BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?

Subject: BS: Any 'catters going to the Inauguration?
From: GUEST,Mrr at work
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 08:42 AM

I'll be there, with bells on!

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 11:44 AM

Why should I, he wouldn't come to mine!

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 11:53 AM

We will have bells on in Colorado as we celebrate the New Beginning! Have fun, Mrr!

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 12:51 PM

Mrr ~ any chance you'll actually get close enough to see/hear? (Like reserved seats, tickets, etc.)?

It may just be sour grapes on my part, because there's no way I can make a trip to DC, but I figure that I'll have a better seat in front of my TV than most of the pilgrims who will be descending upon the capital city with high hopes but no real preparation.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 01:49 PM

When is it?

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 02:06 PM

I won't be there in person but I will certainly be there in spirit, as will many Americans, I'm sure. I am so glad that we are beginning a new chapter in our nation's social and political history. However, I can't stand crowds and I agree with PoppaGator - I'll enjoy it more watching it on TV.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Skivee
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 02:11 PM

Next Tuesday 12:00Eastern Time...Z-5hrs
I've decided to pass on seeing it in person. I only live about 10 miles away. I had imagined shooting wonderful historic photos from 1/2 mile away with the 800mm lens; but I just heard an estimate of 5-8 miles of walking for attendees. Carrying tripods, lenses, other gear would make this tedious.
I'll watch it on the telly.

ps. I love that he is being sworn in on Lincoln's inauggural bible.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 03:35 PM

No, I don't anticipate actually SEEING anything other than the crowd - I'm going to be with the crowd, not to see. Those who want to see, you are all so right, should stay home and watch TV.

But if you want to be in a crowd of millions, come on down! or over, or up, or whatever! And don't say "shoot" either, the Secret Service will detonate you, or something...

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 03:44 PM

Mrr - thats exactly waht I thought :-) Any mention of Shooting - oh my god don't even go down that root. I still haven't forgot John F Kennedy.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Skivee
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 03:49 PM

"And don't say "shoot" either, the Secret Service will detonate you, or something".
I've never had much trouble from Secret Service folks. Mostly pretty cool folks doing a tough job.
It's the walking for miles carrying 30 lbs (really) of gear that would be the suck.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 03:50 PM

I'll be at work, in Sterling, VA.

Should be interesting, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: akenaton
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 04:44 PM

A very good friend of mine has an invitation,she also hopes to meet Mr Obama and his wife.
I look forward to reports on her return.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 08:32 PM

I live 'almost' as close as Skivee, but it will be COLD...and 2 million people looking for bathrooms.....nope. I 'could' venture down on Metro and see how it goes, but I ain't as young as I was when I traveled (1969 March Against Death)from Kansas for 22 hours, slept on a church floor, stood for hours on the mall, got BACK on a bus and traveled 22 hours home.....

(I considered offering bed space on CraigsList...but it just seemed too much, and after a few weeks, everyone was situated...I guess. )


I sure hope it is worth it, Mrrzy

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 09:45 PM

TEN THOUSAND tour buses???? I agree with my DC-area relatives-in-law -- fuggetaboutit. I'll watch on TV. (One is "going" with her daughter. They're going to her office at EPA and watching from the window.)

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 10:11 PM

I was asked by someone with tickets who's going with a bunch of folks, but I haven't been at work so lost contact with the person. Not that I couldn't get in touch somehow, but I really hate crowds. Yes, it will be a Time to Remember, but can you imagine the lines for the toilets!?

I'll watch on TV.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Melissa
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 10:40 PM

My nephew is going..his band is playing.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 12:41 AM

Not me. But Chongo says he'll be there.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 01:00 AM

We received a very impressive looking Invitation to the Inauguration in the snail mail today. Immaculately printed on very heavy simulated parchement, with an accompanying letter on thinner - but still excellent quality - paper. The source was identified as "The Presidential Inauguration Committee," which sounds quite authentic but is not any unique organization recognized by Google.

I'm not sure why they thought we needed an invitation to "The Inauguration" since that's an open-to-the-public thing, and they didn't mention anything about tickets to the associated events that do require that you purchase tickets, or that you receive an invitation that includes a "pass."

But there was a small pamphlet indentifying several "Inauguration Memoriabilia" items that are available, with a website where we were informed that we could purchase them.

