In an open society secrecy is bad. We should not put up with secret societies that have secret oaths and proceedings. The dangers of excessive concealment outweighs the dangers of free access to information.
The survival of America is pointless if it means we forget our traditions, what makes us Americans.
There's a real danger that the powers that be announce the need for more security so that they can expand sexurity and censorship.
Globally, we are opposed by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy. It relies on greed to expand influence. It inserts itself into institutions, it uses subversion instead of democracy, it intimidates.
This conspiracy has wealth and people that work in concert. Their influence reaches into military, diplomatic, economic, scientific and political operations. The plans are private and the dissenters are silenced.
I ask your help in alerting Americans.
Sound crazy? To give credit, that was just me paraphrasing a JFK speech given in April 27, 1961. Interesting stuff, there's a good chance he's just talking about the commies. Maybe I'm paraphrasing bad. Judge for yourself, the link has the full text to the speech and audio.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/JFK/003POF03NewspaperPublishers04271961.htm
The survival of America is pointless if it means we forget our traditions, what makes us Americans.
There's a real danger that the powers that be announce the need for more security so that they can expand sexurity and censorship.
Globally, we are opposed by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy. It relies on greed to expand influence. It inserts itself into institutions, it uses subversion instead of democracy, it intimidates.
This conspiracy has wealth and people that work in concert. Their influence reaches into military, diplomatic, economic, scientific and political operations. The plans are private and the dissenters are silenced.
I ask your help in alerting Americans.
Sound crazy? To give credit, that was just me paraphrasing a JFK speech given in April 27, 1961. Interesting stuff, there's a good chance he's just talking about the commies. Maybe I'm paraphrasing bad. Judge for yourself, the link has the full text to the speech and audio.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/JFK/003POF03NewspaperPublishers04271961.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/07/mayor.warrant/index.html
Hopefully every foster kid gets a visit once a week by the police to make sure they're not being abused.
Hopefully no crimes are committed that involve a victim.
...otherwise it'd be a shame for the police to use that kind of force, kill 2 dogs, break into a house guns blazing just to stop adults from using a drug that is less harmful than alcohol.
Hopefully violent crime is not an issue in this jurisdiction.The raid last week was led by the Prince George's County Police Department, with the sheriff's special operations team assisting, after a package of marijuana was sent to Calvo's home.
Authorities say the package was part of a scheme in which drugs are mailed to unknowing recipients and then intercepted.
Calvo said he had just returned home from walking his two Labrador retrievers, Chase and Payton, when his mother-in-law told him a package had arrived for his wife, Trinity Tomsic.
Moments later, Calvo was in his room changing for a meeting when he heard commotion downstairs.
"The door flew open," he said. "I heard gunfire shoot off. There was a brief pause and more gunfire."
Calvo said he was brought downstairs at gunpoint in his boxer shorts, handcuffed and forced onto the floor with his mother-in-law near the carcass of one of dead dogs.
Hopefully every foster kid gets a visit once a week by the police to make sure they're not being abused.
Hopefully no crimes are committed that involve a victim.
...otherwise it'd be a shame for the police to use that kind of force, kill 2 dogs, break into a house guns blazing just to stop adults from using a drug that is less harmful than alcohol.
I does it. All the kids are doing it.
You know the deal, baby wants a bottle, baby is tired, daddy has a bottle. It'd be too simple to just give the bottle to the baby. Daddy has to psyche the baby. So I hold out the bottle and pull it back when the baby reaches for it. The rule is you have to do it 3 times and then laugh. Sometimes the baby thinks this is funny.
This evening, after a bath we were putting bath toys in the bath toy bag. The baby hands me a toy and pulls it away, I reach for it again and he pulls it away again. Then he starts laughing. Besides my stunning physique perhaps I've also managed to transfer a sense of humor to the baby.
This evening, after a bath we were putting bath toys in the bath toy bag. The baby hands me a toy and pulls it away, I reach for it again and he pulls it away again. Then he starts laughing. Besides my stunning physique perhaps I've also managed to transfer a sense of humor to the baby.
