The Republicans are having their national convention. I probably should be watching on TV but I can no longer stomach the people. I force myself to read their words in the Paper instead. Republicans are not my enemies, but they seem to feel that somehow "liberals" like myself are their enemies. All their talk about "unity" has been used as a weapon to secure advantage for their Party and for their Parties economic backers. They accused us, with dripping venom, "Democrats" of wrapping ourselves in the flag a month ago, and now they are doing the same thing. That is the problem with venom. It is poison that is aimed at incapacitating the victim.
At any rate, Democrats are not the enemy of the US. Republicans would be wise to remember that. They started forgetting this fact back during the Roosevelt and Truman Administrations when they were seeking "commies" everywhere. And again when Nixon employed his rat pack of plumbers to break into the Democratic Party headquarters. Subsequently the loony fringe of the Republican party has acted as if to be a liberal and a Democrat was to be a commie stooge, and they have trotted out the rumor sheets of foreign intercepts and the confessions of the genuine subversives of the time to reinforce that notion.
Yes, people are often their own worst enemy. But that sort of enemy is within. The Republicans have also done things that were to the advantage of the "Enemy." And they continue to do so. I'll listen to the convention to see whether they are listening to the "loony fringe" or their own best inner voice. It won't affect my vote in November, but it may affect how I vote in future years. Four years ago they gave us an impressive display of salesmanship. I think their platform is still at that level. On the one hand you have the "compassionate conservative." On the other you have Hannity and Rove, and Anne Coulter. Which voice dominates? We'll see....
Posted by cholte at August 30, 2004 06:25 AM