WDAM Viewpoint- What's the point? - WDAM.COM - TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports

WDAM Viewpoint- What's the point?

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  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:08 AM EDT2013-05-15 14:08:44 GMT
    ORLANDO (WFTV/CNN) – Hurricane season is almost here and the National Hurricane Center has released its annual list of storm names. The list alternates between boy and girl names. The list kicks off with
    Hurricane season is almost here and the National Hurricane Center has released its annual list of storm names.
  • Monday, May 13 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-13 16:24:04 GMT
    MARION COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - A weekend-long drug raid left 22 individuals behind bars, and more arrests to come. According to Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall, the drug raid is the result of several
    A weekend-long drug raid left 22 individuals behind bars, and more arrests to come.
  • Friday, May 17 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:23:44 GMT
    A Hattiesburg High School senior will soon be on his way to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Parker Krag has received an appointment to the academy. He got his acceptance packet Friday morning.
    A Hattiesburg High School senior will soon be on his way to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

National political conventions are not what they used to be.  No longer are there any smoke-filled rooms where party power brokers meet to pick the next presidential candidate.  No more floor fights and lobbying of delegations.  The candidates are chosen by voters in state primaries long before the convention even begins.  Today's political conventions are little more than well-scripted infomercials with no surprises and little drama.  So why are they still being held and why are they still on TV?  You may find this question especially relevant when you learn what they cost.  Well, this year the two conventions could exceed $100-million and guess who pays the lion's share?  We do, the American taxpayer.  And hardly anybody is watching it on TV anymore.  Ratings are down across the country with each succeeding 4 year cycle and certainly there is no more gavel to gavel coverage.  A strong case can be made that today's political conventions are costly and irrelevant…but four years from now they'll do it all again.  I'm Jim Cameron…write and let me know what you think.