President Barack Obama! It just has a ring to it.
Wow. So much to say, so little time to say it. I have about 10 minutes here before we hit the road for South Carolina. Let me say a few things…
- It’s wonderful to be out of the cold. We were on the National Mall from 4 a.m until 2 p.m. It was worth every second of shivering though, we were parallel to the second Jumbrotron on the Mall.
- We were interviewed by a local TV station. Don’t worry, we gave USC a shout out.
- I have NEVER experienced a more friendly, more excited, more electric atmosphere. People stayed warm by chanting “Obama, Obama” or dancing to the replay of the concert from Sunday.
- There were volunteers greeting us at 4 a.m. telling us “Good morning” and “Have fun.” Very nice way to start the day.
- We spent the night in Georgetown, so getting to the mall only took us about an hour in the morning. After the swearing-in, however, everything went to hell. Metro stops were overflowing, no one could move and I thought a riot was going to start. It took us two hours to even get inside a Metro station.
- Apparently, an elderly woman was ran over at a Metro station, further congesting the already frenzied transportation situation.
- We had planned on going to the parade, but the route had filled up by 9 am. We were exhausted anyway.
- The Benediction, by Rev. Joseph Lowery, was great. It ended with a great line, something like, “blacks don’t look back, browns come around, yellows keep it mellow, reds get ahead, whites get right.” Great ending to a great ceremony.
- Was it Obama or Justice Roberts that messed up the Oath? Couldn’t tell from our vantage point.
- College students were the ones getting the Mall the earliest. I’d say at 5 am, it was 75% below age 25. Maybe we’re the only ones stupid enough, the wind chill was in the single digits.
- Sen. Ted Kennedy suffered a seizure at the luncheon after the Inauguration. My thoughts are with him.
- The boo’s when George W. Bush and Dick Cheaney (loved the wheelchair and cane look) were shown on the screens was very audible. Eight years of Bush were enough for this crowd.
Okay, I’ll post more videos/thoughts tomorrow. We’re hitting the road.
- Jonathan
You seriously thought that benediction was great?
“And when white will embrace what is right.”
How is that not ridiculously racist? If it was “And when black will embrace what is right.” you know that BET would be all over it. The NAACP would be for having the preacher fired from his job.
That comment was terrible. And in a prayer, no less.
But I guess only white people can be racist, right?
voulunteers @ 4a.m. = me