Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 September 2008 19:28:27
Today the Republican Party are beginning their Convention in St Paul. I bet that they're a little niffed at the timing; their thunder has been stolen by events elsewhere.
First of all, we have Hurricane Gustav about to cause wanton destruction to Louisiana. They have had to scale back the covention on the grounds that "You can't do politics at such a time". Great sentiment from the government that did little to help New Orleans 3 years ago after Katrina hit.
Will anyone forget the scenes of the "world's greatest power" being unable to assist its own people but able to bomb Iraq and Afghanistan? Let's hope and pray that history doesn't repeat itself.
It was especially sad when I turned on the TV this morning to see an evacuee waiting to leave. In her hand she held the keys to the new house she had been given the day before - as a replacement for the one lost to Katrina. No one deserves such suffering.
See Cajenne's wiblog for the view of someone caught up in current events there.
In other news we had the breaking story that the Republican vice presidential candidate, "The Sexy Librarian", Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant. Not an unusual thing you think? Well there are two reasons why this is a story:
1. She has just been announced as the first female vice presidential candidate.
2. She is regarded as a "Christian Right" candidate.
Why her christianity should be an issue is not clear to me; I mean it is her daughter who is pregnant. Christianity does not mean that just because your parents are believers you are as well. Christianity also teaches that each person is responsible for their own actions. Yet that is not how the media, or political opponents, may view things.
In addition she is seen to be the candidate most likely to open the "bible-belt states" for John McCain. Therefore the media is waiting to see how this will play out in those areas. They are keen to remind us that the Christian Right hold the key to many elections.
Now I'm not that keen on the Oven Chip candidate but I hope that this does not become an issue of faith. That would distract from what is more important - the economy, foreign policy, Iraq and social policy.
History Today:
1864: Confederate troops abandon the city of Atlanta, which is occupied by Union troops the next day.
1896: Chop Suey, supposedly an authentic Chinese meal, is invented in New York.
1939: Germany invades Poland, despite British and French guarantees, bringing Europe to the brink of war.
1941: German troops begin the Siege of Leningrad, which will last until January 1944 and claim 880,000 civilian lives.
1951: Britain's first supermarket opens in Earl's Court.
1969: Military leader Muammar Gaddafi (the Great Farter) siezes power in Libya, overthrowing King Idris I. Later he promotes himself to Colonel - modesty or what?
1972: Bobby Fischer beats Boris Spassky in Reykjavik to become the first American World Chess Champion.
1978: The former Liberal Party leader, Jeremy Thorpe, is charged with inciting David Holmes to murder.
1982: Bobby Robson is appointed manager of England.
1985: A French-US search team find the RMS Titanic. You'll never guess where!!!