DNC Flashback--Cyanide Saleman Dirie Exclusive Report

At Complete Colorado--the source for breaking news and information from around Colorado.

Complete Colorado has published photos from the Saleman Dirie investigation. He's the Somali-born Canadian who died in the Burnsley with a pound of cyanide in his room, two weeks before the Democratic National Convention in Denver back in August.

DNC Carbon Offset Scheme Raises Tons Of Cash $18.34

Epic. Fail.

Attendees at the "greenest convention ever" obviously couldn't be bothered to raise some real green--money--to offset their carbon footprints:

Results of a program using Aspen’s Canary Initiative to sell carbon offset credits to Democratic National Convention attendees are a little underwhelming.

The program, set up by the DNC Host Committee through the Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau and rolled out about a week before the convention started, raised a total of $18.34 worth of Canary Tags, offsetting 0.9 tons of carbon emissions.

The offsets were aimed at DNC-goers other than the official delegates, who had a separate carbon offset program through Vermont-based Native Energy. That program, set up in January through the Democratic National Convention Committee, was utilized by 65 percent of the DNC’s 4,440 delegates.
. . .
Peterson was hoping funds raised through the host committee for the DNC could be used for a signature project. But that will not be possible, as less than $20 was raised.

“Here’s three (compact fluorescent) light bulbs for the office,” Peterson said.

This story, not unsurprisingly, hasn't appeared in the local Denver MSM yet.

Targeted at thousands of DNC-goers other than official delegates, some of whom are presumably at least vaguely sympathetic to the Democrats and their causes (like the media), they still couldn't muster a crisp $20, let alone a few Benjamins? Money that would make evident the imperative to tackle global warming/climate change, and dispel accusations that the "green" effort of the DNC and the policies of the limousine-liberals in the Democrat party are nothing more than lip service to one of their signature issues?

Of course not. The delegates themselves managed a measly 65% participation rate. Either even dyed-in-the-wool rank-and-file Dems don't believe the global warming hoax, or it just hasn't been raised to a level of crisis high enough for action.

Or more likely, Democrats believe that any crisis is best solved by throwing more government money at it--but certainly not their own.

Democrats--putting your money where their mouth is for decades.

RNC Day 4: Reflections On John McCain's Solemn Acceptance

John McCain--genuine humility, a record of service to his country, solemn and understated.

Barack Obama--his ego writes checks his record can't cash.

The stark contrast between the two acceptance speeches by the respective candidates can't be stated in any easier terms or demonstrated in a simpler manner than to compare how McCain reached out to Obama in a gesture of respect, while only a week earlier Obama's hostile criticism appeared to reveal a bitterness that did little to represent "hope and change." Obama's cynicism was exceeded only by the sense of true optimism and real hope and change that a McCain administration would bring.

McCain's message and that of the RNC the entire week--freedom and responsibility, service and sacrifice.

Obama and the DNC? Government, government, government. Not "you're on your own" but "we own you."

The land of opportunity vs. crisis and criticism.

Policy specifics are overrated. It is the comparative vision of each party and each candidate that creates the path that each candidate will follow on the campaign trail and after the election. The destination matters, but so does the route by which the destination is reached.

Liberty and open-mindedness vs. dogged reliance on outdated philosophies that have been recycled again and again by a party that relies on a sense of victimization rather than an admiration for the ability to achieve and to go one's own way.

Washington insiders, government handouts, and pork barrel spending.

Mavericks, tax cuts, fiscal responsibility.

McCain envisions a future for America. Obama chooses to wallow in the past.

Of the two candidates, only one offers real hope and change.

And I just watched his acceptance speech tonight in St. Paul, Minnesota.

RNC Day 3--Protester Updates; Sarah Palinpalooza!

Gateway Pundit has kept a close eye on the plans of leftist/anarchist protesters for the RNC, including kidnapping delegates, and CodePink became so offensive that the mellow Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit came a bit unhinged--but in a good way!

