I wrote a post on the Reuters blog here.
Please note that my father is so far the only one who has commented on it (he tends to do that :]).
To sum it up, a bunch of Indian-Americans (and many others here) thought the convention was actually happening in Minneapolis. That’s because both cities are technically hosting (neither is capable of accommodating the crowds on its own). But they’re both hosting it in name only, because EVERYTHING happens in St. Paul.
When I went to the Indo-American dinner Tuesday, it was in Minneapolis. I wondered at that; it takes a good forty minutes to get out there from the Xcel Center.
Once everyone was leaving the dinner, I realized what had happened. Practically all of these guys are staying in Minneapolis, and let me tell you – that trek is frustrating to make. Public transportation in the Twin Cities is not nearly extensive enough to manage it, plus a large area around the convention is blocked off to anything but registered vehicles (I was originally staying with a newspaper lady out in Minn., but Reuters switched me to their hotel complete with direct shuttle after it took me THREE HOURS to come in on Monday. In fairness, the buses were riding on holiday schedule).
People staying in Minnesota are usually without car and generally not allowed on the shuttles – which tend to be for delegates or press. So they’re taking cabs. That adds up to about $50 bucks a day. No small price to pay, but they love McCain.Kishan Putta, national director of Indians for McCain, told me he squeezed five people “Indian style” into the last cab he took, to make the cost worthwhile.
I won’t give away the secret of why staying in Minneapolis ended up being the most exciting decision they could have made. You’ll have to read my Rooters post for that.
Mallika: I tried to post comments twice and it did’nt work? What gives?
OK. here it is: These Indians………… might be offended by the tone. Although I know what you meant. They sure are not “confused”. What you meant was they confused us Americans:)
Why are they confused? Because they are staying in Minneapolis or is there another reason for them to be confused? Also to second Yo Dad, “these Indians” sounds worse than the intent.
my respect for Medill is plummeting. Is it just me or has Sepia jumped the shark?
4 · Artiste said
Sorry, who is Medill? And if we’ve jumped the shark, why are you still commenting? 🙂
Mallika, I think YoDad has a point (not surprising– he is, after all, YoDad!). I wonder if you’d be willing to clarify what you meant when you wrote “These Indians” and “confused”? 🙂
These Indians…meant the Indians at the dinner? I will change it, though I’m not quite sure why that’s offensive.
And confused was a take on ABCD. Sorry. No more attempts at clever.
Artiste – my friend Dan already told me he is you. So you can’t hurt my feelings.
5 · A N N A said
I think he means the school at uppity NU…we can’t get enough of them in Chicago…bah…
I’m guessing its a reference to one of youse going to Medill …
I’m sorry but as a republican I can’t help but notice the vast differences in quality between your coverage of the DNC and the posts on the RNC, excepting Abhi’s post on the medics. It feels like you scraped the bottom of the barrel in your attempt to present balance, which is even worse than not covering it at all
ANNA, Medill is the graduate school I got my Masters from. Dan AKA Artiste knows everything about me.
6 · Mallika said
I might have gone with “These people”, but I think we all knew what you meant, even with the less inclusive phrasing. The reason why some might find it offensive is because it’s a little like typing…”you people”. 😉
Awww, don’t say that! We’re all about the clever. 🙂
Hey! I left a comment my cousin Dharminder Singh Bodett at teh Motel Sikhs on your OG SM post about your blog entry (which has vanished.) He said he’d give y’all the desi discount and even left the light on for you!
Mallika
I was watching CSPAN yesterday (I know you laughed) and they had an interview with bloggers at the Convention. It was pretty cool, as a Republican, I was glad that the party was using technology to its benefit and Bloggers there were recognized and valued (Special Media!). They also said that they appreciated the facilities a lot and many said that they were better than the DNC.
Hope you are having a great time, and thank you for the notes.
Artiste,
There are VERY FEW Indians here. It’s all white people. And I’m also working for a wire service while I do posts for Sepia. If you don’t like my coverage (and I’m pretty sure you know, as well as I do, that you never will), please don’t read it. I am trying.
ok, not trying to be troll so I’ll lay off. As GOP member, I was excited to see vinod get some backup on SM, and this disappointed me a bit. Sorry to disturb, carry on
Artiste: I believe the DNC offered two passes to Sepia so they were able to cover it more thoroughly. I don’t believe the RNC offered any passes and Mallika, who is there for Reuters, is contributing in her spare time (I think).
