RNC Roundup

By Matt Hurley for the TIB Network:

Lileks says it best:

Big banner: “A MORE HOPEFUL AMERICA.” Lame. Why not “FLUFFIER KITTENS” or “BRIGHTER LAUNDRY.” I want A CHAIN-MAILED FIST CRUSHING THE FORCES OF JIHAD! But you can’t have everything.

Sec. Rod Paige:

We live in a great country.

A nation of good people in pursuit of great ideals defined by our Founders, defended by citizen-soldiers, and delivered to us.

We inherited a great nation.

So must our children! No nation whatever the size of its armed forces or economy can sustain greatness unless it educates all, not just some, of its citizens. No one understands that better than President Bush.

He's always had a compassionate vision for education: Students challenged by high standards; teachers armed with proper resources; parents empowered with information and choices.

Mark probably liked Mr. Paige more than I did. I didn't find his style as particularly engaging, but the message was a good one.

Gov. Arnold:

My fellow immigrants, my fellow Americans how do you know if you are a Republican? I'll tell you how.

If you believe that government should be accountable to the people, not the people to the government...then you are a Republican! If you believe a person should be treated as an individual, not as a member of an interest group... then you are a Republican! If you believe your family knows how to spend your money better than the government does... then you are a Republican! If you believe our educational system should be held accountable for the progress of our children ... then you are a Republican! If you believe this country, not the United Nations, is the best hope of democracy in the world ... then you are a Republican! And, ladies and gentlemen ...if you believe we must be fierce and relentless and terminate terrorism ... then you are a Republican!

There is another way you can tell you're a Republican. You have faith in free enterprise, faith in the resourcefulness of the American people ...and faith in the U.S. economy. To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: Don't be economic girlie men!

Take THAT Michael Moore...

Arnold took his time getting warmed up, but once he was on...HE WAS ON. Best speaker of the night.

First Lady, Laura Bush:

This time of war has been a time of great hardship for our military families. The President and I want all our men and women in uniform and their wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters to know we appreciate their sacrifice. We know it will mean a more peaceful future for our children and grandchildren.

No American President ever wants to go to war. Abraham Lincoln didn't want to go to war, but he knew saving the union required it. Franklin Roosevelt didn't want to go to war - but he knew defeating tyranny demanded it. And my husband didn't want to go to war, but he knew the safety and security of America and the world depended on it.

The First Lady did MUCH better than her twin daughters, but you can tell these folks aren't politicans. Laura did an adequate job delivering the right message on Metrosexual Night at the RNC. As Lileks would probably agree, let's get back to the serious issues of the day.

Which is not to say that Republicans like myself don't take compassion seriously, we do. And to answer those questions out there about what compassion has been delivered on the part of the President, let's start with the definition:

Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Let's break that down, shall we...

Deep awareness

Deep: "Extending far downward below a surface." Awareness: "Having knowledge or cognizance." Check this out...That tells me all I need to know.

...of the suffering of another...

Suffering: "To feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment." Check this out. That tells me all I need to know.

...coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Relieve: "To free from pain, anxiety, or distress." Check this out.

John Kerry Delenda Est!