Republicans, Team USA and Paris Hilton stick it to 'em
 
GOTCHA 1
Reps score Labor Day coup
The scheduling of the national Democratic and Republican conventions is always a game to see which party can hold its events last. That gives that party the advantage of knowing what the other has done, such as who will be the vice presidential nominee and what the keys to the platform will be.
 
I can't remember the last time one of the events was held after Labor Day, but this time the GOP will meet Sept. 1-4, the week after the Dems meet Aug. 25-28. And it's a double coup for the Elephant People. Not only will the Democratic strategy have been revealed, enabling the Reps to plan specific comebacks during their convention, but Sept. 1 is also Labor Day. This means the Reps will draw some thunder from the day that is traditionally the first day of the fall campaigns and traditionally a big, big day for the
Democrats, with numerous events featuring candidates and labor unions around the country.
 
We'll have to wait and see how the Dems answer the situation.
 
GOTCHA 2
Team USA beats China before games begin
Hand it to Team USA for a coup over the Chinese hierarchy with its choice of the flag-bearer in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing. The Chinese are in a high state of paranoia over protesters, particularly involving their international affairs in Tibet and the Sudanese genocide campaign centered around Darfur. The Chinese, which own rights to much of Sudan's mineral resources, support the government with such methods as UN vetoes of proposals trying to condemn the country's civil rights abuses.
 
First President Bush spoke publicly against the Chinese civil rights record, then Team USA announced that Lopez Lomong, one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, will carry Old Glory. Lomong was taken from his family at the age of 6 to be a soldier in the genocide wars, escaped and spent 12 years in refugee camps. Lomong made it to the US, where he gained an education and a career as a world-class runner. He says he is ecstatic at the opportunity to represent his new country in the 1,500 meter race and proud to carry its flag.
 
The choice came after the Chinese voided the visa of a former US Olympian who was to represent the athletes' Team Darfur, of which Lomong is a member. China's probably fuming, but it would be too dangerous to move against Lomong now, with tens of thousands foreign press members hanging on its every move.
 
Lomong says he doesn't intend to politicize the event. He doesn't have to. His presence says it all.
 
GOTCHA 3
Paris vs. "that wrinkly, white-haired guy"
Most of us would not claim to be close followers of Paris Hilton, but whoever engineered her web video answer to John McCain's "celebrity bashing" TV ad set her up for a marvelous piece of campaign humor.
 
She even offered an energy policy that sounds better than most of the guff that's going around. Guess she's not as dumb as she seems. If you haven't seen it and are looking for a laugh, it's worth a look.

--Pat Keeble, editor: www.contracostainsider.com