Michelle Sold It Tonight

Well, I know I wasn’t going to blog about the presidential election, because I have a hard time dealing with the FISA vote by Obama. But, watching Michelle Obama speak at the Democratic convention this evening really made me "feel" about my country as I used to feel when I was a young adult, against the war in Viet Nam and a supporter of women’s rights, and civil rights.

The fact that Barack’s acceptance speech will be held on the 45 anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington led by Dr. King, where he gave his most famous speech, is not lost on me, and the fact that Barack is biracial.

I know many of you have been enjoying my respite from political commentary and the fun updates about my grandson, Zaire. Something many of you do not know is that he is also biracial in that his father is black.

I was more appalled at the "Spirits of Denver" party.

I just got an invitation for the "Spirits of Denver" party, which as you'll see below, will be the place to be to get reactionary corporate PAC money.

Beta Night Club,1909 Blake Street Denver, Colorado
August 25, 2008 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Here are the sponsors. See if you can figure out the pattern:

Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (lead sponsor) 2008: 59% Dems, 41% Reps 2006: 48% Dems, 48% Reps 2004: 39% Dems, 61% Reps 2002: 32% Dems, 68% Reps

National Association of Chain Drug Stores 2008: 66% Dems, 34% Reps 2006: 24% Dems, 75% Reps 2004: 22% Dems, 78% Reps 2002: 40% Dems, 60% Reps

ClearChannel 2008: 54% Dems, 46% Reps 2006: 40% Dems, 60% Reps 2004: 38% Dems, 62% Reps 2002: 38% Dems, 62% Reps

Federation of American Hospitals 2008: 54% Dems, 46% Reps 2006: 35% Dems, 64% Reps 2004: 40% Dems, 60% Reps 2002: 31% Dems, 69% Reps

Duke Energy 2008: 39% Dems, 61% Reps 2006: 26% Dems, 74% Reps 2004: 24% Dems, 76% Reps 2002: 30% Dems, 70% Reps

National Association of Home Builders 2008: 45% Dems, 55% Reps 2006: 45% Dems, 55% Reps 2004: 33% Dems, 67% Reps 2002: 38% Dems, 62% Reps

US Chamber of Commerce 2008: 39% Dems, 61% Reps 2006: 18% Dems, 82% Reps 2004: 24% Dems, 76% Reps 2002: 10% Dems, 90% Reps

American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (Coal industry front group) Lockheed Martin 2008: 57% Dems, 43% Reps 2006: 42% Dems, 58% Reps 2004: 41% Dems, 59% Reps 2002: 39% Dems, 61% Reps

Daimler 2008: 48% Dems, 52% Reps 2006: 35% Dems, 65% Reps 2004: 32% Dems, 68% Reps 2002: 41% Dems, 59% Reps

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals 2008: 45% Dems, 55% Reps 2006: 28% Dems, 72% Reps 2004: 30% Dems, 70% Reps 2002: 30% Dems, 70% Reps

Amgen 2008: 45% Dems, 55% Reps 2006: 34% Dems, 65% Reps 2004: 27% Dems, 73% Reps 2002: 25% Dems, 74% Reps

Verisign 2008: 47% Dems, 53% Reps 2006: 21% Dems, 79% Reps 2004: 37% Dems, 63% Reps 2002: 55% Dems, 45% Reps

We've spent the decade working to strip Republicans of their governing majorities, majorities enabled by these (and many more) PACs. Now, seeing the political winds turn, they are working feverishly to buy the Democratic Party so that government can continue the same destructive policies that have gotten us to today's messes.

While Obama may not be taking PAC money, most other Democrats aren't following suit. And while there are many PACs friendly to progressive principles, the group hosting and funding this party is not. Unfortunately, I fear this may be one of the hottest parties in Denver this week. Not so unfortunately, I suspect my invitation is hereby revoked.

Glenn Greenwald keeps us abreast of the "secrecy" of that meeting, between the above-name industry corporate lobbyists and CEO's and the Democrats that have consistently voted a Bush agenda for said corporate and industry interests.

I watched the CSPan coverage because I knew it would be the least tainted in after convention coverage. It is interesting to hear the lame excuses and comments made by the people supporting a McCain presidency. I really cannot wait to see the Republican convention. The level of being out of touch with ordinary Americans will be so obvious at the convention based on the speeches and the comments made during that time.

As Michelle said tonight, and I paraphrase, it is time to base decisions on hope instead of basing them on fear.

s