Could a bailout of mis-managed financial operations actually happen?
http://blogs.barrons.com/stockstowatchtoday/2008/07/10/fannie-freddie-solvency-begs-govt-bailout-bac-needs-dough-wachovias-new-king/
Where do you think your candidate stands on this? Take a look at who their top contributors are:
McCain
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00006424
Obama
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
If those are your candidates, you better know who owns them. You're owned, you will pay.
Our brand of capitalism; privatize the profit, socialize the losses.
...this is the year for the Libertarian Party.
http://blogs.barrons.com/stockstowatchtoday/2008/07/10/fannie-freddie-solvency-begs-govt-bailout-bac-needs-dough-wachovias-new-king/
Where do you think your candidate stands on this? Take a look at who their top contributors are:
McCain
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00006424
Obama
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
If those are your candidates, you better know who owns them. You're owned, you will pay.
Our brand of capitalism; privatize the profit, socialize the losses.
...this is the year for the Libertarian Party.
We hoped crawfish appreciation would be in Ryders genes but it looks that it's something you have to get used to. Ryder seemed more concerned that the crawfish would scurry across the table and hatch eggs in his brain or something.
I'm sure we'll keep working on it.
I'm sure we'll keep working on it.
This is George Lilly, he's a local Republican that supports Ron Paul. He's a great guy, running for Congress, I'll be helping him out.
In passing he mentions some of the shenanigans that happened at the Colorado State GOP Convention and the 1st Congressional District Convention. I totally gotta blog about how that stuff went, I've been very busy at work. It's coming.
In passing he mentions some of the shenanigans that happened at the Colorado State GOP Convention and the 1st Congressional District Convention. I totally gotta blog about how that stuff went, I've been very busy at work. It's coming.
I've blogged about the rebate before but I can't resist.
Get a look at this picture. If you notice a warm feeling comfort you as you realize that the government will take care of you then at a minimum please don't vote. You are too stupid to vote.
The other morning on CNN a talking head said, "...and now for some good economic news; your stimulus checks will be delivered soon."
It's the kind of stupid that makes you feel more stupid just thinking about it. Whenever I'm reminded of this I look around for an ice pick so I can stab my eye to take my mind off of how collectively stupid we are.
And check this out. The government is releasing a new type of Treasury just to cover our deficit and the stimulus package. This is like America walking into the payday loan store.
Get a look at this picture. If you notice a warm feeling comfort you as you realize that the government will take care of you then at a minimum please don't vote. You are too stupid to vote.
The other morning on CNN a talking head said, "...and now for some good economic news; your stimulus checks will be delivered soon."
It's the kind of stupid that makes you feel more stupid just thinking about it. Whenever I'm reminded of this I look around for an ice pick so I can stab my eye to take my mind off of how collectively stupid we are.
And check this out. The government is releasing a new type of Treasury just to cover our deficit and the stimulus package. This is like America walking into the payday loan store.
A big part of the increased borrowing reflects the need to pay for economic-stimulus rebates to 130 million households. The government began disbursing the payments on Monday in an effort to give the economy a jump start.We've lost the ability to govern ourselves. But we have the tools, we can become our own content editor. We have to do our own research.
Ron Paul got 16% of the vote in Pennsylvania. I think it's amazing that the media has paid no attention to him, has declared him crazy and dead. The man still gets a respectable chunk of the vote.
Here are the sales ranks for books at Amazon of the remaining candidates and their most recent books (according to my brief research). Higher is lower.
Here are the sales ranks for books at Amazon of the remaining candidates and their most recent books (according to my brief research). Higher is lower.
- 26,694 - Hillary Clinton - Living History
- 16,796 - John McCain - Hard Call
- 114 - Barack Obama - The Audacity of Hope
- 19 - Ron Paul - The Revolution: A Manifesto
Justice - DVNO
No idea what the song is about, no idea why I like it.
MGMT - Time to Pretend
Another great, hard to classify band, great innovation.
Atmosphere - Shoulda Known
Don Felder - Takin a Ride
Nothing like South Park to remind you of your youth. I remember seeing the movie Heavy Metal when I was young, too young to see the movie.
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
They were on Austin City Limits a while back. Good bluegrass / country.
