A Show of Force (and Confetti)

This moment in the life of our country will be remembered. Generations will know if we kept our faith and kept our word. Generations will know if we seized this moment, and used it to build a future of safety and peace.
President George W. Bush RNC 2004


Like a drumroll, on the last evening of the GOP convention in NY, retired military and former US Olympic medalists warmed up the crowd for President George Bush to accept his party's nomination. Claiming he will stay the course and continue to fight for freedom and democracy, Bush stressed his pre-emptive strategy. The President reached out to a broad audience including military families and Latinos (not fumbling the Spanish this time). He talked about protecting unborn children, promoting faith based charities, and defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Bush also presented an agenda that includes creating "opportunity zones", expanding testing for high school students, training American workers, and promoting democracy around the world. Bush got big cheers for bashing Kerry, but managed to avoid saying his opponents name on stage. The Bush and Cheney families gathered under confetti and balloons as the convention came to a close.

Bush protesters continued to infiltrate the GOP conference floor, with two briefly disrupting the President's speech. 470 protesters were ordered released just hours before Bush took to the stage. The presiding judge also fined New York City for contempt of court as they continually ignored the court's orders to release the detainees. Many detainees complained that they were innocent bystanders swept up in mass arrests on the street. At least one such unfortunate detainee said it resulted in the "birth of my activism" after being targeted unfairly and treated poorly in custody. Conditions at Chelsea Pier 57 are alleged to be unsafe, with reports of an oily substance on the floor, unsanitary bathrooms, and several cases of respiritory distress and rashes and infections.

BIRDS & BEES: Catholic Church condemns sexy fruit candy in compromising positions.

HOLLYWOOD: RNC celebrities: G-list stars?

JOCKS: Steinbrenner takes a page out of Karl Rove's book and uses 9/11 to rally the team.

TECH: Pay as you play: Napster releases monthly download subscription for listeners.

TUNES: Hey ya! Outkast clarifies: not in NY to support Bush.

WEB SURF: Is it the real world if it's animated, or does that make it just "Drawn Together"?

With all the bashing and the yelling this week, wouldn't it be nice to Spread the Love? Send a personalized e-message to a non-voter close to your heart.