Ward Churchill Week 4 Update--Judge Tosses One Of Two Claims, **Update: Jury Receives Case

"Are you going to allow lies to overcome the truth?"--David Lane, Churchill's attorney

"What we heard here during the course of this trial is there are two worlds - the world the University exists in and the world Ward Churchill lives in . . . Ward Churchill's world was a place where there are no standards and no accountability"--Patrick O'Rourke, CU attorney

**Update 2: Jury receives case:

A jury began its deliberations in Ward Churchill's civil trial against the University of Colorado on Wednesday after hearing the closing arguments from both sides.

"The job you are now undertaking is quite possibly the most important decision you will ever have to make," Churchill's attorney David Lane told the Denver jury during closing arguments. "You are in charge of preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States of America."

Lane added: "Are you going to allow lies to overcome the truth?"
. . .
CU's attorney countered during his round of closing arguments.

"What we heard here during the course of this trial is there are two worlds - the world the University exists in and the world Ward Churchill lives in," attorney Patrick O'Rourke said. "Ward Churchill's world was a place where there are no standards and no accountability."

Exit questions--how quick a decision, and in whose favor?

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Scroll for updates--as always, check out the implacable Drunkablog, who managed to cover the majority of the trial from inside the courtroom, and PirateBallerina for additional coverage . . .

**Late breaking update: No chilling of free speech--judge tosses one of Churchill's claims!:

Chief Denver District Judge Larry Naves threw out one of Ward Churchill's two claims this afternoon, ruling that the former professor's assertion that the University of Colorado launched an investigation into his scholarship in retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights was not "actionable."

The judge and lawyers met out of the presence of the jury Tuesday afternoon to go over the final language on the jury verdict form.

"This case will go to the jury on the other claim where there is clearly an adverse employment action, which is being terminated," the judge said.

The second claim in Churchill's civil lawsuit against the school is the primary claim -- that CU fired Churchill for exercising his free speech rights.

The first claim in his suit, which was dismissed this afternoon, was that CU launched an investigation into the former professor in retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights, essentially chilling those rights.

Naves said an investigation, in and of itself, is not an adverse employment action.

Churchill didn't lose his job or his pay while the investigation was ongoing, the judge said, and the possibility that an investigation could chill free expression by others who fear that making a controversial statement will result in a whole sale investigation of their scholarship is not sufficient to bring a retaliation claim.

Naves cited several other cases where judges had made similar rulings.

The jury will receive instructions Wednesday morning. Closing arguments will follow.

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"Where do you guys get off looking at every word he has ever written when the only thing he wrote that upset you was the 9/11 essay?"--Churchill's attorney David Lane


Excellent cartoon from Face the State.

The latest updates on the Churchillpalooza trial--including extensive previous coverage:

Churchill receives the support of terrorist-sympathizer Lynne Stewart.

March 31--Defense concludes:

Ludwig took the stand for a short period Tuesday afternoon, testifying that he felt Ward Churchill was a valuable presence on campus because he served to combat the "cultural amnesia" that the larger society has about the treatment of American Indians.

He said it was "not easy" to fire the professor but that his academic transgressions were serious enough to merit it.

"We can't have one of our faculty members fall below that standard that we have," he told the jury.

March 30--Regents admit Churchill essay sparked probe:

Three former and current University of Colorado regents testified today that they authorized a review of then-Boulder professor Ward Churchill's speeches and writings only to find out whether they were protected under the First Amendment.

Former regent Patricia Hayes and regent Peter Steinhauer, both Republicans, said they found Churchill's comments in an essay about the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, "anti-American." But they said they also were concerned about other instances where Churchill made speeches that they thought appeared to advocate violence and terrorism.

They testified that they wanted to know whether the speeches and essays were considered protected speech under the First Amendment if Churchill had made them as a public employee representing the university.

"Given a fair chance":

Carlisle was the lone regent to vote against firing Churchill in 2007.

She said her decision to stray from her colleagues was based on the fact that the majority of faculty members serving on CU's Privilege & Tenure Committee voted to suspend the professor.