No idea what the song is about, no idea why I like it.
MGMT - Time to Pretend
Another great, hard to classify band, great innovation.
Atmosphere - Shoulda Known
Don Felder - Takin a Ride
Nothing like South Park to remind you of your youth. I remember seeing the movie Heavy Metal when I was young, too young to see the movie.
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
They were on Austin City Limits a while back. Good bluegrass / country.
The signs slowly appear. You find yourself listening to NPR. Or you go an entire year without snowboarding. Or regularity becomes a topic of conversation in your social group (okay, not quite there yet). Whatever the symptoms it's all a function of growing old. In my case one of the symptoms seem to be an interest in gardening.
In true geek fashion I've done my homework; I've read about 3 books so far. An especially useful book that I got covers a system that the author calls WORD:
The thought is that you're giving the plants good soil and plenty of room to do their thing. You're not packing them tight and pumping them with water, chemicals and fertilizer.
Last weekend I turned the soil over. Everyone older and smarter that had input suggested that I rent a rotor-tiller. I opted to do it by hand. I'm sure I wasn't as thorough as a tiller but the soil is soft and I got a good workout. I also started forming the beds I want.
Here's what I plan to grow.
My mom and father-in-law suggested that I just get tomato plants instead of sowing my own seeds. That wasn't my plan but upon further reading, yes, indeed they know what they're talking about. Maybe another year I'll have the setup for starting the tomatoes in a more friendly environment.
The Colorado soil is much different than the rich stuff we had in Illinois. I've amended with compost. I might do more, I haven't added the 1-2" yet. I also haven't tested the soil for nitrogen or anything. I'll keep it simple, get through this year and see how it goes.
I remember helping with the garden as a child. When I got to an age where I could have actually learned something about gardening it became a chore. I do have good memories of gardening with my grandma and grandpa. This was almost exclusively limited to picking the strawberries that we'd later sprinkle with sugar or the corn we'd later butter up for dinner. Midwestern diet, good stuff.
Fortunately Ryder has signed on to be my helper in the garden. I look forward to showing him how you can actually pull stuff out of the Earth and eat it, that everything doesn't just appear magically in single serving shrink-wrap.
In true geek fashion I've done my homework; I've read about 3 books so far. An especially useful book that I got covers a system that the author calls WORD:
- Wide rows give the roots room to get nutrients and water
- Organic methods for fertilizer, compost, pest control
- Raised beds to encourage soil warmth and contribute to the soft, tilled soil
- Deep soil (as in deeply tilled and softened) so the roots can do their thing
The thought is that you're giving the plants good soil and plenty of room to do their thing. You're not packing them tight and pumping them with water, chemicals and fertilizer.Last weekend I turned the soil over. Everyone older and smarter that had input suggested that I rent a rotor-tiller. I opted to do it by hand. I'm sure I wasn't as thorough as a tiller but the soil is soft and I got a good workout. I also started forming the beds I want.
Here's what I plan to grow.
- tomatoes & cucumber
- carrot & pepper
- kale & onion
- assorted herbs (basil, cilantro so far)
My mom and father-in-law suggested that I just get tomato plants instead of sowing my own seeds. That wasn't my plan but upon further reading, yes, indeed they know what they're talking about. Maybe another year I'll have the setup for starting the tomatoes in a more friendly environment.
The Colorado soil is much different than the rich stuff we had in Illinois. I've amended with compost. I might do more, I haven't added the 1-2" yet. I also haven't tested the soil for nitrogen or anything. I'll keep it simple, get through this year and see how it goes.
I remember helping with the garden as a child. When I got to an age where I could have actually learned something about gardening it became a chore. I do have good memories of gardening with my grandma and grandpa. This was almost exclusively limited to picking the strawberries that we'd later sprinkle with sugar or the corn we'd later butter up for dinner. Midwestern diet, good stuff.
Fortunately Ryder has signed on to be my helper in the garden. I look forward to showing him how you can actually pull stuff out of the Earth and eat it, that everything doesn't just appear magically in single serving shrink-wrap.
I'll probably put up lots of video and move all the youtube videos over to flickr.
The video looks like better quality than what youtube does also.
