The First Lady, Mrs. McCain and four Gulf Coast state Governors (via tape) spoke at the opening of today’s abbreviated GOP convention.

They are so right.

We are all Americans first and as Americans we always seem to find the sense of compassion and giving needed in times of trouble.

Watching the above commentary and looking over some of the discussion here over the past days got me to thinking that while we may disagree on issues and political preference one thing is still ultimately important.

I’ll just let Frank tell (sing) it.

After watching the rough-cut trailer of this movie I’ve decided this is one I will go to the theatre to watch. Enjoy.

With all the nasty rumors that Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol is actually the mother of four month old Trig, Gov. Palin and her husband have just announced their seventeen year old unmarried daughter is pregnant and will be marrying the father.

The McCain campaign says she told McCain and he’s not concerned about the reaction.

It’s too bad a teen-ager has made this mistake, but it’s even worse that people have said she has given birth before when photos show Palin was definitely pregnant with her fifth child.

Here is the official statement by Gov. Palin:

“We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.
“Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”

When one apologizes, they usually take full responsibility for their actions.

Not so in the case of former DNC Chairman Dan Fowler. Yesterday, I posted the video of his remarks and apparent delight concerning hurricane Gustav.

Here is the gist of his apology:

“If this offended anybody, I personally apologize,” Fowler told ABC News. “It was a mistake, and it was a satirical statement made in jest. And one that I clearly don’t believe.”

Fowler was secretly recorded by the person sitting behind him while flying from Denver, Colo., to Charlotte, N.C., following the Democratic National Convention. His conversation with Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., was anonymously posted to YouTube and highlighted by RedState.com, a conservative blog.

“One doesn’t anticipate that one’s private conversation will be surreptitiously taped by some right-wing nutcase,” said Fowler. “But that’s the nature of what we’re dealing with.”

(emphasis-mine)

Well, well, it was all a mistake and if it were not for that right wing nutcase we would have never been exposed.

“I believe in a benevolent God,” said Fowler. “I’m a religious person. It was a facetious statement, some might even say satirical, play off of what Falwell said.”

“If it offended anybody. I’m sorry for that,” said Fowler. “I don’t think anybody in America wishes for something bad to happen to New Orleans. I certainly don’t.”

So first blame others for catching you in the act, then use the late Reverend Falwell (whose remarks after 9/11 were equally as offensive) as your excuse, claim a mistake and all is forgiven.

Mister Fowler played politics, plain and simple, with a potentially deadly situation.
It would have been far more effective just to say “I’m truly sorry” and really mean it.

If he were a Republican, many would today be calling for him to be removed permanently from the political scene and rightfully so. I’d be proud to be one of those right wing nut cases doing just that.