Friday, 18 May 2012

<<Inauguration Day    also see Jan. 19    Jan. 18    Jan. 17    Jan. 16    Jan. 15   

Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task." -President Barack Obama

West Front of the U.S. Capitol

Assorted Photos of the Day

Sunrise over Washington, D.C. No one is permitted yet in the ticketed areas, but they appear to be lining up on the side streets. I can count the number of people in the "free" public areas on the National Mall. Notice the illuminated jumbotrons and the floodlights on the Capitol.

Walked through Arlington Cemetery on my way to the National Mall. It was wonderful to see so many flowers and rocks atop the gravesite for Medgar Evers.

People came by foot, by bike, by skates, by strollers, and by public transportation. Here, people walk across the Memorial Bridge in D.C.

If you look at the satellite photos of the Mall, you'll notice open areas. Here, buses are allowed to drive on 14th Street, bringing and dropping off more people.

I have never seen the National Mall so crowded. For the most part, the crowd in my area seemed to maintain its moral compass. Several people volunteered to push a woman in a wheelchair up the hillside by the Washington Monument. The crowd parted for two blind women following their guide. When a parent panicked because she couldn't find her son, the crowd started chanting the child's name. Yes, some people pushed. Yes, some people were rude. Yes, some people exercised their First Amendment right to free speech and public political discourse in ways that were disrespectful to others. For example, there were moments when the crowd decided to start chanting the "na,na,na,na, goodbye" song as if we were at a sporting event. Then, many started "booing" the outgoing President.

As the start of the ceremony became closer, the density of the crowd greatly increased. For many, the crowd was packed so tight that no movement was possible except lifting the arms upwards. Behind me, a Japanese news crew was trying to report but found that there was no horizontal room for the camera.





Guantanamo protesters walk on the west side of the Washington Monument after the event ended.

He is holding the "4 Documents of the United States": (1) Constitution, (2) Declaration of Independence, (3) Gettysburg Address, and (4) Bill of Rights.

Some people brought "Obama" with them for photos.

Sunset. Another peaceful transition of our democratic government. I love this country!



* * * Washington, D.C. * * *