Dnc, Boston 2004 Part Ii
- 1. The Democratic National Convention, Boston 2004 “ Whose Convention Is It? Reporters Outnumber Delegates 6 to 1” N.Y.Times headline 7-27-04
- 2. Journalists and bloggers filed reports from just off the floor inside large rooms outfitted for technology. Wireless was not available for security reasons. Rotating floor passes were issued here.
- 3. Newsweek , the Washington Post , the New York Times and other prominent and national print publications were headquartered in the media pavilion beside the Fleet Center.
- 5. BOSTON - John Adams' name has been invoked so much during the Democratic National Convention, we wondered what he'd think about all the speeches, parties and fund-raisers. Come to think of it, probably not much. … Outside the massive FleetCenter, (President John) Adams could tour the so-called "free speech zone" - the mother of all oxymorons. It's an outdoor holding pen bounded by 10-foot fences and razor wire, designated for protesters. Adams risked life and limb to make all the colonies a free-speech zone. Can you imagine Adams crashing a fund-raiser for one the "527" political groups that came here to entice big bucks from rich donors? Imagine his reaction when told these things are supposed to work. Political insiders raise millions of dollars from big donors to elect a person that, by law, they cannot discuss political strategy with. Column excerpt from Gannet National Political Editor Chuck Raasch
- 6. Media across the blue seats and corners of the floor and in skyboxes ringing the Fleet Center.
- 7. Regularly swamped by media attention, ABC’s Ted Koppel turned away from the convention coverage in the past.
- 8. Other artists who are drawn to the DNC as a cultural event include famous photographers. Richard Avedon’s work in fashion photography is historic. His portraits of Charlie Chaplin, Louis Armstrong are memorable and his book “In the American West” is considered a classic. Avedon regularly featured in the New Yorker magazine. He died last week in San Antonio, Texas. Here he is watching singer Patti LaBelle.
- 10. Holding a portrait of Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry, Kucinich delegate Caitlin Cianflone from Greeley, Colorado, is garbed in a swath of red and grey. She received the portrait as a gift from photographic legend Richard Avedon after she agreed to pose for him at the Fleet Center.
- 11. The lead singer of the rock band U2 is widely known as a political activist for aid to Africa. Over several years, he’s worked to persuade dignitaries and politicians of developed nations to forgive the debt of Third World African nations. Bono was in attendance at the Fleet Center for several key speeches.
- 15. Trapped #1
- 16. Trapped & Sharon Wallace #2
- 17. The future of politics is in the hands of young activists like this man who is handing out pamphlets for the Black Tea Party on the Green Line commuter train departing Boston. He quickly challenged the photographer on his motives and final intent for taking his image in action aboard the train.
- 18. The future of politics is in the hands of young activists like this 14-year-old youth who is attending his second national convention and plans to work the 2008 national election.
- 19. The MSNBC cable network brought its show “Hardball” on location to Boston during the convention.
- 20. The former “Saturday Night Live” comedian Al Franken took great pleasure in stirring up the crowd’s emotions with little more than a slight hand gesture.
- 21. Al Franken struggles to artfully dodge an invitation to speak at Peninsula College on politics, capitol projects and shared governance.