Open Forum
RNC coverage
Elizabeth Heil
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Opinion
Having dedicated hundreds of hours of work to the production of the Republican National Convention this summer, I was looking forward to reading what Hillsdale had to say about its success. The article about the "carefully choreographed frenzy" that created the "synchronized" excitement at the RNC was not what I expected. I can assure you that my convention excitement was not choreographed.
I could see the Code Pink activist afore mentioned in "Convention-goers appall" from my spot on the floor and her words were both disturbing and insulting; it seemed only right that her "ground noise and [the] static," as Sen. John McCain put it, be covered with proud chants of "USA"!
Regarding Senator McCain's attempts to calm the crowd - was that not the message of his speech and the convention? "Country First" and not just about him? I fear you may have missed the best part of the speech if you truly believe that the statement "self-proclaimed heroes always seem a bit conceited" applies to McCain.
The way he talked about his time as a POW was rare and far from conceited and I promise you that my tears were not "manipulated" by the crowd. My words give little justice in explaining the realization he had while in captivity so I'll remind you of his:
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's… I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's. ...
My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God."
Having seen the full-page tribute to Senator Barack Obama's talk in Battle Creek and the article about the DNC, I certainly expected something positive on the RNC and was disappointed.
I hope readers had the opportunity to hear some of the speeches and caught glimpse of the excellent leadership and patriotism shown during the RNC despite the extreme changes invoked by Hurricane Gustav.
It was a historic convention and it did a remarkable job in creating the excitement needed as we launch into this pivotal election season.
I could see the Code Pink activist afore mentioned in "Convention-goers appall" from my spot on the floor and her words were both disturbing and insulting; it seemed only right that her "ground noise and [the] static," as Sen. John McCain put it, be covered with proud chants of "USA"!
Regarding Senator McCain's attempts to calm the crowd - was that not the message of his speech and the convention? "Country First" and not just about him? I fear you may have missed the best part of the speech if you truly believe that the statement "self-proclaimed heroes always seem a bit conceited" applies to McCain.
The way he talked about his time as a POW was rare and far from conceited and I promise you that my tears were not "manipulated" by the crowd. My words give little justice in explaining the realization he had while in captivity so I'll remind you of his:
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's… I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's. ...
My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God."
Having seen the full-page tribute to Senator Barack Obama's talk in Battle Creek and the article about the DNC, I certainly expected something positive on the RNC and was disappointed.
I hope readers had the opportunity to hear some of the speeches and caught glimpse of the excellent leadership and patriotism shown during the RNC despite the extreme changes invoked by Hurricane Gustav.
It was a historic convention and it did a remarkable job in creating the excitement needed as we launch into this pivotal election season.
Be the first to comment on this story