Love him, hate him, today is the day we set off in a new direction as a nation.
Some people have already set off. They estimate 2 million people will be on the mall today for the inaguartion. Last night, on one of the endless news channels, they showed what that meant—people would have about as much space as if you were standing on the front page of your newspaper. There is also the quesion of porta-potties. One for every 400 people. And the frigid temps. A balmy high of 30 is expected in the capitol today.
May I just say, that in my youth when I worked in Washington, there was nothing quite as bone-chilling as standing on a Metro platform waiting for a train when its that cold and that windy. I remember it so vividly that I can assure you, I would not be on the mall today.
What about you? Are you going to watch the oath of office? Or are you more interested in what Michelle will wear? I hear as of yesterday, she still hadn’t decided what to wear to the parade OR the 10 balls she must attend. YIKES!
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I can’t wait to see the ball gowns!
Yes, Senator Byrd was taken out for medical reasons as well. Wow.
And how sad about Ted Kennedy. Of course the media is going to just gnaw on that bone until there is nothing left of it, but I feel so bad for him to have that happen.
I thought the Obama girls were adorable today. So nice to have young ones in the White House again. And I agree that I wouldn’t have wanted to be out in that crowd today. Times Square on New Year’s Eve never looks like fun to me, either. I’m not one for crowds. Unless they’re all gathered to adore me. It happens in my dreams on occasion.
I just finished watching Obama’s speech on my computer. If I were still living in DC, I can tell you that I absolutely would not have headed down to the mall today. I understand it’s a chance to watch history and all, but I also know what it’s like trying to get on the Metro after some huge event and it almost never seems like it was worth the effort.
I was in a band that played for Clinton’s 1993 inauguration. The temp was somewhere in the thirties and we sat in the shade. It was colder than a witch’s, uhh, fingers. Still, for the opportunity to participate in that event, I wouldn’t trade one second of that day.
That being said, I’ve done an inauguration and I’ll leave this one to the young and sturdy. I took the day off work, though, and got up early to watch the whole thing. The band I played in will be marching in the parade today and I’ll be proud to watch them from the warmth and comfort of the ol’ Barcalounger.
Hey, Leslie, don’t shut up. We should all be worrying about every cent the US is spending, and we need to speak out about the waste more often.
But this is an historic day, not just because he’s the first African American president, but because this day marks the public and peaceful transfer of power. The world is watching and we’re showing how a free society rules itself.
George W.’s second was 42 million, which seems a lot less but then a lot fewer cared to go see it.
Thanks Sherri, and I just realized I typed in billion when it’s million. Sorry.
Leslie, we always love to hear your thoughts.
I’m more interested in the fact this inauguration cost us 150 billion dollars. I’m ashamed of that.
I would have been more impressed with Mr. Obama if he had insisted that today not be the circus it’s turned out to be.
And I’ll shut up now as I know I’m in the minority here.
Not many women can pull that color off, true enough. She does look great in vibrant hues. I think she’s magnificent.
I just walked my dogs, by the way. I take it back. It’s so not balmy!
I was thinking she’s so lucky—she can wear any vibrant color and look great in it. If I wore that color, I would look jaundiced. I think she looks great. Her daughters did, too.
Hey, thirty is balmy in these parts right now. Believe me. After being in unearthly frigid below zero temps (and I thought it was bad in the teens, before we dropped lower!), thirty feels a little like spring. I wasn’t sure I liked Michelle’s ensemble at first but now it’s growing on me. I think it suits her.
History is being made and I’m not going to miss a minute. Off to watch another peaceful change of leadership in our country. How fortunate we are. Godspeed, Obama. Godspeed, America. Here we go . . .
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