Aretha’s Hat (Video)
It did make an impression when I saw it, but I never would have guessed that if I Googled “aretha’s hat” 2 weeks after the inauguration, I’d get 67,000 site hits and close to 600 news hits about it. For those who are shocked, what did you expect The Queen of Soul was going to put up there, one of those white Amish kapps? Google News for Aretha’s Hat.

Aretha Tells Someone to “Shutup” During My Country, ‘Tis of Thee (Video)
If somebody was talking through your version of My Country, ‘Tis of Thee at the Presidential Inauguration, don’t tell me that you wouldn’t take a break from the ceremony and call them out on it! Google News for Aretha Shutup.

The Oath (Video)
No big deal. They’ll get it right next time.

Coldness (Video)
It was all about the feet for me. I’d do it over tomorrow though.

Dick Cheney in Wheelchair (Video)
Archetype. This man is a very gifted non-verbal communicator.

An Amazing 1,474 Megapixel Photo of the Inaugural Address (Photo)
A GoogleEarth-like zoomable image of the crowd at the Inauguration. Wild and worth it.

Barack and Michelle’s First Dance (Video)
Must admit, sexy couple. It’s been tough to be cutting edge in this slow-dance aesthetic these last 45 years or so, but they pulled it off in style.

Etta James Says She Wants to Whip Beyonce’s Ass (Audio)
…just because she sang her song. You can hear the rant here. Google News Etta James threatening Beyonce.

Republicans
Republicans and the bailout. Principled unanimity, or replacing leadership with tactics?

Rick Warren (Video)
I’m trying to keep an open mind on this guy.

Rush Limbaugh (Audio)
Is Rush’s desire to have Obama fail in the middle of this economic downturn like rooting for the next Great Depression?

Mitt Romney Says Obama is Off to a Rocky Start (Article)
If anybody gives off the appearance of a yard-turf target more than Michael Dukakis, it would certainly be Mitt Romney. I’m sure the country is dying to hear what the 3rd place Republican candidate has to say about fixing an economy. 

Thank you for reading my web log; this is my last post.

The Ticket
What was the inauguration like with a ticket? Well, it was an amazing experience of course. Specifically with a Silver Ticket it meant that you had a better view than at least 90% of the attendees. All two hundred thousand ticket holders were extremely lucky to have the honor in the first place, but unfortunately some people didn’t get to their gates early enough to use their tickets—which was a problem nobody expected. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was one of the ticket holders who had to return to his hotel to watch the Inauguration on TV.

Capitol at Sunrise

To be one of the lucky among the lucky, you had to be awake not much later than 3:30 a.m. to get on the DC Metro—which opened at 4:00 a.m. You had to make sure you got off at the correct Metro station for your ticket gate, otherwise you’d probably miss your chance to get in your designated line (the entire Mall was sectioned off with fences and concrete for security and crowd control). But in being there early, you were able to see the sunrise over the Capitol once in the line at the gate. I won’t forget that.

Into Position

After waiting several hours at the gate line (with constant weird-sounding sirens blaring all around us), you were finally prompted to proceed into the Mall. Heading towards the security check, you had to hold your tickets above your head while walking through a fenced-in area of security guards—each armed with M-16 assault rifles. Finally after a good pat-down from security, you were in your fenced ticket area. I settled on a location where I could see both the Capitol and a large viewing screen. A friendly family from Charleston, SC had the same strategy, so we got to know each other pretty well for the next several hours before things started.

Screen at the Capitol

What Could I See?
Good thing I just got new glasses, but at best I could only generally make out what was happening on the Capitol steps—I couldn’t make out any specific figures. I imagined I’d be closer, but behind the VIP seating section was a long reflection pool that set us Silver Ticket holders a stretch back. I discovered this on Sunday, so I didn’t rush things Tuesday morning. That’s a good thing because…

The Temperature
25 degrees. I’m originally an Ohioan; I can handle that and much colder. But I’ve never stood in one place at 25 degrees for seven hours. No complaints; I tried to put my mind in Yogi mode to adjust. My mind was

Cold Out There

fine, but my feet were frozen along with everyone else’s. I jogged in place for close to three hours. Mothers were rubbing their children’s feet for warming friction. The father of the family I was standing next to must have once been a boxer, as he shadow boxed, dodged, and danced his time away. All of my faux yogi mind-over-matter attempts of the past have flopped—but I’ve since learned my limits. I knew I had to keep my circulation going, and it wasn’t going to happen by concentrating on warm thoughts alone.

