TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES:

So, I've just a few moments ago seen my network connection jump back up, after several days of what it turns out was a fried network card. Not like they fry themselves, so I am wondering about that.

But, at least a very nice technician arrived about an hour ago and took all of about ten minutes to remove the fried network card and install a new one. Presto, everyone's still here, it was me who wasn't.

About the RNC Convention, there's an abundance of excellent copy, from a myriad of sources, to read up on from the past three days, so, I don't think I'll even try catching up on comments of my own about the last few days' happenings, beyond sharing the biggest points about the largest pointers:

John McCain: the word, "fidelity" comes to mind after watching and listening to his interesting, nearly pastoral, speech. I liked the part best when he dissed Micheal Moore and Moore appears to have thrown up whatever brain cells he had remaining with a stupid opinion piece in USA Today -- Moore being just too-too to return to the Convention after the public acknowledgement of the pond scum in the red hat, waving an "L" from his box seat (was that "L" hand sign for "Loser"? I thought so). Reading the tea leaves tossed in among Moore's throw-up, I realize that he is so far out of touch with reality as to be pitiful.

McCain managed to point that out without using my flowery language, which is why McCain is a Senator tonight and I'm someone with a new network card.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was wonderful. His speech, his presence, his very star power (he does have that, no doubt about it), his good faith and confidence -- about himself, certainly, but what impresses me most about Ahnold's confidence factor is that he really does believe in America, in the Republican Party and in tomorrow to include President George Bush and another four years.

Earlier, Rudy Giuliani dusted his shoes on the essence of Liberal-Kerry irreverant contradictions, as only a New Yorker could and can. I'd buy Giuliani a hotdog at any Yankee's game, any time, any how. Give that man a Cabinet position.

First Lady Laura Bush was wonderful. A woman with an intelligent and kind heart and a well educated mind, who doesn't expect everyone else to get out of the way. I've heard a few naysayers about Laura Bush's "performance," and yet I never tire of her presence and her persuasive and gentle countenance. Intelligence instead of vulgarity, poise and gentility instead of brash disregard for appreciation of the tone of the moment. I admire her more and more with every passing year.

Barbara and Jenna Bush were idyllic -- naive to the extreme and that worked for me in the time and place. Meaning, it was refreshing to see the two daughters of the President of the United States not wax superior from some class status on high. I enjoyed their appearance moreorless for their genuine natures, not overmade or remade or otherwise polished. Among the negatives I've read about the twins' appearance at the RNC Convention -- that the twins should have preceded Ahnold's appearance and not followed -- I found the program and order of appearances perfect. Ahnold achieved a high-water mark of message in the moment and the twins appearing afterward was the lighthearted point that more or less helped make Ahnold's message and presence permanent.

Tonight's speech by Vice President Dick Cheney is going to be a home run, I think I can safely write here and now.

For now, closing so I can go read everything I've missed the past few days and to clear the Inbox. Thanks to justaguy for his ongoing comments over the past few days while I've been hapless, with his comments and articles...the site is so much more interesting because he participates here.