DNC = Democratic National CIRCUS

If you've spent more than three minutes with me, you know I love politics. It's a hangover from living and working in DC, where gossip is almost indistinguishable from public affairs. I have RSS feeds from several blogs and am a junkie for "Heard on the Hill".

So, with the most interesting election (probably ever) upon us, one would think I would be in hog heaven. I have been. I was addicted to the primary battle, have read all of the analysis every step along the way, and see the poo-slinging, er...commercials, before most people do. However, the current stage of the election cycle makes me want to ignore electoral politics and plug my ears while screaming "LA LA LA LA! I DON'T HEAR YOU!" That's right; it's Convention season.

Conventions used to serve a purpose. They used to actually be where the nominee was decided and there have been some nailbiters. Even into the 20th Century, Conventions played a very important part in the electoral politics. But this was before the 24 hour news cycle, consultants, interest groups, and bottomless bags of cash. Now, the candidate is pretty much decided by March and the Conventions, especially the Democratic one, are elaborate revivals for the Church of American Political Extremism.

Anyone who has even passively watched coverage of this year's DNC knows what I'm talking about. I've only watched a few big speeches (Hillary's, Biden's, and Obama's), but even this tacit involvement was enough to really skeeve me out. Quick takes of the crowd throughout the speeches show old ladies with flat-top hats and enough plastic doo-dads to pay a Chinese factory payroll for a month, enormous fat men weeping like someone stole their pudding cups, and an ensemble that looked like an Equal Opportunity Employment poster . These people behave with such emotional fervor, they were indistinguishable from the people you see in Pentacostal mega-churches...or in a documentary of Jonestown.

I understand the tradition that accompanies the Conventions and the point that they should serve as a rallying cry for the post-Labor Day homestretch. But, the extremists are courted during the primary season and this is the time where the candidates need to be sprinting to the center, wooing independent voters like myself. After watching the DNC and hearing the populist red meat spewed once again even by respectable folks like Joe Biden, I feel alienated once again.

God only knows what the Republicans have in store for us next week.