So, my thoughts so far -

1. Despite the supposed huge presence of anarchists, what I have mostly seen is that capitalism is alive and thriving in downtown Denver. Although I did get a good chuckle out of one sign I saw that said, “Two cheeks of the same arse” and then had a picture of Obama on one side and a picture of McCain on the other side. Of course, after chuckling, I just had to shake my head. So what exactly do they think they are going to accomplish? Pretty much nothing. This is our system, folks. Work with it.

2. Most people seem interested in just seeing what is going on. I’ve seen some demonstrators and minor clashes with the police, including a group of police on horseback trying to keep a crowd back from what must have been an arrested protestor. I didn’t want to get too close, but the crowd was chanting, “Let him go, let him go” and the police were yelling for people to stand back. Eventually, the guy was taken off and not much else happened. But again, as I’ve walked around downtown, it mostly seems to be a lot of people just wanting to see what is all happening.

3. And then of course, there seem to be a lot of people just hoping to catch sight of a celebrity. I’ve heard one woman on her cell phone talking about Anne Hathaway - she obviously had met her. And I walked by Earl’s on Tuesday around lunch and a crowd was hovering outside, so I asked one of the 16th Street Mall guides and apparently Susan Sarandon had been spotted on the mall and Spike Lee was in Earl’s. By political standards, neither is very noteworthy. By normal standards of people who like to be star struck, pretty much par for the course.

I may be speaking too soon, but so far, it seems rather exciting for our city of Denver, but relatively tame in comparison to much more turbulent times.

I will have to admit that I did check out the MSNBC tower and while there I caught a glimpse of Jimmy Carter as he was being interviewed on the second floor of this tower, and then I caught a glimpse of him as he came down the stairs afterwards. Since you can’t really see much of anything on the second floor of this tower, it is obviously not built for the benefit of the public. It does give a nice view for the camera of Union Station and maybe?? some extra measure of security for the people being interviewed???? Not really sure…..

And since I plan to head back downtown tomorrow for a short time, it should be interesting to see what happens next. This time I’ll take my camera along, which probably means I won’t see anything noteworthy since I’ll actually be prepared for it this time.

Well, it had to happen eventually.  The Re-Create 68 crowd can’t trust the police anymore.  And the leader has this non-commital thing to say when asked what “no more truce” means in the big picture,

Pressed for specifics on what the “ending of the truce” would mean on the streets for the final days of the DNC, Spagnuolo shrugged.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Spagnuolo.

Oh good.  Because Denver really needs more of this.  Having read through Littlegreenfootballs coverage (this post has the specifics) with Zombie (he’s a undercover conservative brother) and seen pictures of the urine bags in question…I have no doubt the police have their reasons for bringing a little heat (rhetorical heat mind you) to this situation.  I can only hope these guys wise up and protest peacefully and meaningfully, versus violently and pointlessly.

If any of our fellow authors feel compelled to post about this whole hulaboo and take a counterpoint I’m interested to see what you think.  I’d hate to be the only voice inparting my opinion.  :)

*update*  8/27/2008 Read this and then see the comments section below for some interesting back and forth*

I think this blog is going to see more political posts in the coming week than it ever has and I’m intrigued to see how my fellow authors in the Mile High City feel about the visitors from around the world. I for one have reached a love and hate point tonight. After Bisset linked us to the Met I looked through the posts and found myself conflicted.

When I see someone wearing a bandanna over most of their face, dark clothes covering their body and shouting words like “FU*K the WAR!” and generally behaving like over sized toddlers in the middle of 16th street mall where kids and families are…I tend to have a feeling similar to bile in the back of my mouth. When people in this modern age think that The Man is out to get them, that the Police have nothing better to do then to push them down and that somehow Anarchy is a better way of life, it troubles me.

I’m all for freedom of speech. Lord knows it’s been a tenant of this country since we all got started way back when. But there are certain things that come into play. Assembling yourself in a manner that is against the law, blocking traffic and generally causing more pain for regular Joes’ and Janes’…that I have a problem with. Maybe I’m getting too old and cranky. Perhaps its the (R) blood shining through.

Perhaps my point is that when I see pictures from The Met with “FU*K a PIG!” sprayed on a wall…I have to wonder. I have to wonder what the point of this aggressively explicit wordplay is exactly. Sure, getting your point out is one thing. Knowing your audience is another.

Perhaps that’s my point. Denver is not Seattle. Maybe Boulder could pass for the Northwest. Here in Denver we’re a little more…intellectual. Mind you as I walked the streets on Sunday I heard plenty of statements about the men and women in Blue that threatened to send me into a tizzy. But maybe, just maybe…adjusting the manner of broadcasting your message might be better suited? I can only imagine how tired people are going to get of this week long protesting and violent action.

