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Friday, Sep 7, 2012 1:30 AM UTC

MILITARY SHOW

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Topics: From the Wires,

MILITARY SHOWRet. Navy Admiral John B. Nathman, surrounded by members of the armed forces, speaks to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)(Credit: Charlie Neibergall)

It was a show of military force. Retired officers and veterans stood on stage at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night as much to praise President Barack Obama’s national security record as to remind viewers what was missing from the Republican convention last week.

In accepting his party’s nomination, Mitt Romney was the first Republican since 1952 who didn’t mention a nation at war. In fact, neither Romney nor his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, said anything about the ongoing war on terrorism or the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Democrats have used their convention to focus on Obama’s military and foreign policies for which the president gets high marks in opinion polls. They’ve repeatedly shown the video of Obama informing the nation that Osama bin Laden had been killed.

On Thursday night, retired Adm. John B. Nathman spoke out for Obama, surrounded by veterans for past and current wars. Delegates held up signs that read, “Thank you.”

— Donna Cassata — Twitter http://twitter.com/donnacassataAP

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EDITOR’S NOTE — Convention Watch shows you the 2012 political conventions through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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