Let's discuss.

The reason I didn't get to talk to Hillary Clinton

By Gretchen Baer


The reason I didn't get to talk to Hillary Clinton is because there were all these old ladies in wheelchairs in my way.



So what if women couldn't even vote when they were young. So what if they waited all their lives for this moment. Sure they probably dreamed of a day when a woman could run for president, and (almost) win. Ya ya, but they were in my way.



Oh I suppose they must have worked hard to get to see Hillary. Suffered through airports, physical discomforts, grueling lines, bla bla bla. Plus they probably are delegates and spent the year phone-banking or something. Big deal. I've had it worse.

What about me, huh? I had to crawl out from under my hang-over to attend this event. I had to make a fake Shirley Partridge DNC credentials badge for this. I suppose nobody even thinks of all the trouble I've gone through!

I was tempted to give their wheelchairs a push and send them packing. I thought of telling them that I'm sure someone just like Hillary Clinton will come along next year.
But Hillary seemed to be genuinely enjoying talking to these ladies. She seemed to have some kind appreciation for these women and all they've gone through or something.
Go figure. They were still in my way.

Who should I run into after the Hillary event but my next door neighbor Mark Stitches. Mark made my donkey ears the night before I left for Denver. Mark had just gotten into town and is reporting from the convention for our local radio station. I got to be his first interview.



I'm showing off my DNC credentials, the "Mother of the group" Shirley Partridge. The truth is, I'd hoped to get into the Hillary event for her delegates, so I did my best to dress the part and fake my credentials.

Here's a cool photo that AFP photographer, Robyn Beck took.



Besides using the Hillary masks for this photo, the only other use I found for hauling these to Denver was for sleeping purposes. The floor was hard so I slept on the masks. I can literally say that while I was in Denver, Hillary had my back!

Thanks to my dear friend Judy Nagle, I had the great fortune to see Hillary today in Denver.
Here are some photos I took at the event. I felt like I was visiting an old friend, and it made me very happy and a bit sad all at the same time.















I also got the chance to thank Terry McCaluffe. He told me to keep the Hillcar going!



Now I'm tired and coming back home. It's been a long wild year and I'm thankful to have had the chance to participate in this historic event.
I'm glad I got the chance to come to Denver. It provided the catharsis I needed.



Hillary, you are my hero and my inspiration. Thank you for all you've done, and continue to do every day. We are all very lucky to have you in the world.

Gretchen

When we arrived at the "18 million voices" march, these sign-toting Hillary girls and I couldn't find even one voice. We finally spotted the Hillary march off in the distance. I took this photo while running down the street to catch up to it. "18 Million voices"turned out to be around 300 voices. Not bad I suppose considering each person had to make their own way to Denver. We marched off into nowhere-land. We ended up in some empty complex of buildings. I don't think anyone except ourselves and the media saw the march. Well, more media for us I suppose! I was happy to see my friend Robyn, an APF photographer who was on the Hillary trail for some months. Chili, Robyn and I split the scene in a rikshaw to get some lunch. My ears successfully obliterated both Chili and Robyn's face. Oops. Lunch was the best part of the day, so far. We'll be hitting the streets again soon.

A cool downtown sculpture.



Chili Cilch, my partner in crime.



John Dando, our wonderful host.



John West, making it all happen as always.

Denver is crawling with DNC riot squad SWAT team ghost buster fashionistas.



The thing is though, they seem to be some of the friendliest people around. They're just hanging out. They aren't important acting politicos with cell phones, which seems to be the most prevalent type of people around here.




If you beg them, they'll even cuff you.



I wonder what I'm going to have to do to wind up in the pen?



Hmmm....

We're here!

The Tucson airport is the only airport I know where you can order sushi at 5 AM, AND get your boots shined, more or less at the same time.
My big black boots are shiny bright and ready to kick some butt. I'm disappointed that Hillary is releasing her delegates, but what are you gonna do, spit on your shoe?
( no photo available)

Although I'm only in a Tucson hotel room, it feels like I'm back on the road again for Hillary. I've got a suitcase full of Hillary masks and a head full Hillary dreams. I really don't care what other people think, or what they yell from their cars at me and my Hillcar, I'm still a believer. I get asked every day when I'm going to repaint my car, and the answer is always the same.... never. Hillary rocks the most, always!



I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my Hillary friends who are converging in Denver. John West, Jenny Lou, Suzanne, Judy, and Chili.
Let's kick some ass and have a blast!