More on the way . . .

Support Your Local Blog: Slapstick Politics Goes To The 2008 Republican National Convention

**Bumped to the top--

Slapstick Politics has been selected as an Official Blogger to the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul from Sept. 1-4. While this is a distinct honor and incredible opportunity to represent the center-right of the Colorado blogosphere on a national level, there is also a substantial cost associated with travel and accommodations.

If you've enjoyed SP's coverage of the DNC (and there will be plenty more in the coming weeks, I can assure you) and you are willing and able to help SP cover the costs of the trip, know that it is greatly appreciated. If you have a business or are a candidate this election and would like to help by sponsoring SP in return for advertising space, then please contact me by email.

SP will feature the usual news roundups, but will also bring you photos and video straight from the RNC--a view from the "other side," with interviews and backstage access.

If you have Colorado-related questions for GOP bigwigs you'd like answered, leave them in the comments or shoot me an email.

First SP just has to make it out of Denver and the DNC alive!

Where Did EP Go? To The Peoples Press Collective!

During the DNC--tune in to the Peoples Press Collective--where some of Colorado's premier center-right bloggers and their closest allies have gathered to provide new media coverage of the DNC, including live video feeds.

More Exclusive Video: Free Speech Messages Washed Away At Pepsi Center

The cleaning crew does a little post-chalking clean up.

Obamatron--The DNC Podium At The Pepsi Center

The "Pillar of Fire" at the Pepsi Center has been unveiled.

Barack Obama has already made an appearance:


(CompleteColorado.com)

Can't wait to see what they'll have at Invesco Field next Thursday night . . .

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 3

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Friday August 22, 2008--No. 3

•Denver Mayor "Teflon" John Hickenlooper finally delivers on DNC fundraising of $40.6 million

•More "hope and change"--a lot of change--Obama campaign selling tickets to Invesco Field speech for a cool $1000:

Two known Democratic supporters are outraged at their own party after being solicited to buy tickets to Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field next Thursday, CBS4 reports. The seats were distributed for free to the general public.

One source directed CBS4 to an unpublicized part of the Obama campaign's Web site where Democratic supporters, reportedly with deep pockets, could buy tickets for $1,000 each. The source told CBS4 he was solicited three times to buy the tickets through the Web site.

One source said it was unethical and being kept secret from the public.
. . .
The known Democratic supporter who called CBS4 said the selling of tickets an "underground fundraising operation."

Yep, those politics, they are a-changin'. Couldn't get in and don't have 1000 bucks? Watch Obama at the Jazz & Blues Festival in Historic Five Points

•A Democratic National Convention preview (and a reminder of what happened in 1968):



•Disconnect--Mayor Hickenlooper and Denver police chief says law enforcement ready to go, rank-and-file officers say "not so much"; Hickenlooper not expecting many protesters; DPD and other law enforcement will target agitators

•Not quite '68--protesters should be on their best behavior, as Big Brother DPD will have live cameras, both fixed and mobile, including camera phones:

The Denver Police Department will rely on live, high tech video feeds to try to isolate and arrest potentially violent protestors at next week's Democratic National Convention.
. . .
Sources say many officers will be armed with new cell phone video cameras capable of transmitting video live back to Denver Police Headquarters at 1331 Cherokee Street. There, authorities will sift through the pictures, and help identify individuals who should be pursued for unlawful activities.

Scratch that. Big Brother is watching, as over 400 private security cameras are installed Downtown (and unlikely to go away--video).

•Sniffing out terrorism--Denver has installed air filters looking for biological weapons:

Every night and day, monitors placed on rooftops across Denver are sniffing the air for biological weapons, including anthrax, the plague and smallpox.

9Wants to Know has learned that early warning detection system, called BioWatch, will also monitor the air inside the Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field during the Democratic National Convention.