Behind Me

With a hundred thousand people in front of me, I felt like I was pretty far back. But then I’d look behind me–

Crowd Behind

-another 1.8 million people in the non-ticketed areas appeared as speckles of color. Even though I had spent the better part of the last two days walking the National Mall (which took hours each time), I couldn’t comprehend the size of the crowd that was now extending all the way back to the Lincoln Memorial. With the camera on wide angle, I extended my arm to get the most expansive crowd shot I could. While taking these shots I suddenly noticed the nearly surreal crispness of the day. The weekend had been overcast, but inauguration day had the clearest visibility in memory.

The Ceremony Begins

The loudspeakers kicked in with a Sousa march when the screens lit with a small group of Marines conducting a curious angular ritual. Whatever it was, it looked ancient and suggestively sacred enough that I was surprised we were seeing it. I don’t think this procession made it to network.

Ali Bomaye!

The freeze and fatigue started to clear with the appearance of each VIP on the screen. First were some crowd-pleasers. Magic Johnson. Stevie Wonder. Sandra Day O’Conner. I recognized the chant “Ali Bomyea” before I recognized the man. The Parkinson’s had settled on his face like stone, but charisma was clearly beaming through his single expression.

The Unloved

Next were some unloved. Clarence Thomas, Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney (in a wheelchair?). I promised myself I wouldn’t boo Bush or anyone else, but I wasn’t expecting to see Joe Lieberman (the instant he appeared on screen, I issued a rally of ogreish boos I couldn’t hold in).

The Chant
We finally got to that moment when there were only two obvious unseen people—Bush and Obama. The announcer went silent long enough to know that W. was now in cue. Na na na na, na na na na, Hey Hey Hey, goodbye. The chant echoed in the distance at first, but it quickly overtook our section. It wasn’t exactly a boo, so I went with it. Bush appeared on the screen looking like he was in bad trouble. I admit feeling a bit sorry for him, but… hey hey hey.

The Oath

After Oath

Obama’s appearance, oath, and speech seemed to go by too quickly. After waiting seven hours, the crowd felt like it was needing some more Obama time. The screens and audio had at least a two second delay, so we couldn’t make out Justice Robert’s mistakes. No biggie, they’ll get it right next time.

The energy in my section after the Benediction was initially cheerful, but surprising in its soberness. It was almost like, wow, we got this far, now what? I was honestly expecting to see some tears, hugs, and celebration. Was it the seriousness of his speech that had us so solemn?

Our Feet

Realistically, you can’t rule out exhaustion. Most of the Silver Ticket holders hadn’t slept much the previous night, and by this point their toes were numb. I was so exhausted that I barely got out a few decent goodbyes to the family I had been standing next to. Two guys asked me to take their picture in front of the Capitol, and they barely thanked me with a strained “Obama” in return (which was more engaging than the stiff nod I gave back). Just after that, I saw a woman in her 50′s collapse while conscious—likely from the lack of feeling in her feet. I later heard that some people were becoming hypothermic.

Much of the crowd was now heading for the gates, but I began shuffling around for circulation. I was glad I waited because the screens switched back on with the Obama’s and the Biden’s joined with the Bush’s at a green military helicopter. I was disoriented enough to think they were already a good distance from the Capitol. The big screen showed the helicopter take off as the Mall’s speakers blasted some Disney-esque adventure music. Then blamo! The copter lifted right off the roof of the Capitol in front of us and flew overhead. The chant of the remaining crowd began again but now with a wave, na na na na, na na, na na, Hey Hey Hey, goodbye—like something between an important foul-out at an NBA game and the end of a very strange Fantasy Island episode.

Hot Chocolate
Jim McDermott had invited his ticket awardees to hot chocolate up at his House office. This would be a good way to give thanks for the ticket and avoid a long Metro line. After another security clearance, I rested on a bench to warm up. When I finally got to Jim’s lobby, I saw an awkward crowd of networking insiders and a few of us frozen fools who were simply looking for a warm drink. Jim appeared and told us we could continue past the reception area back into the larger room of his office. He had a charming but scornful smile when mentioning to someone his disappointment that some bigwigs asked for tickets but were no-shows. Just how many proletariat like me made it in? I was one lucky bastard.

Afterwards I met my aunt and uncle in another line—for a Thai restaurant. We watched the parade and I mostly zoned out, high and exhausted from the day.

Waiting in line.

Singing in line.

360

Michelle Obama

Hey, Hey, Hey – Goodbye (Bush)

Welcoming Obama

Swearing-In

This is another scheduled post. I’m certain that I’m nowhere near a computer when this message appears on the Web log, but Barack Obama is now our president and (looking into the future here) I’ve seen some amazing stuff today! After the Inauguration is the parade, then the inaugural balls. Our plan is to head back to Snake, Kim, and Thor’s for a party, but we know the Metro will be slammed. If everything goes well, I’ll get all my pictures and videos online by Wednesday night. I know that’s behind the news cycle, but there’ll be some good stuff.

