(unabashed political post - skip if you like!)

Hi folks, it's Robin this time. JJ graciously calls this "our blog," but this is my first entry. Usually I joke about adding a food-related post, or an ode to my weekly favorite dog at PAWS. But what finally got me to post was...the Republicans.

I'm not usually motivated by the Republicans.

This week is special. Their national convention is rolling into its finale tomorrow.  

I committed to following both parties' conventions this year. Now, I vote Democrat or Independent in almost every election - so why bother? Well, I have a lot of respect for the bipartisan and anti-corruption work that John McCain did in the Senate. Three years ago, he would've had my vote over anyone, anywhere (save Dave Barry, who, sadly, never runs for president anymore). So for the first time in my voting life, I wanted to at least hear McCain's party out. 

Unfortunately, Mac's not on till tomorrow. Until then, we get what appears to be a parade of angry, mean-spirited people who keep yelling and jabbing the air in front of the podium. (Why - are there gremlins of W. floating there?)

In the editorial profession, there's a saying: "Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." I'm not sure it's the only one - I think ambition is, too. And ambition combined with fear is the hobgoblin of dignity, character, and respect. It leads otherwise reasonable people to low or mean measures. The Republican speakers I saw tonight look like ambition running scared.

Regardless of their policies, the two parties' speeches have shown a striking difference in manner and tone, in the way they speak to other and to us, the American people. It's reasonable to assume that in their tone, their attitudes about us show through - what they think we want, identify with, relate to, value.  

The Democrats may be a little in love with themselves. Yes, Greek columns were perhaps...unnecessary. But the Republicans, especially Palin and Giuliani, seem hell-bent on being insulting, low-brow, and angry. What are they so angry about? I don't have a God complex like Hillary or Obama - not since I left Office, anyway - but I don't relate to the vitriolic spirit of these guys at all. It frustrates, scares, and embarrasses me - as an American and, more, as a citizen of a pretty small planet.

I was shocked tonight at the total lack of effort to take the high road - to show character of one's own rather than to draw power from belittling an opponent. That's exactly the kind of approach that W. moved from the campaign trail into his foreign policy, and we have paid in American lives for that juvenile stance. And it is not what I thought McCain the senator has stood for, at all. 

I'll try to be open-minded as McCain the candidate speaks tomorrow. But I wonder what difference it makes, if these are the people he'd surround himself with? I'm tired of politicians who can only lead others by stirring up their meanness, by validating peoples' ugly snarling impulses rather than coaxing out their goodness and desire to do better. And I'm sad that so many of us Americans have forgotten simple kindergarten lessons. Such as, you don't have to fight dirty in order to fight. The high road is the better one. And don't forget who you are and what you stand for.

I hope John McCain, warrior senator, shows up to school his party in all three lessons tomorrow night.