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July 31, 2004Both Sides NowBows and flows of confetti, balloons falling from the ceiling, celebrating the launch of the hot new product, The 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee. Carefully scripted speeches, access, inviting just the right mix of dignitaries and press, this year including a few bloggers, to get the best possible coverage. I’ve looked at conventions this way. Patriots passionate about defending the freedoms this country is based upon; Liberty, Love it, or Lose it. People who have done everything they can to get to Boston to have their say, in the free speech zone, the training sessions outside the convention, and in the halls as they talk about how to get not only Kerry elected, but their favorite local candidates elected and their favorite issues addressed. The Free Speech Zone. How I wish I were a young Michael Moore, wandering through the Free Speech Zone with my video camera in hand, interviewing the people from every political persuasion, the Naderites, the Laroucheites, those putting up signs saying, ‘Don’t vote, it only encourages them’. Those who want out of Iraq, better health care, and people to worship their version of God. All of it shot in black and white, with the voice over done in the best Rod Serling impression. I’ve looked at conventions from both sides now, from cynicism and from idealism, but still some how, it is the idealism I recall. BeckyG from the american street wrote: “I can’t just go back to the old life and pretend that I haven’t done this, though. Something has changed”. I think that sums up the experience pretty well. Journalist? Activist? Revolutionary war styled pamphleteer? Cynic? Idealist? Oh, I realize that it was a carefully scripted product launch, and many of the people who approved the invitation of bloggers were probably looking for a few new ways to promote the product, and weren’t really interested in the two way dialog that good blogging should really be about. But I also know that among the delegates and among the bloggers were people that loved freedom of speech and will do whatever they can to keep it alive. These are the people I went to the convention to be with.
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