SoINeedAName

Friday Fun – Behind the Scenes Tour of DNC Convention

Posted by SoINeedAName at 8:04 am Politics

Aug 052016

WARNING: It’s “Yuuuge!”

This one is for us hardcore political junkies who enjoy the nuts and bolts on getting things done at Conventions. And fortunately two of the Owners/Administrators – David Allen (Skinner) and David Allsopp (EarlG) at the blog DemocraticUnderground.com scored Press Passes to the DNC Convention! What a thrill!

They posted a daily gallery of their adventure, and what it’s actually like being in Philadelphia documented with LOTS of photos. [Links will be provided at the end for a more complete viewing, because I left a LOT out]. And while this will NOT be “National Geographic Photo Contest Winners” quality – I found them quite compelling. I’ve tried to narrow it down to the ones that were both representative and interesting.

But first, a bit of news. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed a good guffaw yesterday when Ben Carson announced that Trump is simply “too humble” for “self-praise”. (Yeah, he actually said that – and with a straight face!)

NOTE: Since there are quite a few photos, to save at least a little real estate I’ve made the rest smaller than full-size. To view them full-size either right-click and choose “Open in New Tab/Window” or scroll-click if your mouse has that feature.

If you just click on them they’ll also open in full-size – but it’ll be as a new window, so then you have to do the return feature to get back to the article. Sorry, but you can't format them to open separely like hyperlinks.

Let’s meet David Allen and David Allsopp as they head out. (Allen said he dug around and found a souvenir t-shirt from the 2008 campaign.)

They made it!

Of course not everything got a “Thumbs Up” from them

Here are their Press Passes

Like a lot of convention goers, their motel was quite a ways out in the ‘burbs. And so like a lot of convention goers they commuted in every day on buses … lots, and LOTS of buses.

They were surprised how smoothly and quickly the security checkpoints were run

Of course they ran into quite a few celebrities – like Dan Rather

And I did a double-take thinking that our own TomCat actually made it Philly

I thought they’d be assigned a designated seat for the entire time – but they only are given a general section to occupy … and it changes based on how crowded the arena would be.

If you got there early enough, you had the place pretty much to yourself

So before the crowds showed up they grabbed a couple of orienting photos

And of course the first night featured Sen. Bernie Sanders!

And Michelle Obama – who brought the house down!

With the Keynote Address by Sen. Elizabeth Warren

The signs that we all enjoyed seeing the crowd wave are actually handed out at appropriate times, so the crowd can more easily “stay on message” (something that’s very foreign to Herr Drumpf)

The second day they took in some tourist attractions and enjoyed some fun stuff

This is the NBC Today show set/stage – and it’s about as crowded here as it was during their morning broadcasts when I watched (Disclaimer: I loathe Matt Lauer)

The small "Today" show crowds were odd because it’s right across the Green from Independence Hall

So of course they had to stop to see the crack in the Liberty Bell

Then headed back to the Convention – with all those crazy hats. What is it with those hats?

And they even ran into Jill Stein of the Green Party

But things improved when they actually got to meet Civil Rights Icon Rep. John Lewis

They got good seats to enjoy Pres. Bill Clinton regale the crowd with his “In the springs of 1971, I met a girl” story introducing us to Hillary.

And they had a chance to chat w/ Sen. Ron Wyden (eat your heart out, TC)

As things kept picking up and ticket holders actually showed up, they got moved further and further into the rafters. But one of them snuck out just as Pres. Obama was winding up his speech, so they grabbed this shot

Things did not begin auspiciously on their fourth and final day: They had the terrible misfortune to run into (wish it had been literally) Andrea (nee Mitchell) Greenspan

I missed the "Card Stunt" on TV while visiting my Mom in Illinois because I had stayed up the night before (Wednesday) to watch Pres. Obama’s entire speech (probably a good call). So I went to bed before Hillary spoke. But prior to the finale with Hillary, the crowd was involved in a Card Stunt. Did anyone see it? How did it turn out?

They were given instructions on their handouts, so this is a series of how it was done

You can see they were in the rafter for the main event. That's Chelsea on their screen in the lower right introducing her Mom.

