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2008 election
July 2009 
RNC
Posted on Sep 6th, 2008
by 
Eric
Eric
As most of the world knows, the Republican National Convention descended on St. Paul last week. In more ways than I can list the event gave us a front row seat to witness how divided we have become as a nation. Most was to be expected; the traffic congestion, the protests, the months of planning beforehand. But the thing that surprised me the most was how the National media distorted the protests, downplayed the intensity of them or even swept them aside.
A few other things that weren't reported are, about a year before the convention the city began a plan to decrease the pigeon population downtown. Birds were mysteriously decreasing in numbers, drastically so in the weeks leading to the convention. Due to the close proximity of the city's homeless shelter to the Xcel arena, the homeless where pursueded off of the streets. The city was polished like a gem to glimmer in the late summer sun. In reality, some of the very things that the politicians needed to see were hidden from them. Maybe this is the reason that there is such a disconnect between our citizens and those who are running to represent us. I work downtown and am hassled for money on an almost daily basis on the streets. Maybe this is something convention goers should have experienced.
Right now, most people I know are angry and if the truth be told a little scared. It feels as though all control of our future has been taken away from us. We face skyrocketing unemployment, decreasing home values, rising gasoline prices that affect most everything we buy and we're heading into a winter where natural gas prices are forecasted to be 40% higher than last year. Not to mention the war in Iraq and Global Warming. Never in my life has it seemed that so much on so many fronts is spiraling out of control.
In times like these, there is no hiding from reality. To turn a blind eye only allows the negativities to gather strength. My only hope is that in the months leading to the election that people research the candidates stances on the real issues and not only be swayed by charisma, a fresh face and a good speech. Now more than ever, our very futures hang in the balance.
A few other things that weren't reported are, about a year before the convention the city began a plan to decrease the pigeon population downtown. Birds were mysteriously decreasing in numbers, drastically so in the weeks leading to the convention. Due to the close proximity of the city's homeless shelter to the Xcel arena, the homeless where pursueded off of the streets. The city was polished like a gem to glimmer in the late summer sun. In reality, some of the very things that the politicians needed to see were hidden from them. Maybe this is the reason that there is such a disconnect between our citizens and those who are running to represent us. I work downtown and am hassled for money on an almost daily basis on the streets. Maybe this is something convention goers should have experienced.
Right now, most people I know are angry and if the truth be told a little scared. It feels as though all control of our future has been taken away from us. We face skyrocketing unemployment, decreasing home values, rising gasoline prices that affect most everything we buy and we're heading into a winter where natural gas prices are forecasted to be 40% higher than last year. Not to mention the war in Iraq and Global Warming. Never in my life has it seemed that so much on so many fronts is spiraling out of control.
In times like these, there is no hiding from reality. To turn a blind eye only allows the negativities to gather strength. My only hope is that in the months leading to the election that people research the candidates stances on the real issues and not only be swayed by charisma, a fresh face and a good speech. Now more than ever, our very futures hang in the balance.
Access: Public
