From: Michael R. Van Handel
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 22:10:27 -0700

It is unfortunate that only C-SPAN gave any significant coverage to the Green Party Convention in Denver this past weekend. The Fourth Estate gives lip service to democratic principles and yeoman service to the two-party status quo. Perhaps I should correct that last -- as many people have observed: we may need a third party, but we'd settle for a second.

About 3 or 4 hours after Nader's acceptance speech, I did a little web surfing to see what the news wires had to say about Nader's nomination, a task that was little better than fruitless.

The Green Convention was more fun to watch than the Democratic and Republican Conventions ever were, at least in my lifetime. What was most refreshing, however, was that the speeches had some substance, that there was very little display of the gaseous rhetoric that passes for oratory in the major parties. At the same time, the roll call vote of the state delegations followed the format to which we have become accustomed, but were charming in the enthusiasm of the delegates, and the real issues for which they demonstrated their passion and commitment.

Anyone who has the opportunity to view any tape-delayed presentations are advised to watch and note the continuity of values that extend from the Founding of the Nation to the progressive present represented by the Greens.

Michael R. Van Handel
mikevanh@proaxis.com