Google has covered pretty much every street in the Denver-Boulder area. Wonder what the drivers do to pass the time. I confess that I'm good at keeping my brain occupied and I don't have trouble with long drives.
I wonder what their algorithm is? Do they drive all North-South streets at once and then East-West after that?
Click here to see the coverage.
With rising gas prices this might seem wasteful but I think it's a good thing for overall efficiency. You'll be able to find where you want to go more easily and maybe even decide you don't want to go there.
I don't see why people get bent out of shape over it. There's more privacy issues you should be concerned with. If you think an image of the front of your house is an invasion of privacy then you have no idea how much information is available on you.
I wonder what their algorithm is? Do they drive all North-South streets at once and then East-West after that?
Click here to see the coverage.
With rising gas prices this might seem wasteful but I think it's a good thing for overall efficiency. You'll be able to find where you want to go more easily and maybe even decide you don't want to go there.
I don't see why people get bent out of shape over it. There's more privacy issues you should be concerned with. If you think an image of the front of your house is an invasion of privacy then you have no idea how much information is available on you.
Congressman Ron Paul speaking the truth. Ben Bernake saying blah, blah, use up your time, blah, blah.
I did a write-up on how I try to stay organized in a text file. This isn't an original concept of course, but I wrote a Vim syntax hilighter script that recognizes the way I format tasks.It's helpful, makes it super obvious what isn't done, what needs to get done and all that. As a Java developer, my jUnit lizard brain takes joy in turning red stuff green. This translates into getting things done.
http://neidetcher.com/text_file.html
Check yourself into therapy, that's all you have to do to go from jerk to victim. Eliot Spitzer checked himself into sex addiction therapy recently after sneaking around on his wife and paying an estimated $80,000 for prostitutes.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03212008/news/regionalnews/eliot_s_sexual_healing_102869.htm
Hopefully we'll get enough of this recurring formula and see it as the shallow attempt to placate your spouse and the media.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03212008/news/regionalnews/eliot_s_sexual_healing_102869.htm
Hopefully we'll get enough of this recurring formula and see it as the shallow attempt to placate your spouse and the media.
A few weeks ago my wife was holding my youngest son. He just got out of the tub and had his footie pajamas on. She was holding him up such that he was standing on her hands as his back leaned against her.
He saw me smiling at him and he saw himself in the mirror being held by his smiling mom. At that moment he knew he was loved. He sprouted the most sincere smile I've ever seen, I swear that a bell chimed as his face lit up.
At that moment everything was worth it and everything had meaning. I hope that when I die I have the presence of mind to remember a moment as satisfying as that.
He saw me smiling at him and he saw himself in the mirror being held by his smiling mom. At that moment he knew he was loved. He sprouted the most sincere smile I've ever seen, I swear that a bell chimed as his face lit up.
At that moment everything was worth it and everything had meaning. I hope that when I die I have the presence of mind to remember a moment as satisfying as that.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/spitzer/index.html
The recent news about Eliot Spitzer has me thinking. As a country we seem to be unable to think something without forcing that opinion on everyone else. I don't think Eliot Spitzer should be prosecuted for using prostitutes. I don't think it should be against the law. But as someone that uses prostitutes has he supported legalization? Indeed as attorney general of New York state he has gone after prostitution rings.
Are we a nation of people that think this stuff shouldn't be illegal but we're all just saying it should so that we placate some imaginary conservative old people?
~~~
The recent news about Eliot Spitzer has me thinking. As a country we seem to be unable to think something without forcing that opinion on everyone else. I don't think Eliot Spitzer should be prosecuted for using prostitutes. I don't think it should be against the law. But as someone that uses prostitutes has he supported legalization? Indeed as attorney general of New York state he has gone after prostitution rings.
Are we a nation of people that think this stuff shouldn't be illegal but we're all just saying it should so that we placate some imaginary conservative old people?
- I think wearing seatbelts is the right thing to do therefore everyone should wear seatbelts.
- I think prostitution is wrong therefore everyone should not use prostitutes.
- I think gambling is wrong therefore everyone should refrain from gambling.
- I think smoking pot is wrong therefore everyone should be prohibited from smoking pot.