Meanwhile, Golden's city manager withdraws his BBQ invitation to Al Jazeera English

•There will be arrests at the DNC--of anti-abortion activists:

The founder of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue said Wednesday that he and other activists plan to be arrested during the Democratic National Convention while protesting Barack Obama's support for abortion rights.

Randall Terry said the protest would be a sit-in but he declined to give details of exactly when and where the protest would occur following a closed-door meeting with police about his plans. He estimated that between 10 and 30 people would be arrested.

Terry said he and volunteers would also leave thousands of pamphlets on cars parked at shopping centers and churches around the Denver area.

One targeted at evangelicals is entitled "Real Solutions for the 'Negro Problem"', which asks voters if they would support a fictional candidate who was right on all the issues but also supported slavery. It states that murder is worse than slavery and Christians can't vote for any candidate that supports abortion.

"Our intention is to jolt the evangelical and Catholic churches back to reality. They're being seduced by this Obama mania," Terry said at a press conference outside police headquarters. He said he promised not to discuss his meeting with police.

Read the rest. Inmates in Denver are already being moved to air-conditioned tents in advance of the expected protester arrests.

•Recreate '68 issued a statement after Public Enemy denied being scheduled to appear during the DNC:

"We have received many media inquiries into the performance planned by Public Enemy during the DNC. Recreate 68 was informed by Mad Society Productions that Public Enemy was planning a concert for our organization. We have been assured by Mad Society Productions that a contract is signed, financial arraignments have been made, and airline tickets have been purchased for Public Enemy. At this point, we have not been told anything other than a possible change in the scheduled time."

Either someone lied or someone is getting sued for breach of contract. Or both.

•Tinfoil hat alert--more military helicopters above Downtown Denver on "standard" training mission

•So what else is new--DPD flyer on potential disruptive "caches of objects" from bikes to bricks draws the ire of the ACLU; more behind-the-scenes views of "Gitmo on the Platte"; protester offers advice to other protesters--"demonstrators will need to catch the various law enforcement agents trying to entrap participants and incite riots"; resources for protesters via ACLU and People's Law Project

•2 DPD officers involved in videotaped beating will not be on the front lines at the DNC

•Group wants DPD to ignore pot violations during DNC; DNC THC convention a bust

•Inside the Big Tent "blogger circus"

•Did someone say beer?

•Sen. Ken Salazar promises his speech won't be a snoozzzzzzzzzzzzzzz:

Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar has just started making notes for his speech before the Democratic convention next week, but he knows what he won't say.

"I anticipate that I will give a very short speech," Salazar joked Wednesday when asked about then-Gov. Bill Clinton's famous marathon snoozer at the 1988 convention in Atlanta.

"I will not give a 41-minute speech," Salazar said with a laugh.

The convention will also highlight "real people" in order to balance out the celebrities and politicians

•"Green" hotel keys for the DNC

•Rebuilt 1908 City Park fountain, installed for the last DNC in Denver, debuts (video)

•Betting on RTD for DNC? You might be SOL

•Businesses ready for DNC

•Behind the scenes at the American Presidential Experience, the historical exhibit outside Invesco Field that will feature a full-size replica of the Oval Office and Air Force One

•The homeless of Denver won't be hidden after all on "cultural" trips

•Getting the heck out of Denver during the DNC? You'll have choices aplenty

•Pepsi Center to be unveiled to public tomorrow to those with tickets

&8226;Want to remember the convention? DNC commemorative envelopes will be available at 5 Downtown post offices

•DNC parties will skirt lobbyist influence restrictions

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

Support The Troops At The DNC

Not all rallies at the DNC will be infested with moonbattery--support the troops and their families on Sunday, right across from the anti-war protesters at Civic Center Park:

American Victory Coalition has a permit for a rally at Pioneer Monument Park in Denver on Sunday, Aug. 24th. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Invited participants include Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission, and Vets for Freedom. Speakers include: Debbie Lee (Gold Star Mom), Major Diggs Brown Jr., Vets for Freedom representative Brian Ivers, Dr. Niel Dobro, Joshua Sharf.

