24-hours at Occupy Denver with Colorado Rep Wes McKinley

When I first told Representative Wes McKinley that "Occupy Denver is camping in your backyard", he responded with enthusiasm and started plans to join the movement.

Yesterday, Corey and an OD crew helped him get set up. Later, we had a dinner of rice and beans, attended parts of the GA, and met with Patricia Calhoun of Westword, who came over to visit with Wes.

After the GA, a group with a car-battery operated amplification system - Mute Man's Microphone - played with an open mic.

When we retired to the tipi, we found two Indians (First Occupiers?) guarding our tent. We had never met these guys but they took it upon themselves to sleep near the door of the tipi as our guards. I was impressed.

McKinley slipped into his bedroll like a glove. Much to my amazement, he was sound asleep in 5 minutes. I have to admit, I envied him as I tossed and turned most of the night. The band, the traffic, the honking, the partying and the incessant background city din - I wished I had taken my earplugs.

And later that night: