Sugar-Free
Confections of a Democratic Convention
Norma Sherry
Just as we watched the Democratic
Convention arrive at its culminating event of choosing John Kerry and
John Edwards as the candidates for president and vice president, the
pundits and the Republicans, those compassionate ones, are on the
prowl. Just as we feel the exuberance and excellence of Barack Obama,
the power and enthusiasm of John Edwards, and say what you will about
Bill Clinton, but he knows how to make a speech, the mongers on the
right are working to pull us asunder.
As the energized democratic populace
emerged their cocoon where everyone saw the light, where everyone was
of one vision, where everyone had one goal, to the world beyond the
Fleet Center, the swirling hatred and vile lies and half-truths
slammed them back to the reality that their task is far from over.
Political Conventions have always been
staged productions. Some good, some bad, some just boring. They have
long changed from my youth when there was still a sense of
bewilderment and wonder. Perhaps we were just more child-like and we
bought the dog and pony show. Sophisticated and intellectually wise as
I like to think I am, I have to admit, I'm still inspired by a
poetic phrase, a magnanimous gesture, a promise of a better tomorrow.
I must admit I'm surprised by the
numbers of us who don't watch, who don't participate in our
democracy. I asked a professor acquaintance if he heard the awesome
speech by Barack Obama, he responded by saying, "I can't stand to
hear Bill Clinton". His decision not to watch the Democratic
Convention was based on his hatred for President Clinton. I admit, my
repulsion for George W. Bush comes nearly as close as his for Bill
Clinton, but I wouldn't think of missing the Republican Convention
because I find Bush a despicable and horrible president. I want to
know what they're saying. I want to hear their views. So should we
all.
We know that the Bush campaign is a very
rich and nasty campaign devised to twist the truth and disguise
the lies. We've already seen their tactics. They're attack
strategy speaks volumes to who and what this president is and how he
conducts himself. We can surely anticipate a barrage of anti-Kerry,
anti-wealth, anti-lawyers, anti-outspoken wives commercials. Hell, I
even got an email telling me that John Kerry went back to his scenes
of heroics during his
Vietnam
enlistment to re-enact his heroism and capture it on camera.
The right loves to vilify Teresa Heinz
Kerry. She's accused of being exorbitantly rich. Aah, yes, the sin
of being wealthy and educated. She's denounced for giving money to
Ramsey Clark's
International
Action
Center
as if that was a bad thing. Ramsey Clark, remember him, he was that
beacon of consciousness when we were so devoid of it. They point their
spindly fingers and shout, "And she's contributed to The National
Lawyer's Guild," as if she should bow her head in shame. Oh, this
wanton female she supports the National Lawyers Guild, in a Nation
whose foundation was built on laws, not men.
In an ugly piece of slander, this
she-devil is vilified for supporting the Democratic Justice Fund in
its endeavor to ease restrictions on Muslim immigration from
"terrorist" states. Oh, if only such an organization had
been around when the American Indians were defending their sovereign
land from the Christian hordes.
There's much more that is being
circulated over the Internet and via email to malign and defile this
woman of compassion, generosity, and a caring, giving heart. Why?
Could it be because she is a woman of means who has managed to do
meaningful deeds in her life? Could it be that Laura Bush would pale
in comparison?
Of course, Ted was referred to as a
"blow heart", and a "fat caricature of himself";
Al Sharpton was dismissed as a colloquial speaker, who couldn't touch
the souls of "middle America", ditto Jesse and his
tendency to rhyme. I have to admit, I think Jesse has worn out his
welcome. Forty-years is a long time, it's time to pass the baton.
But, when the conservative radio personalities attack the look of the
delegates as if there is an acceptable look, we can see clearly where
this contest is going.
I, for one, can't wait to hear George W.
debate the educated, articulate John Kerry, and the sly, manipulative
Cheney versus Edwards. Now, that will be a fair fight. Speaking of
fair, the Diebold fear is a considerable one. Election ballots are our
precious personal right and no one, nor any manipulation of machinery
has the right to diminish our right to vote as we wish and to have our
vote count as we intended. Each of us should pick up our telephone,
take a pen in hand, and write our representatives, our Governors,
especially if his name is Bush, and put them on notice that we will
not accept anything short of perfection. No disenfranchised. No
similar names with felons withheld. No Absentee Ballots finding their
way into an election employee's pocket.
This election, folks, is just too
important to squander. For those of you still on the fence, don't
listen to anyone else, read for yourself, listen for yourself. Make
your decision a decision that came with effort and examination of the
facts. And if per chance, you happen to be one of the folks that still
believe that George Bush is your man; I implore you to investigate
further, for your eyes must be clouded over with the mist of illusion.
Ã" Norma Sherry 2004
Norma
Sherry norma@togetherforeverchanging.org
is co-founder of TogetherForeverChanging.org, an organization devoted
to educating, stimulating, and igniting personal responsibility
particularly with regards to our diminishing civil liberties. She is
also an award-winning writer/producer and host of television program, The
Norma Sherry Show, on
WQXT-TV
,
Florida
.