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Anybody going to the inaguration?

Glad I not going and contributing to the huge carbon footprint going to be generated by this event. Good thing man made global warming is over.
 
I'm curious how shutting down 95% of vehicle traffic and severely restricting air traffic in the vicinity is going to create such a huge carbon footprint. I mean, it might, it just doesn't seem obvious to me.
 
I'm curious how shutting down 95% of vehicle traffic and severely restricting air traffic in the vicinity is going to create such a huge carbon footprint. I mean, it might, it just doesn't seem obvious to me.

Using data from the EPA, environmentalist organizations, and various news accounts, the group estimates more than 500 million pounds of CO2 will be released during the four-day inaugural festivities. Among the offenders:


  • The 600 private jets expected to fly visitors to and from the event will produce 25,320,000 pounds of CO2.
  • Personal vehicles could account for 262,483,200 pounds of CO2.
  • The horses in the parade will produce more than 400 pounds of CO2.
And if you don't have an idea what a pound of CO2 really means, consider this: The average household would take 57,598 years to produce as much CO2 as Obama's inauguration.
(Bolding mine)

There are a few sources for this so feel free to Google. I had found the above at http://www.freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=93988.


Sounds like someone hasn't done their research before making their claim.
Sounds like someone is wrong about that. Ouch.
 
Anyway, I've decided that I might to the parade. Not sure yet if I'll bother trying to get in for the event itself. Which areas are non-ticketed? Further back on the Mall behind the gray area? The webpage I found on it doesn't say.

EDIT: Yeah, travel to and from the area could bump carbon emmisions a bit. That quoted bit (I didn't check the link) doesn't compare this to everyday levels, though.
 
Lindley, if you've got the chance, I'd go. I don't buy that carbon crap anyway. But there are those that do and I wonder how they reconcile it. But oh well. For some this is a historic event. It would be a shame to miss if it in that case.
 
I'm curious how shutting down 95% of vehicle traffic and severely restricting air traffic in the vicinity is going to create such a huge carbon footprint. I mean, it might, it just doesn't seem obvious to me.

Using data from the EPA, environmentalist organizations, and various news accounts, the group estimates more than 500 million pounds of CO2 will be released during the four-day inaugural festivities. Among the offenders:


  • The 600 private jets expected to fly visitors to and from the event will produce 25,320,000 pounds of CO2.
  • Personal vehicles could account for 262,483,200 pounds of CO2.
  • The horses in the parade will produce more than 400 pounds of CO2.
And if you don't have an idea what a pound of CO2 really means, consider this: The average household would take 57,598 years to produce as much CO2 as Obama's inauguration.
(Bolding mine)

There are a few sources for this so feel free to Google. I had found the above at http://www.freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=93988.


Sounds like someone hasn't done their research before making their claim.
Sounds like someone is wrong about that. Ouch.

That article isn't taking into account all the people who won't be driving that day because of the inauguration. Virginians CAN'T drive into DC and most of DC is a no-drive zone. Your bolded stat is meaningless since DC itself produces MUCH more than that carbon during an average morning rush hour commute. People are being forced onto mass transit. Less carbon will be generated on the morning of 1/20 than on the morning of 1/21.
 
That article isn't taking into account all the people who won't be driving that day because of the inauguration. Virginians CAN'T drive into DC and most of DC is a no-drive zone. Your bolded stat is meaningless since DC itself produces MUCH more than that carbon during an average morning rush hour commute. People are being forced onto mass transit. Less carbon will be generated on the morning of 1/20 than on the morning of 1/21.

Here's the whole report. http://thechillingeffect.org/wp-content/themes/paalam-11/CarbonBigfoot.pdf. And it looks like they are including Jan 19-21.

Hopefully BHO doesn't make us all sacrifice in the future just for his special day.
 
I didn't say he was closing anything. I'm talking about the sacrifices he says we'll all have to make. I've made mine. And I don't want to pay carbon friggin credits in taxes to make up for his inauguration.
 
I think I'm probably going. Certainly to the parade, maybe to the event itself (or at least the screens near it). I have a friend who *might* be coming along, not sure yet on that....
 
You won't be able to go to both. If you stay for the ceremony then the entire parade route will already be packed and you won't be able to find a space.
 
For some absurd reason, I decided to go to the big concert and brave the crowds. I figured since it was in walking distance of where I live, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. A sort of dress rehearsal for Tuesday. I managed to get close enough to the LM to see everyone as themselves, rather than faint smudges or dots. Since I don't have a ticket to the actual Inauguration ceremony, this will have to suffice.

And would you know it, it really wasn't that bad. A decent mix of talents kept everyone sufficiently entertained, and it didn't quite turn into the Obamajaculation I thought it would (sorry Squiggy). And, of course, it was free! The great walls of porta-potties were hilarious, though I'd guess they still don't have nearly enough for Tuesday.

A note of caution: If you're going to any of the events (ceremony, Mall outside ceremony, parade, etc.), GET THERE EARLY FOR THE LOVE OF THE GOD! Otherwise, you will regret it. Oh and take a good, long piss before you go. It may seem obvious, but still. :techman:

Was the first time I'd seen Obama speak in person and while I wasn't all that impressed (same sorta speech as in Delaware yesterday), I was struck by the silence of the mob when Obama spoke (unlike with all the others), like they were in some kind of trance. It was kinda...odd, but not in a bad way.
 
That did concern me. I suppose it'll be a matter of seeing how things look on the day. I mean, if I can't get close enough to see well for the ceremony anyway, I may as well line up for the parade. But if I can, that's really the more important of the two. Eh, I'll figure something out....
 
Lindley, if you're anywhere outside of the 'ticketed' ceremony area (it's very large), you're pretty much not going to see anything but what's on the screens. When I was down there today, it seemed as if they have the screens all the way through the Mall. If you're not too concerned with being up close to the Capitol, then this gives you a lot of options. According to the Washington Post, there won't be any Jumbotrons along the parade route, so if the ceremony is what's most important, you'll absolutely have to skip the parade.

It's one or the other. You'll have to figure it out by Monday, because once you choose one it'll be virtually impossible to choose the other. Either way, getting there early is everyone's best bet. Stake out a spot and be prepared to stand around waiting...a lot.
 
My plan is to get to the mall early (Smithsonian station is closed), hunker down, watch the Obamagasm and then walk to work and wait there as the crowds disperse a little.

Then, while everyone is busy and distracted...I'll take over the city. BWAH HA HA HA!!!
 
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