Convention Observations

I haven’t watched, and I have. I’ve seen some speeches and some demonstrations. Some speeches were too long and some too short. Some were powerful, some weak, some inspiring, some not. I’ve come to realize that conventions, or gatherings, and even the actions of Congress are not the epitomes of our essence; they are only echoes, reflections and often dark shadows of our collective selves.

Americans, as a whole, are passionate, reflective, courageous, intelligent and ignorant until the truth is presented fairly, clearly and without prejudice, but it takes time for facts to percolate through the brew of fiction. All convention speeches are tinged with hopes and wishes and degradations of the opponent and are speckled with statements without truth. It is the way of politics.

Personally, I can’t wait for the rhetoric to end. I can’t wait for the election to be over. I can’t wait to see what American wisdom chooses for our future and the future of our children.

It is a choice of great responsibility.

DNC-Day ONE

Now the other convention! Day ONE

It’s important. Where America goes is important. We, “We The People” can take the future anywhere we choose and that is the dilemma, What we choose  is the pole star of the future. I’ll watch and comment as before.

I trust you will watch and reserve judgment until all the hype and all the rhetoric and all the promises are in and then use discernment as your abacus of truth.

Trump's Call

Trump's Call

©2016 Rolland G. Smith

I heard his words from somewhere dark

He said to me that I should fear

That things are bad; the future stark.

He can fix it, we’ll persevere.

From where I stand and where I sit

I do not see our future grim.

I see us strong and proud and fit

And all the other pseudoyms.

Fearful, is what we must not be.

It gives away our reasoned mind.

Let go of fear, a truth that's free

And you will have a life refined.

No one man or no one woman

Can make it great for every soul.

It’s up to us, it’s our elan

To make the choices and keep control.

Cruz

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know I dislike and distrust Senator Ted Cruz; what he did last night in his prime-time convention speech was admirable and needs to be commended. He risked ridicule, but stood up to his principles and did not endorse Trump.

The easy way out would have been to not attend the convention. Cruz took the harder choice and publically voiced where he stands.

My friend and expert political analyst Alan Marcus put it this way in a post today.

“Does anyone really think that the so-called "pledge" to support the ultimate nominee holds water after the vicious, personal, degrading, juvenile attacks the “signers”/candidates were subjected to?  Wouldn't one question the integrity of the other candidates if they acquiesced? Listening to the comments last night and again today it appears that those attending the GOP convention likened the "pledge" to the sanctity of marriage vows (and we know how those have been respected).”

For me, I hope this is the last time I am able to say anything nice about Ted Cruz.

Convention Observations

I am sorry for the grief of a Mother, who lost a son in Benghazi. I can empathize.  I lost a son to brain cancer. Either through war or illness, a child is dead. I’ve gotten past of my sorrow, and I hold my grief close to my heart.

Patricia Smith moved her Mother’s grief onto the political arena, and I am sorry that this was the only venue she felt open to her to grieve and to blame. Investigations and committees have proved her emotional conclusion as not valid. I’ll leave it at that. I do believe she was used by political hacks who care not for the truth, but only to discredit Hillary Clinton. 

I am sorry that Melania’s speech was partly plagiarized from a 2008 convention speech by Michele Obama. Even though Mrs. Trump says she wrote it; she surely had counsel in its formation and what was good about it was ignored. She was ill-served by her staff.

Last night, day two, I did not watch. I stayed silent. Silence is the only place where nothingness prevents intrusion of thought. It is the space between thoughts, between breaths, between the blink of the eyes, between the sacred moment of life and death and the singular awareness that there is only NOW.

I’ll read last night's convention highlights today.