Incoming

Arrived today in MSP. I wandered around the Nicollet Mall after picking up my media credentials. I hadn't really been in downtown Minneapolis since my first job after college. Took a few pix, then checked in and checked out the local news. The anarchists had some nice plans for us, but luckily we don't have to duck incoming from at least this bunch. Star-Tribune:

In a statement Saturday morning, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said the St. Paul raid targeted the RNC Welcoming Committee, a group he described as "a criminal enterprise made up of 35 self-described anarchists...intent on committing criminal acts before and during the Republican National Convention.

"These acts include tactics to blockade and disable delegate buses, breaching venue security and injuring police officers," Fletcher said. Deputies seized a variety of items that they believed were tools of civil disobedience: a gas mask, bolt cutters, axes, slingshots, homemade "caltrops" for disabling buses, even buckets of urine.

Lovely. What was the reaction of one local, a former city councilman?

"Said Thune: "Unless they come up with anthrax or weapons of mass destruction, I think they came up short."

Your guess whether he's faulting the police or egging on the anarchists.

I found the Illinois GOP hotel, surprised these musicians in the lobby, and down the mall took a pix of this ambiguous balloon. They were setting up for the UnConvention. Here's one of their YouTubes: