Anybody going to the inaguration?
- Thread starter Danoz
- Start date
Well, to be fair people get annoyed and will usually respond when someone
is being irritating. But of course accepted and course has been corrected to
compensate for the deviation.
S
Stone_Cold_Sisko
Guest
I'm at work so I'll probably check in from time to time via hulu's video stream, and watch any speech I miss on youtube. hooray for new media
this thread is a good example of how 'tone-deaf' some of the political extremists are. There are times to argue with them, and then every once in a while there is a time where you don't have to argue, you just be quiet and let them talk.... knowing that it reflects far more badly on them that way.
this thread is a good example of how 'tone-deaf' some of the political extremists are. There are times to argue with them, and then every once in a while there is a time where you don't have to argue, you just be quiet and let them talk.... knowing that it reflects far more badly on them that way.
From the Rocky Mountain News sports cartoonist.
Roberts read back the oath incorrectly, that's what tripped him up.
I like you Mr Obama, not that the opinion of one British woman means anything. Good luck in your office, good luck to your country, good luck to our world.
Certainly a President for the world. He's the kind to listen to all voices.
Certainly a President for the world. He's the kind to listen to all voices.
Even mine, I would hope.
You didn't get time out from class, for this? What an outrage!
I had a half-fighting chance of going, but ended up not putting in for annual leave to go across the pond in time, but going by the crowd estimates that are coming through, I'm glad I didn't. The embassy in Riyadh had a shindig (replete with discretely-served alcohol), so we all just watched it on CNN. It's 11pm here, it's a 4-hour drive back to the compound, I'm tired as all get-out, but I was glad to see history in the making. The locals seem to be very optimistic about this, too, quite fitting with the "new way forward" headlines re: foreign policy here...
Before Squiggy cleared that up, I thought "In his shoes, I'd get stage fright too!"RoJoHen said:
EDIT: Actually, I tell a lie. The first thing that went through my brain was that at least he isn't as tounge-tied as his predecessor... *hides from flame fallout*
And LOL, Obamastock...
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Unfortunate he bollocked up the oath, unfortunate it was read incorrectly to him, but man what a great speech afterwards.
New favourite quote. And probably my new sig.
New favourite quote. And probably my new sig.
It was wonderful! It was cold, but I've been in worse weather for far more insignificant reasons, and it was worth it. I have never seen so many people in my life. Ever.
I'm generally not a crowd person and it was hectic in the beginning. I didn't get as close as I wanted to, but no biggie. You couldn't see anything unless you had a ticket anyway, so you had to just be in the moment. It was always going to be a crowd-based event. If you don't get moved by crowds, then this event was not for you.
I thought the speech was great. Not an "ask not what your country..." speech to be certain, but still good. Never have you seen so many people become almost totally silent. But the real moment was the swearing in. And that was a moment.
All of my cynicism was put aside for that moment, and I fully embraced being a (albeit tiny) part of an historic event and acknowledging the sacrifice of Americans, of all backgrounds, that made it possible. America may inaugurate dozens more black or other non-WASPM presidents, but there will only be one "first".
I will never forget this day and don't regret a moment of (relatively minor) inconvenience.
All my best hopes to President Obama and the nation in these trying times.
BTW, I wish like hell I could go to the parade, but alas my teleportation skills seem to be lacking of late.
I'm generally not a crowd person and it was hectic in the beginning. I didn't get as close as I wanted to, but no biggie. You couldn't see anything unless you had a ticket anyway, so you had to just be in the moment. It was always going to be a crowd-based event. If you don't get moved by crowds, then this event was not for you.
I thought the speech was great. Not an "ask not what your country..." speech to be certain, but still good. Never have you seen so many people become almost totally silent. But the real moment was the swearing in. And that was a moment.
All of my cynicism was put aside for that moment, and I fully embraced being a (albeit tiny) part of an historic event and acknowledging the sacrifice of Americans, of all backgrounds, that made it possible. America may inaugurate dozens more black or other non-WASPM presidents, but there will only be one "first".
I will never forget this day and don't regret a moment of (relatively minor) inconvenience.
All my best hopes to President Obama and the nation in these trying times.
BTW, I wish like hell I could go to the parade, but alas my teleportation skills seem to be lacking of late.
I find it funny that the estimated crowd size made up of the equivalent of half the population of New Zealand.
My teacher was kind enough to dismiss everyone. I went to a commons area where they had a couple TVs set up. It was very crowded for the oath and the speech. Very cool.
You think that would get you flamed around here? Hardly. 
Obamastock, Obamagasm, you name it. I was there. Quite a day. I was hoping I'd have some company, but none of the three people I asked to join me were able to make it. (Can you believe excuses like "I'm still in Colorado"? The nerve!)
I set out from home shortly before 10am. Since the radio was saying most of the metro lots were full, I elected to park at George Mason and ride the bus to the Metro. That worked out fine. I left the metro at Farragut West, as I recall; it may have been North, I can never keep those two straight. This was about 11:15am. I don't yet know DC well enough to beeline for where I want to be, but as it turned out that wasn't necessary; I just followed the EVERYONE ELSE EVER.
That took me to the Washington Monument, near which I had a pretty decent view of one of the Jumbotrons. I was at the back of a sizable crowd and I forgot my glasses; but I did better than some people. I heard on the metro ride coming back that many of those holding purple tickets didn't get in at all due to some kind of proceedural foul-up, and they didn't have a Jumbotron to watch.
Temperature-wise I wasn't too bad. A lot of people were cold, but I'm from New England: I know how to dress in layers. I had a down jacket over a cotton hoodie over a wool sweater over a long-sleeve cotton shirt. Two of those had hoods, and I brought light gloves. I was fine.
