Chaos! - Democrats in Denver cont.

Throughout the day I heard sporadic reports from co-workers of protesters outside our building attempting to rouse-rabble, but other than some anarchists getting hauled away from the 16th Street Mall by police, the protests seemed scattered and less massive than most of us anticipated. It did seem that every colorful cause you can imagine had representation out on the streets, from anti-war and anti-China demonstrators, to population reduction pundits, to advocates of free flu vaccinations. One highlight (or lowlight, come to think of it) was the van that drove around downtown, displaying giant pictures of dead fetuses and the slogan, "Abortion is an Obama Nation". Kind of clever in a sick, sick way.

The relative mildness of the day was soon to be shattered however. As the buses seemed behind schedule that evening, we decided to take a cab from work (sharing it with a cool alternative energy stocks blogger who waited with us at the bus stop). On our way home we saw a huge procession of cops in riot gear hanging off of SUVs with their sirens on, flying West past City Park. When we arrived home, we found out there was a sizeable riot downtown, minutes after we left the city. Pepper spray and hoses were used; people were hospitalized; 100 people were arrested. This is definitely not a boring time to be a Denverite!

Day One - Democrats in Denver

Julia and I took the bus to work early this morning to beat the chaos downtown. We were surprised to find that the bus was not crowded and the traffic seemed almost normal. As we passed the Brown Palace (where we heard the Clintons were staying), Julia commented on the lack of commotion, though we did see a guy standing in front of the building with a camera tripod, no doubt waiting for celebrity to emerge.

As I walked to my building, I felt half relieved and half disappointed - was I expecting a mob of anarchists and grizzled protesters chanting and blocking my way at 7:30 AM? As Julia noted those guys probably sleep in late.

I was soon reminded that not all was normal; before I could open the door to my office, I noticed a man in a black suit sitting at a newly erected desk in the lobby, watching me. He politely demanded to see my security pass before he would let me proceed.

I work just blocks away from the convention center, so this added security makes sense. Julia works in the tallest building in Denver, so I am sure the security there is just as well-planned; probably more so. I expect this to be an exciting week here in the heart of the Mile High city.