rockin at home

i thought i would share one of the big reasons why i am sad i won't be in town for the dnc. it is the controversy with tent city and the protesters. denver is not necessarily known for its ability to honor the voices of dissent gracefully. not that it won't, it just hasn't had much experience in that realm. i think it will be interesting to see how it plays out. maybe it is better to be preoccupied with the national hiv system of service delivery.

so many voices have been so muted for so long in america(likewise in denver), it's hard to imagine that we could hear some loud, true dissent amongst us. and when we do, we usually turn away. it makes us feel so uncomfortable. after all, we're civilized and we don't behave like that. whining and complaining aren't attractive. one very audible set of voices in this milieu is definitely rage against the machine. you don't have to like them, but you gotta love them. they personify free speech in a nation full of whispers.

anyway, here are two articles about tent city, the first seen in april, the second in august. the heat is no doubt on...

A small collection of political activists pounded a homemade sign into the soil of Denver's Civic Center Park on Wednesday, claiming it for their own the week of the Democratic National Convention.

From this point forward, Civic Center Park will be considered the property of the people, and it will thus be renamed Free City," said Glenn Spagnuolo, spokesman for Recreate 68, which is coordinating protest efforts with a variety of activist groups for the Democratic National Convention week.[...]

"Regardless of the city's claims, we're going to be having free housing here in the park," said Spagnuolo. "We are going to be having free housing here in the park. We will stay past the curfew, we will enjoy each other's company."

He also said, "We will be putting up a tent city here that's going to include space for homeless people, too."

Spagnuolo also claimed that at some point there will be a "nude-in," in which demonstrators will spell out the word "PEACE," using naked bodies. read entire article here.

All of a sudden Tent State University's vow to bring 50,000 protesters to Denver seems within reach.

The game changed Thursday when Rage Against the Machine announced a free concert for the anti-war group.

"We're honored that they came," said Tent State organizer Adam Jung. "It's going to bring more attention and get the message out and make it stronger to the delegates and the public: Immediately end the war.

Sixteen months is too long. We're going to hold the Democratic Party and every other elected official accountable."

The Aug. 27 show at the 10,500-seat Denver Coliseum now has a headliner that easily fills arenas twice that size. Free tickets to the show will be distributed through a lottery system. read entire article here

now in contrast to tent state, is the dignitary roundtable discussion that is to take place. i would give anything to be a fly on the wall of that room. also in contrast to the free show with ratm and the flobots, on tuesday there is an invitation only show starring chris daughtry(definite hottie), the flobots(local band), and everclear(memorable tune or two) at the church. this is a benefit show for the grammy foundation. definitely won't have the edge of the free show.

it's not over

i spent a good portion of last evening watching american idol. there were a lot of clips that i seem to have forgotten easily. but there was a clip of daughtry singing what about now in uganda. that scene for some reason has kept in the forefront of my minds eye. i think it was the little girl with aids that was laying in her bed in the middle of the afternoon. i honestly can imagine feeling so miserable, weak, and sick that i can't get out of bed. it just caused me to be sad.

and from "a course in miracles"

LESSON 31

I am not the victim of the world I see.


Today's idea is the introduction to your declaration of release. Again, the idea should be applied to both the world you see without and the world you see within. In applying the idea, we will use a form of practice which will be used more and more, with changes as indicated. Generally speaking, the form includes two aspects, one in which you apply the idea on a more sustained basis, and the other consisting of frequent applications of the idea throughout the day.

Two longer periods of practice with the idea for today are needed, one in the morning and one at night. Three to five minutes for each of these are recommended. During that time, look about you slowly while repeating the idea two or three times. Then close your eyes, and apply the same idea to your inner world. You will escape from both together, for the inner is the cause of the outer.

As you survey your inner world, merely let whatever thoughts cross your mind come into your awareness, each to be considered for a moment, and then replaced by the next. Try not to establish any kind of hierarchy among them. Watch them come and go as dispassionately as possible. Do not dwell on any one in particular, but try to let the stream move on evenly and calmly, without any special investment on your part. As you sit and quietly watch your thoughts, repeat today's idea to yourself as often as you care to, but with no sense of hurry.

In addition, repeat the idea for today as often as possible during the day. Remind yourself that you are making a declaration of independence in the name of your own freedom. And in your freedom lies the freedom of the world.

The idea for today is also a particularly useful one to use as a response to any form of temptation that may arise. It is a declaration that you will not yield to it, and put yourself in bondage.