And the tension builds …

Before the Grand Entry …

And of course ending with the balloon drop

So we bid “Adieu” to two very lucky Davids. What a treat that would have been, to see history being made first-hand!

LINKS – with ALL the phots (and believe me, there were a LOT MORE!)

Background

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512289134

Day 1

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512302902

Day 2

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512311193

Day 3

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512317490

Day 4

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512323910

Farewell to Trump’s Convention: The “EWWW!!!” Factor

Posted by SoINeedAName at 1:15 pm Politics

Jul 252016

Before we leave the Trump Convention in the dustbin, and since he so prominetly displayed his family (no one else wanted to show up … well, other than Ted Cruz) I thought you might like to see the OTHER side of the Trumps.

Daddy Dearest

Yeah, Trump really said this:

When asked how he would react if Ivanka, a former teen model, posed for Playboy, Trump replied, "It would be really disappointing — not really — but it would depend on what's inside the magazine."

He added: "I don't think Ivanka would do that, although she does have a very nice figure. I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her."

And THAT'S how you lock up the Southern vote.

But that was NOT the only time …

During the 1997 Miss Teen USA pageant, he sat in the audience as his teenage daughter, Ivanka, helped to host the event from onstage. He turned to Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee, Miss Universe at the time, and asked for her opinion of his daughter’s body.

“ ‘Don’t you think my daughter’s hot? She’s hot, right?’ ” Ms. Lee recalled him saying. ‘I was like, ‘Really?’ That’s just weird. She was 16. That’s creepy.”

NOR was it the last time. I noticed what can only be charitably called "CREEPY" interaction after Ivanka's speech on Thuirsday introducing her father:

And from a different viewpoint:

Dear god pic.twitter.com/EoWRsvNDGs

— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) July 22, 2016

Melania Is NOT a Virginal Plagiarizer – Surprise, Surprise!

Posted by SoINeedAName at 2:54 pm Politics

Jul 202016

For a while, I didn’t think there was going to be any eye-catching nuggets today – but the Trumps proved me wrong!

The story that Herr Drumpf’s campaign has FINALLY ~~fabricated~~ … settled on WRT Melania’s plagiarizing Michelle Obama is that an in-house staff writer, Meredith McIver, at Trump Organization is the guilty party. Well, at least Meredith is the sacrificial lamb being offered up on the golden altar.

But it turns out that this is NOT the first time Melania has ~~stolen~~ … ~~plagiarized~~ … “borrowed” a quote, unattributed, from another accomplished black woman. Back a few years it was Marva Collins, an educator and civil rights activist that Melania plagiarized.

Here’s the Tweet that Melania Twittered out back then:

“Always trust yourself, think for yourself, act for yourself, speak for yourself. Be yourself!”

Truly it is a wonderful sentiment worthy of a Tweet – but unfortunately it’s not Melania’s. She stole it from the late Ms. Collins.

But please take special note of the irony in Melania’s decision to leave out Ms. Collins last sentence:

“Always trust yourself, think for yourself, act for yourself, speak for yourself. Be yourself! Imitation is suicide.”

I have no doubt Melania’s eliding the last sentence from her Tweet was purposeful.

I’m starting to think that Melania WAS the guilty party for plagiarizing Michelle Obama. It just took the “Keystone Kops” Drumpf camp this long to put a passably plausible story together and select their sacrificial lamb.

My feeling that Melania is the guilty party is buttressed by some candid photos that (once again courtesy of Google) I have been able to uncover.

But apparently it doesn’t seem to bother The Donald one least little bit.

Oh, well – at least Melania chose strong, accomplished women to admire and steal from.

Melania Trump: “Four score and seven years ago …”

Posted by SoINeedAName at 3:05 pm Politics

Jul 192016

(I didn’t want to steal anyone’s thunder, so I waited. But I think I can go ahead with this post now.)

Since I probably won’t be putting together a dedicated “Friday Fun” (although I’m feeling much better), I thought I might do some quickie “Fun” observations if and when they become available, courtesy of the GOP ~~Circus~~ … ~~Clown Show~~ … Convention.

