That's why this year's conventions will be choreographed with precision. No opportunities for mischief. No margin for error. No unscripted moments. The Beijing Olympics, organized by Communists who believe in centralized planning, have provided more occasions for spontaneity. And at least in Beijing, no one has known in advance who would win.

Oh snap!! Oh Canada..hahahha.
/not submitter

They once had a function beyond a simple pep rally? Must have been before my time.

GaryPDX: That's why this year's conventions will be choreographed with precision. No opportunities for mischief. No margin for error. No unscripted moments. The Beijing Olympics, organized by Communists who believe in centralized planning, have provided more occasions for spontaneity. And at least in Beijing, no one has known in advance who would win.

Oh snap!! Oh Canada..hahahha.
/not submitter

Quoted for posterity.

I hope nobody is surprised Canada has a critical view of the lame duck politics in the US. We have quite the vested interest in your future.

Enjoy the conventions.

Mugato: They once had a function beyond a simple pep rally? Must have been before my time.

that's when the party insiders would let you know who they picked for the candidate.

/or not, i just made that up mostly
/it could be true

It's a show of party unity. A big, grand event where everyone gets together and collectively says "it's on." It gets the parties tons of press and serves as the kickoff to the real campaign season.

But moreover, what the fark do the Canucks care?

My Liver Hurts: But moreover, what the fark do the Canucks care?

Largest undefended border in the world, biggest trading partner, economic center of the world... I could go on.

Tr0mBoNe: My Liver Hurts: But moreover, what the fark do the Canucks care?

Largest undefended border in the world, biggest trading partner, economic center of the world... I could go on.

Well of course you're concerned about that, but what in the world does this guy care about whether or not the parties have conventions?

Conventions are great to exercise your rights, for those who know them and want to defend core rights.

Political conventions are useful. Republicans and Democrats get a party paid for by the American taxpayer, and the rest of us can read that book we've been putting off.

They once had a function because Walter Cronkite attended when I was a kid. Now's they're just big parties with free food and booze.

/And I never get invited. :-(

burndtdan: that's when the party insiders would let you know who they picked for the candidate.

Well that's when they make it official but it's never exactly suspenseful. Especially when the itinerary reads "Final day, Obama accepts nomination. Wu Tang performs".

My Liver Hurts: Well of course you're concerned about that, but what in the world does this guy care about whether or not the parties have conventions?

I can't speak for the author, but being able to trust the results of your democratic process is a big deal. The primaries were a farce and so is this pep rally.

Mugato: burndtdan: that's when the party insiders would let you know who they picked for the candidate.

Well that's when they make it official but it's never exactly suspenseful. Especially when the itinerary reads "Final day, Obama accepts nomination. Wu Tang performs".

diversify your delegation, nubian!

/wu tang political consultants

It's a networking convention. Most industries have them, but in this case, if you get drunk and fark a sales rep from another state, Chris Matthews is standing next to you, criticizing your performance on prime time.

America Jr. should learn to keep opinions to itself. Remember, we have Gitmo and know how to use it.

Other than the ability to consistently (excepting when the candidate is John Kerry) move the polls by 5-15 points, at least until the other party does so in the other direction, they have no function.

But that's a pretty big function, and if one side didn't do it and the other side did, it would be a lot like 2004, where one side did (and the other side failed) and made up a huge deficit and won the election.

They have a function, they just aren't as important as they once were.

what_now: It's a networking convention. Most industries have them, but in this case, if you get drunk and fark a sales rep from another state, Chris Matthews is standing next to you, criticizing your performance on prime time.

Jumping Jebus on a go-kart, please do not ever talking about farking and Chris Matthews in the same sentence. The same paragraph, even.

what the fark do the Canucks care?

If the United States became less of a world power, Canada might actually have to pay for a military to defend itself.

"U.S. political conventions have become the appendix of the body politic: a vestige of something that once had a function but no longer does."

*cough* electoral college *cough*

They can be pretty interesting sometimes.

Like when the teleprompter breaks down right after McCain starts his speech...

Peter von Nostrand: what_now: It's a networking convention. Most industries have them, but in this case, if you get drunk and fark a sales rep from another state, Chris Matthews is standing next to you, criticizing your performance on prime time.

Jumping Jebus on a go-kart, please do not ever talking about farking and Chris Matthews in the same sentence. The same paragraph, even.