"They're the ones with the scholarship, they were the ones who should be making the decision about what sanctions should happen to Professor Churchill," she testified.

But Carlisle said she had the utmost confidence that Churchill was treated fairly and that the academic misconduct charges against him were fully proven.

"I believe Ward Churchill was given a fair chance to state his case," she told the jury.

March 27--"We did not sacrifice Ward Churchill":

"We did not sacrifice Ward Churchill," said Don Morley, a professor of communications at CU-Colorado Springs and a member of the university's Privilege and Tenure Committee.

Morley testified that he was hoping the fraud charges against Churchill that were being forwarded to his panel from the Standing Committee on Research Misconduct would turn out to be false.

"Why?" CU attorney Patrick O'Rourke asked.

"You just don't want to see one of your own fall and he's one of our own," Morley replied.

He said the Privilege and Tenure Committee was not a rubber stamp for the previous university panels that reviewed Churchill's work for academic misconduct.

His committee gave serious consideration to each allegation of fraud, Morley told the jury, and even absolved Churchill on several when the alleged wrongdoing didn't rise to the committee's higher standard of "clear and convincing" evidence for misconduct.

But what the committee did find in terms of misconduct, Morley said, merited terminating the controversial former ethnic studies professor.

March 26--Free speech doesn't negate academic fraud:

CU Regent Michael Carrigan told the jury that the nationwide furor over an incendiary essay penned by Churchill about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was a wholly different matter from allegations that the professor had fabricated, falsified and plagiarized parts of his academic work.

And just because the misconduct investigation grew out of the firestorm over the essay — which CU later determined to be protected free speech — didn’t mean the university could disregard the information it was getting about Churchill’s scholarship, Carrigan testified.

“Essentially, if we ignored these allegations, the message would be that you can plagiarize, you can ghostwrite, you can do it, but just make sure you say something offensive so you can say you should never be investigated and your work should never be scrutinized,” he said.

March 25--Churchill's attorney rests case

March 24--Churchill calls critics "pathetic":

Ward Churchill, fired by the University of Colorado two years ago for allegedly engaging in academic misconduct, called some of his critics "pathetic" during a second day of testimony at his wrongful termination trial Tuesday.

The frank description came after Churchill's attorney, David Lane, asked his client for his reaction to previous testimony from a colleague at CU who, according to Lane, characterized Churchill's three decades of scholarship as "not worth a pitcher of warm spit."

"How did it make you feel?" Lane asked.

"Angry," Churchill replied. "But anger is no new feeling for me."

Boo hoo. Critics also labelled "shit-knitters"--that's a new one.

Churchill Trialpalooza Roundup

**Update--More from Drunkablog--jury selection completed:

A jury of four men and four women -- including two alternates -- has been seated in Ward Churchill's wrongful termination trial against the University of Colorado.

Denver District Judge Larry Naves gave a set of admonishments to the jury, telling them not to read about the case in newspapers or on the Internet or to watch anything about it on television.

Opening statements are scheduled to be made Tuesday at 9 a.m.

The lawyers in the case took an hour vetting the prospective jury as a group Monday afternoon, asking questions about the role of the First Amendment and about the kind of questions a public university has the right to ask when an employee is making controversial statements.

They also asked the jurors if they thought they could be fair in the case.

Lawyers had already met individually with each potential juror in the morning.

Bonus video from last week's Ward rally at CU, with moonbats issuing support from the "free speech" cage.

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Drunkablog made the rounds this morning in Civic Center park ("Save Ward!" rally) and the Denver City and County building for the jury selection, but not much was going on . . . yet.

Looking at the Left has more reflections on the Churchill kerfuffle, and kook-aid guzzling Ben Whitmer soldiers on in his support of his idol mentor.

Churchill's lawyer, David Lane, parrots the continued charge of a CU "witch hunt" borrowed from William "free as a bird" Ayers:

"He is looking forward to having his day in court finally in a public forum so the public can hear what this witch hunt was all about," Lane said.

The trial is being held in the courtroom of Denver Chief District Judge Larry J. Naves.

