Posted on 01/11/2009 6:32:44 AM PST by Libloather
Advice for those going to the inaugural
By Bartholomew Sullivan, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Sunday, January 11, 2009
WASHINGTON -- Think of it as an opportunity to stand still for up to six hours in the freezing cold, shoulder-to-shoulder and front-to-back with hundreds of thousands of complete strangers.
Do you really want to go to the inauguration of Barack Obama as the country's 44th president?
If you do, be forewarned. Here's a compendium of practical advice gleaned from Secret Service, inaugural committee and other briefings in recent weeks:
Plan on it being very cold, and probably wet. You can't bring an umbrella, so pack a poncho or two and some chemical hand-warmers and think about boots and wool socks. Some of the museums -- and all of the Smithsonians -- along the National Mall will be open for warmth and bathrooms. Consider this advice from the Congressional Inaugural Committee: "Please think carefully about whether you can stand outside in cold weather in a large crowd for up to six hours, and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterward." On average, the high and the low temperature has been in the 30s on Jan. 20. It snowed eight inches the day before John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.
It will be nearly impossible to cover a lot of ground fast because this will be the biggest crowd ever gathered in Washington, and probably the largest crowd you'll ever see unless you attend the Ardh Kumbh Mela in India. That means plan ahead. What you think might take an hour will take three. The swearing-in takes place at exactly 11:59 a.m. Ten percent of the ticketed guests four years ago missed the swearing-in because they were still waiting in line, so planners are suggesting you start lining up by 6 a.m.
Planners are expecting 600,000 people to come to town on 10,000 buses -- a convoy that, if lined up, would be 75 miles long. The bus companies have to register prior to their arrival in the Metropolitan area with the D.C. Emergency Management Agency at ClickandPark.com. The deadline for applying for a permit is Jan. 15. For more information, go online to inauguration.dc.gov/bus.asp.
For those of you who are not staying downtown on Monday night, the 19th, the Presidential Inaugural Committee recommends public transit but warns that you'll still be doing a lot of walking. For anyone within two miles of the National Mall, forget anything but walking. Here's why: Every seat and spot on every Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) train will be filled at its first stations farthest from downtown. If you decide to try Metro from out in the suburbs, plan to start early. Metro opens all-day "crush loading" at 4 a.m. Also: Buy your tickets from a station kiosk as soon as you hit town to avoid long lines the day of the inauguration. Look at the wmata.com "Inauguration Day" page for additional pass and ticket information.
The District of Columbia's "Inauguration" Web site will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. The site is inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp.
Backpacks and strollers will be permitted in the unticketed sections of the National Mall west of Fourth Street, but they are being strongly discouraged. The restriction on those items, along with thermoses, coolers, umbrellas and laser pointers, applies in ticketed parade-route and swearing-in areas and at the balls. In ticketed areas, cameras are permitted but tripods are not. Don't bring posters or placards bigger than 18 inches square.
Vehicular traffic and parking near the Capitol itself will be prohibited, even to vehicles with special disability tags and license plates. Many roads will be closed or may only be available to bus traffic.
Planners say to be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures by cell phone because of the crowds. They advise using text messaging for critical messages.
If you still don't have a hotel, word is some chains may have rooms nearer the date, but you may want to get your name on a list. Craigslist has a section for renting houses and apartments.
**SNIP**
After the 20th we will be treated to stories about how Obama's peeps endured all manner of hardship to be in the same city while their savior was inaugurated. None of them will actually see anything but the butt ends of the folks in front of them.
Never in the field of US politics have so many waited so long for so little.A slight change is in order:
Never in the history of mankind have so many stood for so long in such cold for so little
That is one place I do not want to visit.
Is that your car?
Peeeeeeeeewwwwwww
Something like that would bring some heat.
what happened?
[”It doesn’t bother me if it’s cold or what,” “I’ve got my ski pants. I’M TAKING MY GRANDCHILDREN. I don’t care what it takes. If I’ve got to sleep outdoors, I’m still going.”]
I’m sure your grandchildren will just love being cold, wet, hungry, sleeping outdoors and crying while you indulge in your insanity.
As entertaining as that would be, what we need is a David to lead the battle against these Philistines.
Looks like "the One" is going to have to spread some loaves and fishes.
I don't think he's up to it and I think there will be RIOTS AND LOOTING
Obama has already happened..
No tarps or tents to be had.
The original live thread on fr was riotous but I can't find it.
we are going to be privileged to see the results of this mistake.
My feelings for him is mutual. Screw him.
I thought they were expecting between 1-4 million. That’s a huge difference, but estimates were more than 600,000. Maybe those are the numbers going on busses. Then there are the cabs, trains, autos, the locals, etc.
Where was this photo taken?
Brrrrrrrr!
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