Written by David Starr   

There wasn't much of quality-and more of quantity-in the 2016 GOP Convention. Three celebrities showed up: Scott Baio, Antonio Sabata Jr. (who?) and Duck Dynasty hick Phil Robertson. It wasn't exactly Academy Award material. Sabata actually thought that Obama was a secret Muslim. Then there was Ben carson, who thought that Hillary Clinton was in league with Lucifer. There were vicious attacks on Clinton, like, "Throw her in prison!" and badges being sold with a picture of Clinton that read "Life's a bitch, don't vote for one." She was also called a tramp.

Besides all that, the following are direct quotes from transcripts using examples of speakers at the convention. My responses follow.

Melania's Lack of Originality

Donald "Demented" Trump's wife Melania gave a speech that partially plagarized Michelle Obama's speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention. Note the following comparison:

Michelle Obama -

"And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them.

"And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children - and all children in this nation - to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Melania Trump -

"From a young age my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say and you keep your promise; that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.

"That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son, and we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Along with those Barbie doll-like looks, Melenia doesn't have much of an imagination.

Giuliani Thumps His Chest

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani gave an impassioned speech on the subject of security. All that was missing were primitive grunts and groans:

"The vast majority of Americans do not feel safe. They fear for their children. They fear for themselves. They fear for our police officers, who are being targeted..."

This state of siege rhetoric is an appeal to fear. Police officers being targeted? Look at cause and effect Giuliani. How many times have nonwhites been targeted by police?

"I am sick and tired of the defamation of Donald Trump by the media and the Clinton campaign. I am sick and tired of it! This is a good man."

Trump's insults to women, Muslims and Mexicans are deserving of a harsh response. They are, of course, sexist and racist. Good man? He's virtually the opposite of that when it comes to the common people.

"We must not be afraid to define our enemy. It is Islamic extremist terrorism!"

Although Giuliani implied that most of Islam is not guilty, I still ask the following question: What about Christian extremist terrorism? Christian fanatics in the U.S. have access to the biggest war machine in the world. And it's been used, more often for the wrong reasons. It's evident that Islamic fanatics don't have a monopoly on terrorism.

"Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran will eventually let them become a nuclear power and is putting billions of dollars back into the world's largest supporter of terrorism."

Who is the world's largest supporter of terrorism? The nation with the biggest weapons arsenal. Democracy has been stepped on repeatedly.

Mike Pence - Mr. Too-Good-To-Be-True

GOP VP pick Mike Pence is a far right politician with such high "morals" that he would push for religion in politics and repeal Roe v Wade. He offered a long speech about values, toughness and how "great" Trump is:

"[Trump] faced 16 talented opponents and outlasted every one of them..."

Talented? The GOP primaries reminded me of the song, "Send in the Clowns."

"You nominated a man for president who never quits, who never backs down, a fighter, a winner."

A man who is oblivious to diplomacy, who is a sadist, a belligerent bully. This is the opposite of how a president conducts affairs.

"Today, while the nation suffers under the weight of $19 trillion in national debt, we in Indiana have a $2 billion surplus..."

How soon Pence forgets. George Bush Jr. inherited a $128 billion dollar surplus from the Clinton administration and wound up wrecking the economy and raising the debt to $10 trillion. This is what Obama inherited.

"When Donald Trump does his talking, he doesn't tiptoe around the thousand new rules of political correctness."

"Political correctness" is beside the point. GOPers use this label to protect racist and sexist language. And Trump sure knows how to use stereotypes.

"The party of Lincoln was founded on equality of opportunity. And during these difficult days, it will be our party and our agenda that opens the doors for every American."

The party of Lincoln is dead. Its death throes started back in the 1870s when it neglected equal rights and became pro-business. Open the door for every American? The GOP is slightly more pro-business than the Democratic Party. That means the billionaire class will have new doors open to them.

Ted Cruz Exercises Partisan Rancor, Praises Exceptionalism

Texas Senator Ted Cruz was given an unwelcome reaction, particularly since he didn't endorse Trump for president. In his speech he talked about exceptionalism:

"Our nation is exceptional because it was built on the five most beautiful and powerful words in the English language, "I want to be free."

Exceptionalism is another word for ultra-nationalism. Exceptionalism perverts patriotism. Cruz and the GOPers are not too smart when they equate exceptionalism with freedom.

"We stand here tonight a nation divided. Partisan rancor, anger even hatred are tearing America apart. And citizens are furious, rightly furious, at a political establishment that cynically breaks its promises, and that ignores the will of the people."

