Part 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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There is obviously some leftist, anti-capitalism stuff and violence by some of the protesters which obviously can not be supported but the police state stuff is important.

www.newswithviews.com

While millions of Americans watched the 2008 Republican Convention on television, the well-staged event wasn’t all peaceful and enthusiastic, according to several delegates attending the St. Paul, Minnesota event.

Several delegates — who are avowed Ron Paul supporters — claim they were treated shabbily at best, harshly at worst.

“While almost every other GOP contender for president was permitted to speak at the convention, Ron Paul was not. The word was that Paul was invited, with the natural caveat that he (like the other speakers) endorse McCain for president, which Paul was reportedly unwilling to do,” said a McCain delegate from West Virginia.

“Instead, Paul held a separate ‘convention’ for one afternoon at the Minneapolis Convention Center,” said the WV delegate.

The McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee were unnecessarily nervous about the presence of Ron Paul delegates at the XCel Energy Center, and sometimes that fact was reflected in unwarranted actions, such as someone yanking away a banner proclaiming the word “Liberty” being held by a handful of Paul delegates outside the building, according to several delegates.

In fact, several told NewsWithViews.com that while the Rep. Paul delegates demonstrated little, if any, support for McCain throughout the convention — mostly sitting quietly on their hands while the rest of the crowd erupted around them — they caused no problems and were respectful and polite, including the Paul delegates from West Virginia.

“The Ron Paul movement has brought thousands of young people into the political process — shouldn’t the GOP find ways to welcome them rather than alienate them?” said “Patrick,” a delegate and Ron Paul supporter from Maine.

The actions of the GOP should surprise no one, but it’s worth documenting anyway.

www.lewrockwell.com

Writes Ken Harwood: “As you know:

“About a dozen Massachusetts supporters of the Texas Congressman and GOP upstart decided to back McCain only an hour before the delegates began to cast votes for the presidential pick.“We decided the best course of action was to give a little to get a lot,” said Chris Blanc, a Cambridge resident who supports Paul. “The Massachusetts GOP really wanted to show unanimous support.”

“The four Ron Paul Nevada delegates all voted for John McCain, too. Then they claimed victory: we showed them that they can’t take us for granted.

“Huh? Mass madness.

“One of those four had even solicited (& received) donations from the Las Vegas RP Meetup Group to help pay her way to St. Paul.”

http://www.lasvegassun.com/

Washington — In the end, the revolution would be fought from within.

Nevada’s loyal supporters of one-time presidential hopeful Ron Paul, who pushed so hard for a seat at the table at the Republican National Convention, decided when their moment arrived last week to break bread rather than dishes.

On the third night of the convention, when the state Republican Party chairman stood in the hall and announced Nevada would be casting all of its 34 delegates for Sen. John McCain, it was because the Paul supporters made it so.

Paul delegate Chris Bunce said Friday they decided not to spoil the party. Bunce knew Republicans from Nevada, a swing state this election year, wanted desperately to present a unified front for McCain.

The Paul supporters had to decide — make a point or make peace?

Their few votes would not bring the congressman’s suspended campaign for the presidency any closer to its goal. Nor would they stop the ascension of McCain. Had they abstained, which under party rules was the only act of opposition they were allowed, it would be a symbolic act.

So Bunce and the other Paul delegates decided to use the political capital they had gained during the months-long war with the state party to try to generate a little more.

“We gave an olive branch,” he said.

This was not an easy gesture.

The Paul contingent has battled the state Republican Party all year. After a few of them were ultimately invited to St. Paul, they arrived only to feel like unwanted cousins.

Bunce and Chris Dyer tell a funny story about trying to sit next to each other on the floor of the convention, only to be told by state party leaders they must sit in their assigned seats, separated from each other.

When the state finally relented on the last night of the convention, Bunce was already on a plane home.

“I understand their fears,” Bunce said. “They think we’re all crazy.”

Bunce ends a lot of sentences that way — with the acknowledgment that most people think the Paul people are crazy.

They’re tired of being kooks. They want to be players.

I really don’t know what to say about the Nevada delegates, especially after I used up a lot of my energy being upset with the similar route the Massachusetts’ delegates opted to take.

They caved, plain and simple.

Weak. Disappointing. Heart-breaking.

He was really relaxed and played along. Pretty good showing.

At least I’m assuming it was Code Pink given the bright pink dress she was wearing. The crowd started yelling “U, S, A” to drown out the protesters. McCain then said something about not letting people get worked up over ground static or something to that affect.

Funny that he claims we all have inalienable rights. McCain/Feingold? Supporting wiretapping? Supporting unconstitutional, aggressive wars? Supporting ignoring of habeas corpus? Supporting Lincoln? Attacking Democrats for being “me first, country second?”

He has a funny definition of ‘inalienable’ and ‘rights.’

http://news.bostonherald.com/

In a last-minute show of unity, Bay State Ron Paul supporters decided to throw their votes behind Sen. John McCain last night.

About a dozen Massachusetts supporters of the Texas Congressman and GOP upstart decided to back McCain only an hour before the delegates began to cast votes for the presidential pick.

“We decided the best course of action was to give a little to get a lot,” said Chris Blanc, a Cambridge resident who supports Paul. “The Massachusetts GOP really wanted to show unanimous support.”

Paul, shunned by the Republican convention because he wouldn’t endorse McCain, has been holding daily “counter rallies” in Minnesota where devoted supporters hiss when McCain’s name is uttered.

Rep. Paul Loscocco (R-Holliston) worked with Paul sympathizers to join the delegation so all 43 delegate votes would go to McCain.

“Give a little to get a lot”? Mr. Blanc, you get nothing and took two steps backwards. Bending to the will of GOP was not what you and the other delegates were sent there to do. Thank you for undermining all the hard work and dedication of Ron Paul supporters in and outside the boundaries of Massachusetts. I’m very disappointed.

My hat goes off to the delegates of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia who stood their ground.