Prospective jurors began receiving questionnaires about their knowledge of Churchill and the facts of the case last week.

The jury will be asked to consider two claims: that the university retaliated against Chur chill first by launching an investigation into his academic record and then by firing him. Churchill, 61, is seeking reinstatement and a financial judgment.

"In firing Mr. Churchill, CU did the right thing in the right way for the right reasons," said Ken McConnellogue, a spokesman for the CU system. "Essentially, I think that Churchill has had a trial by a jury of his peers and now he wants a do-over, and so we hope the jury sees things the way we do."

Churchill was roundly criticized in the court of public opinion, justifiably terminated by due process of his academic peers, and now has his day in court.

Some see no resolution in sight, and the decision in this lawsuit as anything but the final word in the Churchill/CU saga.

Stay tuned for more "As the Ward Turns"--as the lawsuit's first full day will commence tomorrow with opening arguments scheduled for 8:30 am Tuesday.

Students Say No To "Barack Obama High School" In Boulder

**Welcome Hot Air readers!



Obama-mania meets reality.

A follow-up on the moonbat Marxists at Boulder High School who tried and failed miserably to change the name of the school to Barack Obama High School:

When representatives of a Boulder High student activist group arrived at school Thursday, they were greeted with angry opposition to their proposal to rename the building after President Barack Obama.

Many of the activists’ peers wore Boulder High gear, made posters calling for an end to the Student Worker group, and mocked the notion of a Barack Obama High. By the time of an afternoon news conference, originally called to launch a petition for the name change, Student Worker President Ben Raderstorf had dropped the proposal.

“We have realized that we made a gross error in our understanding of the significance of the Boulder High School name,” Raderstorf said to a classroom packed with TV cameras, teachers, students and community members.

Many students said they learned about the proposal on the social networking Web site Facebook, where several people organized an impromptu spirit day Thursday. One of the Facebook pages titled, “Do NOT change the name of Boulder High School to ‘Barack Obama High,’” had nearly 600 members.

“It is ridiculous to throw away over 100 years of tradition simply because of Obama-mania,” the group’s organizer wrote.

Looks like more reeducation is needed, even in Boulder!



"No You Can't!"

Liberal Talk Show Host Jay Marvin Unloads On Senator-Elect Mark Udall

**Update 3: (via TS) If Marvin's screed had been published by a conservative radio talk show host, Colorado Media Matters' Bill Menezes would be all over him. Bill?

**Update 2: CompleteColorado.com managed to save Marvin's entire blog post for posterity. He dropped by last night to argue that his post wasn't "rambling" and then promptly removed it today. Let's see if he responds.

**Update: That was fast--Marvin pulls both Udall-focused blog posts after being called out on them, first at CompleteColorado.com, and then here. Nothing like a little display of progressive backbone.

"Let’s just say Udall is a phony"--AM760 Radio Talk Show Host Jay Marvin

Via Complete Colorado--"The Trouble With Udall":

Even before the election I dropped hints on the air I wasn’t happy with Congressman, now Senator elect Mark Udall.

So what’s the beef?

When I first got to AM760 most progressive pols ignored my show. The only two who would give of their time were Mark Udall and Bill Ritter, who later went on to be Governor.

In return I started to give Mark Udall money for his run for the Senate, and when the race got underway my wife Mary went to work full time on his campaign. What she found in the campaign HQ was not pretty site. Interns–for many of them it was their first job–were treated with disrespect and arrogance. Several times Mary was told to out and out lie to people on the phones.

But it didn’t stop there.

And Jay Marvin doesn't, in a rambling, misspelled diatribe against Udall and his "minions."

There appears to be even more to rant about, but Marvin begins his summary:

I’m not going to go into the rest here. Let’s just say Udall is a phony. He is cold, and has a well crafted image that covers who he really is. And let me also say I will never have this man on my show again as long as I’m on the air in this market.

Now you know. Judge for your self about Udall and his actions. In doing so ask yourself how you would feel if this happened to you or a member of your family.

