Are you watching the RNC?

I'm a former republican who became an independent after the takeover of the party by Dirty Dickie Nixon.  However, out of fairness, I feel I have to give a listen to them.

I'm not feeling very fair though.  Why are these people so conformist?  I haven't seen so many black suits and red dresses since the last RNC.  Then there are the delegations all dressed the same, like some kind of square dance team - Texas has identical red shirts and straw (I think) cowboy hats.  Another delegation is all dressed in blue denim shirts.  I long for the craziness of the DNC.  They had some music but nobody was dancing in the aisles - the just sat demurely in their seats, clapping in time or sort of bouncing their heads.  What duds.

Then there's this little tidbit

http://www.washingtonindependent.com/3934/rep ublicans-lobbyists-party-with-hookers-and-blo w

I suppose they have to let off all that pent up steam somehow. 

The speeches so far are about what you'd expect.  Fred Thompson talked about McCain's life, but stopped with him being a POW.  didn't he have a life after that?  Not one mention of his two marriages and all those kids. 

I intend to stick with this.  Who knows, maybe there will be something said or done that will change my jaundiced mind.

What do you think of it?  And feel free to disagree with me - I don't mind - it's called free discourse.

One caveat: no discussion of Sarah Palin - we have a thread for that already.

OH my God that "pants on fire" thing is KILLING me.

OK I'll totally admit I haven't watched a word come out of that Palin woman's mouth, but a friend of mine just called me having a melt down and ready to run away with her two young daughters if this woman gets anywhere near office

Is she really advocating a dismissal of birth control in favor of abstinence (because as well all know, teenagers aren't gonna go have sex if we tell them not to), and even more scary, IS SHE SAYING TEACH CREATIONISM IN SCHOOLS?

Someone please tell me this is a horrible lie and I can sleep tonight.

She is indeed, well-documented as being in favor of abstinence education and creationism being taught alongside evolution, as well as anti-abortion under any but life-threatening circumstances. I think these were issues she used to get elected in her state.

I think it bears pointing out that McCain and his wife are both pro-choice and Cindy even admitted that Roe v Wade should not be overturned.

Original Post by spirochete:

Someone please tell me this is a horrible lie and I can sleep tonight.

 She is, supposedly, in favor of teaching both evolution and creationism in public schools, and in one particular interview tapped danced around the question of how a lot of Christians have reconciled the two beliefs instead of "one or the other" - she said something to the effect of not pretending to know how "all of this came to be."  So, while it's not like she wants teach it exclusively, but she has no problems treating it equally with a scientific theory. 

However, with this particular issue, and even the sex ed one, I think we can sleep fine, as the VP has no say on the content of educational curricula in any school system.  It would be better keep an eye on the school board and local/state government for that.

and yet the federal government brought about 'teaching to the test' and the subsequent cuts to non-test teaching with its No Child Left Behind legislation

As long as McCain's health is in good shape, we're probably safe from anything a President Palin would do

I don't think he's said what tasks he would give to his VP. 

If it's energy policy again, look for beneficial arrangements for the Great State of Alaska

Also, i heard, but have not confirmed that she cut funding for children with special needs in Alaska.  Gotta find out if that's true, given her pledge to be a friend and advocate for families with children with special needs.  Maybe she just meant, literally, she'll be your friend.  Not anything to do with action in government.

Bill Maher post the RNC was quite hi-larious. :)

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

and yet the federal government brought about 'teaching to the test' and the subsequent cuts to non-test teaching with its No Child Left Behind legislation

Yeah, and that legislation, while heavily promoted by the White House, passed with resounding support from both parties.  It's not like Cheney had to break a tie.

What is the real possibility that even if Palin gets VP, any school curriculum will change just because she believes in creationism?

none unless the senate & house go back to GOP control 

i'm not willing to underestimate this woman

Haven't we had other presidents/vice presidents who, because of religion, believed in creationism and such?  It hasn't made a difference has it? 

Also, does anyone know Obama's standpoint on religion?  Does he go to church?  Did he in the recent past?  Has he simply promised to keep his religious beliefs out of his policy-making?

{{{{peaches}}}}

i <3 u

obama was united methodist until protests about his former pastor caused him to withdraw his membership from the church

i don't know if the obamas have found a new church home yet

obama has talked about his faith informing his politics - in terms of helping the poor and working for justice - not in terms of dictating that religious ideas should be taught in science classes or that religious beliefs must dictate the medical procedures available to women

some people object to his support of President Bush's faith-based initiatives, which Obama wants to keep and reform to make them accountable to tax payers and also open it up to more community groups, not just religious groups

edit to add: obama was a professor of constitutional law for 10 years; my money is on him upholding the constitution

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

none unless the senate & house go back to GOP control 

That's still iffy unless we can reasonably postulate in that case a ruling majority of the GOP members 1) believed in creationism and 2) insisted that it was the federal government's responsibility to dictate such a curriculum to local schools.  I mean, if they're going to argue that it's the local school's decision on what to do for sex education, how can they argue that it's not when it comes to another subject?

mmm...but then hypocrisy hasn't prevented the GOP from doing a lot of things....

and Biden is a pro-choice Catholic, FWIW.

ditto Nomo. ditto Santo.

{{{Nomo}}}}

I <3 u 2!!!

Thanks!  I'd heard something about that but I wasn't sure. I think it's absolutely possible for a president to have certain beliefs (religious or otherwise) and still keep those seperate from political decisions.  I'm sure it can be hard at times, but it can be done.

 I, personally think it's wonderful that he supports faith-based initiatives.  If they are already there, then why not use them?  Of course I agree that if they get government money, then they would need to be held accountable for helping ALL people and not just people of faith.

Original Post by kathygator:

and Biden is a pro-choice Catholic, FWIW.

 Hmm.  Interesting.

What's scary about Palin is when you look at how she ran for mayor of her town. I don't see her governing anything without infusing her religious beliefs into it.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1837918,00.html

"and Biden is a pro-choice Catholic, FWIW."

I thought this was interesting.  The Denver Archbishop: "I certainly presume his good will and integrity, and I presume that his integrity will lead him to refrain from presenting himself for Communion if he supports a false ‘right’ to abortion.” 

That's a big deal to catholics, from my understanding. 

For catholics, it is a big deal, crazineko...a big deal.

Heard a quote from him on NPR this morning - and essentially he was saying that he thinks it's wrong to try to impose one's religious beliefs on others.

Just a little FYI - Sarah Palin and the Republican party received a cease and desist order today from the band Heart for using Barracuda during the convention.

The quote given by CBC was "They were not, and would never be, granted permission to use that song".

Because apparently Sarah's nickname was Sarah Barracuda in school.  ;-)

Best part about that: When Heart recieves the royalties for the use of their song, they have stated they will donate all of it to Obama's campaign.