Legal Commentary

Denver Health Care Event Went Smoothly

By Jeralyn

I just got back from the health care event at the Stout St. medical clinic for the homeless, sponsored by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and attended by Colorado Reps. Diana DeGette and Jared Polis, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I got lots of pictures outside and was allowed inside for the press conference. I got right up front with the network camera crews and took lots of video. I also interviewed a 16 year old protester on why he objected to the health care bill. It will take me a while to upload, so check back.

There was no disruption of anything by the protesters. They were outside the clinic. Only 70 people, mostly press, were allowed inside the clinic. When I left at the end of the press conference, the street was empty. They had no effect on what went on inside. A total waste of their time.

Update: Videos and Photos below This is a 16 year old protester explaining to me why he opposes the health care reform bill. He lives in Lakewood, Colorado but grew up in Wasilia, Alaska.

I am uploading the remarks of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Reps. Diana DeGette and Jared Polis, and the spokesman for the Colorado Coalition of the Homeless now. Then still pictures.

Update: I forgot about this protester/loudmouth. He was pretty funny.

Update: Here's a 15 second video of the crowd shouting "health care now". They outnumbered the protesters. As for the signs the protesters were holding, here are a few:

Now onto the remarks at the closed press conference (The videos are coming in): Rep. Diana DeGette was first:

Rep. Jared Polis was up next:

(Note: I'll be adding links to the following as they finish uploading to You Tube.)

John P, Executive Director of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: (video coming)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the final speaker. (video coming)

Speaker Pelosi and Rep. DeGette took some questions. They weren't friendly questions, one assumed there were great divisions among the Democrats on health care reform. In response to another, Speaker Pelosi addressed the Democrats' support for the public option. (video coming)

I also got some handouts on both the health care reform bill, the use of stimulus funds and some facts and figures on both the homeless and specific projects the stimulus funds would be used for. One is the expansion of the Stout St. Medical Center and another is a 98 apartment complex called Residence Uptown Lofts. We even got design photos.

It ended around 4:00 pm. I was one of the first to leave, and the street outside was deserted. Not a soul in sight.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 06, 2009 (boomark / email).