As it is, I've laid in some steak and wine for the show.  

However, this is the pattern we've seen at every political convention and summit on U.S. soil since WTO in Seattle in 1999. Every time, it gets a little worse and more oppressive. (Which is why the Chinese adopted the US strategy of "Free Speech Zones," also being set up in Denver but originated I believe at either the 2004 conventions or a 2003 big NYC demo, for the Beijing Olympics. When one of the world's most repressive governments thinks we have a really whiz-bang idea for how to treat protesters, you know we have problems.) Every demo since WTO, local media has done its part to terrify the populace with The-Rioters-are-Coming! scare stories to justify big budgets for new crowd control toys and horrifyingly unconstitutional abridgements of civil liberties. Especially post-9/11, there's been barely a peep from the general public. And when the courts toss the whole thing out, it's years too late. (E.g., 1999 WTO protesters won a multi-million dollar settlement against the City of Seattle for false arrest and civil rights violations -- earlier this year.)

Incidentally, I'm leaving for Denver in a few days and will be reporting for BT, from both inside the convention but also at the protests, starting in about a week.

But that kind of talk at one of our political conventions will get you in a heap of trouble.

And talking about smog and pollution here gets you branded as tree-hugging eco-terrorist.

Just sayin'...


Can't hear ya, Peach!

It would be good to get their phone number out there and call attention to this.

You'll notice at their website they highlight that Obama's acceptance speech will coincide with the 45th anniversary of "I have a dream".  Perhaps the cages and stun devices are meant for a modernized re-enactment of Bull Connor's firehoses and dogs.  After all, Connor was a Democrat too, so maybe they're just carrying on the tradition.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

Protest planned against DNC lockup

DNC demonstration zone draws protest:

Last week a U.S. District Court ruled that protesters' free speech rights must give way to "national security," allowing the government to force march permits to end 3 hours before the convention begins. Protesters will be kept away from the convention center and allowed only into chain link fenced cages 700 feet from the center's door. These "freedom cages" are reminiscent of Guantanamo and will be ringed by police and concrete barriers. Huge media tents are being erected between the cages and the convention.

Barbed wire, stun-gun use mark DNC warehouse

Colorado National Guard seeks central Denver base for DNC:

Questions over militarization of security forces at the Democratic National Convention continue to be raised with the discovery that along with renting more than 500 rooms and commandeering a private campus on the outskirts of Denver, the Colorado National Guard is also looking to set up a 24-hour camp in a central region of the city during the convention.

Overview of DNC security and who is paying the tab:

As an anticipated 50,000 protesters, thousands of delegates, 15,000 media and tens of thousands of political junkies converge on Denver for the Democratic National Convention (DNC), concerns over security in the Mile High City are high.Wondering who is paying for all the security and what agencies will be involved?A specialized publication called Homeland Security Today published an interesting and detailed article that answers both questions.

it's beginning to resemble a city under siege near the pepsi center, and many here are very concerned that the authorities have, and continue to, overstep their bounds and may, in fact, be provoking a more confrontational situation than is necessary.

like tehanu, l live 30 mile away and l'm staying here. l want no part of what's likely to go down.

the revolution will not be televised...

Has Denver police earlier investment already paid off, or is the experiment coming in a fortnight.

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."