All right people, move it along…nothing to see here. Back on topic, please.
Yes! Louiecypher, I love you. Artiste – it’s cool, let’s be friends.
I’m going to interview Kissinger in an hour. Anybody have Desi questions they want asked?
I’m going to interview Kissinger in an hour. Anybody have Desi questions they want asked?
Some questions:
a) His change of heart/ position re: India b) What does he think of Indo-US Nuclear deal? c) 1972, Does he have similar remorse like Robert McNamara (ref: Fog of War)?
One desi question – what is his take on the implications of the Indo-Pakistan Bangladesh independence war now? What does he think of Bangladesh’s progress as a state since he called it a “basketcase” (i think) decades ago.
One political question – what does he think of the International Criminal Court or other non-U.S. mechanisms of international justice? Is he worried it will increase his chances of arrest? I’ve heard he consults a lawyer every time he leaves the country.
I will try my best to ask those questions. Thanks.
How much money do you make Dr. Kissinger? You can’t get more desi than that
Why does he think it’s appropriate for India and pakistan to have nuclear weapons, but not Iran?
I don’t know why people bother talking to this man after his predictions on iraq proved to be so wrong. I won’t even mention the disaster he created with the vietnam. This man is a war lord.
17 · Mallika said
Do you still think Indians are bastards and that Indira Gandhi is a bitch?
18 · Kush Tandon said
Kush: I doubt he revisits old decisions, he probably sleeps better than I do. And while his actions during ’72 were so very wrong, it is easy to see why people were skeptical of India’s non-alignment
I just got it! You guys read it as Indian born people confused the Americans! I meant it as Indian born people who are now Americans are confused (about where the convention is). Indian-Born Confused Americans. Oh man, that was confusing on my part.
The interview with K is supposed to focus on how this is a Western ticket (Arizona/Alaska) and something about what that means…I need to do some research. But I am really going to try to ask your questions, although I’ll probably have to limit myself to just one. I think I may go with the Indo-American nuclear deal just because it’ll take the least amount of time to segue into (this is a roundtable discussion with other journalists present). If one of the other questions feels more appropriate, I’ll do that.
I don’t quite get this. I used to live in MSP and the public transport there is reasonably good – you cannot survive with just public transport long term but it is sufficient in Minneapolis and St Paul – especially during peak hours. But even during late nights. And Xcel energy center/St Paul is quite well connected to Minneapolis, especially from downtown – lot of people travel between the two all the time, it never took me more than 45minutes to an hour including bus waits. Even if one lives a little off downtown, one can take a cab which wont take more than $10 and take the buses from downtown Minneapolis.
7 · RahulD said
Why the Purple hating? You from school on the southside or sumthin’?
Mallika – Congratulations! Getting a chance to interview one of the most intriguing figure in recent history is surely a coup, especially for a novice journalist. If you get a chance, please ask him about his desi protege, Fareed Zakaria. Does he think that, Fareed Zakaria will follow in his footsteps and head the State Department someday? And if yes, which party prez is more likely to nominate him for the job? Personally, I think, if it ever happens, it will be under a Republican White House.
There clearly has been different coverage at Sepia Munity, however that has also been reflected in the mainstream media. In spite of the soap opera of Pallin’s pick on VP, the Republican convention feels flat and perfunctory at best and the excitement appears to be limited to the base. Perhaps I’ve been isolated not being around a concentrated number of Republicans or being in the NE portion of the country, but the message doesn’t seem to be reverberated past the convention hall.
In a lot of ways to me, this Republican convention evokes the 2004 Democratic convention. Personally, I wonder how the party will change in the next two presidential cycles especially in terms of courting minority votes and the changing demographic of the US which apparently is accelerating faster than predicted.
And for the record, I appreciate the extra effort Mallika is making to give us a balanced view in covering the convention. Thanks!
Hey guys! Was just driving by and wanted to say hello. Ack! drive-by-comment. hehehhee.
“There are VERY FEW Indians here. It’s all white people.”
Well, I think I’m glad to hear that. I’m always hoping my indian brethern will see the light and reject the dark side.
Heeeey, I posted a comment on here, but it’s not here. I told you that you did a good job. That’s weird. Ok, good job, M.