Minx Overground at the Nevada State Democratic Convention

Posted by Myrna the Minx on May 17, 2008 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

I originally intended to attend the state convention as a guest. In fact, I actually registered as a guest last night, but thanks to the encouragement of a local party official, I asked for and received a media pass. Without the media pass, I would have had to watch all the events from a separate conference room on a large video screen. No Bill Clinton in person, no Kumar in person (taller than I thought), no Jon Soltz in person (VoteVets.org)–as if! It turns out that no longer having a secret identity to protect does have its benefits after all. But where was the free booze?

After parading around the convention floor flashing my media pass to thousands of unsuspecting and, let’s face it, uncaring convention goers, I positioned myself near the “media table.” I say near, because I still have some discomfort in my new role as a non anonymous blogger. Anyway, for the very first time in my blogging life, I was able to observe how actual, grown-up, professional journalists behave in the wild. I can’t actually tell you what I overheard because, well, it wouldn’t be fair. Today, I was a pledge member of the fraternity/sorority (sort of), so I am obliged to protect the group’s secret spankings and handshakes, but one thing became clear to me–as far as snark is concerned, bloggers have nothing on some Nevada political journalists. It turns out that bloggers are just more transparently snarky, and isn’t more transparency what we’re all looking for in our candidates, er, I mean journalists, oh, forget it. I know John McCain is working on transparency (yes, I’m being a little snarky).

Another thing that became clear to me today is that I would never admit to being from a place called the “Flying Flap Jack Ranch.” Sorry Ms. Derby, it’s nothing personal, I’m a city girl. Bill Clinton’s “show a little leg” comment was fabulous and a little unfortunate, all at the same time.

Of all the important speakers that made appearances at today’s convention, I was most moved by John Soltz, who passionately spoke about Afghanistan, the Iraq War and subsequent occupation, and this current administration’s reprehensible treatment of our veterans. Perhaps it’s because members of my family have served in Iraq and Afghanistan (and still are), but I was moved to tears. What this administration has wrought in Iraq is truly a human catastrophe that all involved nations will be recovering from for decades. There are many of this administration’s policies and actions to be angry about, the desecration of our Constitution, the reversal of human rights, the fear mongering, the corruption and fraud, but the ravages of Iraq are still largely unknowable. Already, we know about the millions of war refugees, the accompanying rise of prostitution in Syria, the strain placed on the U.S. military, the loss of U.S. reputation abroad, etc., and these situations will only continue to worsen. If nothing else, it has to be clear to anyone whose head is not buried deep in the sand, that a major change in the political direction must happen in this country–soon. To me at least, it’s not a matter of political party anymore, it’s a matter of doing what is right. If we can’t vote for change in 2008 (at the state level as well), then we might as throw in the towel.

Oh, email or call Senator Ensign’s office and tell him to vote for the Webb-Hagel GI bill. Reno (775) 686-5770, Las Vegas (702) 388-6605

Special Note: I must thank Anjeanette Damon for her general friendliness and encouragement. I didn’t start out the day knowing that I would end up at the media table (sort of). Damon was nice enough to pretend that I belonged in the general vicinity.