I was wondering if anyone has ever gone for the inauguration day events and if you could share your experience. I believe tickets are already sold out for the swearing-in ceremony, but there are some available for the parade.

Also from what I have read, you can stand on the Mall and watch the swearing-in ceremony for free. Am I correct on this?

Thanks!

Oh and Happy Holidays to all!

[Edited on December 24, 2008 at 12:49 PM. Reason : xmas!]

12/24/2008 12:48:27 PM

You can also not go and not be subjected to it, and it also won't cost you anything.

The next 4 years are going to cost enough--no way I'd pay to watch the shit begin.

12/24/2008 1:05:12 PM

^yeah, thanks to Bush and his bailing out everyone that wants a bailout....it will cost us $texas....and you all claim Dems are the free spenders...who do you think it gonna pay for all these bailouts? It cant get any worse under Obama and he will have at least a 2 year honeymoon. If it only gets slightly better under Obama, expect the Republicans great hope, Sarah Palin, to get creamed in 2012 and disappear from politics forever (we can only hope).

[Edited on December 24, 2008 at 1:48 PM. Reason : w]

12/24/2008 1:44:51 PM

Medal Of Honor recipients get a ticket to every Presidential Inauguration and they get a front row seat. I think that's pretty cool.

12/24/2008 1:50:29 PM

^^
^^^
Take it to the soapbox

12/24/2008 3:20:20 PM

I wanted to go....

But the whole thing is like the Superbowl x10, too damn expensive....

12/24/2008 4:02:33 PM

^^^^ oh, I'm not saying that things aren't already completely fucked.

and if Sarah Palin gets nominated for President, I'll just give up and change my registration to Libertarian (even if they are completely fucking ridiculous).

12/24/2008 7:22:25 PM

I found out there is free general admission to the mall to watch the inauguration on jumbotrons. Yeah crowds are gonna be terrible, but its always something I wanted to do and this one just seems like a great chance to see some history.

Hotel prices are outrageous though...glad Ive got some friends to stay with.

12/24/2008 8:30:52 PM

I was a volunteer for Clinton's inauguration, its a giant party

12/24/2008 8:56:31 PM

why do people actually wanna go see this?

12/24/2008 9:50:30 PM

i have 4 tickets

12/24/2008 10:29:08 PM

^^awww were you hoping for a palin presidency

12/24/2008 10:49:48 PM

not at all, i just don't understand why you'd want to spend the time and money, not to mention being clusterfucked with a bunch of people, just to see a president get inaugurated....

its not like he's the first president to be inaugurated

and don't give me the shit about him being the first black president

12/24/2008 11:55:56 PM

why is that "shit"

12/25/2008 12:25:31 AM

he doesn't care, that's why

12/25/2008 11:35:25 AM

well, some people do care.

12/25/2008 12:01:07 PM

so what? want a cookie? have barack buy you one.

12/25/2008 12:08:02 PM

Yeah, I would never go to an inauguration, unless I personally knew the future president. It's just another in the long list of things I couldn't care less about. He was elected in November, his term begins January, 20th. I don't need to be there or watch him take the oath of office. Not a big deal to me.

12/25/2008 12:30:34 PM

please explain. why would i want a cookie? did i do something to deserve said cookie? also, i don't need barack to buy me a cookie. i can just use my tax rebate that bush gave me.

12/25/2008 12:33:26 PM

A tax rebate is getting your own money back when they taxed a higher percent of your income than they were supposed to, not some kind of gift. It's like if I took $20 out of your wallet and then gave it back a year later. Would you consider that some kind of present?

You probably can buy a cookie with your next round of "stimulus" when Obama approves that (likely sometime in the first half of this year). Bush probably would do the same thing if he was still in office.

12/25/2008 12:52:39 PM

so, where can i pick up my cookie?

12/25/2008 12:56:36 PM

I like cookies, can I have one too?

My friend got a couple tickets through his congressperson, he's pretty excited to go. I'm fine with watching it on TV.

12/25/2008 12:59:51 PM

obama sucks, im staying home.

