Nope, NRA's not going to be here. And the only people with
firearms will be the police and Secret Service personnel providing
security for the event.
And they aren't kidding about security. During the week of the
RNC (beginning Sept. 1), there will be a security perimeter
enclosing a nine-block area of downtown St. Paul around the
Convention Center. Public transportation will be rerouted around
the secure area, and non-approved private vehicles will not be
allowed to use any of the parking ramps within the perimeter.
Basically, it will be a clusterfcuk downtown during the
convention. Many of the businesses located therein have encouraged
their employees to either telecommute or go on vacation during that
week. The federal building that I work in will be used as a command
center by the Secret Service, and access to it will consequently be
very restricted.
There will be protests and rallies during the entire week, and
the St. Paul police force has requested assistance from the law
enforcement agencies of neighbouring states in the form of
additional police officers.
I'm planning to telecommute that week, but might come into work
one day just to soak in the festive atmosphere and take pictures of
protesters being given the beat-down by the police. 
Atta boy! That's the spirit!! Nice to know that the Singaporean
Kay-poh-ness aka pak-gua-ness is still very much alive in
you! Harharhar!!
