The political conventions are over, even if the protests and riots are not. Biden’s acceptance speech was 20 minutes and Trump’s was 70. So, on average, the speeches were about the right length.

The Democrats wrote a long, detailed Platform that Joe Biden never mentioned, and probably never will. The Republicans took notice and decided they did not need one. Why go to the trouble to write a Platform since Trump would ignore it anyway?

After Biden’s speech, his supporters got back in their cars and drove home. No protesters. (Maybe they didn’t know how to get to Delaware.) After Trump’s speech from the White House lawn, his supporters were harassed verbally and physically as they left.

Back to peaceful protesters… Both Democrats and Republicans agree the original cause of these protests was the death of George Floyd at the hands (or knee) of police in Minneapolis. I’m confident 99.9 percent agree that was wrong. Do you, or anyone you know, disagree?

But what about the violent protesters (including thieves, vandals, and arsonists)? Democrat leaders know the violence costs them votes in November. Republican leaders agree. It appears most of these violent protesters are supporters of Black Lives Matter and Antifa. So, if they are mostly Democrats, why aren’t Democrat mayors doing all they can to stop the violence?

Let’s all hope and pray the violence stops and we can get back to the usual political arguments. That’s enough to handle while still battling Covid-19.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers:

“The greatest trait to recommend the Democrats is optimism and humor. You’ve got to be an optimist to be a Democrat, and you’ve got to be a humorist to stay one.” Radio, June 24, 1934

“You know the Democrat at heart is just naturally an amiable fellow. He would rather talk with you anytime than make a dollar off you. He just loves politics… he just wants to be known as a politician. Now a Republican don’t; he just wants politics to be known as a side line. He wants to work at it, but he wants people to believe he don’t have to.” WA #310, Dec. 2, 1928

“This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it. That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation.” DT #1948, Nov. 1, 1932

“Flew down here [Claremore, OK] to recuperate from one straight month of speeches.   Heard a mule braying a while ago at the farm and for a minute I couldn’t tell who he was nominating.” Convention Articles, July 3, 1932

“If we got one-tenth what was promised to us in these acceptance speeches there wouldn’t be any inducement to want to go to Heaven.” DT #645, Aug. 20, 1928

“Pat Harrison [the keynote speaker] told things on the Republicans that would have made anybody but Republicans ashamed of themselves. When he mentioned old Andy Jackson, he just knocked those Democrats off their seats. Then he hit ’em with the name of Thomas Jefferson, and that rocked them back.  Then he mentioned Woodrow Wilson, and that sent them daffy.” Convention Articles, June 25, 1924