Some comments support Marvin, others chastise him. Still others mention that this sort of behavior is nothing new for politicians, and hope that their Obamessiah doesn't turn out the same way.

Perhaps a little outside pressure was applied on Marvin, whose follow-up post reveals this interesting political philosophy:

I had many people who understood my feelings towards Mark Udall and a few who didn’t. Thanks for the comments both here and in email. The one very big lesson I’ve come away with is this:

It doesn’t matter what kind of person you put in office– meaning their personality doesn’t matter– it’s the votes they cast that counts. So what if Mark Udall is a prick, the only things that’s going to count is the votes he will cast in the Senate.

Subject now closed.

So what if Udall is a prick?

Progressive policies require reliable votes. For liberals/progressives/Democrats that's all that matters.

Oh, and don't question them either.

So much for dissent . . .

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 . . .

Dispatches From The RNC-A Subdued Day One Inside The Xcel Center; Crazed Leftists Attack Delegates

Xcel Energy Center primed for Republican National Convention.


A view from the upper level--a much simpler design.

Gateway Pundit has extensive coverage of the serious and dangerous attacks on delegates and other guests of the RNC, including bags of cement tossed off bridges at passing buses, water/bleach spraying of delegates, tire slashings, etc., not to mention urine bombs, molotov cocktails and other devices seized over the weekend.

Brad Jones of Face the State is also in Minneapolis-St. Paul for the convention and has extensive coverage of the events in and around the Xcel Center, including blogger credentialing (there are 200 credentialed blogs at the RNC), proximity of protesters to the venue, and an important question for both parties--where are the young people at national political events?

On to the photos:


At least 80 feet separated the enclosed protesters from the inner perimeter of the Xcel Center in this area.


Stop the War!


"Brains not Bombs!" "McCain = Bush"


The socialists were out as well.


Closing the gate on protesters.


The security checkpoint was evenly distributed and quite efficient, and the buses just a short distance away.


Protesters had been confined to the narrow passage in the center, and funneled away from the Xcel Center off to the right.

Celebrity sightings:


Actor and on-screen tough guy Robert Davi chatted with guests on the 2nd floor of the Xcel Center.


Kevin Farley and Robert Davi posed for photos while discussing their new comedy, "An American Carol" due out October 3 (trailer), directed by David Zucker of "Airplane" and "Naked Gun" fame.

The effects of Hurricane Gustav:


A steady crowd monitored the reports on Hurricane Gustav.


Red Cross operations set up information tables and called for donations and other relief efforts.


First Lady Laura Bush and Sen. John McCain's wife Cindy McCain urge delegates and RNC guests to join the relief effort in any way they can.

Blogger and press digs:


Two words: Free.  Internet.


Working hard or hardly working?

Dispatches From The RNC-The Drive To Minnesota

I hate the wind.

Ok, not really hate so much as dislike intensely, especially when it forces you to drive 10 miles under the speed limit through a rather boring stretch of South Dakota.

Yes--I drove (won't be a green convention for this blogger!).

However, lest you think I shirked my blogger duties, here is a sample of what I saw along the way, which included a stop in the Black Hills of South Dakota and a visit to the Crazy Horse Monument (which likely won't be finished in our lifetimes, but is entirely financed through--shocker--private enterprise) and, of course, Mount Rushmore:


BFE, Wyoming.


Custer, SD


Crazy Horse Monument


"Authentic," but waaay overpriced.


A preview of how the mountain will eventually look, sometime around 2500. Just kidding (not really).


Made in Denver.


Just in time for the evening lighting ceremony.


Come on, Vogue!


All lit up.


When I was last here in 1994, there was a much smaller, old-school National Monument building and very little improvements (since the 1960s). A larger parking lot and entrance, enhanced museum, new amphitheater, and this flag-lined walkway all augmented the decidedly patriotic experience.

I'll have video from the lighting ceremony tomorrow.

First, we watched a Mount Rushmore "Cliff Notes" video on the four Presidents represented, and then members of the audience who were veterans of our armed forces (or a representative) were invited to the stage for the nightly flag lowering, carried out with much dignity.  Our ranger narrated the Star-Spangled Banner's first 3 verses, and sang the final verse quite beautifully.  It was clear from the tone of her voice that she was truly overcome with emotion, and this feeling permeated the audience.