12/25/2008 1:43:25 PM

24 hour bars. Pretty much why I'm going. I wish it wasn't during the week though.

12/26/2008 11:17:51 AM

[soapbox]

Quote :

"yeah, thanks to Bush and his bailing out everyone that wants a bailout"

all of which Obama supported? lol [/soapbox]

12/26/2008 4:25:59 PM

I went 4 years ago to the counter-inaugural protests. Politics and those incidents aside, this was on the night of the giant icestorm that shut down Raleigh. We left at 4 in the morning from here to get up to DC once the roads cleared.

Bad points:
1) weather- was in the 20s, wind chill in the high teens I think, and snowy/icy/crappy.

2) traffic- DC traffic sucks in its own right, but this was extra crowded cause of inaugural/counter-inaugural traffic. Parking also terrible in Columbia Heights, where we stayed.

3) nowhere moderately priced to eat

Notes: Take a map of downtown DC with you, even with the street grid, it can be infuriating to find your way back to the Metro stop.

The Mall should be open for this. Getting to the Mall is a different story.

12/26/2008 5:59:40 PM

if you have friends in silver spring/bethesda you can take the metro. Grab a metro map so you can find your way back.

good point on food though...need to remember to eat a good meal before you go and bring some snacks and water

[Edited on December 26, 2008 at 6:39 PM. Reason : a]

12/26/2008 6:38:16 PM

Quote :

"Yeah, I would never go to an inauguration, unless I personally knew the future president. It's just another in the long list of things I couldn't care less about. He was elected in November, his term begins January, 20th. I don't need to be there or watch him take the oath of office. Not a big deal to me."

12/26/2008 6:42:25 PM

D.C. is going to be a shit show. End of story. You are nuts to even consider going.

12/26/2008 7:29:48 PM

thanks for ruining my dream guys.

Actually my gf and I were planning to go to DC anyway to see museums and the zoo. with the inauguration maybe the crowds at those places will be smaller but we still do want to see the "festivities"

Thanks for the info and opinions guys

12/26/2008 9:07:50 PM

Quote :

"maybe the crowds at those places will be smaller "

Negative ghostrider.

If you aren't going to the inauguration then avoid inauguration week.

12/26/2008 9:11:16 PM

It would suck to drive up there to wait hours in the freezing weather to watch the thing on a big screen tv. If you want to impress people, just photoshop yourself into a photo.

12/26/2008 9:57:43 PM

I went in 2004, and although I was there for a very different reason than AntiManifesto, his points are pretty spot on.

I would add:

1) Be careful what you bring -- a lot of places won't let you bring a bag of any size anywhere. This is generally true of a lot of buildings in DC (museums included), but for inauguration day it means everywhere. My buddy was carrying drinks and snacks in a backpack, and it nearly got us shot or sent to Guantanamo Bay. Don't carry anything of any size -- even keep purses small. You may not be able to carry it where you want to go, and there may not be any place to put it.

2) Especially if you're planning on doing the museums, you will be going through a lot of metal detectors. Try to dress accordingly and carry minimal metal with you. It'll speed up your trip and people behind you in line will be grateful.

3) He's right about the weather, it may be soul-shatteringly cold. You'll be outside moving around a lot. Dress and pack accordingly.

4) Stay or park as far away from DC as you can while still having access to a metro. You ain't gonna get your vehicle anywhere near the events.

---

Forget these naysayers, I had a great time when I went up in 2004. If I didn't think the crowd would be so ungodly (and if I had any money), I'd consider going this year.

12/27/2008 1:40:09 AM

I'm going to cover the event. I'll be working, but I am still absolutely terrified of dealing with the crowds/traffic/etc. Hopefully press credentials will expedite some things, but I doubt it.

And while I wouldn't go an my own accord, I am very grateful I have this opportunity. I don't think it will be particularly exciting, and it might not even be a remotely enjoyable time. But, this is possibly one of the most historic events of my lifetime, and being able to tell my kids that I was there counts for something I think. Whether you're a fan of Obama or not, this is a big deal.

