Comments on: Democracy, Not Quite Down to a Science http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/ Rory O'Connor's blog Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:29:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: cs http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-24 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 22:29:07 +0000 http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-24 Rory -- My apologies. I'm usually more diplomatic than that, and upon re-reading can see that my tone may have contributed to that of Another George. Rory — My apologies. I’m usually more diplomatic than that, and upon re-reading can see that my tone may have contributed to that of Another George.

]]> by: Rory O'Connor http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-23 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 20:52:00 +0000 http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-23 One quick note from Rory here--I love the feedback and the interactivity, but I'm not a fan of namecalling or vituperation -- even if it's not directed at me. Bottom line: it's okay to 'accuse' one another of a transgression like 'extreme individuality," as cs put itinitially, but I'm not so sure about 'verbal diarrhea." One quick note from Rory here–I love the feedback and the interactivity, but I’m not a fan of namecalling or vituperation — even if it’s not directed at me. Bottom line: it’s okay to ‘accuse’ one another of a transgression like ‘extreme individuality,” as cs put itinitially, but I’m not so sure about ‘verbal diarrhea.”

]]> by: cs http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-21 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 20:08:08 +0000 http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-21 Thanks, Adam S. Your point is interesting. I've been watching conventions since 1952 (my parents bought our first tv for the first convention broadcast), so I have a residual experience to draw upon that helps me enter into the ritual experience, I guess. I wonder if the delegates or viewing audience could take a retrospective on the parties' pasts just now. Republicans would have to deal with their bouts of extremism -- something they're trying mightily to disguise just now; Democrats would have to deal the floor fight over seating Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Democratic Freedom delegation, Mayor Dailey's Chigago in 1968. And they'd both have to address the growing artifice that has marked the conventions since those years. I kind of doubt we're there yet. But it's hopeful to think we might be down the road . . . Thanks, Adam S. Your point is interesting. I’ve been watching conventions since 1952 (my parents bought our first tv for the first convention broadcast), so I have a residual experience to draw upon that helps me enter into the ritual experience, I guess. I wonder if the delegates or viewing audience could take a retrospective on the parties’ pasts just now. Republicans would have to deal with their bouts of extremism — something they’re trying mightily to disguise just now; Democrats would have to deal the floor fight over seating Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Democratic Freedom delegation, Mayor Dailey’s Chigago in 1968. And they’d both have to address the growing artifice that has marked the conventions since those years. I kind of doubt we’re there yet. But it’s hopeful to think we might be down the road . . .

]]> by: Adam S. http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-20 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 19:02:14 +0000 http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-20 I think both CS and Another George have a point. As a communal re-invigoration of the party, it would make sense that no media coverage nor skeptical attendance at the event can grok whatever it is the faithful participants are taking away from what looks from the outside like fully-scripted, lock-step overenthusiasm. But at the same time, it would be so refreshing to see the party truly break from some traditions to acknowledge change in the country and the world over the years that conventions have been held. There must be methods of "creative renewal" that would invigorate more of the party's supporters outside that room. In addition, this seems a waste of an opportunity to provide something new, refreshing, an event that hints that the election -- and the day after the election -- will not be political business as usual. I think both CS and Another George have a point. As a communal re-invigoration of the party, it would make sense that no media coverage nor skeptical attendance at the event can grok whatever it is the faithful participants are taking away from what looks from the outside like fully-scripted, lock-step overenthusiasm. But at the same time, it would be so refreshing to see the party truly break from some traditions to acknowledge change in the country and the world over the years that conventions have been held. There must be methods of “creative renewal” that would invigorate more of the party’s supporters outside that room.

In addition, this seems a waste of an opportunity to provide something new, refreshing, an event that hints that the election — and the day after the election — will not be political business as usual.

]]> by: cs http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-19 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 18:46:10 +0000 http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2004/07/29/democracy-not-quite-down-to-a-science/#comment-19 Another George -- Hmmm. Verbal diarrhea, interesting metaphor. Especially when O'Connor's theme is illusory control. Let me put it in terms you might more readily understand -- a clenched sphincter doesn't help. Loosen up. Another George — Hmmm. Verbal diarrhea, interesting metaphor. Especially when O’Connor’s theme is illusory control. Let me put it in terms you might more readily understand — a clenched sphincter doesn’t help. Loosen up.

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