You are currently viewing the stories for October, 2004
“Thank you for helping save democracy.”
by Thomas Beller 10/31/2004Neighborhood: Uncategorized
“Thank you for helping save democracy.” That is what the woman at the Cincinnati headquarters of the Kerry campaign said at the end of our call, after I had made plans to come to that city and help. I didn’t even know exactly what sort of help I could give, and when she said that […]
The Kerry Pumpkin and Realistic Street
by Thomas Beller 10/30/2004Neighborhood: Uncategorized
"Is the publicist here?" said a woman. "These two kids just brought their pumpkin carved with John Kerry’s face." Everyone at the table lifted their gaze to a young man in a blue T-shirt who stood there beside the woman. He looked a little bashful, and also eager, as though he had come to collect […]
Where is Peter Sellers When You Need Him?
by Thomas Beller 10/19/2004Neighborhood: Uncategorized
Where is Peter Sellers when you need him? The man who played three characters in Dr. Strangelove would have a field day with the Smith brothers, whose family owns the Sinclair Broadcast Group. Their office complex is in a modern facility in suburban Maryland, but each brother sits in his own identical dark wood paneled […]
Talking to Folmar Gun & Pawn, in Tallahassee, FL.
by Thomas Beller 10/19/2004Neighborhood: Uncategorized
“Hi I’m calling…” “About the boycott,” said the man’s voice. He spoke with a honeyed southern accent and sounded both weary and sympathetic, like a man whose next-door neighbor’s new puppy craps on his front door on a daily basis. “Well, yes,” I said. “That is the reason for the call. Let me start by […]
Driving with Signs
by Thomas Beller 10/12/2004Neighborhood: Uncategorized
All the Kerry-Edwards signs on Madburry Road in Dover, New Hampshire, got torn up on Friday night. The vandal left the signs for Democrats running in local races, but the national ticket was not so lucky. The next day people were resurrecting them. New Hampshire is a horse race right now, as it is elsewhere. […]
The Other Sinclair
by Thomas Beller 10/12/2004Neighborhood: Manhattan
There is a Sinclair Group at 80 Broad Street that is not the Sinclair Broadcasting Group that has agitated so many people with their plans for anti-Kerry propaganda. The receptionist at the other Sinclair, Joanne, is getting barraged with calls from people like me. By the time I spoke with Joanne I had spent the […]
A Bar Called Denial
by Dara Colwell 10/06/2004Neighborhood: SoHo
It was my last few hours in New York City, enough time to swig several drinks with a friend before catching a shuttle to La Guardia. I was booked on a red-eye flight back to San Francisco, so with soliciting a few gin and tonics foremost in mind, I headed straight to the bar. Denial […]