New York: Power and Babble

Seems like everyone in New York City has found their voice and they are speaking in a million tongues. The Republican National Convention (RNC) begins today with their message focused on trust and security. The Republicans currently hold power in both the Congress and the White House, but they are locked in a very tight election. Focused on projecting a moderate image, the party has a keynote speaker line up of popular moderate Republicans such as Rudy Guilliani and Arnold Schwarzenager. John McCain speaks tonight. In an interesting twist, John McCain currently appears in campaign ads for both parties. You can keep up with the whole schedule and listen to speakers on the official convention site.

Adding to the din in the city are some of the 250,000 protesters who filled the streets of New York yesterday in a very peaceful event. With no permits for the next few days, demonstrators may face big orange nets and arrest. The most colorful voice, is by far the bevy of Broadway (and slightly off Broadway) theater productions as protest.

With so many messages and voices and all that drumming, New York will surely be the city that does not sleep. At least, not for the next four days.


BIRDS & BEES: Easy come, easy go: NYC sex clubs don't expect to feel too much Convention-related business.

HOLLYWOOD: Who needs celebrities when you have all the corporations? Aside from Arnold, few stars expected for Republican Convention.

JOCKS: Hoops hiatus from Madison Square Garden: GOP event forces New York Liberty to relocate to Radio City Music Hall.

TECHNOLOGY: These are the original flash mobs: Naked protesters bare their grievances in New York.

TUNES: Black is cooler than either red or blue: GOP event honoring Johnny Cash draws anger from fans who claim he was a Democrat.

WEB SURF: And now for something complete different: Moveon launches "10 Weeks: Don't Get Mad, Get Even" advertising campaign.

Movin' and groovin'? Don't forget to update your address on that voter registration!