I’ve heard many inconsistent reports about the amount of people that attended the event. The numbers I have heard are anywhere between 12 and 40 thousand.

The event was a whole lot of fun. Here are a few videos of the event, one from CNN and one from Local TMJ4 NBC news. There are a bunch of amateur ones available on youtube as well. As for photos, most students haven’t been able to upload theirs yet, however if you check various image sources you’ll be able to see some awesome pictures of CRs at the event, but I’ll make sure I get some of those up here soon.

My view of the event was different than most. I, along with other MUCRs got to sit in the Ice Cream shop that John and Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin stopped into after the event. Though the view and experience was amazing, I heard the speech with a 15 second delay on the radio. This was pretty funny because of the offset. Being able to shake hands with both the Republican President and VP candidates was unbelieveable as well. Both of them ordered ice cream. Palin ordered moose tracks in a waffle cone, while McCain ordered sherbet in a dish (which even made me laugh a bit).

Overall I don’t think I really could have had a better experience. McCain and Palin are both awesome and the energy they brought to the area was phenomenal. Since Palin’s speech at the GOP convention I have spent a large portion of my time at the Washington County Victory Center telling people that we won’t have any McCain Palin signs (and now we’ve ran out of all McCain memorabilia) for another week at least.

Three of the four now-official candidates on the major-party presidential tickets are scheduled to sit down for questions: Democrat Barack Obama on ABC’s “This Week,” his running mate, Joe Biden, on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and Republican John McCain on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Absent from this list, of course, is the GOP’s star of the moment, the not-so-long-ago obscure governor of Alaska who is McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin.
Some Comments on this from around the web…

She’s not appearing by herself on tv talk shows because she’s not capable of answering questions about the economy, international issues, or the environment without someone telling her what to say. She barely got through college. The republicans are desperate to win once again so they have to play the Right wing christian and woman card. What an insult to all women.

Palin is an empty vessel. She needs to be controlled and fed her lines. If you put her on one of those shows with ad hoc questions, it wold be plain to see. Thy tell her what to say and she repeats it. She did a great job about the pipeline in Georgia.

Palin will only appear if it’s in the ticket’s interest??? What about the NATION’S interest? She’s running for vice president. It is in the nation’s interest that she be accessible for questions and a thorough examination by the people and the 4th estate - the media. What happened to “country first?” I guess that’s just a convenient and cynical slogan.

Palin is a hoax and the biggest fraud perpetrated on the American people since the Republicans foisted Bush-Cheney and their oil-buddies in the mid-east causing skyrocketing oil prices and a mortgage mess beyind belief.
Vote for McCain-Palin and then you get what you deserve - a declining America that will be polishing the shoes of the Saudis and the Chinese.
Palin is an empty suit !! A fraud. Otherwise , why not appear on Sunday talk shows. SHAMEFUL. McCain ought to be ashamed that he has picked a VP he has to HIDE !!!!!

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Nobody Asked Me But,

If a woman sits down for lunch, gets a concerned look on her face, jumps up and leaves the restaurant, you can bet she is hurrying for her cell phone.

My approach to dieting is simple. I take a bite out of a donut or lick from an ice cream cone and then throw them away.

My white hair provokes respect from students. However, I suspect it is akin to saluting the uniform, not the man.

“Settle up” for lunch invariably creates confusion, awkward moments of stumbling for money and unstated feelings of “how come I paid so much.”

A single elderly woman who smiles at me immediately arouses feelings of romance.

John McCain never met a conflict that could be ended by sending in some bombers.

America will be a happy and energy wise nation when bikes fill our streets.

I can never understand how the United States and China can each claim they “won the Olympics.” Australia and Great Britain with much smaller populations got half the medals of the large nations.

If this was 1936 and we had CNN, I can just imagine a CNN interview: “Herr Hitler, please tell the viewing audience about your wonderful new program to construct housing for Jews.”

I prefer soup at lunch than at dinner. I don’t know why.

Why do two men each read books at lunch. Heck, lunch is a time for conversation.

A white haired man who has a white mustache tinged with black is, by definition, distinguished looking. That sure ain’t me.

I never received my tax rebate. I fear contacting the IRS because I don’t want to call attention to myself.

I watched a man back his car into parking spot even though by driving twenty feet ahead there was no need to back up. Now, you know why obesity overwhelms this nation.

Is Dick Cheney still alive? He has become the most secretive vice president since John Garner in 1933 who once defined the importance of being vice president to a bucket of warm spit.

Why does my mind become filled with visions of intrigue when a single woman enters a bagel shop at 3:00 p.m?

Is it an oxymoron to say “pudgy policeman?” Either one is pudgy or a policeman, but the two simply don’t mix.

Sarah Palin says she has executive experience because she was mayor of a town of 5,000. I guess this means a woman running a bordello also has executive experience.

If one asks for “butter on the side” you receive more butter than if the bagel is buttered for you. Why?

I drink orange juice if any illness hits me. My Jewish mother who was an expert on disease made me understand a combination of orange juice and chicken soup cures all illnesses.