Anyway, what I could make out of the speech sounded pretty good; I'll find the rest on YouTube sometime. Once that was over, the slow trickle back up 18th street turned into a flood, which I allowed myself to become part of. Once the crowd had cleared the White House, it split: Those heading for the Metro, and those staying for the parade.
In retrospect, I probably should have just left. But I didn't. Instead I turned east and started tracing the northern boundary fence of the parade route. For a time I stopped in a Borders and picked up hot choclate, some books, and a bathroom break. Then I resumed prowling the perimeter.
I originally intended to pass through one of the security checkpoints to see the parade close-up. However, they didn't seem to be letting people in at any of them for whatever reason, so I just kept heading east rather than standing in a non-moving line. I found a decent vantage point on 6th street where I could see the route from outside the security perimeter, about 300 feet away.
And then I waited. And waited. The parade was an hour late starting. Why? I heard later it was due to medical problems with Senator Kennedy. Don't know if that's true. Some guy from the Washington Post came up and asked me a few questions during that time. Maybe my name will pop up in an article somewhere, it's possible.
By the time the parade began, everyone was tired of waiting, and even I was getting cold. And the individual units of the parade seemed *extremely* spaced out----very unimpressive. But when Obama walked by-----yes, he was walking alongside the armored cars-----I'm pretty sure I saw him. Again, forgot the glasses, but I'm guessing the waving guy was him. Did I mention my camera chose this day to reveal that it mysteriously had no charge?
The parade continued after that, but nobody stuck around. Those inside the security fence started trying to follow Obama up the parade route. This was made difficult, probably intentionally, by the inner fence which extended a short distance up each side street. Those of us outside the security perimeter mostly just headed for the metro.
I did patronize one of the ubiquitous T-shirt vendors just before descending into Metro Center. Desperate to finish moving their stock, they'd dropped the prices to $5 by then. That's a good price for any T-shirt.
One last bit of drama on the way back....after departing the metro, I hopped on a bus back to George Mason and my car. Except, in one of the stupidest moves I've ever made, I somehow managed to get off the bus at the wrong place. In fact when I looked around after the bus drove away I realized I had no idea where I was. Fortunately I found a major road nearby and, upon inspecting the map in a bus stop, realized I was only about 10 minutes' walk from my destination. What's a tad more walking on a day like this?
I set out from home shortly before 10am. Since the radio was saying most of the metro lots were full, I elected to park at George Mason and ride the bus to the Metro. That worked out fine. I left the metro at Farragut West, as I recall; it may have been North, I can never keep those two straight. This was about 11:15am. I don't yet know DC well enough to beeline for where I want to be, but as it turned out that wasn't necessary; I just followed the EVERYONE ELSE EVER.
That took me to the Washington Monument, near which I had a pretty decent view of one of the Jumbotrons. I was at the back of a sizable crowd and I forgot my glasses; but I did better than some people. I heard on the metro ride coming back that many of those holding purple tickets didn't get in at all due to some kind of proceedural foul-up, and they didn't have a Jumbotron to watch.
Temperature-wise I wasn't too bad. A lot of people were cold, but I'm from New England: I know how to dress in layers. I had a down jacket over a cotton hoodie over a wool sweater over a long-sleeve cotton shirt. Two of those had hoods, and I brought light gloves. I was fine.
Anyway, what I could make out of the speech sounded pretty good; I'll find the rest on YouTube sometime. Once that was over, the slow trickle back up 18th street turned into a flood, which I allowed myself to become part of. Once the crowd had cleared the White House, it split: Those heading for the Metro, and those staying for the parade.
In retrospect, I probably should have just left. But I didn't. Instead I turned east and started tracing the northern boundary fence of the parade route. For a time I stopped in a Borders and picked up hot choclate, some books, and a bathroom break. Then I resumed prowling the perimeter.
I originally intended to pass through one of the security checkpoints to see the parade close-up. However, they didn't seem to be letting people in at any of them for whatever reason, so I just kept heading east rather than standing in a non-moving line. I found a decent vantage point on 6th street where I could see the route from outside the security perimeter, about 300 feet away.
And then I waited. And waited. The parade was an hour late starting. Why? I heard later it was due to medical problems with Senator Kennedy. Don't know if that's true. Some guy from the Washington Post came up and asked me a few questions during that time. Maybe my name will pop up in an article somewhere, it's possible.
By the time the parade began, everyone was tired of waiting, and even I was getting cold. And the individual units of the parade seemed *extremely* spaced out----very unimpressive. But when Obama walked by-----yes, he was walking alongside the armored cars-----I'm pretty sure I saw him. Again, forgot the glasses, but I'm guessing the waving guy was him. Did I mention my camera chose this day to reveal that it mysteriously had no charge?
The parade continued after that, but nobody stuck around. Those inside the security fence started trying to follow Obama up the parade route. This was made difficult, probably intentionally, by the inner fence which extended a short distance up each side street. Those of us outside the security perimeter mostly just headed for the metro.
I did patronize one of the ubiquitous T-shirt vendors just before descending into Metro Center. Desperate to finish moving their stock, they'd dropped the prices to $5 by then. That's a good price for any T-shirt.
One last bit of drama on the way back....after departing the metro, I hopped on a bus back to George Mason and my car. Except, in one of the stupidest moves I've ever made, I somehow managed to get off the bus at the wrong place. In fact when I looked around after the bus drove away I realized I had no idea where I was. Fortunately I found a major road nearby and, upon inspecting the map in a bus stop, realized I was only about 10 minutes' walk from my destination. What's a tad more walking on a day like this?