~~~
I believe that every individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so far as it in no way interferes with any other men's rights.
Abraham Lincoln
Update: I just found out I'm a state delegate. I'll be going to the Republican State convention May 31st.
Here's my blog post on Super Tuesday night.
Before the assembly
I attended the Denver County Republican Assembly today. This event is for delegates and alternate delegates to elect people from Denver county that will go on to the Colorado state assembly.
I was an alternate delegate. However the 2 primary delegates in my precinct were both Romney supporters. They were less than motivated to attend given that Romney has put his campaign on hold.
The Ron Paul folks planned a breakfast at 8:00 that morning but I decided to make breakfast for myself and Ryder instead. We had eggs and sausage.
I got nervous when I finally did show up to the assembly. There were people with the same colored stickers and some of them had Romney stickers on as well. I wouldn't have imagined that the Romney people had their act together.
Finally some Ron Paul people showed up that I knew and they had the same colored stickers. They passed them out at breakfast. So that was the deal, the good guys were prepared. I got my sticker now everyone would know I'm a Ron Paul supporter as well. I also got a list of all the Ron Paul people by district. I wasn't sure how this would come in handy.
Alternate Cafeteria
On super Tuesday night Romney people outnumbered anyone else in my precinct. The 2 delegate positions were filled with Romney supporters. I was made an alternate delegate.
After registering with your district, the cool delegates go directly into the theater. The alternate delegates go off to a cafeteria. When the districts figured out what delegates didn't show up they went in to the cafeteria to grab us alternaties.
I was lucky enough to be a full delegate since both of the delegates from my precinct didn't show up. Romney people, what's the point.
Candidate Speeches
When I first got into the theater it was packed. I showed up just in time for the chair to call down a representative for the McCain campaign. After speaking she got a polite response and not much more.
Then someone in the audience asked if representatives from other candidates could speak. To that someone chimed in "end tyranny." Oh yes, this was a rowdy crowd.
Before things kicked off an official started reading a statement. He read it like they read legal verbiage at the end of commercials. The crowd worked itself into a rumbling boil. The official quickly complied.
Delegate Selection
They informed us that they didn't have our information broken down by districts. So we would all receive 2 collections of stapled pages. They were approximately 10 pages each, double-sided. The entire room had 15 minutes to select 168 names to go to the state convention.
168 / 15 = 11.2
If we were to find the maximum of 168 names we would have to find 11.2 of them per minute. It was an impossible task and the leadership didn't seem very concerned.
Luckily the Ron Paul people were all known to each other by our stickers and by the list of other Ron Paul supporters we received. A third of those in the theater were not lobbying to go to the state convention. Maybe another third were haphazardly trading votes.
Besides being on the Ron Paul list I also did some lobbying around the theater. I'm not sure how my odds are though. For some reason my name was not in alphabetical order, so if someone was trying to find my name they would've had trouble.
Imagine doing that if you weren't prepared. You're a supporter of some candidate, you showed up to super Tuesday. Now you're at the county convention and maybe you know another person in your precinct but that's about it. You have 15 minutes to figure out what 168 people that might represent your opinion to go onto the state convention.
At some point a fight almost happened. 2 guys were squaring off with each other like they were going to go at it right there. I'll attribute it to the frustration and intensity of the situation.
I can barely express how horrible this process is. In the worst case scenario I wouldn't come up with a process this unfair, lacking in confidence and haphazard.
Resolutions
We voted on 13 resolutions. These aren't binding or law, they just sorta say that this is how we, the Republicans of Denver, feel about some issues that we think are important.
Looking at the resolutions it really makes me think the Ron Paul people had some serious input. I didn't keep the sheet so I forget exactly what the issues were. Here's a loose summary.
To support the US Congress in recognizing Christmas and our Christian roots.
This was really interesting. Some in the audience called for discussion before a vote. The chair asked that those for the resolution line up on one side of the podium and those against on the other. I was surprised to see that those speaking against way outnumbered those speaking for, this is at a Republican assembly.
