The downside of patriotic displays at the DNC/Obama acceptance speech

The stars and stripes, supersized. Shortly after the speakers began appearing at Barack Obama's Invesco Field at Mile High acceptance shindig, crews of yellow-smocked minions (whose activities at the Pepsi Center during the DNC were documented here and here) materialized and began giving small American flags to each member of...

By Michael Roberts

August 29, 2008

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The stars and stripes, supersized.

Shortly after the speakers began appearing at Barack Obama's Invesco Field at Mile High acceptance shindig, crews of yellow-smocked minions (whose activities at the Pepsi Center during the DNC were documented here and here) materialized and began giving small American flags to each member of the crowd. But these apparently didn't create an impressive enough backdrop for a cadre of military leaders who threw their support to Obama. Hence, the smocked ones reappeared with enormous flags and searched for volunteers to wave them -- and unluckily for us, a guy sitting directly in front of us signed up. As a result, we saw little of the stage until the flag-bearer handed off the banner to a guy sitting over a stairwell, who could move it back and forth without blocking anyone. That was one decision I saluted. -- Michael Roberts

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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