I didn't check the prices.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: GUEST,beardedbruce
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 07:18 AM

'Father of Potty Parity' calls 5,000 johns 'inadequate'
January 13, 2009 - 10:29am

WASHINGTON - The masses heading to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama could spend a lot of time in line for a port-a-potty.
A George Washington University law professor says the 5,000 port-o-potties planned for Inauguration Day will be "grossly inadequate."

Professor John Banzhaf, the so-called "Father of Potty Parity" sent a letter to the Presidential Inaugural Committee warning of potential lawsuits.

He says women, who take longer in the restroom, could be forced to wait in longer lines than men, and that amounts to discrimination.

Banzhaf says waiting in long lines is not just an inconvenience. It can trigger medical problems. He's asking the Presidential Inaugural Committee to make the toilets gender-neutral so that women do not have to wait longer than men.

(Copyright 2009 by MetroSource. All Rights Reserved.)

WASHINGTON - The masses heading to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama could spend a lot of time in line for a port-a-potty.
A George Washington University law professor says the 5,000 port-o-potties planned for Inauguration Day will be "grossly inadequate."

Professor John Banzhaf, the so-called "Father of Potty Parity" sent a letter to the Presidential Inaugural Committee warning of potential lawsuits.

He says women, who take longer in the restroom, could be forced to wait in longer lines than men, and that amounts to discrimination.

Banzhaf says waiting in long lines is not just an inconvenience. It can trigger medical problems. He's asking the Presidential Inaugural Committee to make the toilets gender-neutral so that women do not have to wait longer than men.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: GUEST,MarkS (on the road)
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 07:19 AM

Dress warm!

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 09:16 AM

So, let's say there's only 2,000,000 people and there are 5,000 portapotties. Unless my math is wrong that one john for every 2,000 people. Wikipedia Answers suggest a ratio of 1 to 50; other sites suggest 1 to 15, especially when there are children. Even opening the toilets in the various museums and things still wouldn't affect the ratio much.

AND I'm being very conservative here.

Looks like there will be a LOT of "other cleaning up" to do....

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 09:23 AM

"Potty Parity," huh?

It'll be so cold that waiting on line won't be the worst part ~ can you imagine finally reaching the head of the queue and then having to sit on a frozen cold porta-potty seat? Males making #1 won't have to face that eventuality, but more than half the attendees will.

None for me, thanks.

Many many years ago I made a couple of trips to DC for gigantic "mobilization" demonstrations, where the crowd itself was the event. Being in midst of thousands of folks, unable to see anything except the backs of countless heads, did not, on those cases, constitute "missing" anything ~ we were what was happening. (Even though, in the end, no one was able to levitate the Pentagon...)

An inauguration is something else entirely. Unless you can see and/or hear the swearing-in, you will be missing the event. And only a small fraction of the multitudes descending upon the city will find themselves in such a position.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 09:29 AM

I figger that the last tour bus will be able to leave town sometime in early June. Mind you, there will still be leftover folks from the Inauguration walking off the Mall in early November.....

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 09:32 AM

"Even opening the toilets in the various museums and things still wouldn't affect the ratio much."


Actually, they are closing the other restrooms, to keep crowds out of buildings.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 09:39 AM

Make a small fortune....set up stalls on street corners leading to the Mall and sell various sizes of "Depends".

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 10:28 AM

OR even those bag-in-your-pants inventions for avoiding emergencies.

We received the same invitation as John, which is now framed and hanging in my office as a historical footnote.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: jeffp
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 11:08 AM

My home is in Howard County, Maryland, and my job is in Alexandria, Virginia. I will be safe and warm at home telecommuting while I watch the whole thing on TV.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 11:38 AM

I will be safe and warm at work, 2,000 miles away.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 11:46 AM

Yeah Rap.........And the traffic will be backed to to where you are in Idaho.

Much as I might have loved to do this when I was 20, there ain't enough money to pay me to go. From all the news reports this will be the gridlocked crowd to end all gridlocked crowds.

Me and my TV will enjoy it!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 12:56 PM

I will be there in spirit, and will cruise the scene via my desktop, where I will be warm, in reach of a coffeepot, and within a short walk to a bathroom with a clean floor.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inaugurat
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 01:09 PM

Hi Kids: I think that all 'Catters(and Guests) will be there. If not in person, perhaps spiritually.
Because what's happening at THIS event is more than just an inauguration. It's a psychological transition that will speak to minorities around the world. Both children and adults will witness the miracle of a black man with the right qualities transcending the bigotry of the past and present.

