Putting the 'Party' in the Democratic Party

Rather than have separate welcoming parties for each delegation, as originally planned, the Convention Committee decided to bring us all together in one group at the Colorado Convention Center. The theme was "A Tribute to New Orleans", focusing on the numerous groups and agencies which have contributed to the recovery efforts on the Gulf Coast, and not coincidentally, revisiting one of the most miserable debacles of the Bush Administration - the greatest disaster in American history, which he initially ignored to go have a birthday cake with John McCain.

It was a wonderful party, with great Cajun and Creole food, and Cajun and New Orleans music. I didn't catch all the names of the bands, but Randy Newman sang his signature 'Louisiana'.

I met new friends, and met up with old, and saw the most amazing diversity of Democrats imaginable. Almost every culture and nationality that makes up the great American 'salad bowl' is represented among our delegates.

I'm going to go ahead and post this now, then edit after I go down to the car and get the rest of my electronics, so I can transfer my still pictures.

Update - below are just a few pictures. I'm posting this in the middle of the night, having worked through various problems with my new laptop, password problems at my photobucket account, etc. Photoshop works just differently enough on new machine to cause problems, need to work through those. I can see time to do all this is going to be a major problem.

Mark Miller and Nancy Crowell, Kalamazoo delegates, at the Colorado Convention Center

New Orleans 'Indian'

Crowd in the Colorado Convention Center

Rep. Conyers with Native American delegates

Quick Quiz:

What is the theme of this election?

Answer - See my YouTube video at West Michigan Rising:

 http://www.westmichiganrising.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=664