District of Columbia

More 2012 convention site selection stirrings. First, an update on Indianapolis:

State GOP officials say Indianapolis has it: the volunteers, the hotel rooms and the appeal to host the 2012 Republican National Convention. But whether they're ready to push for it is another question.

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Murray Clark said that having the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis makes things a bit more complicated.

"I'm more convinced than ever that Indianapolis would be a superb place for a national convention for either party," he said. "Having said that, the 2012 Super Bowl obviously is a big deal for the community, and we certainly wouldn't want to be at cross-purposes with the Super Bowl.

...

"We have been encouraged to bid for the 2012 convention by some of the leadership in the party," said Mike McDaniel, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party when it put in a bid to host the 2000 RNC. "They see Indianapolis and Indiana as being readily suited to hold an event of that kind because we have a track record of doing big events well." - IndyStar.com

Washington, DC is also being floated:

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State Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) has touted his a 97% pro-business voting record and his heavily PAC-funded congressional campaign gets big support from business and nothing from labor. Overall he has a pretty poor voting record as far as labor is concerned, having voted against raising the minimum wage, against fair treatment for workers injured on the job, and for making it harder for state correctional workers to organize.

So what was he doing publishing a column in the Xenia Gazette yesterday praising the Labor Day holiday? Well, he wasn't doing a lot of labor, since much of the column was lifted directly from a publication by the federal government.

Googling critical phrases in Austria's column leads to this publication by the U.S. Department of Labor, titled "The History of Labor Day." Here are side-by-side comparisons of excerpts from Austria's column and the government document, with the directly plagiarized phrases emphasized:

Austria - Labor Day is a day in which we, as Americans, celebrate the labor movement and this movement's dedication to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

DOL - Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

Austria - This first Labor Day holiday was observed on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, and in 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the day of observance for this holiday, which quickly spread and was observed in other cities.

DOL - The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday ...

Austria - Because of increasing emphasis on Labor Day, the first governmental recognition finally came through municipal ordinances in 1885 and 1886. From these ordinances the movement to secure state legislation was born, and finally, in June of 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

DOL - Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. . . . By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

Austria - These original observances and celebrations included parades and festivals for workers and their families. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of Labor Day. Even later, by resolution, the American Federation of Labor Convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday, dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

DOL - This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Austria - The labor movement and America's past and present workers have brought the United States closer to the realization of our ideals of economic and political democracy.

DOL - The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.

Of course Austria's column is not copied entirely from the DOL document. The parts that aren't copied are largely passages that dilute the pro-labor significance of the holiday: the last holiday prior to the end of summer vacation, family barbecues and picnics, the Jerry Lewis telethon, etc.

Austria is opposed for this open seat by a dedicated and tireless business attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs), a veteran of thirty years of practice in a top-flight law firm with ample community-development volunteer work on the side. By comparison, Austria seems like one of those politicians with good looks, a firm handshake, and not much substance. Indeed, he reminds me of that smiling kid everyone remembers from high school who skated through on Cliff Notes. Is that who the hard-working citizens of the 7th Ohio Congressional District want representing them in Congress?

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3:30 There is going to be a full delegation tonight, and the word isn't completely out about what this blogger is doing here. Trying to explain that sitting near the DSL plug is what I am supposed to be doing.

Senator Clinton's name is being put into nomination.

Next to me they are setting the camera and microphone height to fit Pat Waak. It looks like she will be answer to the roll call. I am told to expect Colorado to be called "in the C's". We'll see if American's Abroad and American Samoa get their spots or if they jiggle that around at all.

Senator Obama is being nominated. Anyone want to take bets on the outcome?

Senator Salazar is seconding the nomination. After the jump there will be more including a picture of him with a large animal.

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Home base baristas Julien and Daimeon are your hosts for Tuesday's convention java jolt. I'll pop in to join the conversation in the jumping coffeehouse and perhaps share a photo or two.  Click the icon below to participate.

 

Speakers of interest to the LGBT community and the run of show is below the fold.

2008 Democratic National Convention Podium Schedule
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

"RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE"
Time shown as local--Denver, Colorado MST

Hour #1  3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (LOCAL)
The Honorable David Paterson
Governor of New York

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2008 Democratic National Convention Podium Schedule
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Click for the full schedule

Hour #1 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (LOCAL)

Call to Order
The Honorable Shirley Franklin
Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia

Invocation
Reverend Cynthia Hale
Disciples of Christ - Decatur, Georgia

Presentation of Colors
The American GI Forum
Mile High Chapter, Colorado
Congressionally chartered Mexican-American veterans & civil rights organization

Pledge of Allegiance
Koby Langley
From Fort Meade, Maryland, he received the Bronze Star for leadership in the US Army
Credited with design & implementation of 1st Foreign Torts Claims Policy Act - Iraq

National Anthem
Rocky Mountain Children's Choir
A multicultural, multiracial choir committed to forming community around music

Remarks/Video
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton
Non-voting Member of the US House of Representatives, District of Columbia

Remarks
Ted Sorensen
Special Counsel, advisor and speechwriter to President John F. Kennedy

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