Pop + Politics
A Chance Encounter with a Young Republican
While most people would have you believe that Barack Obama has a lock on the youth vote, there’s a pretty large group of people who might tell you otherwise: The Young Republicans. I had arrived at the RNC without a credential but hoping that I might go to actual Republican events, (and not ironically). I [...]
Yes, Virginia, There Are Gay Republicans.
I am at the Republican National Convention, and though I am a staunch Democrat who’s possibly even further to the left of Dennis Kucinich, I decided that I must immerse myself in real GOP Culture and not just hang out with unwashed lefty anarchists. Of course, the most painless way to do this for a [...]
Talking to Republicans (They’re Sorta Like Us)
I spent last night amongst “the enemy,” red-blooded, real Republicans, who were gathered in bars in St. Paul watching the headlining show. At upscale steakhouse Kincaid’s in downtown St. Paul, I sipped from a martini and slurped oysters and tried my best to fit in even though I was not at all dressed appropriately. I [...]
Joe Lieberman Steals the Show (Again)
It’s a strange day when you are at a panel for the Republican National Convention where the subject is about National Defense and the U.S. approach to global trade, and a high-ranking Democrat shows up to explain how the next Republican administration will likely handle such matters. Though the panel at The University of Minnesota’s [...]
Ohh Protest!
Most protests are pretty predictable and offer little to no excitement beyond a bunch of people chanting slogans. The anti-War March on the Capitol the final day of the Republican National Convention buzzed with energy and tension, because the previous, smaller actions throughout the week had been met with an intense police response. Though the [...]
Beijing Beat: Why Gymnastics’ New Scoring System Is Less Than Perfect
Women’s gymnastics has had several memorable Olympic champions, many of whom we can name like old friends. Olga Korbut was the first modern gymnast to captivate crowds. She enthralled viewers with her outgoing, charming personality and her daring moves at the Munich Games in ‘72. Her feats—a back flip on the uneven bars, the first [...]
A Day in Pictures at the 2008 Republican National Convention
I arrived late Monday night, which meant I missed that day’s non-festivities. Just as well. Today started out muggy and hot and soon turned gray and limpid, with drizzly rain and gusts of wind dotting downtown St. Paul. If it weren’t for the clusters of National Guard and police on corners surrounding the Xcel Center, [...]
Female Bloggers and the New York Times Style Section
The New York Times ran a great piece over the weekend about female bloggers and the hurdles they face in a very male-dominated universe. Short story: online hurdles for women are basically the same as real world hurdles. Less pay, less notoriety and acceptance “less, less, less. Though the article’s content contained serious analysis and [...]
When Satire Turns into Reality