The Great Lakes

Mark Kruzan
Bloomington, IN

All in all, it's been a fascination experience. Delegates have been given a unique opportunity to talk politics and issues with colleagues from across the nation. While our backgrounds vary significantly, the challenges we face share much in common.

And it isn't every day that you are interviewed by [NPR's] Nina Totenberg one minute only to urn around and have Al Franken from Comedy Central thrust a microphone in your face to respond to a bit less substantive question. Mayor John Fernandez and I had been keeping an unofficial count of recognizable media and political figures but soon lost count.

Quite frankly, the Democratic National Convention has not appeared as orchestrated as the Republican affair. I suppose that has it up- and downsides depending on your perspective. Personally, I've been pleased with the unbridled enthusiasm of the delegates – even it is has resulted in delays in the schedule. Spontaneity has been the order of the day.

On a somber note, incredibly tight, albeit necessary, security here drives home the message o how much has changed in our world. I was fortunate enough to travel to Israel and England last summer and was struck by the police presence and security measures. As delegates are transported to the United Center, our vans are swept by police using mirrors to check underneath our vehicles and bomb-sniffing dogs. I never thought I'd see the day such measures would be necessary in the United States. A sad commentary, but a stark reminder of what is at stake so far as the leadership of our country goes.....

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