Yes, there's been partisan rancor, and the GOP leads the way in using it. And, yes, there's a political establishment that cynically breaks its promises. The GOP, and the Democrats, are both guilty in doing this.

"My friends, this is madness. President Obama is a man who does everything backwards. He wants to close Guantanamo Bay, and open up our borders. He exports jobs, and imports terrorists."

The U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay should not even be there. It was established by threats of indefinate U.S. military occupation of Cuba. And here it has been, indefinately occupying Guantanamo Bay. Exporting jobs? It's the GOP that is in cahoots with some Democrats in exporting jobs, allowing corporations to bail out of the country. Imports terrorists?! Cruz and his partisan rancor.

"Voters are overwhelmingly rejecting the political establishment, and overwhelmingly rejecting big government."

Cruz is part of the political establishment and is in a party that is as establishment as one can get. Cruz trots out the "big gubberment" stereotype. Government, for all its flaws, has provided for the general welfare of the people. Look it up in the U.S. Constitution Mr. Cruz, in the preamble.

"That was the power of freedom. Our party, the Republican Party, was founded to defeat slavery."

Now it protects wage slavery. The Republicans, and the Democrats, and Trump himself, have profited off of wage slavery worldwide.

Donald "Demented" Trump - Lies and false populism

"I will present the facts plainly and honestly. We cannot afford to be so politically correct anymore."

Over the course of the primaries, Trump has not been honest. His "sympathy" for the 99% in regards to cutting taxes for them is an illusion. Trump, 1%er that he is, will give tax breaks to the wealthy. And perhaps throw crumbs to the "peasants." (That trickle-down thing.) There is Trump "University," one of the biggest scams ever. Here we go again with the politically correct card. Trump doesn't want his insults challenged.

"Nearly 180,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records, ordered deported from our country, are tonight roaming free to threaten peaceful citizens."

This ties in with his "Mexicans are rapists and criminals" rhetoric. Trump, despite his clarification on the matter, has stereotyped an entire group of people. And his supporters follow that example.

"One such border-crosser was released and made his way to Nebraska. There, he ended the life of an innocent young girl named Sarah Root. But to this Administration, [Sarah] was just one more American life that wasn't worth protecting."

This is a cheap shot. And of course a lie. Obama doesn't want citizen's lives to be at stake. Thus, his concern for gun control in the face of mass shootings over the years. Obama wants to implement procedures that would make illegal immigrants citizens. But GOP has been obstructing this, for fear that many of those potential citizens will vote Democratic; not because they're criminals. Thus, Trump is fear-mongering.

"Not only have our citizens endured domestic disaster, but they have lived through one international humiliation after another."

Trump can't seem to comprehend that the U.S. image in the world has been tattered precisely by its foreign policy maneuvers. The "humiliation" comes from the fact that the GOP, and some Democrats, have initiated conflicts around the globe. Trump's aggressive attitude would make it worse. And many worldwide will think negatively of the U.S. even more.

"I AM YOUR VOICE"

Sounds rather egocentric, as though Trump is presenting himself as a demi-god or savior.

"I have embraced crying mothers who have lost their children because our politicians put their personal agendas before the national good. I have no impatience for injustice, no tolerance for government incompetence, no sympathy for leaders who fail their citizens."

Trump tries to present himself as a man of the people. But he is part of the establishment, the wealthy establishment which funds those leaders he's talking about.

"This Administration has failed America's inner cities. It's failed them on education. It's failed them on jobs. It's failed them on crime. It's failed them at every level."

Actually, a lot of this has to do with GOP obstructionism. Almost every proposal Obama has made has been put down by the GOP. Education is a problem because its being virtually starved of funds. The GOP doesn't want funds to go to public education. But an overwhelming majority of people in the inner cities want it. Regarding jobs, there's been an increase in private sector jobs (but many pay a pitiful wage). Regarding crime, this gets back to cops targeting nonwhites, particularly blacks/African Americans.

"Remember: all of the people telling you that you can't have the country you want, are the same people telling you I wouldn't be standing here tonight. No longer can we rely on those elites in media, in politics, who will say anything to keep a rigged system in place."

And what kind of country do they want? A regression back to "the good 'ol days?" Trump and his supporters would rather glorify the past than cope with the present. It's a dead vision. And Trump, again, tries to play the man of the people when he says not to rely on elites. He is an elite for chrissakes!

The 2016 GOP Convention was a farce. It pushes the GOP agenda which is a mutation of 19th century-like thinking with 12th century-like thinking, i.e., way less government, no unions, no environmental protections and religious fanaticism.