At 5,280 Feet, the Party Atmosphere Is Thin

[groovedaddy]

DENVER

EVEN if the modern presidential convention has become a largely symbolic affair, the constant flow of nightly parties and celebrations has always been reason enough to keep the stodgy tradition going.

But this year at the Democratic National Convention, there is a new complaint being whispered by disgruntled guests: partying in Denver is a downer.

“Normally at conventions, you’d have people regaling you with what happened the night before,” said Emil Hill, a Washington communications executive who has been party-hopping steadily all week. “This time, not a single person has given me a story. I guess when you lose two elections in a row, people learn from that.”

Blame nervous Democrats who are remembering their brash optimism in 2000 and 2004. Or the party leaders who have warned attendees not to drink because of the altitude. Or the tangled logistics of getting around Denver, with its sprawling layout that has left delegates, executives, lobbyists and the news media stranded in hotels up to 30 miles from the convention site, and locked in battle over scarce cabs at midnight. (It’s hard to party when you can’t get home.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/fashion/28parties.html?th&emc=th

[Aviation Pro]

1. Go to Mt. Evans (about an hour away).....

Altitude 14,260' and you can drive there.

[tridim]

2. "I guess when you lose two elections in a row, people learn from that"

No NYT, when two elections in a row are blatantly STOLEN and our legal system doesn't seem to care, people learn from that.

[groovedaddy]

3. Consuming alcohol at higher elevations can be problematic too...

One drink can have the effect of two or three, etc. Maybe people are just getting to shit faced?

[Warpy]

5. So can just getting around if you're a flatlander

There's really not enough oxygen at a mile up and it takes your body a few weeks to produce enough extra red blood cells for you to cope with it.

Until then, you just poop out early.

[TheCoxwain]

4. If you are from Denver..

Please be there to cheer our next president ... I know if 72000 people turn up - the cameramen from CNN will be forced to zoom in on the 3000 empty seats ..which will spun into you know what ...


So get your asses moving tonight.