Republicans are excited about a “soccer mom.” Funny, they are not excited about a “waitress mom” who could use health care and early childhood assistance. Oh, I forgot, such things are part of “evil government.”

Labor Day has lost its union historical sense. It is just another holiday to those under 30.

I always debate whether to purchase a lottery ticket in a gas station or a supermarket. For some reason, I believe the gas station offers me a better chance of winning.

Sweden, The Local: “Wedding Guest Hit By Cannon”
This is one heck of a blast off for a wedding.

Norway, Aftenposten: “Forty Years of Harald And Sonja”
Sounds a lot better than eight years of George and Laura.

Finland, Sanomat: “How Far Will Russia Go?”
At least as far as Georgia.

Qatar, Gulf Times: “Government Gives Aid To wheelchairs”
It would be nice if they also gave aid to the people in the wheelchairs.

Australia, Sydney Morning Post: “Veterans Won’t Have To Ask For Medals”
I assume they wish they could ask for no wounds.

Japan, Japan Times: “The Awashima Crab Murders”
Detective Ralph Whale and Detective Sarah Salmon have been assigned to the case.

Australia, Brisbane Times: “Lesbians Arrested For Indecent Acts”
Horrors, they were kissing one another!

Russia, St. Petersburg Times: “Fertilizer Tax Could Rise”
My nose figured it out before my mind.

Denmark, Copenhagen Post: “Icelandic Investors Face Rough Time”
It is hard dealing with money when it is all in frozen accounts.

China, China Daily: “Cows Could Cure Cancer”
I’ll have to moo on this one.

Kuwait, Kuwait Times: “Ramadan Arrests”
They only take place at night.

China, Shanghai Daily: “Woman’s Hand Caught In Toilet Seeking Frog”
Mam, the story says you should look down a well for the prince who is disguised as a frog

Saudi Arabia, Saudi Gazette: “Saudi Women Burn Calories”
They want to be in good shape for the beheading.

Norway, Aftenposten: “Police Can’t Afford Cop Jobs”
I believe there are some openings with the local gangs.

Saudi Arabia, Saudi Gazette: “Charities Watched”
We certainly don’t want them going around spending money on the poor.

Sweden, The Local: “Prison For Nonconsensual Sex”
What does one get for consensual sex?

Lies and distortion have been central to your boasts concerning victory in Iraq over terrorism. There is no question terrorism has increased tenfold since President Bush and you advocated an invasion of Iraq. If anyone can claim “victory” it is al-Qaeda which has grown from a small force into a powerful fighting organization. Al-Qaeda has become the heroes of millions of people in the Muslim world who, prior to our invasion of Iraq, had never even heard of the organization. The invasion of Iraq has become the means by which al-Qaeda has been able to recruit and grow in numbers.

Among the boasts you keep on making is support for the surge in Iraq. Well, let’s look at your record in support of the American military. In 2003, the Joint Chiefs of Staff urged President Bush to provide an army of 400,000 so they could do the job in Iraq. There was no a single word of support for the Joint Chiefs of Staff from your mouth. There was not a single word from you for more troops in 2003, in 2004, in 2005, in 2006 despite the fact 4,000 American soldiers were being killed and over 24,000 wounded. You did not utter a single word of criticism of Don Rumsfeld until late 2006 when just about everyone was blasting the Secretary of Defense. Prior to that time, you supported his military policies. Such support for the Bush administration is hardly the manner in which a maverick functions, is it?

The question to pose is: Is the Middle East today more peaceful and secure than it was in 2003 when the invasion you supported began? The answer is obvious to anyone. There is more terrorism and violence today than was apparent in the region in 2003. Hamas and Hizbullah have grown in power. Had American used its energy in 2003 to train and equip the army of Lebanon, Hizbullah never would have emerged as a powerful fighting force that now threatens the security of Israel. Had the Republican party worked with Israel and the Palestinians in 2001, a genuine peace might have been achieved. Instead, the foolish and destabilizing invasion of Iraq created terrorism, created powerful militant forces and endangered the security of Israel and other nations in the Middle East which seek peace.

Today, the United States is despised in the Muslim world. Is that what you mean by “victory?” Today, there are terrorists fighting in Iraq, in Afghanistan and in Pakistan. Is that what you mean by “victory?” Today, al-Qaeda has spread to areas like Algeria, is that what you mean by “victory?” There are 4,000 dead American soldiers because of the Bush reckless invasion of Iraq and over 24,000 are wounded, is that what you mean by “victory?” The American armed forces are exhausted and stretched to the utter limits of their capability but a full scale war has emerged in Afghanistan, is that what you mean by “victory?”

Senator McCain, you have nonstop tried to wrap yourself around the American flag and boasted of your concern for “the troops.” But, Senator McCain you did not push through the Republican controlled Senate a single bill to increase mental health care for veterans or provide more support for families dealing with deployment of loved ones. You voted against the Webb bill which provided a new G.I. Bill of education rights on the ground its liberal provisions for financial aid would endanger recruiting efforts. Tell the American people which bills you have supported during the past seven years which aided the health and welfare of American troops. Your record is abysmal when it comes to legislation for our troops. It is a fact that until Democrats took control of Congress neither the Bush administration nor the Congress had done anything to aid and support members of the armed forces or veterans.

