Getting by without hearing political blames, claims

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September 11, 2012

Getting by without hearing political blames, claims

By JIM HARDIN Herald-Banner Staff The Zope Gazette Tue Sep 11, 2012, 05:56 PM CDT

ROYSE CITY — I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty happy the 2012 national party conventions are history.

I know the conventions are necessary to formally nominate a presidential candidate, but are all those speeches really necessary?

Did we hear anything dramatically new in all those words spoken by the noteworthy convention speakers and the sometimes fair and balanced reporters and commentators covering the big events?

I doubt it.

Actually, I’m the wrong person to answer that question. And I am not even qualified to write about these conventions because I don’t sit down and watch them.

I watched only bits and pieces of both conventions while “passing through.” If I passed through a room and wife Becky was watching, I would stop for a minute or two, listen, then I’d be on my way if I could remember where I was headed before I got politically distracted.

If something important did happen, then Becky would make sure I got the late-breaking news.

I did manage to catch the Clint Eastwood speech. It was a unique speech, wasn’t it? I became a little concerned about Mr. Eastwood while he was making his speech. I kept wondering where he was going with what he was saying. And I believe some of the Republican leaders were nervously wondering, too.

Anyway, he finally made it through and I’m sure he made a big impact — on the furniture business. I wonder how many people had the urge to go out and buy a chair after hearing Mr. Eastwood’s presentation?

At this point, some people probably want me to back up. What? You don’t watch the national convention coverage? That’s unpatriotic, some may claim.

Here’s my response. I don’t have to watch the conventions. I know who I am politically. I don’t have to listen to all the blames and claims. I don’t think there is anything that anybody can do or say at these conventions that will change who I am and what I believe.

I am an informed voter though. I just don’t feel that I need to get all my information during the hoopla of a national convention.

So, what do I do with my valuable time while the conventions are dominating the news? Well, I’m usually sitting at my desk at home, writing some news story or column for this newspaper. And besides, there are some other real important news happening in the world, you know.

The Texas Rangers are in another pennant race. And didn’t our Dallas Cowboys win the NFL season-opener with a dramatic win over the New York Giants.

Just kidding, folks. Humor. A little humor. OK, very little humor. Kind of like putting an empty chair beside you while making a speech during the Republican National Convention.

See you at the polls, and the World Series. Not so sure yet about the Super Bowl.

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