the residents of the Thawra 1 neighborhood of the Sadr City District of Baghdad celebrated the re-opening of the Mithaq Pool Complex with prizes, competitions and music, Aug. 30, 2008.

Representatives from the DAC, Ministry of Youth and Recreation, Iraqi army and community organized and oversaw the celebration, amid improved security conditions.

The festivities included guest speakers, a swimming and diving competition and swimming-related gifts for the younger Iraqis in attendance.

Iraqi Lt. Col. Yeayah Rosoul Abdallah al Zubadie, the commander of the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, was a guest speaker at the re-opening and welcomed the attendees and thanked the many people who were involved in the important event.

“The Iraqi army is here to serve the people of Iraq. The community leaders here today, with the help of the Government, have a chance to make a difference for their people,” said Yeayah. “The re-opening today is an example of all of us together working together for our people.”

A young Iraqi does a front somersault off the platform at the grand re-opening of the Mithaq Pool Complex, Aug. 30, 2008. The boy was competing in a diving competition to celebrate the pools opening. (DVIDS)

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