Our goal is to show the world America’s true colors: strength, patriotism and resolve in the war on terror. The Democratic National Convention will be a left wing free-for-all with mass media trumpeting radical anti-war messages. If you respect our troops, their commanders and their mission, this is the opportunity to make your voice heard.

Media attention on Americans who actively support victory is almost non-existent. This is an opportunity to change that. It’s important for the public to see that the “silent majority” is silent no more. Also this rally will be directly in view of the delegates to the DNC, who clearly need to hear this message. The organizers welcome anyone who wants to show their support for victory in the war against radical Islamic extremists and the regimes that support them.

**Update 2--White Powder "Harmless," Threatening Letter Sent By Inmate; 2 McCain Offices Threatened

Saddle up Denver, we're in for a bumpy ride!

Looks like we'll see more paranoia and genuine concern as harmless objects are mistaken for "suspicious packages" and genuine threats (until proven harmful or harmless) are taken seriously (as they should be). There will certainly be plenty of opportunities for true nutjobs to try and seize their 15 minutes of fame with the thousands of media types in town.

**Update 4--Investigation shows white powder was harmless, and the threatening letter was written by an inmate at a local detention facility:

With the Democratic National Convention just days away, a white-powder scare resolved quickly this afternoon, when the return address led federal agents to an inmate in the Arapahoe County Detention Facility.

Within hours of the 3 p.m. scare the Centennial campaign office of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, authorities announced that the powder was phony and that the writer appeared to be Marc Harold Ramsey.

The 39-year-old has been in jail since last September, unable to post the $350,000 bond on charges of felony charges of menacing, harassment and assault on a peace officer, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office.

"He is a prolific writer of threatening letters," said U.S. Secret Service Agent Malcolm Wiley.

The inmate's words led five McCain staffers in Centennial to rush themselves to the hospital. Twelve others were evaluated after their office near South Peoria Street and East Arapahoe Road was swarmed and quarantined by local, state and federal authorities.

**Update 3--Don't panic! It was just a cooler:

The Denver Police Department's bomb squad responded to reports of a suspicious package at an intersection near downtown at 2:30 p.m. today, but it turned out to be just an empty ice cooler.

Authorities said the suspicious package was reportedly at East 14th Avenue and Ogden Street in Capitol Hill. Police closed Ogden from East 14th Avenue to East Colfax Avenue. The street was closed while police investigated.

"It was nothing," said Denver Police Detective Sharon Hahn. "Our bomb robot checked it out, and it was nothing, just a suspicious package."

Whew, what a relief!

**Update 2--DPD bomb squad called to 1400 block of Ogden because of a suspicious package

**Update--This is getting crazy:

The U.S. Secret Service says white powder and a threat were received at Sen. John McCain's office in Centennial today.

"We have people responding," said Special Agent Malcolm Wiley. "We have no reports that anyone has been hurt."

Authorities also say a similar letter was sent to a McCain office in Manchester, N.H. where police and fire department personnel responded to the scene.

It wasn't immediately known whether the New Hampshire letter also contained a powder, said Jeff Sadosky, a spokesman with McCain's national campaign office in Arlington, Va.

---

Just across on Drudge.

Nothing from the local MSM. There are a handful of McCain campaign offices in the Denver metro area, not sure which one or how many were allegedly targeted..

Founding Bloggers: Roasting Obama (Video)

Can comedians skewer the presumptive nominee for the Democrats (or his wife, for that matter), or will Barack Obama be off limits?