Of course the focus today has been on Melania Trump plagiarizing the true sentiments and actual words of Michelle Obama. Although probably everyone has seen it, I wouldn’t want anyone to miss the front page headline of today’s “New York Daily News”

While it’s still not clear who is actually to blame for this major Trumpism snafu of stealing from FLOTUS, but thanks to Google I was able to find a photo of Melania’s speechwriters:

And while surfing the inner tubes, courtesy of Mother Jones, I came across another t-shirt that’s being sold just blocks away from the Convention center that I’m tempted to get for TC:

It’s a little hard to make out, and sadly the only one I can find online is in charcoal gray. But at least you can make out the graphic graphics much easier on this one. (Should I have given this a “Barf Bag Alert” – or maybe a “NSFW” warning – or maybe both?)

I think I’ll hold out for the neon chartreuse green one. It’s so much more reflective of Trump’s … hmmm … “class”.

In Lieu of Next Week’s “Friday Fun”

Posted by SoINeedAName at 6:40 pm Politics

Jul 172016

Well, since I’m heading up to Illinois Monday morning (which is why I’ve been absent more that I’d like while getting ready) for a week at Mom’s (routine paperwork/restocking), and it’s just too hard to post from my phone, I’ll strike a compromise.

Despite my “immunity” to shaming, I’ll (finally) post some pictures of the critter and my much beloved and daily-used “Big Mouth Coffee Mug”.

Since it wasn’t the easiest undertaking with the cat, you’re going to get both of them. The first is of Nike (so named because he has white sneaker-like feet and loves to jump, with his hallmark two-legged “Heigh-Ho, Silver” bounding down the hall) at his “Scouting Perch”. Being not the friendliest of critters, he likes his scouting spot because he can keep an eye on the living room, the entry foyer, the dining room and the family room.

Nike’s second favorite spot is his “Catbird Seat” where he literally likes to keep an eye on the birds in the tree just outside. He’s an indoor cat, so he can only dream …

To actually add a little “Fun” – how about that fiasco of the “Trump-Pence Logo" rollout? After being widely mocked and ridiculed for their X-rated graphic, they sadly decided to entirely dump it.

But since the Twitter world had a frequent meme that their logo looked like Trump was doing to Pence what he would do to the entire country, I think we can elaborate on that theme …

Of course now that they’ve ditched it, out of the goodness of my heart I’m offering an alternative Logo to Trump-Pence using just their initials – AND at absolutely NO COST to them:

You think they'll take me up on my FREE offer?

Friday – A Week in Photos Marked by Tragedy & Some Comedy

Posted by SoINeedAName at 9:23 am Politics

Jul 152016

As Joanne could so eloquently explain, this was a week where Melpomene, the muse of Tragedy, held center stage. But from a surprising source in an even more surprising setting there was an unexpected (and possibly inappropriate) moment for Thalia, the muse of Comedy.

Today let’s focus on a few of the moments of the week captured in photos – some of which will become iconic. And end with what USA Today called a “Jovial Jig” by Dubya Bush at the solemn Dallas Interfaith Tribute ceremony.

After the tragic killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police, there were widespread protests, and one can understand why …

NOTE: This Tweet has a link to a very graphic picture of Alton Sterling’s gunshot wound to his chest. It was the front page of the New York Daily News captioned “His Hands Were Empty” – but it is very graphic. The Tweet warns you, so if you choose to view it, click “View Content”.

TWEET with GRAPHIC WARNING

The protests brought in response to these deaths were mostly peaceful. But sometimes the police viewed it differently.

And an 180 degrees different view

While I found these photos particularly compelling …

The one of BLM protestor leisha Evans, a nurse and Mom, in her flowing dress being arrested by cyborg cops after traveling 1,300 mile to peacefully protest in Baton Rouge, LA will certainly become iconic.

A demonstrator protesting the shooting death of Alton Sterling is detained by law enforcement near the headquarters of the Baton Rouge Police Department in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. July 9, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY – RTSH3XR

While we all hoped that images like this …

Would be the indelible memory we are left with, sadly a madman in Dallas changed all that …

So sadly, for the eleventh time, Pres. Obama became our nation’s Consoler-in-Chief.