On a cool night on Labor Day weekend following the week of hell (temperatures and my poor feet) that was the DNC, it was an outstanding opportunity to reflect on the greatness of our country, the eloquence of our Founding Fathers, and the immense gratitude we should have for our rights and for the ability to exercise our freedoms in a manner unmatched almost anywhere else on this rock.  Sandwiched as it was between the DNC and RNC, my visit to Mount Rushmore reinforced the necessity of an educated and engaged citizenry that is politically active and civically oriented.

But that's not why you're here, is it? On to the convention schwag!


RNC schwag bag--"refresh, recycle, re-use."  Surprisingly, there wasn't a Coke product inside.


The logo may be much-maligned, but the message is important--water is essential for convention survival!


Cool! Mac & Cheese  . . . hey--wait a minute! We are Republicans.  Where is my RNC filet mignon?


Can the Republicans weather the storm that is Hurricane Gustav?

Fellow Coloradan Brad Jones from FacetheState.com (bookmark it) arrived a little earlier in the day, and managed to snap a few photos of those protesters arrested Sunday and the arrival of the Colorado delegates. Check back in at FTS for updates throughout the RNC.

Meanwhile, Gateway Pundit details the moonbat protesters of the "RNC Welcoming Committee" raided over the weekend and arrested for possessing devices meant to "disable" delegate buses.

Same crap (literally), different city/convention.

Oh, it's gonna be a fun week. I'll have updates tomorrow, including more details on the reduced and mainly "procedural" first day of the RNC.

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.

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

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

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.

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.

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 9

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Saturday August 16, 2008--No. 9

•Last year, Rockies World Series tickets fiasco. This year, Obama at Invesco Field:

"It just makes me angry," said Katherine Thayer, of Denver. "If they're going to go out and say it's first-come, first-served and then turn around and reward people who volunteer or gave money, then they ought to be up front about it."

Update--"no ticket." None for me either. Guess we're not alone.

•Drunkablog has an extensive roundup with a little protest-wear and mixed messages from the protesters themselves, new "official" DNC posters, and an update on "Gitmo on the Platte"; another D-blog roundup with more on Rage Against the Machine's planned appearance and the final meetings of Recreate '68; protesters protest "Gitmo on the Platte"; "Gitmo" goes viral; Protester holding building used to store voting machines?

•Colorado Greens vs. Cynthia McKinney--she will speak for Recreate '68

•Live from Golden, CO--"Death to America!" Al-Jazeera to broadcast from Golden:

But 120 million households in 80 countries will get a selective snapshot of the West when al-Jazeera English pays a visit to Golden for two days during the Democratic National Convention.

"Our objective is to present a slice of mainstream America," said Julian Ingle, political program editor for al-Jazeera's Washington, D.C., bureau.

The international news organization will broadcast Aug. 27 from the Buffalo Rose saloon, where, since 1858, more beer has been spilled than most bars have sold.

Beheadings at 11!

•DNC security measures become more visible as convention draws near

•Wanna know where all the cool kids (and the cash) will be at parties at both the DNC and RNC? (pdf at the link)

•"Green Frontier Fest" eco-carnival will set up shop during DNC (details)

•Pedicabs expect record business during DNC

•Praying for the prostitutes during the convention

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 10

DNC Countdown--10 days left (continuously updated) . . .

•Meditate, contemplate--"Instead of standing up and advocating any particular position, we're asking people to be quiet a little bit," said Meditate 08 co-chairman Don Morreale.

•Greening, greening, gone?--DNC Director of Greening "Andrea Robinson was forced out of any meaningful role because of ongoing conflicts with vendors and her co-workers at the Democratic National Convention Committee, several sources said Thursday."

•As if Tent State itself wasn't cool enough itself--"And it obviously gives an incentive for more apathetic youth to come out to Tent State," Adam Jung on Rage Against the Machine's appearance (includes ticket info) in Denver during the DNC on behalf of the Tent Staters; but will the 50k protestors come for Tent State, or RATM?

