I’m not sure how many in my audience actually watched the Republican convention. I had a tough enough time just sitting there without my veins popping. Never have I seen so many supposed leaders sprout so many falsehoods and outright lies to spread hate and division. Never have I seen so many supposed leaders fear an involved American public to as not offer one fact or offer one solid program to back up what they say, so as to avoid scrutiny.

They fear an involved public. Their story: You’re not safe, let us handle it, and if you think we’re wrong, or even question us, you’re the enemy.

Why do you think it is that the higher the turnout, the worst it is for Bush? Think! Think! Think!

They are running a campaign against John Kerry, and not for security.

They are running a campaign against John Kerry, and not for justice.

They are running a campaign against John Kerry, and not for liberty.

They are running a campaign against John Kerry, and not for the future.

They are running a campaign against John Kerry, not for the American dream.

Each of these points can be backed up by Bush policies and their results since 9/11.

Wouldn’t you want to support a candidate with plans for the future, that trusts the American people with more sustenance than what a five syllable sound bite can provide?

My job tonight is an easy one: to present to you one of this nation’s authentic heroes, one of this party’s best-known and greatest leaders ? and a good friend.

He was once a lieutenant governor ? but he didn’t stay in that office 16 years, like someone else I know. It just took two years before the people of Massachusetts moved him into the United States Senate in 1984.

In his 16 years in the Senate, John Kerry has fought against government waste and worked hard to bring some accountability to Washington.

Early in his Senate career in 1986, John signed on to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Bill, and he fought for balanced budgets before it was considered politically correct for Democrats to do so.

John has worked to strengthen our military, reform public education, boost the economy and protect the environment. Business Week magazine named him one of the top pro-technology legislators and made him a member of its “Digital Dozen.”

John was re-elected in 1990 and again in 1996 ? when he defeated popular Republican Governor William Weld in the most closely watched Senate race in the country.

John is a graduate of Yale University and was a gunboat officer in the Navy. He received a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three awards of the Purple Heart for combat duty in Vietnam. He later co-founded the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Zell Miller introducing John Kerry at a 2001 party dinner.

Yep, that’s the same Zell Miller who gave that lie filled speech the other night.

Millions of American workers are due to lose their overtime pay based on new rules that go into effect today. That’s the Bush Administration for you. Friend of the middle class!

Prediction: These changes will be rolled into effect by employers very slowly. Once they reach you, the outrage will have been so dissipated that all you will see about it when you complain is a helpless shrug.

Rafe is concerned that the damage wrought by the Bush campaign connected Swift Boat Veterans for Slander will be too much to overcome for Kerry. He thinks that Kerry should not have responded so directly.

While I think Kerry is usually better off by staying above the slime being thrown, President Clinton thinks otherwise. His advice is for him to fight back hard. Kerry can’t let Bush’s flunkies define him the way they defined Gore. Who am I to argue with President Clinton? Along these lines, this new advertisement is very effective.

The truth is beginning to be outed, with newspapers leading the way.

I think, especially because of the times we are in, it’s our job as bloggers to help the cause of truth. Over at Daily Kos they are noting that a blowback is starting to grow. Hopefully bloggers can add some momentum to it. These tactics shouldn’t be tolerated.

One thing you can do is join me in signing a petition for Bush to publicly condemn these lies.

President Bush – call off your dogs. Get back to the issues. And explain why you are qualified to deal with them. If you can.

An eye opening piece in The Atlantic.

Where is the press? Where is the press?!? There is practically no mention of this in the news.

NYTimes: Iran Says It May Pre-empt Attack Against Its Nuclear Facilities.

P2P software developers are not to be held liable for copyright infringement (Boing Boing).

Are there really Two Americas?

One of my closest friends has been stuck on the lower rungs of employment for years now. He’s a hard worker, pays his bills, and struggles everyday to get by. He’s moving to Florida for a part time job with a big company hoping that that it’s his ticket to stability.

I was once right there with him and someday I plan on sharing the rest of my story. The thing about it is that it occurred years ago, in a world that seems as different from now as day is from night.

slacktivist comments on an article by Leigh Strope for the Associated Press where she reports on the growing gap.

Could someone from my background do what I did today? Does that kind of opportunity still exist?

Slashdot: Tech Employment Drops Sharply In 2004.

No it’s true! Really! Read about it at Yahoo!. And yes, this is an old article, but I’m catching up here…