So I really shouldn't post my Chris Matthews/Helen Thomas/Tucker Calrson fan fic?

Didn't anyone ever tell TFA that evolution is a lie from Satan? God created political conventions to test our faith in Him.

/can't believe it hasn't been said yet

The appendix supposedly does have a function, something along the lines of re-booting the body's intestinal flora after an illness.

I look at the conventions more like armpit hair - it might have had a function at one time but now it's a great place for some serious stank to collect, and only serious weirdos are into it.

Political conventions are a platform for people within a party to voice concerns, and to rally behind a candidate. This campaign they're especially important - both sides have rallying concerns which will be played out on big stages.

Ah, the poor Canadian doesn't know what the hell he's talking about...

Function = hookers + blow

Just a massive glittery PR blitz nowadays. The media plays along that it's serious business, and everybody in the power structure benefits.

Party conventions in Canada have actual debates about platforms and decide on stuff. Hence TFA's criticism.

IdeasGuy: Party conventions in Canada have actual debates about platforms and decide on stuff. Hence TFA's criticism.

Do they club seals?

It would be awesome if they clubbed seals.

A few months ago some pundit said if the Obama/Clinton thing isn't settled before the convention, it'll be complete disaster for the Democrats. Nobody mentioned the irony.

IdeasGuy: Party conventions in Canada have actual debates about platforms and decide on stuff. Hence TFA's criticism.

But Americans are used to Corporate corruption and opinion control so why would you embarrass them with our technique?

Phil Moskowitz But Americans are used to Corporate corruption and opinion control

America sucks, doesn't it?

But you guys are responsible for Bryan Adams, so we are still ahead.

Dear Jerk: A few months ago some pundit said if the Obama/Clinton thing isn't settled before the convention, it'll be complete disaster for the Democrats. Nobody mentioned the irony.

Political institutions in America being used for their intended purpose is far too scary a concept to joke about.

Yukon Callmeal: Phil Moskowitz But Americans are used to Corporate corruption and opinion control

America sucks, doesn't it?

But you guys are responsible for Bryan Adams, so we are still ahead.

At this late date, you'd say this stupid shiat?

jonasborg: Conventions are great to exercise your rights, for those who know them and want to defend core rights.

The 68 Dem convention disagrees. And probably this year's. Freedom cages...

Phil Moskowitz: Yukon Callmeal: Phil Moskowitz But Americans are used to Corporate corruption and opinion control

America sucks, doesn't it?

But you guys are responsible for Bryan Adams, so we are still ahead.

At this late date, you'd say this stupid shiat?

Bryan Adams had a good album. Celine Dion...now that was an act of war :)

Duh, eh?

Argh2: Duh, eh?

Ya beat me to it, you hoser.

This has nothing to do with anachronism, it has to do with Edward Bernays changing the political landscape. You can pretend it's change, but really it's usurping of notions.

I can count on one hand those who know what the fark I'm talking about, yes?

At this late date, you'd say this stupid shiat?

What, you think there is an expiration date on "Heaven"?

Yukon Callmeal: At this late date, you'd say this stupid shiat?

What, you think there is an expiration date on "Heaven"?

I will own your soul with Summer of 69.

Yukon Callmeal: what the fark do the Canucks care?

If the United States became less of a world power, Canada might actually have to pay for a military to defend itself.

...from?

Phil Moskowitz: I can count on one hand those who know what the fark I'm talking about, yes?

Probably. I am not following. I don't follow Canadian politics though.

Demon of the Fall: Yukon Callmeal: what the fark do the Canucks care?

If the United States became less of a world power, Canada might actually have to pay for a military to defend itself.

...from?

Kodos and Kang?

Demon of the Fall: Yukon Callmeal: what the fark do the Canucks care?

If the United States became less of a world power, Canada might actually have to pay for a military to defend itself.

...from?

Who do you think? Us! If we become less of a world power, the neocons useful idiots will become sullen and angry and could lash out.

"...a vestige of something that once had a function but no longer does."

Not unlike Madman McCain.

Sabyen91: Demon of the Fall: Yukon Callmeal: what the fark do the Canucks care?

If the United States became less of a world power, Canada might actually have to pay for a military to defend itself.

...from?

Kodos and Kang?

The Spainiards, Canada and Spain almost came to blows over fishing rights.

The Russians, they're itching for a fight.