•LoDo to Tent State (E.T. voice)--"Be Good"--"These are college kids who will run our country. We could do a lot worse."

•Can you hear me now? Good!--"We know this convention represents the most digitally advanced ever," said Keri Hissim, operations director for AT&T, the official wireless provider. "We absolutely intend to deliver on that expectation."

•When in the course of DNC events--"One of the 25 surviving original copies of the Declaration of Independence will head to Denver after display Friday and Saturday at the Utah Capitol. It's on a tour of 17 cities as part of a voter-registration drive. After leaving Salt Lake, it will go to Denver for display during the Democratic National Convention."

•Off the beaten path--I-25 to be closed for Obama's Invesco festivities:

A 5.5-mile stretch of the busiest highway in the Rocky Mountain West — Interstate 25 past Invesco Field — will be closed to traffic on the evening Barack Obama accepts the Democratic presidential nomination at the stadium.

The Rocky first reported this nearly a month ago, but Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper confirmed today that state highway officials will close I-25 between I-70 and Sixth Avenue from 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, until after Obama's speech and other stadium festivities conclude.
. . .
The goal is to "meet Democratic National Convention needs while keeping Denver open and accessible" the statement stressed.

"We are grateful to our local, state and federal partners who shared our commitment to minimize impacts on the local community and to maximize ways for local residents to be a part of this historic event," Hickenlooper said.

Looks like DNC needs outweigh Denver's accessibility, you know, for the unwashed masses.

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 11

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Thursday August 14, 2008--No. 11

•"Gitmo on the Platte" redux--arrested protestors won't be released into neighborhood surrounding temporary detention facility:

Denver officials and the sheriff's department said Wednesday that they will not release prisoners taken into custody during the Democratic National Convention into the neighborhood surrounding a temporary detention facility.

The arrest-processing center will operate from Aug. 24 to 31 and will be able to detain up to 400 people for short periods of time. The facility also will be able to process about 60 prisoners an hour. The sheriff's department is not disclosing the temporary center's location. However, a News4 report said it is being constructed in northeast Denver.

It won't be used for any long- term detention, and prisoners won't be kept for more than a few hours, authorities said.

Officials said that while they don't believe there will be widespread arrests during the convention, they decided to build the facility because of the huge number of visitors expected and the intentions of some protesters to be arrested.

Sheriff's deputies have written letters to residents and businesses in the neighborhood explaining the facility's role. In the letter, the sheriff's department said that no detainees will be released into the neighborhood even if they are able to post bond at the temporary center.

Instead, deputies plan to bus those who are able to post bond to the Denver County Jail at East Smith Road and Havana Street, where prisoners are usually released.

•Bob Barr, Alan Keyes, and Tom Tancredo will headline a Minuteman Civil Defense Corps rally on August 25:

Representatives of both Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr and U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo confirmed Wednesday that they would speak at the event organized by the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. Tancredo ran for the Republican presidential nomination on anti-illegal immigration platform.

The group said former presidential candidate Alan Keyes and Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin will also speak.

Minuteman president Chris Simcox said it seems both Barack Obama and John McCain are avoiding the issue of illegal immigration during their runs for the White House. He said his group wants them to pledge to adopt their plan to use members of the 25,000 National Guard to secure the nation's border with Mexico and Canada as well as beef up Coast Guard patrols.

"We really don't care which one is elected president as long as both of them see we're bringing a message from millions of people across the country," Simcox said.

The daylong event will take place in Congress Park, a residential neighborhood east of downtown Denver. The group has no plans to protest in the fenced-off area designated for protesters on the grounds of the Pepsi Center, the site of most of the DNC's events.

•Tickets for Barack Obama's Invesco Field speech will be awarded starting tomorrow, and available for pickup (sans the "mandatory volunteerism" according to Obama campaign officials; "all star" application for better seats may have caused confusion and prompted the volunteering requirement (a chance at better seats in return for helping the Obama campaign)

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All previous Daily Digests can be found here.