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 4-DNC "Fauxtesters," Fortress Denver" For DNC, Profile Of A Puppet Master, "Gitmo On The Platte" Updates

**Scroll for "Gitmo on the Platte" updates, and the newly coined "fauxtesters" (credit SP)

First look at "Fortress Denver":


Barriers erected around Auraria Campus in advance of the DNC, with the Pepsi Center in the background





Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Thursday August 21, 2008--No. 4

•Obama's VP selection made, but not announced

•"Fauxtesters"--Glenn Spagnuolo's first DNC failure or fabrication? (so much for that "master schedule" eh, Spagz?)--Public Enemy not playing for Recreate '68 after all, "didn't know anything about it":

Rap pioneers Public Enemy have no plans to play a free benefit for Recreate 68 during the DNC, despite organizers announcing a date, time and location for the show.

Rapper Chuck D told the Rocky this morning that he's never even heard from the group and will be taking care of family business in another state on Tuesday, the date of the announced show.

"I didn't know anything about it," he said from his New York home. "I'm coming to Denver anyway on a whole bunch of different accounts - being involved wth BET and Air America. I couldn't make it out to Denver until the 27th (Wednesday) anyway."

As far as the rapper knows (born Carlton Ridenhour) he's never even been contacted.

"It's totally news to me. Maybe they did, but if they did it's one of 6,000 emails," he said. There are certainly no confirmed plans as announced by Recreate 68.

Despite some speaking and media engagements, his trip to Denver is entirely personal, he said.
. . .
Recreate 68 organizers could not immediately be reached for comment.

The usually verbose Spagz has nothing to say? That is news . . .

•DPD--50 unmarked vans for DNC

•Michelle Malkin notes the RNC's new tagline for the DNC--"a Mile High and an inch deep"--and has a roundup of DNC-related news

•Recreate '68 DNC moonbattery-filled "master schedule" released

•Profile of a puppet-master--R68 street puppet coordinator Tom Mestnik

•Wanna drop by and say hello to the moonbats? Visit the Unconventional Action "convergence center"--only a stone's throw away from "Gitmo on the Platte"

•Speaking of "Gitmo on the Platte"--try and follow the arrestee shuffle as protesters will be shipped back and forth for processing

•Westword has a funny taxonomy of protesters, some already showing up to protest Nancy Pelosi

•Denver law enforcement paranoia? Security concerns extend to bicycles and maps

•DNC burn rate outpaces RNC, convention partially to blame

•Teachers unions, cash, and the DNC convergence

•Google's services help bloggers at both conventions

•DNC a "no-win" situation for Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

•Democrats roll up their sleeves for DNC delegate service day; DNC transforms Denver

•Coke vs. Pepsi at the DNC; suggested Obama acceptance speech music

•DNC dissing Al Franken?; Ben Affleck still planning on appearing at DNC roundtable despite having no policy credentials whatsoever

---

All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

Democratic National Convention--"A Mile High And An Inch Deep"

H/T Michelle Malkin--the RNC's tagline for next week's Democratic National Convention.

Recreate '68 DNC "Master Schedule" Released

Finally:


(click to enlarge)

Highlights:



**Update--Moonbattery is already pouring on the ridicule. SP and allies will be bringing all of the DNC shenanigans and protester moonbattery to you as it happens beginning this weekend.

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 5

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Wednesday August 20, 2008--No. 5

•"Gitmo on the Platte" loses its bite: the razor wire will be removed before the DNC--"We re-thought those plans, and we came up with a different plan"--and a sneak peek inside the arrestee processing center

•Denver hospitals prepare for worst, plan for all scenarios

•DNC "super fusion" security and intelligence center ready to go

•Well, duh!--no hazardous materials on I-25 while the DNC is in town; Updated street closures, public transit information, and recommended routes

•Not impressed by the "hype" of Obamamania? See "Hype: The Obama Effect"--debuting during the DNC

•Downtown businesses hope for DNC boon

•C-SPAN's convention coverage to include extensive reports from the blogosphere

•DNC last-minute deal-seekers squeezing homeless the out?