No atheists got up to speak against the resolution. I was tempted but the line was too long and they weren't going to get to everyone. Those who did speak against it reasonably said that there might be more important things for the government to concern themselves with. The few that spoke for it mentioned how Christianity is under attack. Where do I begin.
Immediately behind me a woman snarled to her husband, "this is a whole new party."
The resolution failed.
Oppose the North American Union.
The resolution wasn't worded as such but that's what it basically got at. It also mentioned opposition to NAFTA.
The resolution passed.
Oppose the patriot act, loss of habeas corpus and domestic wiretapping.
The vote was too close so the matter went to discussion. Again, I was surprised there were so many people against the patriot act. There were some passionate speakers for the resolution.
Those against the resolution talked about how the patriot act makes us secure. One guy even got up and said that if you're concerned about the government listening to your calls then what are you hiding. Wow, you can't give a pass to that kind of stupidity, what a fuckin idiot.
The resolution passed.
There were more, I wish I could remember. Again, all in all I
was amazed at how this is becoming a Republican party I can
get into.
Chain of Custody, There is None
The ballot counting didn't happen today. The boxes get packed up and counted somewhere within the next few weeks. Even while we were there we saw the boxes opened and other ballots being placed into the boxes. I'm not saying I don't trust the party leadership, I'm saying that they should endeavor to make the process as sacred and transparent as possible.
One of the Ron Paul guys was very concerned about this. It was pointless though, the decisions already in place provide for the process to happen as it did. Even though there was no pretense of a chain of custody.
Where from Here?
Assisting the chair during the entire assembly was an old lawyer who served some function as well as being the official parliamentarian. This is the designated guy that knows his stuff about parliamentary procedure.
I feel the need to get up to speed on parliamentary procedures. I just bought a copy of Roberts Rules of Order. Several times people wanted to get stuff done and they were less effective because they didn't know the correct terminology. This is all the "I make a motion", "I second", "I move that" type stuff.
I have hope in the future of the Republican party. I don't have confidence in the process. I still want to be involved.
I hope I go to the state convention, I bet my chances are slim. Of all the factions there I really think the Ron Paul people had their stuff together more than anyone. I may be completely wrong. Ron Paul still has no hope but we may be able to change the core of the party.
The money quote of the night was "this is a whole new party."
Here's my blog post on Super Tuesday night.
Before the assembly
I attended the Denver County Republican Assembly today. This event is for delegates and alternate delegates to elect people from Denver county that will go on to the Colorado state assembly.
I was an alternate delegate. However the 2 primary delegates in my precinct were both Romney supporters. They were less than motivated to attend given that Romney has put his campaign on hold.
The Ron Paul folks planned a breakfast at 8:00 that morning but I decided to make breakfast for myself and Ryder instead. We had eggs and sausage.
I got nervous when I finally did show up to the assembly. There were people with the same colored stickers and some of them had Romney stickers on as well. I wouldn't have imagined that the Romney people had their act together.
Finally some Ron Paul people showed up that I knew and they had the same colored stickers. They passed them out at breakfast. So that was the deal, the good guys were prepared. I got my sticker now everyone would know I'm a Ron Paul supporter as well. I also got a list of all the Ron Paul people by district. I wasn't sure how this would come in handy.
Alternate Cafeteria
On super Tuesday night Romney people outnumbered anyone else in my precinct. The 2 delegate positions were filled with Romney supporters. I was made an alternate delegate.
After registering with your district, the cool delegates go directly into the theater. The alternate delegates go off to a cafeteria. When the districts figured out what delegates didn't show up they went in to the cafeteria to grab us alternaties.
I was lucky enough to be a full delegate since both of the delegates from my precinct didn't show up. Romney people, what's the point.
Candidate Speeches
When I first got into the theater it was packed. I showed up just in time for the chair to call down a representative for the McCain campaign. After speaking she got a polite response and not much more.
Then someone in the audience asked if representatives from other candidates could speak. To that someone chimed in "end tyranny." Oh yes, this was a rowdy crowd.
Before things kicked off an official started reading a statement. He read it like they read legal verbiage at the end of commercials. The crowd worked itself into a rumbling boil. The official quickly complied.
