Notes from the RNC: Day 8

Words and photos by F LoBuono

It's apparent as soon as you enter the venue; the Republicans are an overwhelming white and older crowd. You can't help but notice. That is my empirical observation but statistics support that claim. It is what it is. What that means in the long run is left to interpretation. However, they certainly do not represent where I live and what my version of America looks like. I work in New York City, arguably the most diverse place on the planet. And, I live in a small Hudson River town (Nyack, NY) that mirrors that reflection. So, you know where my sentiments lie.

Sure, during the day and evening sessions at the Convention, the GOP rolled out some people of color to speak and show the world that they are not SO lily white. But, at least to me, considering the audience that was in attendance, that was just a political ploy. I'm SURE that there are good people of color who also happen to be Republicans - just not that many.

As for the tone set by the earlier speakers, it was a consistent and recurring theme: GOD, GUNS, and COUNTRY, sprinkled with a heavy dose of FEAR and LOATHING. From the actor Scott Baio to former NYC mayor Rudi Giuliani, the message was MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN, another way of saying BE AFRAID, be VERY AFRAID. The attack on Benghazi was used over and over again to demonstrate what will happen to us should we allow Syrian (specifically) refugees to enter our Country. The mother of one of the victims of the attack gave a tearful speech bemoaning the loss of her son and blaming Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton PERSONALLY for the attack. Two survivors of the attack gave detailed accounts of what it was like to be there. Then, to support Donald Trump's anti-immigration platform, 3 parents gave accounts of how they lost their children to violence committed by illegal immigrants. They called for Trump's wall to be built on our southern border. There pleas were met with chants of BUILD THE WALL, BUILD THE WALL!

But, the man who injected the most Fear and Loathing into the crowd was Giuliani. Rejected in his own bid for President, he is now clinging to the coattails of Mr. Trump. He claimed that our long-time friends and if "you knew Donald the way he knew Donald you would see what a wonderful

person he truly is". Really. Giuliani, while lauding New York for its diversity, at the same time whipped the crowd into a frenzy when it came to immigration, particularly of Syrian refugees. He reminded them that ISIS is lurking behind every refugee. At what point he actually said that "they have been sent here to kill us". I found it sickening.

Trump's wife, Melania, was the keynote speaker and, quite frankly, she was charming. She spoke of her immigrant roots and her current love of America. However, I found incongruity in her speech. On one hand she spoke of the privilege of being a naturalized citizen while supporting her husbands anti-immigration rhetoric. And, having lived in Milan and Paris before New York, her experience was was FAR from typical for the GREAT majority of immigrants.

In the final analysis, I have to give them credit. The GOP sticks to its guns (quite literally, I'm afraid).

The message was consistent from beginning to end - GOD, GUNS, and COUNTRY, often expressed

by their chant of USA, USA, USA! If THIS is your vision for the future of America, then vote your conscience. I know where mine lies.