12/27/2008 2:31:24 PM

Thanks for the info GrumpyGOP. Do you mean that I couldnt bring any sort of pack with me?

Also did you watch from the Mall? What time did you get there?

Ive finalized plans to make the trip up there. Helps that Monday is MLK Day so Ive got the day off anyways, giving me a good long weekend to enjoy our time up there.

Can anyone recommend places to see of the beaten path? I havent been sightseeing in DC for a long time.

[Edited on December 31, 2008 at 10:22 AM. Reason : a]

12/31/2008 10:20:57 AM

Quote :

"and don't give me the shit about him being the first black president"

It would be great if Bush would have resigned, making Cheney the President, then have him resign, making Condoleezza Rice, the first black and female President.

12/31/2008 10:39:36 AM

Quote :

"My buddy was carrying drinks and snacks in a backpack, and it nearly got us shot or sent to Guantanamo Bay. Don't carry anything of any size -- even keep purses small. You may not be able to carry it where you want to go, and there may not be any place to put it."

Quote :

"Do you mean that I couldnt bring any sort of pack with me?"

i dont see how he could have made it any more clear that you need to avoid brining a bag of any size anywhere, just stuff your jacket pockets with what you need and forget the pack

12/31/2008 10:40:44 AM

Ive got a DSLR that I need a camera bag for so I wanted to confirm that absolutely no packs are allowed. He did mention keeping purses small so I assume some bags are allowed.

12/31/2008 11:03:20 AM

Or you could just keep it around your neck.

Have fun trying to go, the crowds and BS are going to suck the life outta you.

CHEERS!

12/31/2008 11:05:49 AM

im going to throw this out there as a general tip to effective communication

if you want to know about a certain kind of bag (camera bag) then ask about bringing a camera bag specifically and not say "any sort of pack"

it helps people understand what kind of information you're looking for and you're more likely to get an accurate response

i would agree with keeping the camera around your neck, its probably safer there as far as it getting jacked. it will be cold anyway so wear a soft scarf and wrap the camera in it while walking so it doesn't get randomly scratched

12/31/2008 11:09:37 AM

BTTT... I'll be up there and proud to be a part of a historical event. I'll be wearing my UnderArmour cold-gear under my clothes to help with the cold. I'm pretty sure the crowds will be outrageous, but that just lends itself to how many people want to be a part of it.

1/15/2009 3:54:06 AM

Go ahead. Take the day off.

I'll be busy defending the Constitution.

1/15/2009 5:38:34 AM

^thank you

1/15/2009 8:40:33 AM

I'll be in DC that weekend...but only to go to bars and skiing on Saturday with a friend.

1/15/2009 9:51:29 AM

I live in Arlington, VA and there's no chance of me going over there. Traffic is going to be mind numbing and way too damned cold.

Although I will be taking part in the bars being open til 4am

1/15/2009 10:11:57 AM

I'll be in DC - have a few friends who live there and are courteous enough to let us stay. Of course, no tickets to any events, except the free slate.com live gabfest.

I'll post results here. should be fun but frightening and infuriating

And kdawg, thank you for your contribution, yes... I hope you're not insinuating your new CIC will not be defending it as well, though. Also, incidentally, my cousin who is an Iraq Vet and member of Iraq Veterans Against The War will be there with me. Should be neat to get his perspective.

[Edited on January 15, 2009 at 11:47 AM. Reason : .]

1/15/2009 11:46:12 AM

George, I'm not insinuating that at all. My comment is for all of the people who are complaining that their bossess are making them do work on the inaug.

Mine will be too.

1/15/2009 12:11:02 PM

The funniest thing about DC, NOVA and MD for Monday, Tuesday and pretty much Wednesday even if you wanted to go to work, you couldn't.

Arlington and Fairfax counties schools are closed in anticipation of the nightmarish situation on the roads....

1/15/2009 12:25:11 PM

How bad do you recon traffic will be driving up to Reston, VA tomorrow?

1/15/2009 12:39:03 PM

set 'em up

1/15/2009 12:44:37 PM