If you’ve spent some time on the 16th Street Mall the last couple of days, you know what a ZOO it’s been!  Just a few blocks walk, and you’ll get a sample of the EXTREMES of contemporary American thought!  You’ve got the people who insist that 9-11 was an “inside job,” to the “clean coal” people, and everybody in between!

What’d you think of the bright orange pant suit that Hillary wore for her speech last night at the Pepsi

Center?  I couldn’t help but wonder why she chose ORANGE!?  You’d think that something dark blue, or black, would have been her choice.  Was she making a statement?  I have to believe that the choice of outfit was not random–you know she has advisors through whom everything has to be run!

As for Hillary’s speech: very nice.  I think she accomplished what she was asked to do, if she wants to be Secretary of State–or some other prestigious, high-level cabinet position! 

I’m officially admitting that I was wrong about the draw of the Obama speech–remember, in an earlier post, I had mused that they might have trouble filling all the seats at Invesco for a speech.  Of course, with performances from Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, this is turning out to be more than a speech.  From a purely Springsteen fan point of view think about it: The Boss isn’t even going to PLAY Denver on his current concert tour–and now you get the chance to see him for free?  That alone would put 50,000 people in a stadium, at least.

One thing I was right about was the fizzling out of the protests.  All the big talk from the protest group spokespeople about violence and disruption has proven to be ONLY that–talk.  Of course, we’re ALL happy about that.  But you could kind of see it coming  You didn’t get the sense that these people were really, truly ANGRY.  The “Re-Create 68″ group seems to be more interested in nostalgia than politics.  The Tent Staters seem to be just bored.

I have to gloat a little about the bubble bursting for the DNC rent-gougers–the people who were placing ads in the paper, offering their homes for rent during the convention for tens of thousands of dollars!!  For the record, turns out there are PLENTY of hotel rooms available.  The guy at the Ramada Plaza says they’re only 60% full!  They’re cutting their room rates, but it’s too late now–everybody that’s coming to the convention is already here!  One hotel manager said his business this week is actually WORSE than usual!!  Anyway, I sure would hate to be one of these delegates who fell for the “room shortage” hype, and wrote a check for $10,000 to rent someone’s house!!

Ralph Nader For President parade is today starting at 2p–lasting until 2:05!!  Well–not really, I’m sure it’ll run longer than that.  But SERIOUSLY–why are the Nader people having a parade during the DNC?  Isn’t he supposed to be an independent?  Will they have another parade next week in Minnesota during the RNC?  Will anybody care?

Also on the parade schedule: “Concerned Men of America” 12:30p…[really–aren’t ALL men concerned about SOMETHING?]  I’m concerned about LOTS of things–whether the New Orleans Saints are gonna make the playoffs this year, the high cost of renting musical instrments for my kids, and also my car needs new tires.  I should have marched in the parade, I guess.  Wasn’t aware that marching in a parade would help anything, but I was wrong about the Obama speech crowd, too…