Are politics off limits since the regime change? I watched the first night of the Republican Convention. From a Democrat's perspective, I have to say that McCain and Guliani held my attention and for the most part these two men have my respect. Arnold and the Bush twins who spoke tonight didn't really keep my interest. Senator McCain used the term "justice" in his speech several times. I just hope that if we get four more years of Bush this concept is applied to the Republicans' domestic agenda. I know that criticism of juries, the civil justice system, trial lawyers, etc. is a big part of Bush's stump speech. And, because Edwards was a trial lawyer, the attacks will keep coming.

And then there were the celebs making the rounds. Did anyone see Stephen Baldwin? He's voting for the candidate with the most faith in God and it was obvious that he meant Bush. I'm not going to criticize him for his beliefs. I believe in God too. But actions speak louder than words. So I thought I would really stir things up and quote a little scripture:

"Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!" Isaiah 10:1&2

Yes, there have been appeals to God for help and guidance by Bush (and by most Americans, frankly) in the war on terror and the invasion of Iraq. And, giving them the benefit of the doubt, the Republican base believes that it is doing the righteous thing in its stances on abortion and gay marriage. Afterall, we don't want to be destroyed like those Old Testament cities of evil. But, when it comes to matters that effect the pocketbook there is a divide between the social conservatives and the economic conservatives. We saw this recently in Alabama, before our Ten Commandments Chief Justice was ousted. An economic conservative already a justice on our Supreme Court ran against Judge Roy Moore for the Republican nomination for chief justice. Moore appealed to the religious/social conservatives, of course. But, the economic conservatives could not stand him because he consistently refused to overturn jury verdicts in civil cases and in most cases refused to dismiss cases against big business before they went to trial. Karl Rove came to Alabama to unseat Moore by running the economic conservative's campaign. This candidate, who was already an associate Jusitce on our Supreme Court, consistently ruled in favor of big business, overturned jury verdicts against big business and threw out cases before they went to trial.

Joe Scarborough asked a question last night that I know the answer to but his panel didn't. Immediately after 9-11, even trial lawyers were behind Bush and some were thankful that he beat Gore, but now those same people are trying their hardest to defeat him. Why? Because he subsequently took a course of divisivness - a hardline course mandated by the economic conservative wing of his party that fails to heed the warnings of the scripture quoted above.

Except for a small portion of Guliani's speech, I thought the first night of the convention exhibited an effort to reach out rather than to divide. Tonight was more geared toward the Republican faithful which is certainly appropriate for a convention.