Delegate Selection
They informed us that they didn't have our information broken down by districts. So we would all receive 2 collections of stapled pages. They were approximately 10 pages each, double-sided. The entire room had 15 minutes to select 168 names to go to the state convention.
168 / 15 = 11.2
If we were to find the maximum of 168 names we would have to find 11.2 of them per minute. It was an impossible task and the leadership didn't seem very concerned.
Luckily the Ron Paul people were all known to each other by our stickers and by the list of other Ron Paul supporters we received. A third of those in the theater were not lobbying to go to the state convention. Maybe another third were haphazardly trading votes.
Besides being on the Ron Paul list I also did some lobbying around the theater. I'm not sure how my odds are though. For some reason my name was not in alphabetical order, so if someone was trying to find my name they would've had trouble.
Imagine doing that if you weren't prepared. You're a supporter of some candidate, you showed up to super Tuesday. Now you're at the county convention and maybe you know another person in your precinct but that's about it. You have 15 minutes to figure out what 168 people that might represent your opinion to go onto the state convention.
At some point a fight almost happened. 2 guys were squaring off with each other like they were going to go at it right there. I'll attribute it to the frustration and intensity of the situation.
I can barely express how horrible this process is. In the worst case scenario I wouldn't come up with a process this unfair, lacking in confidence and haphazard.
Resolutions
We voted on 13 resolutions. These aren't binding or law, they just sorta say that this is how we, the Republicans of Denver, feel about some issues that we think are important.
Looking at the resolutions it really makes me think the Ron Paul people had some serious input. I didn't keep the sheet so I forget exactly what the issues were. Here's a loose summary.
To support the US Congress in recognizing Christmas and our Christian roots.
This was really interesting. Some in the audience called for discussion before a vote. The chair asked that those for the resolution line up on one side of the podium and those against on the other. I was surprised to see that those speaking against way outnumbered those speaking for, this is at a Republican assembly.
No atheists got up to speak against the resolution. I was tempted but the line was too long and they weren't going to get to everyone. Those who did speak against it reasonably said that there might be more important things for the government to concern themselves with. The few that spoke for it mentioned how Christianity is under attack. Where do I begin.
Immediately behind me a woman snarled to her husband, "this is a whole new party."
The resolution failed.
Oppose the North American Union.
The resolution wasn't worded as such but that's what it basically got at. It also mentioned opposition to NAFTA.
The resolution passed.
Oppose the patriot act, loss of habeas corpus and domestic wiretapping.
The vote was too close so the matter went to discussion. Again, I was surprised there were so many people against the patriot act. There were some passionate speakers for the resolution.
Those against the resolution talked about how the patriot act makes us secure. One guy even got up and said that if you're concerned about the government listening to your calls then what are you hiding. Wow, you can't give a pass to that kind of stupidity, what a fuckin idiot.
The resolution passed.
There were more, I wish I could remember. Again, all in all I
was amazed at how this is becoming a Republican party I can
get into.
Chain of Custody, There is None
The ballot counting didn't happen today. The boxes get packed up and counted somewhere within the next few weeks. Even while we were there we saw the boxes opened and other ballots being placed into the boxes. I'm not saying I don't trust the party leadership, I'm saying that they should endeavor to make the process as sacred and transparent as possible.
One of the Ron Paul guys was very concerned about this. It was pointless though, the decisions already in place provide for the process to happen as it did. Even though there was no pretense of a chain of custody.
Where from Here?
Assisting the chair during the entire assembly was an old lawyer who served some function as well as being the official parliamentarian. This is the designated guy that knows his stuff about parliamentary procedure.
I feel the need to get up to speed on parliamentary procedures. I just bought a copy of Roberts Rules of Order. Several times people wanted to get stuff done and they were less effective because they didn't know the correct terminology. This is all the "I make a motion", "I second", "I move that" type stuff.
I have hope in the future of the Republican party. I don't have confidence in the process. I still want to be involved.
I hope I go to the state convention, I bet my chances are slim. Of all the factions there I really think the Ron Paul people had their stuff together more than anyone. I may be completely wrong. Ron Paul still has no hope but we may be able to change the core of the party.
The money quote of the night was "this is a whole new party."
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