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 Merrilee Carlson of Families United invited me to join their organization for the American Carol premiere at the Convention Center today. I arrived early enough to catch a little of Civic Fest. Very cool exhibit, and I saw lots of attendees snapping up freshly-arrived McCain/Palin gear in the gift shop.
Then I ambled back to the beginning of the premiere. There was a no cameras or recording equipment rule and I complied. To my dismay, camera flashes were lighting the inside during the reception. I was able to use my cell phone, and offer a few postage stamp-sized pics. The spread was great: free drinks, great food and entertainment. Lee Greenwood was the headliner - getting everyone revved up with classic rock and country.
 I stepped outside and found Norm Coleman with actor Robert Davi near the red carpet backdrop. Then Jon Voight walked over and shook our hands. Later, Voight came up to me and Families United volunteers and spoke to us for several minutes. He gave the gold and blue star families very special attention, and sincerely cares for them and their "heroes serving the country."
My phone rang and I went out to the hall. When I hung up, I saw MIchael Medved standing next to me. I gulped, introduced myself and gave him a TrueNorth card. The masses were then led to the auditorium to watch the show. I sat with a great group of delegates from Maine, Virginia, Georgia and California. All were impressed with how welcome Minnesotans made them feel, and remarked how cool the Twin Cities was.
The movie was a hoot - typical Zucker humor with some fun cameos sprinkled in. The Michael Moore character is repeatedly b-slapped by General Patton (played by Kelsey Grammar) and Bill O'Reilly. Jon Voight played a very convincing George Washington. I had a print-out of the Michael Moore hurricane "joke" which the marketing crew snatched up to give actor Kevin Farley to read in his Michael Malone character later for the delegates. Heh.
 After the movie, Jon Voight was being interviewed by Roger Simon at Pajamas Media TV. He remarked how excited he was for Sarah Palin as the VP pick, how much she energized the party, and asked for prayers sent out to those in the area of Gustav.
Once outside, I was greeted to Code Pink gals holding a large constitution and singing "God Help America." To their dismay, most weren't paying attention to them. A family next to me pointed to them, then said, "Kids, there's your first look at a war protester." The singing was so bad, I began to howl like a dog and the kids joined me. Police and security was very tight, and the protest was peaceful (if not flat).
The convention schedule will be altered with the arrival of Gustav, but the delegates were treated to a first-class event today. Thank you, Merrilee and Families United. I'll be with you Labor Day for the Victory rally at Triangle Park!
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