Viva Obama! Si, Se Pueda!

This entry isn’t posted by hand, it is one I scheduled ten days in advance of the inauguration ceremony—and it is written with George Wallace Bush in mind. It should be viewable right before the transition of power.

It is my sincere and non-cynical wish that Mr. Bush is able to leave office with honor and peace. I hope when I’m on the National Mall that I don’t see people throwing things or shouting at our departing president. We all saw that guy in Iraq throw his shoes at him—so I hope we can let this go and move on with dignity.

“It can get edgy out there.”

I don’t know how Bush plans to physically leave the White House. In 1974, Nixon was escorted to a helicopter on the White House lawn to keep clear of Pennsylvania Avenue altogether. In 1981, Carter spent his last 48 hours awake negotiating the release of the hostages in Iran, only to have the hostages freedom secured moments after Reagan was sworn in (making it appear as if Reagan’s inaugural was the sole reason for their release). Reagan had planned to congratulate Carter on his accomplishment during his inaugural speech, but didn’t want to do it unless the hostages were 100% free and clear of the captors. It can get edgy out there.

Bush is already seen by many of his contemporaries as the worst president in America’s history. I don’t know presidential history well enough to sign off on that. He is certainly the worst president in my lifetime. But life has a funny way of turning around. Carter left office politically down, but is still the most effective and constructive post president we have. I hope Bush’s many failures inspire him to “re-invent himself” and mend some of the many things he’s damaged. It’s possible.

A thought for George

Sunday was free and easy, but Monday was more down-to-business. Bigger crowds and bigger lines. It was colder too.

I slept in until noon. I’m capable of doing that on weekends anyway, but jet lag, no sleep, yada, yada. Glad to get some juice back in the ‘ol batteries. But hey!, today was the day (one and one day only) to pick up my ticket from Jim McDermott’s office! I had to get my butt down to DC!

People Waiting for Tickets

Snake got me all the way to the line over at the House offices then took off. He made a good move because people were coming out of these buildings saying it took them three hours to get their tickets. I misunderestimated the process. But hell, I should have guessed that two hundred thousand people picking up tickets in one day might turn into a crazy scene. Luck struck early though. Not more than five minutes in line, two McDermott office assistants walked by yelling “Seattle People!” I raised my hand and had my ticket. Before merging back into the crowds of the Mall, I quickly met Congressman Earl Pomeroy who was enthusiastically looking for his people in the line to his building. A friendly, suave chap.

“People jumped and went crazy to get on TV, like trained doggies jumping for treats.”

I didn’t understand much about the next hour or so. I was talking to my aunt who was perpetually a half-mile farther down the Mall on our march towards the Lincoln memorial. I thought there was a performance down there from what she was saying, but it was just our cell phone static that had me thinking that.

Along the way, I kept getting distracted by the sites. MSNBC was live in a bubble booth; either that or it was some cruel but well-funded performance art.

MSNBC

Every minute or so a long robotic arm with a camera at the end of it would swing overhead while people jumped and went crazy to get on TV, like trained doggies jumping for treats. I kept thinking the station was faking these poor people out; it was happening too often.

Somewhere around this time I got caught up in an unfortunate cycle of taking pictures (requiring two hands) and then getting totally paranoid that I had lost my ticket. It was in a letter-sized envelope nestled between my coat and sweater, and was held up by ?…. There must have been some magic invisible glue or magnets that kept that sucker in place. Goddamn, I could have very easily lost that ticket while taking any of those snaps.

Another great day and great crowds. It was Martin Luther King’s day after all. But Sunday for sure had the winner vibe between the two days.

MSNBC Bubble Booth

You know what, we’ve had a long rough stretch with these presidents of the last 30 years. I never really thought about how bad it’s been until writing up all these election reviews.

Since Jimmy Carter left office, it’s been one psychological soap opera after the other. Is it any surprise that we are still nowhere with health care, that our economy is so cavernously-cracked we can’t even guess where the bottom might be, that Florida could be an ocean in the not so distant future, and that we’ve taken to torture and unprovoked wars? How could we have expected any really progress or leadership out of these clowns?

When Carter was president, we had solar panels on the White House. Reagan immediatly took them down—and they still are nowhere to be seen. That was some real insight on Reagan’s part, hugh, that we’d rather be handcuffed to the Middle East for energy than to produce our own. It seems like electric cars have been invented several times since then, but they always mysteriously disappear. America’s spirit of invention has been silenced by lobbyists.

But we can only blame ourselves for voting these jokers in and then expecting nothing more significant out of them than their next psychological dysfunction played out on the world’s stage.

