Posted on 08/30/2010 2:09:21 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Glenn Beck rally attendance has become hotly contested following Saturday's event in Washington. But from Woodstock to the Million Man March, figuring out the number of people who show up at big events has never been easy.
Can we really get an accurate count of the number of people who attended Saturday's Glenn Beck “Restoring Honor” rally? The answer might be, “No, we can’t.”
Crowd-counting science is far from exact. Much of it is based on examination of overhead photos to calculate crowd density and related statistics. It reminds us of the old intelligence agency practice of “shedology,” in which the Central Intelligence Agency and others estimated Soviet weapons numbers by looking at overhead photos of military sheds and calculating how many tanks they might hold.
Plus, numbers are inevitably colored by an estimator’s interest. Rally organizers usually say crowds were huge, bigger than expected. Critics will say the numbers were less than anticipated. That’s been the case for years.
That’s led to controversy in the past. In October 1995, the National Park Service estimated that about 400,000 people attended the “Million Man March” organized by the Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan. Organizers were so angry they sent lawyers to meet with the Park Service.
Shortly thereafter, the Boston University Center for Remote Sensing estimated that the crowd had been 837,000, plus or minus 20 percent. What was the difference? The Park Service counted via pictures taken from videotape. The Center for Remote Sensing used original photo negatives.
Photos of the Beck event clearly show a big crowd. The weather was great – whatever the exact figure, there were a lot of people there.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
* The area along the Reflecting Pool stretching out from the Lincoln Memorial was packed.
* very large crowds gathered all the way to the Washington Monument.
* The crowd was so huge that it disrupted Washington's subway system.
Services from at least 12 subway stops were disrupted due to long lines for entry. This was unprecedented.
SeeBS said only 27 people showed up.
At first I figured the crowd to be about 300k but when I saw the areal photo I realized there was about twice that many that my wife and I never saw.
Sharpton had 2,000, max. Where’s the Media on that?
“SeeBS said only 27 people showed up.”
Yes, but next quarter they will “unexpectedly” revise that estimate DOWN to 25!
I heard “possibly tens of thousands” on MSM. So who is righ?
CBS hired left leaning stooges to give a low ball estimate. They look like jackasses.
“SeeBS said only 27 people showed up.”
***
If you looked at their pics, you would think so. Wider views show far more. I have one of the wide pics and even that one doesn’t show everyone — eg, the people behind the trees or those people in front of the fountain.
And I have yet to hear from the MSM that MLK’s niece was a speaker. They mentioned Palin was there, though.
The question is who do you believe Christains or communists.
Read on the net today that the Metro had over 180,000 more riders than normal for a Saturday. That being the case the number has to be way up there when one considers those that took buses, walked, etc.
So was the turn-ou expected or unexpected? ;-)
I’m not too concerned about the number of people who showed up to this event, although I understand turnout was healthy, and that makes me happy.
What struck me is that people putting on an event about restoring honor had to wear bullet proof vests under clothes. That made me pause and think about the kind of people that there are out there.
I’m very happy things went so well, that was really an example of one of the ideals of America right there for everyone to see.
Did you misread your article? I believe that the remote sensing referred to a Nation of Islam Million Man March which occurred years ago.
Beck was selling mom, dad and apple pie at his event. He was reminding us of big fins on cars, Audie Murphy, honesty, Leave it to Beaver, Chuck Yeager and Chuck Norris. American knowhow and American ingenuity. Smiles and warm handshakes and the American melting pot. I watched the man and he seemed inspired from on high. It was a good thing that Beck did. But not for those that think bad is good and good is bad.
Becks big mistake was showing those of us that remember a great America great Americans. By speaking of MLK and those that gave up everything fighting for this country. Beck too showed the young that this country was built on the backs and the blood of unique and brave people. Of all colors. Beck's spoken words were inspiring because he honored great Americans of the past. By doing so Beck showed how lacking and pathetic Obama is and he did so without saying anything about Obama. That is what has the nutcases that hate America all bothered. Obama is nothing. A nobody. He is an empty suit full of empty words peddling a gay bicycle. He inspires nothing good. Beck is a person that does.
Beck and the crowds scared the small minded on the left and those that hate America. Good for him!
I ask a similar question when it comes to evolution:
“Do you believe the guesswork of man, or the Word of God who was an eyewitness?”
My nephews were taught to ask “scientists” who might try to sell them on the notion of evolution, “Were you there?”
Nice report. Good call...
These are probably the same CBS “experts” who proved that the Killian memos were real.
I guess I’m wondering why people are hung up on numbers. Yes, I noticed that Glenn and I think Sarah, were wearing bullet-proof vests. And, the left calls us hate mongers and violent? Their hypocrisy is outstanding!
This was done in that same exact spirit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.