Nuke's

From the New York Times:

Some of the Democratic missteps started soon after planning for the event began. The Democratic National Convention Committee decided not to take cheap office space and instead rented top-quality offices in downtown Denver at $100,000 a month, only to need less than half the space, which it then filled with rental furniture at $50,000 a month. And in a costly misstep, the Denver host committee, early on, told corporate donors that their contributions were not tax-deductible, rather than to encourage donations by saying that the tax-exempt application was pending and expected to be approved.

Overly ambitious environmental goals — to turn the event into a “green” convention — have backfired as only three states’ full delegations have so far agreed to participate in the program. Negotiations over where to locate demonstrators remain unsettled with members of the national news media concerned over proposals to locate the demonstrators — with their loud gatherings — next to the media tent.

And then there is the food: A 28-page contract requested by Denver organizers that caterers provide food in “at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white.” Garnishes could not be counted toward the colors. No fried foods would be allowed. Organic and locally grown foods were mandated, and each plate had to be 50 percent fruits and vegetables. As a result, caterers are shying away.

If I were a caterer, I’d run, not walk, away from that mess, particularly since when I took the contract, I might have to be planning my menu on a locally organically grown crop that may not have been planted yet. Yikes. Even with marking up the prices an additional 200% because I know they’re going to be pains in the butt to deal with, it wouldn’t be worth it. Luckily I don’t have to make my living catering to people’s food preferences.

I find it interesting as well that they do not trust their members to choose on their own what they wish to eat. Nope, no choices at the Democratic party convention because adults cannot be trusted to choose correctly if given choices. What are they afraid of, that the caterers will bring deep fried Twinkies as an appetizer and the delegates will ignore the rainbow of produce and pig out on that instead? *sigh* Well, maybe “locally grown” means California and at least the southerners can get some watermelon or cantelope. Plus maybe the delegates can sneak out and have some nachos, guacamole, and tamales when nobody is looking.

Now for that whole “green” mandate thing….what is it with the Democrats that they take more than twice what they need of the most expensive office space in Denver? One hundred thousand dollars a month in rent? A green mandate would be pitching a tent, putting in some Porta Potties and making do. Fifty thousand dollars a month for renting office furniture for unneeded space? Please. Apparently accountants are all Republicans.

Filed under: News and politics