My Big Adventure to the RNC Xcel Energy Center

Stopped by Wire Mesh Fencing at the RNC

St. Paul, Minnesota, Sept. 2 -- My impromptu visit to the RNC in St. Paul was anti-climatic. I could have gone to Minneapolis to see Ron Paul and Jesse Ventura at the Target Center, but didn't want to spend $17.76 for a ticket. I seldom visit St. Paul, other than to visit the Science Museum, The History Center, and the State Fair. St. Paul is one of those cities where it is easy to get lost. The street names and numbers have no rhyme or reason. Jesse Ventura once joked on The Late Show With David Letterman that the streets were designed by a bunch of drunk Irishmen. Therefore, I dutifully downloaded a map provided by St. Paul that clearly marked where it was OK to drive and to park.

I found a spot to park in a residential neighborhood and walked downtown. There was very little foot traffic or automobile traffic. There was the sound of helicopters overhead. I made my way down 7th and finally entered a caged-in area. I kept walking toward the Xcel Energy Center another block and finally reached a dead end. I was stopped by gates, security personnel and 10' metal security fencing. The Xcel Energy Center was right in front of me and I had a fabulous view it as well as the huge outdoor TV screen, if you can call it fabulous while viewing it through the metal grates of the security fencing.

I had planned on walking into the area and going to the Public Viewing Area close to the Xcel Energy Center. There would be speakers at the Open Forum Stage. They would each get 50 minutes to speak and on today's agenda during my planned visit were Marsha Cressy, Laura Helmueller, Earth Protector, Low Income Fellows "Lift" and Pro-Life Action Ministries.