What happened to us? Did we all start getting too into WWF Wrestling and decided our leaders should be like that too? Were we in some kind of sadistic phase of denial? Was it all just a string of bad luck? Whatever it was, for the moment it’s finally done. For a few years, we’ll have leaders of decent and honorable character, and we should be able to right this ship with their efforts and our own.

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Obama vs McCain
Voted: Obama
My Conscience: Obama
My Conscience in the Democratic Primary: Obama

Impressions Heading into Election Day
Obama: Perfect candidate in every respect, and best from any party since Jimmy Carter. Better than Carter though, because Jimmy was a little preachy as a candidate.
McCain: An honorable man who thought it would be appealing to run as a grumpy ass.

Obama: 53% with 365 electoral
McCain: 46% with 173 electoral

Looking Back: McCain, the best Republican presidential candidate since Ford, mysteriously chose to toss away all of his redeeming qualities in his race against Obama. His choice of Sarah Palin made it unexpectedly clear that he was willing to place partisan politics ahead of the well-being of our country. In contrast to McCain’s many erratic shifts, Obama kept a cool and steady course that the populace correctly identified as a necessary quality in attempting to unwind the severe political and financial damage of the Bush years. Also, Nader improves his vote by a small margin, but doesn’t come close to his 3% peak in 2000.

Election Map: Obama essentially restores the Clinton’s victory map, though he swaps some Southern states for states in the Mountain West. The lesson for Democrats is to win the heavily populated states of Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—while simply running a candidate that is easy to like. Can it be that hard to get one of these every time? One you can vote your conscience for?

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The big dealio at the National Mall today was the concert at the Lincoln Memorial. I didn’t know too much about the lineup other than Bono and Beyonce (any coincidence with all the B’s and O’s?). Does U2 just call themselves Bono now? Anyway, the concert was a remote goal, but Snake and I decided to first hit the Pompeii exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, and our slow but well photographed procession down the National Mall sunk any chances of seeing the big show. That’s cool. I don’t think the Pompeii exhibit was officially considered an inaugural event, but the economic fright of our country made the theme relevant enough to me. It also prepped us for viewing “Pink Floyd Live in Pompeii” tonight.

But wow, what a great day. This gathering is all very manageable. I was hearing so much gloom and doom from so many sources. “Pack up enough toilet paper and sandwiches for a day!” No backpacks allowed! It’s going to be very cold and you’ll walk for miles! They are going to close all the streets and bridges! People don’t know how hard this is going to be. Very few people will see anything, and it’s going to be a circus!

Looking Up At Reflecting Pool

I have to dispute every warning I’ve heard, but I guess it depends on what you are into. If you wanted crowds, I’m sure you could have gotten them at the concert. If you wanted art, you got it in a very comfortable environment. You wanna walk around in peace and solitude, you even got that too (take a look at the pictures Snake took of me). If you wanted to ice skate, cool. I personally love to walk for miles (Snake and I walked the whole Mall and half the way back), but if you wanted to sit on your butt next to a hot dog stand, you could have done that too. I don’t care if streets or bridges are open; I haven’t driven a car in seven years.

Anyway, I’m digressing. The Mall had a great vibe from the Capitol down to the Lincoln Memorial. People were really taking their time to explore it, and the optimism of the occasion was thick in the air. I had seen most of these landmarks in the past, but this time it all felt like a familiar and vast adult playground where twilight lasted for hours—and there were more Honeybuckets and toilet paper than I could ever dream of.

Honeybuckets

Yes, that one picture is me on ice in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I really didn’t want to be out there. Just 30 yards closer to the monument, the ice was cracked. Snake made me do it.

He used a Nikon something or other SLR. A reminder that I need to get a real camera in addition to my compact.

You don’t have to use your middle name when taking the oath of office, but I hope Obama does. Recently, Jimmy was sworn in as Jimmy Carter, Ronnie was sworn in as Ronald Reagan, and Jerry was sworn in as Gerald R. Ford. But Barack, don’t hide that Hussein, ’cause that was your papa’s middle name.

G.W. Bush vs Kerry
Voted: Kerry
My Conscience: Nader
My Conscience in the Democratic Primary: Howard Dean

Impressions Heading into Election Day
G.W. Bush: He had now proved that absolutely ANYBODY can be president. Bush’s accession to presidency likely inspired Gary Coleman to launch his 2003 bid for the California governorship.
Kerry: Reminds me of an Ivy League mortician

G.W. Bush: 50.73% with 286 electoral
Kerry: 48.27% with 251 electoral

Looking Back: OK Democrats, you run an Ivy League mortician in the name of electability? If Nader’s support from 2000 dropped 3% this time around, it sure didn’t go to Kerry. 

Election Map: Kerry manages to do a little less than what Gore did, and he gave up a lot faster. At least Dean would have gone out interestingly with some kind of yodel or kung fu kick.

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