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 6

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Thursday May 22, 2008--No. 6

•Protester "dos and don'ts" pamphlet to be distributed by Denver law enforcement; that's a lot of OT--Denver law enforcement to earn $1.2 million at DNC; DNCC fails to vet disgraced police officer hired as a security consultant

•Men in Black--behind the scenes with the Secret Service protecting convention VIPs:

During a recent visit by presidential presumptive nominee John McCain, 9NEWS focused cameras not just on the candidate, but on Secret Service agents. Perea agreed to give 9NEWS an inside look at how agents protect dignitaries.

"That's usually the difference when you see the Secret Service," said Perea while looking over video shot by 9NEWS of agents protecting McCain at a recent event at the Grand Hyatt in Denver.

"We are not looking at the Senator, we're looking at the crowd," Perea said.

He says agents look for anything out of the ordinary.

"We have eyes completely around," Perea said of the 360-degree view agents keep on presidential candidates.

And they'll be watching you.

•The list of DNC speakers grows, now including Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, and Jesse Jackson; Obama ticket design causes a stir; those wait-listed hope against hope for leftover Obama tickets

•Will the DNC actually hurt the Democrats in Colorado?

•Party conventions awash in corporate cash

•Don't like the message being offered by the Democrats at the DNC? The GOP "war room" will be quick to respond to the daily barrage from the Dem love-in

•A look at the historical weather events that have occurred in Denver on August 28, the night of Obama's Invesco Field speech--cold, hail, wind, heat, and grasshoppers

•DNC snub of Archbishop Charles Chaput?; Catholic League--some DNC credentialed blogs offensive

•Not all Denver residents hoping to cash in on DNC housing crunch filling their properties

•It's not the fountains at Bellagio, but City Park's 1908 fountain, installed for the last DNC convention in Denver, has been refurbished and will be up and running just in time for the DNC

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

List Of DNC Speakers Grows

The Rocky is keeping track of who will speak, when, and on what topic as the convention moves through daily "themes."

The new additions?

The Goreacle, Jimmy Carter, and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Yay.

DNC Protester Dos and Don'ts Released

**Update--Jeralyn Merritt at 5280.com has posted a pdf of the pamphlet.

We're waiting for a fuller report including the pamphlet itself, but law enforcement has announced that a pamphlet will be distributed to protesters reminding them of their rights--and their legal obligations--in conducting themselves during the DNC:

Police have issued some advice to protesters at the Democratic convention about what they can and can't do.

A pamphlet tells protesters they can be arrested if they refuse an order to disperse, even if they aren't breaking any law. Other grounds for arrest include blocking streets, sidewalks or parades and disrupting public assemblies.

Police say it doesn't matter if those actions are civil disobedience or symbolic actions.

Police also remind protesters of their rights. They can protest on public sidewalks without a permit as long as they leave enough room for others to pass and obey traffic signals. Speech that angers other people is protected, but speakers can be arrested for advocating violence or breaking the law.

Glenn Spagnuolo of Recreate '68 was quick to reject the pamphlet:

It was put together with the help of the city's Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations and modeled after reminders issued by other previous convention cities, such as Los Angeles, said Lucia Guzman, the agency's executive director. She said thousands of copies have been printed and they'll also be available after the convention leaves town.

Glenn Spagnuolo, co-founder of protest group Recreate 68, said he thinks it's the police, not protesters, who need a reminder about the First Amendment.

"We have a pamphlet called the Constitution. A lot of us have read it already," he said.

Spagnuolo also thinks the pamphlet's arrest warning is intended to discourage people from protesting at the convention, which starts Monday.

Guzman disagreed.

"We've always meant it as a supportive document. I'm sorry people are looking at it the other way," she said.

It is doubtful that any such document, whether well or ill-intended, would do much to sway protesters from their self-appointed demonstrations.

Just as the protesters began issuing their preemptive "law enforcement is to blame" for any violence meme months ago, Denver's law enforcement is trying to do a little preemption of their own by giving protesters advanced warning.

It's gonna be a fun week.