And while I thought Bush’s remarks were actually quite eloquent:

He may have lost his way while joining in the singing of (and dancing to) “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Let’s just say the music certainly “moved” him. But you be the judge:

The “USA Today” and others referred to it as a “Jovial Jig” – and some the Tweet responses in the “USA Today” are entertaining.

But in Dubya’s defense, he has a long history of being ready to dance in a seconds notice. But first he has to feel the beat …

And then warm up a bit …

Before he finally gets in to full swing …

But I don’t think we should be too hard on him. Judging from Laura Bush’s reaction being visibly upset in the video, I think she’s got that aspect covered. I just wonder how long it will take before the marks in Dubya’s palms from her nails digging in to clear.

And let us hope that this will be the last time our nation is in need of a Riderless Horse, as noted by the Dallas Police Dept.

Interfaith Tribute Memorial Information #DallasStrong #PrayforDallas https://t.co/7U1gbD63Ce

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 12, 2016

A Much Welcomed Anodyne for Friday

Posted by SoINeedAName at 1:57 pm Politics

Jul 082016

I found these pictures of a Muslim woman using the American flag to provide shade for a man overcome at a Dallas prayer rally today to be a balm for my troubled heart.

And the Tweet from which the second one came:

A Muslim woman holds American flag as shade over man at prayer rally #DallasPd #Dallasismyhometown #dallasstrong pic.twitter.com/kepPAnkZ1U

— Naomi Martin (@NaomiMartin) July 8, 2016

Friday – “Requiescat In Pace”

Posted by SoINeedAName at 7:28 am Politics

Jul 082016

"Requiescat In Pace" ~ Rest In Peace

I apologize. I suppose today more than most we could all use a little “fun” – but my heavy heart is just not in it.

There are too many guns which leads to too many shootings which cause too many deaths.

No one – NO ONE – deserves what has happened in the past few days, weeks, months, years.

Pres. Obama speaking from Warsaw:

With your understanding, I want to begin with a few words about the situation back in the United States, specifically the situation in Dallas, Texas.

My team has been keeping me updated throughout the morning of the evening in Dallas. I spoke this morning with Mayor Rawlings of Dallas to convey the deepest condolences of the American people. I told him that the federal government will provide whatever assistance Dallas may need as it deals with this tremendous tragedy.

We still don’t know all the facts. What we do know is that there has been a vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement. Police in Dallas were on duty, doing their jobs, keeping people safe during peaceful protests. These law enforcement officers were targeted, and nearly a dozen officers were shot. Five were killed. Other officers and at least one civilian were wounded — some are in serious condition, and we are praying for their recovery.

As I told Mayor Rawlings, I believe that I speak for every single American when I say that we are horrified over these events, and that we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas. According to police, there are multiple suspects. We will learn more, undoubtedly, about their twisted motivations. But let's be clear: There is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks or any violence against law enforcement. The FBI is already in touch with the Dallas police, and anyone involved in these senseless murders will be held fully accountable. Justice will be done.

I will have more to say about this as the facts become more clear. For now, let me just say that even as yesterday I spoke about our need to be concerned, as all Americans, about racial disparities in our criminal justice system, I also said yesterday that our police have an extraordinarily difficult job and the vast majority of them do their job in outstanding fashion. I also indicated the degree to which we need to be supportive of those officers who do their job each and every day, protecting us and protecting our communities.

Today is a wrenching reminder of the sacrifices that they make for us. We also know that when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic. And in the days ahead, we’re going to have to consider those realities as well.

In the meantime, today our focus is on the victims and their families. They are heartbroken. The entire city of Dallas is grieving. Police across America, which is a tight-knit family, feels this loss to their core. And we're grieving with them. I’d ask all Americans to say a prayer for these officers and their families. Keep them in your thoughts. And as a nation, let’s remember to express our profound gratitude to our men and women in blue — not just today, but every day.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/07/08/live-updates-attack-law-enforcement-dallas-texas

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