This is what democracy looks like?

[kayjayuu]

In the last two weeks, we have been treated to the way in which the two major parties conduct their own personal affairs, among people with whom they usually agree and whose support they need/want/seek out/spend millions of dollars on. This has meant the public has been exposed to the whole sausage-making process, especially thanks to social media

Comments

[yes_justice]

Yeah, that was decidedly undemocratic. Also, why the heck not Tel-Aviv?

[underlankers]

Because there are no Arabs in Jerusalem, it is after all the land without people for the people without land essentially some people think the Bible entitles Jews to that city. How that works with Jews controlling the holiest sites in Christianity is never touched on. And of course Israeli ideology requires them to have all of the 1947 Mandate, not just part of it.

[yes_justice]

The curious thing is that something like this happened in a modern convention. These things are not improv.

[underlankers]

This is the old democracy you're saying we should go back to:

[a_new_machine]

it's legally UN territory

I've never heard this before. Any sources?

[telemann]

http://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/palestine/ch12.pdf

[a_new_machine]

Eh, given the consensus basis of international law, I dunno that a UN resolution that's heavily protested and effectively not the case can really be called "legal." But that's a different question. Thanks for the source.

[devil_ad_vocate]

The conventions are an opportunity for both parties to catch each other in a 'gotcha'. In this case, the Republicans got a chance to trumpet their usual: "we're better Christians, and we love the Jews better than you do" mantra. It's all bullshit.

[telemann]

That's a wee bit cynical I think. But I tell you what, seeing Gabby Giffords being assisted walking across the stage to lead the DNC in the pledge tonight, was pretty emotional (for me anyway).

[devil_ad_vocate]

I'm sorry I missed that. Brave lady.

[yes_justice]

The damage is done. People act like she's over it. No way.

But I will set aside my anger on that issue and agree that it was touching to see her walk. But it also breaks my heart and angers me.

[tcpip]

Extraordinary. Why wasn't there a call for actual votes when amending the platform on the most contentious issues?

That's we do in the Australian Labor Party. e.g., http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2011/12/03/bowen-gets-offshore-nod-at-raucous-alp-conf/

[gunslnger]

Because they don't want an actual vote. That's the point.

[yes_justice]

Yeah, I guess that is the unfortunate take away.

[yes_justice]

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/09/03/travels-through-the-police-state/

"Upon arriving in Tampa on Saturday, I headed downtown to see what was happening. The RNC was not scheduled to kick off until two days later, but the lockdown of the city was well underway. Every government building, whether or not it had anything to do with the RNC, was surrounded by ten-foot-tall, black steel fences. Entire areas of downtown were blocked off to all traffic except for Republican delegates and others directly involved with the convention. Thousands and thousands of police on foot, on bicycles, and in cars, vans, buses, open-air Jeep-type vehicles, and in helicopters were everywhere. To overstate the police presence would be very difficult. If you were anywhere near downtown Tampa, which is a very large, spread-out, car-oriented city, you were always within view of at least a few cops - always. And usually you were within view of several dozen

[kayjayuu]

Although Tampa is not North Florida (for god's sake), and St. Petersburg does not have an "h" at the end (nor is it a small city)... I'll read this more in-depth this weekend and comment. I have contacts in Tampa and want to see what they saw too.

Working weekend, ugh. Time, you vex me so.