A Pre Convention Day in Pictures
24 August 2008 11:00 pm by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
Reporting from Denver (bumped)
BREAKING NEWS FROM CNN’s Jessica Yellin: Clinton will reportedly release her delegates as early as tomorrow a.m., for sure by Wednesday.
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Shep Smith is reporting on Fox about the “unmitigated chaos” when the
protesters arrived and the “police shut everything down,” according
to Shep, who sitting up in his media perch pronounced this as reality from on
high. I was in the middle of all of it, though not present for the anti Iraq war
protest earlier. Traffic was a disaster even before the protesters showed up. Streets
blocked off everywhere. But “unmitigated chaos”? Harmless ruffians with
bad hair, horrible outfits and loud music is a better description. Yo Shep, it
was much a do about nothing, if you ask me. But of course Fox News got a reporter
into the middle of it who recorded one protester cursing at him abusively. Honestly,
the Denver police had this well in hand the minute the protesters started walking down the
street, packing everything you can name. There was no drama attached to
it whatsoever. What’s with Fox and their fetish for fantasizing kerfuffles?
But beyond the convention mania… It’s official. I’ve fallen in love with
Denver.
The Brown Palace Hotel, built in 1892, is an amazing piece of architecture
for the well to do. Arianna Huffington was exiting to a cab as we approached. A Victorian
structure, this amazing hotel is based on Italian Renaissance style, also registered
in the National Register of Historic Places and is a Denver Landmark. I walked
into the cigar brunch room known as The Churchill Bar, which isn’t for everyone,
but I found the aroma scrumptious. No cheap, stinky smells allowed, I’m certain.
The hotel was serving high tea in the atrium lobby when we arrived, hats, high
heels and little girls in Sunday party dresses everywhere. It was a precious
sight. Hanging above the ladies was a huge American flag affixed to the historic
stained glass ceiling, which is a sight to behold in itself.
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When we were looking into the Ships Bar, Senator John Kerry arrived. Talked
with him and interviewed him before. The DCSS evidently has staked out turf
in The Brown Palace Hotel.
Close by is the Navarre, built in 1880. Simply extraordinary architecture in
a city filled with historic buildings of an era that reminds you of how the
west was won and built anew.
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Just a gorgeous day in Denver. After getting my credentials for Monday, we
walked down the 16th Street Mall, ate lunch, then walked all over the historic
district. That’s where the harmless protesters showed up. Loud, with music,
but hardly a threat. The Denver blue, all dressed in black is
tight, ever present and loaded for anything, with helicopters above the city.
Their present is in force, but anything but oppressive.
Lunch menu today was compliments of Marlowe’s on the 16th St. Mall in historic
downtown. A cardboard stand up Barack Obama greeted us as we entered. We began
with a Samuel Adams beer. Mark had Alaskan halibut fish and chips. I had char
grilled top sirloin medallions on a chilled tomato salad, with Worcestershire-shallot
nage (for $13 bucks). Dessert was a chocolate flourless cake covered with dark
rum ganache, white chocolate and lavender drizzles and banana rum gelato.
A wonderful day in Denver.
Feel free to serve up whatever interests you. Anything on your mind today?
We’re loving Denver.
