I'm pissed...I'm outraged...and not the least bit surprised.
From The Hill:
President planning NYC extravaganza
White House goal is unprecedented convention theater
"And now, direct from Ground Zero, heeeeeeere's the president!"
OK, we knew they'd put on a show. Conventions are big events and should be exciting. And it looks like they're pulling out all the stops:
According to sources privy to convention planners' discussions, the 2004 GOP conclave at New York's Madison Square Garden will be unlike any previous quadrennial gathering of either party. In fact, not all of the main events will be held at the Garden, sources involved in planning the Aug. 31-Sept. 2 convention said.
"The entire format and actual physical setup could be radically different," one GOP insider commented. "They might not even have a podium, or maybe a rotating podium or even a stage that comes up from underground. It would be like a theater in the round, with off-site events that are part of the convention."
The source, a veteran official of past GOP conventions, said the 50,000 delegates, dignitaries and guests would watch off-site events on giant TV screens. "Now, we'll go to the deck of the USS Intrepid as the U.S. Marine Corps Band plays the National Anthem," he said, pretending that he was playing the part of the convention chairman.
Using the deck of a ship isn't exactly breaking new ground for these guys, but this?
"Or, and this is a real possibility, we could see President Bush giving his acceptance speech at Ground Zero," he added. "It's clearly a venue they're considering."
So let me get this straight...the Bush administration doesn't want the 9/ll commission report to be come a political football, but holding a massive political rally on the graves of 3,000 people is just fine and dandy.
What the hell is wrong with these people?