Rant While Watching the Republican Convention.

I’ve had more than enough of the Republicans going on about veterans and the military, as if the military is a branch of the GOP, but something Huckabee just said is making my head spin around.  He just told a looooong story, the punch line of which was that we should be grateful to our veterans because they “gave us our freedom.”

Horse. Shit.

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army fought for our freedom.  Since 1783, our military has defended our freedom.  At no time did the military “give” us our freedom.

It’s right there in the damn Declaration of Independence, you ignorant Republican twits:  “WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness[.]”

The identity of the Creator is left as an exercise for the reader, but I don’t think any of us would suggest that title belongs to the military.  I have a great deal of respect for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, but let’s not deify them.

While I’m flaming the Republican National Convention, I want to mention the photo I have taped over my desk in the study:  it’s a close-up picture of me, 50 pounds heavier than I am now, that I keep up as a reminder to keep my face out of the refrigerator.  The picture was taken at a Democratic campaign event in October of 2000, and I’m standing with the nominee for Vice President.

Last night, I came very close to shredding that picture.  I didn’t; it’s still up, because it’s a pretty good reminder to keep my face out of the refrigerator.  But it’s also a reminder that revenge, while it may feel good in the short term, can be very self-destructive.

Last night, Lieberman said he was speaking to the Republican National Convention because, as an American, he honestly believes that it is important to elect John McCain President, because he has the experience and judgment to govern the most powerful nation in the world in these dangerous times.  I was skeptical but hey, McCain’s his buddy, so what the hell, it’s his career.

Then he told us all how great Sarah Palin is, and the non-partisan mask disappeared.  He came to the convention to talk about McCain’s experience and judgment, and then he started talking about Sarah Palin?  No, this was revenge for losing the Democratic senate primary in 2006, so that he had to run as an independent.  He has turned his back on the Democratic party but the Republicans will never, never, accept him.  I don’t like making predictions, but just this once, I will:  I predict he’s going to be kicked out of the caucus, he’ll lose his committee assignments, and I sincerely doubt the Republicans will give him any of their precious few minority party committee slots.  I predict that as of January 3, 2013, he’ll be the least popular law professor at the University of Connecticut.

And now the delegates are chanting “Drill, Baby, Drill!” at Rudy Giuliani.  Who the hell does this appeal to?

Feh.