Senator McCain, your record in support of the Iraq invasion is hardly one that a “maverick” would possess. You supported war, you failed to provide our troops with equipment and the necessary troops, you supported those who created the chaos that is Iraq and now you claim any problems were the fault of “Washington special interest groups.” Senator McCain, you belong to the group you now criticize. You are part of the Establishment which failed the American people. Yours is the voice of the Judas goat which leads goats to slaughter. Only, in this case Americans and Iraqis died because of Bush policies in Iraq which you faithfully followed.

Harper’s Tories have been dropping election hints like autumn leaves, always looking ominously forward to a coming confrontation with the Armies of Evil [read: Liberals], and every once in a while they would grace us with a tidy little TV commercial showing us the Prime Minister’s soft and fuzzy side, and I imagine I am neither the first nor the last Canadian to have a frightening and overpowering urge to give his Prime Minister a bear hug.

Lately, the slow and erratic trickle of advertisements has become a rushing tidal wave, dousing us with a series of short clips featuring Mr. Harper on an overstuffed couch, wearing a comfortable sweater vest, and reclining by the fireplace. We are told by a multicultural coven of “average voters” why Harper is the right man for the job, and why he can make government work.

That’s all well and good, but I fail to see the point. Harper is, at best, a calm, collected and decisive leader. At worst he is a cold, unfeeling policy wonk. Nobody is going to be fooled into thinking he is Ralph Klein reincarnate, and I think we would all be equally shocked to see him stumbling out of a bar on a Saturday night as we would be to see him hugging a small child on the street. Simply put, he is not a touchy-feely person, at least in public.

However, when it comes to this election, I don’t think he has much to worry about. He could have all the personality of an electric eel, and he’d still be miles ahead of Mr. Dion in that category. Dion may not seem as much like the Captain of the school math team as Harper, but none of us are going to mistake him for the star quarterback, either.

So please, Stephen, let’s not kid each other. You aren’t a teddy bear, and you never will be. On the other hand, you can speak both languages passibly, are not lost in the area of intellect, and you’ve been around the block politically. You’re better than this, Stephen, and you’re better than Dion.

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To star things off, the NDP has put out a new ad squarely aimed at the Prime Minister, found here. It’s an interesting NDP add on a few fronts:

First, it marks a departure by Jack Layton’s team from his five-year strategy of primarily attacking the Liberals in the hopes of replacing the Grits as the Official Opposition. I’m not sure that I see this wisdom in this strategy, as the last two elections, despite what the media would say, were good for the NDP and it was obviously allowing them to make gains in areas like Hamilton, Montreal and other gritty, working class cities. Oshawa, other parts of Toronto and Montreal, and east Nova Scotia are on their radar today only because the NDP has been able to make a compelling argument that the Liberals aren’t doing enough to oppose the Tories. Granted, the Greens are somewhat muddling Layton’s plans by introducing a new “anybody-but-the-rest” party, and one that is over-obsessive about the environment too, but Jack! wasn’t going to find his votes in urbane, eco-hugging neighbourhoods anyway; he was going to find them in the manufacturing centres and in areas where his efforts to support the Palestinians and Muslims were starting to make a difference.

Next, it needs to be said for the NDP: they’ve really improved their ability to create attractive, high-quality media. In an age with video makers on every PC and Macs built to create fancy footage, there’s no excuse. Still, kudos to the socialists to make something light years ahead of their infamously South Park-like ads that ran in 2000.

On the impact front, I think that the NDP might be doing themselves more harm than good on this one. In 1990, the Ontario PCs released an ad attacking then-Liberal Premier David Peterson that was very effective in convincing the public that Peterson was not worthy of reelection. What the ad didn’t do though is suggest the alternative, something that the Tories pre-supposed they would be in the minds of voters anyway. The result? The NDP earned 37% of returns to become a majority government; the PCs were devastated, only gaining a handful in the high-teens. In this ad, the NDP isn’t doing such a good job in promoting themselves as the only real alternative to the Conservatives — this leaves the notion wide open for the Liberals to snatch up and use themselves. The attacks used in the ad aren’t so great either if you consider the fact that most voters aren’t as adverse to tax cuts as the Dippers are. The ad also could be interpreted to reinforce the reputation that the Tories have as being best able to whether us through this economic storm; a flaw that could help the government. In other words, the ad only speaks to the NDP base, which as we’ve seen before, is big enough to get the party around 10 seats.

Finally, the NDP really needs to ditch the “N”, and rename itself the “Democrats”. If you ever get to watch Question Period, the caucus that looks the most grey is the NDP. The party itself is about to hit its 50th anniversary and its strategists have come up with any sort of “third way” plan that would constitute any sort of newness in the party’s vision. So how is the party new exactly?