Denver: Al Jazeera has big plans for Obama's coronation
I mean nomination... looks like they're planning on a big howdy. (damn - and I'm going to be out of town fly fishing in Durango) "Our objective is to present a slice of mainstream America," said Julian Ingle, political program editor for al-Jazeera's Washington, D.C., bureau. The international news organization will broadcast Aug. 27 from the Buffalo Rose saloon, where, since 1858, more beer has been spilled than most bars have sold. The next night, when Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech, al-Jazeera will grill pre-chosen attendees at the city's manager's backyard barbecue. Golden is loaded with moonbats - are you surprised? And their lib city government is all too eager to play the dhimmi. "It's a terrific opportunity to let parts of the world that watch al-Jazeera see what democracy is like in a small town," Mayor Jacob Smith said. Golden officials believe the city can gain national and international attention although it probably won't become as well-known as the city's biggest industry, Coors brewery. (which was just bought out by Miller and moved it's HQ to Chicago) "Al-Jazeera is always going to evoke some raised eyebrows from folks who aren't real familiar with their work since it isn't seen here," city spokeswoman Sabrina D'Agosta said. But, she said, "al-Jazeera is a legitimate news organization, and we want those 120 million viewers to see that regular folks in the United States are great people and we have a lot of diversity in our population and our views." While al-Jazeera has been controversial, "I don't have a problem with them being here," said Gary Wink, president of the Golden Chamber of Commerce. "Everybody in the world is going to be watching this convention, so why not show Golden?" Georgette Haddad, a 12-year resident who said she once lived in Saudi Arabia, is glad the broadcaster chose Golden. Haddad called al-Jazeera "a window on the Middle East." She wants its viewers to know that she's worried about America's future. But she probably won't be interviewed on the Buffalo Rose's patio with South Table Mountain in the background. Previously selected townspeople will discuss the economy and the war at the bar, while health and environment will be topics at City Manager Mike Bestor's barbecue. Bestor arranged the event when Ingle suggested it as a way to give the broadcast a true American flavor. Wink said the interviewees are "very upbeat people who believe in Golden. The clientele at the Buffalo Rose gets a little different." The bar, known to regulars as "The Buff," caters to locals in biker wear, the lunch crowd and flocks of tourists. Jimmy Jurkulak, informal mayor of The Buff, quaffed a beer as he complained that his rights "are being taken away day by day." The 67-year-old retired carpenter added, "What I want is to be left alone." Nearby, Natalie Marino, a single mom, said she doesn't plan to vote: "None of the candidates is anyone I'd pick anyway." Marino worries about services for the homeless and is ambivalent about the Iraq war — although "if my 17-year-old son were drafted, I'd be against it." The night of Obama's speech, city manager Bestor will flip burgers and hot dogs — though they'll contain no pork out of respect for the diet of al-Jazeera's many Muslim viewers — at the guest-list get-together. Firefighter Tom Young, paralyzed from the neck down 20 years ago while rescuing a hang glider, will be among those talking about health care. Mayor Smith and members of the committee on sustainability, a major city effort, will discuss the environment. "This is an international broadcast, and we're trying to show the world that we're decent, happy people," Bestor said. "So we welcome them. They (viewers) can see what life in Golden is all about and maybe they can decide not to hate us."
Al Jazeera's slice of the west to feature Golden at Bar and BBQ.
No pork products will be served out of deference to the millions of Muslim viewers watching. That's right, folks. Our muslim friends can't even watch pork being bbq'd. Dhimmi, dhimmi, dhimmi. Makes me want a hot dog right now.
...120 million households in 80 countries will get a selective snapshot of the West when al-Jazeera English pays a visit to Golden for two days during the Democratic National Convention. With its small-town atmosphere, Golden attracts mostly well-educated people with diverse opinions, many employed by Coors, the Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
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