Miscellany
Sorry that what follows is so brief, but it’s all happening pretty fast now.
The sign brigade people are incredible. The tag line of the
moment is, “America can do better. And help is on the way.”
And they have a set of signs out there on the floor already. 10.44 PM
Alan (of command-post) and I note that the applause lines — at least
in the speech as written — are getting walked on in the cheering
that’s happening. 10.48 PM
Hey, the bloggers just got our line! “So now I’m going to say
something that Franklin Roosevelt could never have said in his
acceptance speech: go to johnkerry.com.” 10.50 PM
Just because my schtick here is the religion and politics beat: “And
let me say it plainly: in that cause, and in this campaign, we welcome
people of faith. America is not us and them. I think of what Ron Reagan
said of his father a few weeks ago, and I want to say this to
you tonight: I don’t wear my own faith on my sleeve. But faith has
given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from
Sunday to Sunday. I don’t want to claim that God is on our side. As
Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God’s
side. And whatever our faith, one belief should bind us all: The
measure of our character is our willingness to give of ourselves for
others and for our country.” 10.53 PM
Bono! They’re playing “Beautiful Day.” God, I love U2! 10.56 PM
And here come the balloons! 11.00 PM
It’s a strange, surreal sea of red, white, and blue balloons and
confetti in here. It makes the view from up here in the balconies
even more strange, as it obscures out view to the stage with an odd fog
of detritus. 11.09 PM
“Johnny B. Goode” has become the theme song of the convention, and we’re experiencing it once again. 11.10 PM
Front page of newspaper shot: Emma Claire Edwards standing there
holding a big red ballon about the same size as her. 11.12 PM
I’m signing off for the night. It’s been 25 minutes and the balloons and confetti are still falling…. 11.25 PM
Ecto blogging software
30 July 2004 at 12:14 am.
Have totally enjoyed your stuff…I teach in the evenings and am having to sneak info during breaks. Oh and I think the queer + Christian makes total sense (master’s in theology…) Take care and yes, U2 is the most amazing band.
30 July 2004 at 12:14 am.
Have totally enjoyed your stuff…I teach in the evenings and am having to sneak info during breaks. Oh and I think the queer + Christian makes total sense (master’s in theology…) Take care and yes, U2 is the most amazing band.
30 July 2004 at 10:20 pm.
Thanks for blogging from the convention, Nathan! It’s been wonderful to have your perspective.
I haven’t had television in my house for three years, but I listened to Kerry’s speech on the radio (and since my local NPR affiliate didn’t broadcast it, I had to listen on some AM talk radio station, with commercial
30 July 2004 at 10:25 pm.
s).
Kerry framed the issues well, from my perspective.