More from Spagz and Unconventional Action:

"We are making a commitment to non-violence," said Glenn Spagnuolo of Re-create '68, a group planning protests for a variety of progressive causes.

"We'd like to see minimal show of force by the police unless necessary," Spagnuolo said. "They could stage out of sight from the protest and be called in case they're needed at a protest."

Asked for a successful example of a mass protest marked by mutual respect between protesters and police, Spagnuolo pointed to a large anti-war rally outside the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004.

"When people said, 'OK, we're being allowed to protest, we're being allowed to march,' there's no reason to get in that kind of confrontational, adversarial role, and it went off without a hitch," Spagnuolo said.

Ben Yager of the activist group Unconventional Denver hedged when asked if activists planned to be arrested and incarcerated during DNC protests. Asked to define success for his organization, he defined disruption.

"Everything's pre-decided, everything's preplanned," Yager said. "They have a script of everything they're going to say and making them deviate from that script, making them step outside the box of what they are comfortable doing and address what democracy really is."

Still, Yager says he did not see any point in antagonizing police into violent confrontations.

"I don't think anyone gets satisfaction out of getting beat up," Yager said.

Of course, some of the law enforcement buildup and planning stems from the earlier heated rhetoric from protesters like Spagnuolo.

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 8-7: DNC Schedule Takes Shape

The DNC-related promotions begin in earnest

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Sunday August 17 and Monday August 18, 2008--No. 8-7

•DNC events are still rolling in, and these lists are by no means comprehensive or final, but you can get a sense of the hundreds of activities that will surround Denver during the DNC--some in association with the Dems, some in marked opposition:

General--

http://www.metrohikers.com/dnc_guide_1.html
(requires email registration)

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/events/search/?category=DNC

http://www.demconwatchblog.com/2008/07/demconwatch-convention-calendar.html

Groups--

Alliance for Real Democracy

Recreate '68

Food Not Bombs

Festival of Democracy

Unconventional Action

Grassroots Progressives

CodePink

•Obama VP selection due this week?; more anecdotal evidence that volunteering was, in fact, really, really helpful in securing Obama tickets (partial list of DNC speakers released); Obama's face plastered Downtown; Convention invocation to focus on "justice" and "peace"

•Ralph Nader "super rallies" during DNC and RNC

•First stop--Drunkablog's roundups--protesters protest "Gitmo on the Platte" and argue over the site's "secrecy" (more "Gitmo" details and history of the building); Obama speech credentials/badges are distributed to the lucky few; CU Denver grad student attempts defense of Recreate '68 and "non-violence"; Recreate '68 has a new schedule that will shortly be replaced by an even newer schedule to be announced today

•"Gitmo on the Platte" not torturous enough? Amnesty International to bring bring real Gitmo detention cell to DNC (be sure to remember that orange jumpsuit you've been dying to wear)

•DemConWatch has a slew of DNC stuff--1000 free bikes for DNC; Are conventions worth the media coverage?--the plans are quite extensive; Lucky 10 who snagged backstage Obama passes; the Dems' updated party platform; tracking the weather forecast for Obama's Invesco speech; a complete list of DNC speakers--a who's who--for each night of the convention; desperate and last-minute DNC attendees/protesters looking for a few good couches

•Pepsi Center and surrounding environs begin pre-DNC cleanup as most work has been completed, with doors set to open for Friday's open house

•DNC makeover for Mount Evans highway; VIP rail cars in town for DNC

•Freedom from Religion billboard to remain in place through DNC; messages of peace from faith-based groups at DNC

•No DNC camping in Wheat Ridge

•Got Obama tix? Arrive early--and don't bring much with you; No "sweet" suite access for some Invesco Field suiteholders for Obama's speech

•Not what you think--homeless "cut-a-thon"

•Extensive livestreaming coverage of DNC from WashPost and Newsweek; CNN "mini-bureau" to open in Denver

•More celeb performers to play DNC gigs

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.