Journey to The Big Tent

As we tried to figure out the transportation situation (a source of confusion for pretty much everybody) I talked to American Samoa delegate Jacinta Titialii-Abbott and Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega.

Jacinta and I first talked about some strong relations between Alaska and American Samoa, especially between Samoan people and Alaska Native people, and just who is looking for statehood, and who is not. Congressman Eni asked if I was Athabascan - which I am! - and talked about the strong ties with Athabascan people. He also mentioned his work with Congressman Don Young and said he was sorry to hear about Stevens.

What a remarkably small world.




A delegate from Dallas County, who was excited to show us that Dallas County is turning blue! We talked with several Texas delegates on the light rail on the way into downtown, and they were all so enthusiastic about Mark Begich and Alaska turning blue! They encouraged us, and congratulated Alaska on its "blue" efforts several times.













This man had an incredible amount of knowledge about Alaska politics and issues - and he was from Chico, California! He recently went to an environmental law convference, and was full of questions and comments about ANWR, offshore drilling, Pebble Mine, etc.














What are we all waiting for? What are they looking at? The group of mounted police officers stopped traffic for a bit, and had everyone wondering why. The big mystery?










This guy's horse had... uh... "made a mess" and he had to go clean it up. Nothing like having hundreds of people watch you clean up after your horse.

I will say that I've seen some incredible acts of environmental concern from some of these officers. At the concert we attended last night, there was one officer who kept picking up beer bottles and cups that were lying around and taking them to the recycling bin.

Wow. Everyone really did come to Denver.

Betcha Abe never had to do this when he was president.

Where do Londoners and Alaskans go to meet?

Apparently at The Big Tent in Denver.

You may recognize the "Bond" guy from an earlier post. This time he was working - informing people about The Israel Project, check them out!

Red Rocks turn Green

Robert Kennedy Jr. (literally) rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. He made a great speech at the "Green Sunday" concert/event at Red Rocks amphitheatre Sunday night.

In a not-so-subtle hint at the recent McCain criticism Obama's been getting for being so popular, Kennedy talked about traveling to Europe with his father as a child. He said the American politicians were extremely popular - people clamoring to get near them (remind you of any recent trips?) and that he remembers a time when America was really loved and admired by the world. But in only seven years, look at the tragedy that it has become. I will try having more of this speech (I recorded it) later, but if it's online somewhere, you should check it out.

On kind of a sidenote, it was really strange to hear, as someone born in the 80's, that America, at one time, could have been liked by much of the world. I have only ever been an adult under George Bush #2, and it seems impossible.


The view from Red Rocks was beautiful. Kim (our host and my concert-buddy) said that Red Rocks amphitheatre is well-liked by musicians for its acoustics, but I think the guests must love it for its views!

A protesting airplane, proclaiming McCain for President. It seems like kind of a waste to fly it over an event where people have come from all over the nation (and world, as we found out!) to support Obama, or at least Democrats. I don't think the sign was doing much.

A full crowd, waiting for the show to start. As press, we got about a hundred different answers for where we were supposed to go, so we just planted ourselves beside the stage.

Sheryl Crow waving to the crowd. She sang my favorite song of hers - one she said was "close to her heart" - "Strong Enough."

This is one of the police women they brought in from all over Colorado. When we asked her how she was able to cover such a big-name event, she shrugged and smiled - "I just got lucky."

That's some serious bling.

Although not all pictured, the governor and mayor showed up, the Blue Man Group gave a "special message," Tim Kaine, Van Jones, and Sugarland.

Sarah and Molly were from the flight attendant's union. I didn't realize so many delegates were flight attendants, but once they mentioned just how much their profession is immediately affected by Washington decisions, it all made sense...

I didn't get this guys name, but he was making sure we got enough good pictures. I thought he was fishing for a picture of himself, but when I took one, he was saying, "No way!"

Of course, I took one anyway (don't worry, he was cool with it.) But I highly doubt that was his first beer.

Nice guy though!

The Enforcer.

I saw many a person try and attempt to break through the media barrier, and some got by some of the other staff, but this guy meant business. And he did it with practically one hand tied behind his back!

I have to give Dave Matthews some serious props for showing up and performing. They lost their band member Leroi Moore just last week, but still showed up and gave a beautiful set, just after Kennedy's great speech.

Matthews said, before beginning, to forgive his hoarse voice, "it's been a rough week."








There was actually quite a bit more substance to the concert, but I want to do it real justice - not the 3am kind of posting I can do now (the concert went LATE.) It was a "green" concert, and as far as Alaska goes, well, the oil industry was being hit pretty hard, for one.

But more on that when I am not going cross-eyed!