I realize that, but even after 9/11, people still managed to get home. Some rented cars, some took buses, trains and even taxicabs across the country. We're only talking about 2500 delegates. You're telling me that 2500 people, plus maybe another 2500 media people, couldn't find a way to get to Houston by August 27? Accomodations? Houston has a lot of Republicans, and--last resort--a few thousand of them open their homes to one or two convention guests each for the four days.
It would be worth it just to see the expressions on the faces of the punks in NY, when they suddenly discover they're in the wrong place. They'd still try to move the protest to Houston, but Houston just would not put up with it.