Sat downstairs tonight, watching the Clinton's speeches with Jane, who supplied a nice Canadian red.
It seems like during the last four years, I have been more in need of alcoholic fortification than ever.
Fortunately for me, this is not saying a lot, since I seldom finished even a bottle of beer in college.
All the speeches dwelled a little more on detail and less on sweeping inspiration than I expected this early in the convention. I guess you don't waste opportunities to propagate memes in the networked age.
I didn't expect to feel anything other than curiosity at the tactics of the speeches, but was happily surprised: finally, the leaders of the Democratic party are staking out their territory and calling the current administration what it is: extremist, untruthful, interested mostly in giving more power to the powerful, more money to the very wealthy.
Still, I'm not sure I'm inspired, yet. More like: relieved.
Al Gore:
"...I also ask tonight for the consideration and the help of those who supported a third party candidate in 2000. I urge you to ask yourselves this question: Do you still believe that there was no difference between the candidates? Are you troubled by the erosion of America’s most basic civil liberties? Are you worried that our environmental laws are being weakened and dismantled to allow vast increases in pollution that are contributing to a global climate crisis? No matter how you voted in the last election, these are profound problems that all voters must take into account this Nov. 2."
Jimmy Carter:
"Truth is the foundation of our global leadership, but our credibility has been shattered, and we are left increasingly isolated and vulnerable in a hostile world. Without truth, without trust, America cannot flourish. Trust is at the very heart of our democracy, the sacred covenant between a president and the people. When that trust is violated, the bonds that hold our republic together begin to weaken.
"After 9/11, America stood proud, wounded but determined and united. A cowardly attack on innocent civilians brought us an unprecedented level of cooperation and understanding around the world.
"But in just 34 months we have watched with deep concern as all this good will has been squandered by a virtually unbroken series of mistakes and miscalculations.
"Unilateral acts and demands have isolated the United States from the very nations we need to join us in combatting terrorism...recent policies have cost our nation its reputation as the world's most admired champion of freedom and justice.
"What a difference these few months of extremism have made. The United States has alienated its allies, dismayed its friends, and inadvertently gratified its enemies by proclaiming a confused and disturbing strategy of preemptive war. With our allies disunited, the world resenting us, and the Middle East ablaze, we need John Kerry to restore life to the global war against terrorism."
Hillary:
"Being a Senator from New York, I saw first-hand the devastation of 9/11. I visited Ground Zero right after we were attacked. I felt like I was standing at the Gates of Hell. I hope no American ever has to witness a sight like that again. That tragedy changed all of us. I know it changed me. And every day now, as a mother, as a Senator, and as an American I worry about whether we are acting as wisely as we can to protect our country and our people.
"Last week, the bipartisan 9/11 commission issued its report. It was a sober call to action that we ignore at our peril. John Kerry understands what’s at stake. We need to fully equip and train our firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians, our first responders in the event of a terrorist attack.
"We need to secure our borders and our ports, as well as our chemical and nuclear plants. We need to reorganize our federal government to meet the new threats of these times. We need to make sure that homeland security is properly funded and that resources go to the areas at greatest risk."
Bill Clinton:
"...the Republicans in Washington believe that America should be run by the right people - their people - in a world in which America acts unilaterally when we can and cooperates when we have to.
"They believe the role of government is to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of those who embrace their economic, political and social views, leaving ordinary citizens to fend for themselves on important matters like health care and retirement security.
"Now, since most Americans aren't that far to the right, our friends have to portray us Democrats as simply unacceptable, lacking in strength and values. In other words, they need a divided America.
"But we don't."
Posted by Emily at July 27, 2004 12:06 AM