Gretchen has already begun her journey to Denver, so I, her secretary "Dresna", will take it from here.
Gretchen wants you to know that "Operation Secure Mother Eagle" is in full effect and that working together, we shall indeed see to it that Mother Eagle prevails!
If you see a woman in Donkey ears at the convention,whisper the secret password to her. She will give you further instructions from there.


Here is a horrible computer drawing Gretchen attempted and failed miserably at before she left H.Q. I decided to post it because it contains necessary clues.

The password is "Mother Eagle." Shhhh...

Dresna
Secretary to Big Brass

After my year and a half foray into politics, it's my understanding that politics is mainly about fashion. So let's talk politics...

I've decided that campaign wear at the conventionis a giant no-no. It's yesterday's news that verges on pathetic. So I've decided on the "subtle yet elegant" look.
I'll be wearing a black t-shirt with "Hillary " written in black sparkly writing. A black leather ripped-up skirt with an "H.R.C." monogram, also in black sparkles, and Black lace-up boots, of-course.
Top this off with a pork-pie hat with furry donkey ears.
For night, I'm adding a black floor-length sheer duster, and a hideous gold sparkle short-sleeve jacket with shoulder pads to make even Joan Crawford blush.
This this the only outfit I'm bringing, so I won't waste time photographing it now. You'll be seeing it plenty over the next few days. I think it should work well with the "Obama Girl" look I'll also be working. I think it will add that "touch of class" to any of my many Hillary masks I'll be toting along.
"Subtle yet elegant" is feeling like my ticket to the convention.
YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!

There's a SH*T STORM brewing and it coming our way! Lock your doors, and get under cover, and whatever you do, don't watch the news! If you must go outside wear protective riot gear as shown below!



August 23rd will be forever known as SH*T STORM SATURDAY! The sh*t is going to hit the fan! You have been warned!

PASS IT ON!

Dear Gretchen,

I am contacting you form a Japanese public TV called NHK. For our upcoming news story, we are looking to hear from a Hillary supporter who has not decided whom to vote for, be it Obama, McCain or otherwise.

If you could possibly refer us to such person in your group contacts, we would appreciate it very much. Since our crew will be from New York City,some place near by up to Boston area might be nice. Please note that this is time sensitive and we would like to get in touch with such person as soon as possible.

Again, please point us to the right direction, as we are trying to get the real woman's voice in our election coverage.

Thank you for your time.


--
Ryoko Iguchi
NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corp.


Contact me ( Gretchen) if your interested. Chew-mee, don't even think about it!

I don't know about you, but my head is full of conspiracy theories these days. Too many of Hillary's delegates seem to be dropping off and/or dropping dead. I've heard multitudes of stories from friends working with Hillary delegates or who are delegates themselves, about the Obama campaign using fear tactics, threats, and intimidation to force Hillary delegates to support Barrack. Many have been quietly and not so quietly removed and replaced with Obama delegates. These were the lucky ones.
At least they live to tell the tale. Some weren't quite so lucky. Take for instance Bill Gwatney, a close friend of Hillary's and a Clinton super delegate for Arkansas. He was murdered a couple of weeks ago. Now Stephanie Tubbs Jones is dead, one of Hillary's top supporters and super delegate for Ohio.
Dianne Feinstein will also not be attending the Democratic National Convention due to a broken ankle. She is also one of Hillary's top supporters, and is of-course a super delegate. She was going to chair California's delegation in Denver. I for one am getting suspicious!
Coincidence or conspiracy...
you decide.

By Disco Jeri



Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was my hero. She had such integrity, and she was such a great woman and amazing public official. I feel so blessed that I had the good fortune of meeting her this year and telling her to her face that she was my hero. She was the only member of the U.S. House of Representatives to rise to challenge the electoral vote of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. In 2000, she was not joined by a single Senator, but in 2004, she was joined by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer of California. This resulted in a full debate outlining voter irregularities and how it impacted the outcome of the 2004 presidential election. She was a champion of civil and equal rights and she had the courage to stand up in support of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and lead her Ohio delegation in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Election. Even though I am not from Ohio, she made a difference in my life and lives of people across this land. I was so profoundly affected by her courage and by her leadership. I am so deeply saddened by her passing; But every time I look at this photo, I feel energized...energized to care, and to keep working to make a positive difference in the world. She was truly my hero.-- And her spirit lives on! Jeri

1. Bag of Hillary masks

2. Scary Obama Girl costumes

3. 8' by 10' "Hillary Clinton Army Wants You!" sign

4. H.C.A. buttons and cards, Hillary paraphernalia

5. camera, video camera, computer

5. toothbrush

Am I forgetting anything?

H.C.A. Bloggie awards make a great toy for the cat too! Take it from Sarah's cat, Tigger.