To understand the difference between Denver's two dailies, you need go no further than their respective coverages of the anti-Bush protest here in Denver yesterday. Whether or not the appearance of 65 rabid Bush-haters in response to a Presidential visit is newsworthy is open to question, something the reporter for the News seems to have grasped. The Post reporter on the other hand (aided by the delightfully-named Karen Crummy), is under the delusion that the political rantings of 20-year-olds are worth the ink used to print them.

Among the Post's gems:

"It was exciting to be that close as he went by," said Lisa Arnolds, 26, of Denver a Kerry supporter. "He was probably looking away, ignoring all the dissent, though."

Looking away? Maybe if he knew where to look away from. Those limos are quiet.

Protesters were peeved that the president was attending the fundraiser where about 50 people contributed $25,000 to $50,000 per couple.

"I am blown away that anybody would spend that much for a plate," said Kate Breslin, 20, of Denver. "It's frustrating because so many people are unemployed and donors will be sitting in there listening to classical music and eating expensive meals."

Two words for you, Miss Breslin: George Soros. And these poor, unemployed people, whose ranks I may be about to join in a few weeks, can't afford classical music? Hell, unless it's a live string quartet, you probably helped pay for it. Colorado Public Radio has a 24-hour classical station. As for the meals, take another look at your videotape of that Democratic Unity Dinner a few months back. I don't think those are Chicken McNuggets they're chowing down on, disappointing though that might be to Bill Clinton.

Miss Breslin, if you were less busy protesting Presidential visits, and were majoring in something more useful than medieval women's art history, you too might have the chance, someday, to give $50,000 to the socialist of your choice.

Bernita Balekian, 25, of Denver said she takes Bush's stance against gay marriage personally.

"I'm bisexual," Balekian said. "It shouldn't be against the law to love someone."

Um, Bernita, it's not. And nice quote, by the way, managing to advertise in both the Looking For sections at once, for free, in a news article, at the newspaper's expense.

By contrast, the Rocky's correspondent can barely believe they sent him out to cover this tripe:

The president provokes his opposition to temper tantrums of such comprehensive scope, it was a challenge for demonstrators to boil down to a few words what it is about him that should tick off the rest of the country, too.

Boy, if that doesn't paint a picture of derangement, nothing will. When I was a kid, there was a huge sign on a local property (corner of Blake Lane and 123, if you must know), protesting something that someone had done to this guy. The message ran on for a couple of hundred words, and it probably took regular commnuters a few weeks to get through the whole thing, one red light at a time. The guy was clearly a lunatic. He had no chance against City Hall, but even something like "Bastards Stole My Land" would have had more of a shot.

Hecker had what appeared to be a 1,000-word manifesto printed on the back of his shirt. By comparison, his sign, "Today's lies threat: high," was a more visible message but far shorter on evidence.

He's here! We found him! Imagine that, after all these years, I've tracked down the guy, and he's living in my neighborhood. I'll have to ask him what that sign back in Vienna was all about. Isn't it glorious when you find pieces of your childhood still living and walking around?

Hecker said he was demonstrating against a president for the first time since the Reagan administration. He finally decided to do so, unsatisfied with complaining idly to several Republican friends.

"I'm here to do something to change the country for the first time in my life, besides sitting and arguing with people," Hecker said.

Sparago said her aim was similarly therapeutic.

"I'm just hoping that, by us being here, and (passers-by) hearing the horns honk, they understand that not everybody can just do what they want," she said.

But, "Do I think people out here are making a difference? No, and that's being honest," Sparago said. "I don't think it changes anybody's mind."

Lest anyone forget how much the Left hated Reagan, this says it all. I also like that line about the whole thing being "therapeutic." It pretty much sums up the entire political program of the Democrats and the Left.

On the other hand, maybe this article wasn't such a good idea. If the Kerry people read it, they may realize that this isn't such a battleground state after all, and we won't get to see them waste their money here.