I guess what I’m asking for is some discussion. Our comment section has kind of gotten some cobwebs lately. I know there’s plenty of people out there with a unique perspective. So, let’s see if we can have a civil conversation about all this.

Savvy?

Update: Here’s a sample of a protester from today, via BigBagNews (warning, their normal videos are VERY coarse)

OMG! (apologies for using that, but I felt it was justified) We can haz monsoon rain!?

Denver got drenched today.  Starting in the early evening hours the heavens opened up and the water fell from the sky.  And not just a “Hi and bye” kind of rain.  This was a good soaking that must have felt good to the parched soil.  I know I was just smiling all night as the rain came tumbling down (yes, I’m only happy when it rains) because it felt like it should have back in the months past.  For some reason our spring has been tame and without the usual thunderboomers and pouring rain that makes for fun afternoons on the porch.

It’s a great thing for Denver.  9news reports we may be in for more thunderstorms tomorrow.  I know there was some flash flooding and funnel clouds going on so the usual, “Y’all be safe ya hear?” is best adhered to.

Finding out about the DNC’s plans for providing a central location for bloggers and citizen journalists to access the convention activities was pretty exciting. (Although there is also a sneaky, little voice of negativity in the back of my mind and it keeps making snide comments that this has an element of “controlling” the coverage.)

Reading that the Big Tent will also include events for the public, including speakers, panels, workshops, and so on really added to my excitement.

Trying to find a list of these events on the DNC web site merely created a major sense of frustration.

Despite my frustration (and that inner voice), I’m still pretty psyched about this. The 2008 convention is not the first to allow some sort of access for bloggers, but this move to create an actual space dedicated to a wider range of journalists in the form of the Big Tent seems pretty significant; it is just one more step toward legitimizing citizen journalists and recognizing their contribution to information flow.

I, however, am not one of these bloggers or citizen journalists who will gain official access, which leaves me in the realm of “the public,” so if anyone knows where to find a list of the public events at the Big Tent that are supposed to occur at the Digg Stage - please share.

For some of us, coffee does not rule. Based on the number of coffeehouses to teahouses, I know who is winning, but it’s not a battle I’m overly concerned about. I’ll keep on drinking my tea, thank you. And for those of you who have the same preference, or have found that your local Starbucks was closed down, give Capitol Tea a try. You can get lunch and a great selection of teas to choose from. And then, since you’re in the neighborhood, check out a few antique stores. Capitol Tea is located at 1450 S. Broadway and in the midst of the south Broadway antique row. And for you guys, go ahead and prove that you aren’t intimidated by stereotypes and partake in tea and antiquing.

You can always check out their web site before you go and print off the coupon at the web site for a free cup of tea, www.captea.com.

…you get some pretty cool views.  This is looking out from Iliff and University…and it was with my cell phone camera set low.  A nice dusk view that made me pause and enjoy it for a few.

As a new blogger for this site, I will start with a confession. I’m not from Denver. I’m not even from the Denver area or even the state of Colorado. I’ve never been there. I’ve barely been west of the Mississippi, dang it. So what right do I have writing for this Denver-centric blog?

Well, in August, I’ll be moving to Denver. So I’ll be writing from an outsider’s view (which so far for me has mostly been Craig’s List and Google Maps Street View), and then after I arrive, I’ll write about my impressions as a newcomer. Just think- you’ll get to make fun of this newbie in town, this kid from the east who has no idea that the house I signed a one-year lease on is in a terrible neighborhood, has asbestos, and isn’t even within walking distance of a single (insert popular local chain eatery here).

A bit about me- I’m originally from Pennsylvania, and am currently living in Indiana, where I just graduated from college. My day job right now is flipping burgers at a local soda shop, which gives me time for some freelance video projects on the side. I love making documentaries and videos in general, and am hoping to find a job along those lines in Denver, so anybody with connections, please let me know. :-)

Feel free to offer advice as I look to move to Denver- I’ve really been enjoying the view into local life that I get on this blog. And hopefully, this will be a new look into what has become commonplace for you.

My wife was pointed to the Ballpark Market by friend of hers. We missed the first weekend, and were actually supposed to be out of town this weekend. As luck would have it however our plans to be in Albuquerque (thank goodness) were cancelled.

We put on coats, and long pants and let the house, walking down the street. DAMN it was windy yesterday morning! We get down there around 11ish, and were well underwhelmed. I’ll grant that this was the second weekend (monthly) and so maybe everyone is getting into the groove still, maybe the spring harvests haven’t come in yet, etc, but wow, was it sorta bunk.

I’m holding out hope that as the spring and summer progress there’s a better showing. it’s only a few blocks so we’ll be checking it out each time if we’re in town.

Oh and next time it’s open, is June 14th so make sure to drop by, and see if there’s anything you can’t live without.

Actually, it’s just American Airlines, from what I hear. I rather like DIA, it’s a pretty airport.