since i like to be aware of whose fingers will be hovering over the nuclear button in the home of our neighbours to the south, i've been following some of the political theatre that's unfolding in denver.
this is going to be a very, very long autumn if what's appeared so far is anything to go by.
personally, i cringe at the overt phoniness of the convention, to say nothing of the sums of money involved in staging it (perhaps i should say buying it). both parties with a snowball's chance in hell of winning play this game and, given the number of people in the united states- let alone in poorer countries- who suffer real deprivation, the idea that it is necessary to lavish such amounts on a spectacle that purports to nominate someone to represent the populace is beyond cynical.
in the spirit of the season, both parties have ramped up their ad campaigns substantially, so that every few minutes i'm advised that someone who is smart and well-educated enough to know better has approved an advertisement that is a bare linguistic notch above schoolyard name calling.
there is nothing substantive in these announcements, of course- their fifteen to thirty second duration makes any sort of meaningful content an impossibility. instead, they are full of snide innuendo about the other party's shortcomings, goading the electorate to vote out of fear.
of course, the presence of around the clock news stations should, in theory, offer some space for analysis. i'll wait for you to stop laughing.
as part of its crack reportage, cnn has been handing over its airwaves to republican party strategists and supporters to comment on the democratic convention. because in order to get an honest, unscripted, cogent reaction to the proceedings, the best place to look is in the camps of those whose livelihood depends on the democrats losing the election. don't worry, i'm sure that the democratic commentary on the republican convention will be equally riveting.
normally, i love the autumn. it's my favourite season. it's not just that my birthday falls then. i love watching the changing of the leaves. i love the crisp weather. i love the smoky scent in the air. but i have to say that this fall, i'm really tempted to hibernate. although i normally cringe at the first sighting of a candy cane, this may be one year when i'll be happy to see those christmas decorations roll out.