It will send a message to young blacks and minorities that not only can they be IN the game, they now; with the right stuff, can WIN it.

This will be one of the most important days in world history. My prayers go out to Mr. Obama...Both for Guidance and Protection by the Creator...
bob

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: akenaton
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 08:21 AM

I think you are using the wrong sort of language Mr Ryszkiewicz, I know it's all a game but do you seriously think the game is winnable for anyone other than the elite?
Do you think that money and priviledge will somehow disappear from the equation?
Miss Rice was black, smart and powerful, yet still did her masters' bidding...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 08:35 AM

Depends! Now that's an idea! (the kids can pee in the bushes, they are boys...)

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: quokka
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 08:38 AM

Surely we can hope for something better than the last few years, Ake? surely we can hope. and best of luck, and maybe some wisdom. I am not from the US, but we are all world citizens, and I wish you guys all the best in the difficult times ahead.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 08:55 AM

"He says women, who take longer in the restroom, could be forced to wait in longer lines than men, and that amounts to discrimination."


Discrimination????????????????????????????????????????   HA! No, that amounts to life. Life usually involves some inconvenience, specially if too many people all try to do the same thing at the same time in the same place and with inadequate resources. To call it "discrimination" is, well, just a bit ridiculous. To suggest sueing someone over it is downright asinine.

In Orillia, Ontario, Canada though, we already have porta-potties that are gender-neutral so that our women don't have to wait longer to use the public facilities. All our porta-potties are gender-neutral, for gosh sakes! Maybe Banzhaf is onto something. He could be a closet Canadian sympathizer, sent to disrupt and subvert the American presidential inauguration! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 09:33 AM

With your Martin Luther King Day falling on the day before the inauguration you've got a two day celebration coming up.

Enjoy.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inaugurat
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 11:01 AM

Akenaton: You, of course, can think what you will. But for me, the vision was not myopic, and not singularly referring to the Office of the President. The reference of "game" could apply to whatever job, business, career, or dream that all those kids(and adults) who will be watching will be thinking of accomplishing. Hopefully, they will be inspired by Mr. Obama and say, "Hey, I can do something great too..."

And with the right group of Bandidos, ANYTHING can happen...

bob... Ole' :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 11:22 AM

I don't think Obama's given you adequate cause yet to hate him as much as you seem to, Ake. ;-)

I think you ought to allow him a few months...or at least a few weeks in office before you take the gloves off and start throwing punches. He has not yet earned your disapprobation.

True, he is the leader of the most arrogant and vainglorious superpower in the world...but he can't help that. He was born there. Now he gets to be in the hotseat of hell for 4 years, and risks much in so doing. Give the man a chance. Give him the kind of chance you would wish to be given yourself, if you ever found yourself in a similar position.

Remember, you can still always despise him later...when he has actually had a chance to do some things in office that you can legitimately despise him for. Then think how much more emotionally satisfying it will be. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: akenaton
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 02:51 PM

Come on Hawk.....you know I don't hate Mr Obama, you also know who runs America!

I was simply trying to temper Guest's euphoria with a little realism; there is much political naivety around at present, and I wouldn't like any impressionable mudcatters to leave this thread under the illusion that everything is going to be "all right" simply because the American media have elected a black man.

As I have stated elsewhere, we had our own Mr Obama ten years ago.
The election of Mr Blair was to usher in a period of "ethical foreign policy", instead Mr Blair shamed the electorate by following America into a half baked crusade to repair her damaged prestige.
That crusade used to be known as the "War on Terror", a phrase we seldom hear nowadays;it culminated in the horror of Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving Mr Blairs rhetoric in tatters, like the bodies of the dead on both sides.
Mr Blairs domestic policies were no better, when he left power the "rich poor divide" was wider than ever and the economy nearing meltdown.

Mr Obama is a supporter of the Capitalist system, just like Blair; and if things ever do improve in the financial sector, he will support de-regulation just like Mr Blair and Mr Brown did, because that is what his masters will demand!

And so the cycle goes on, the poor paying the tab till they can pay no longer....Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 02:55 PM

You guys could maybe try for enough self control to talk about the subject, which is 'catters going to the inauguration - and not use it as yet another place to bitch about another country's politics.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 03:04 PM

Well, Ake, until America stops being capitalist it will always have a president who supports the capitalist system, won't it? It's inevitable. It would be foolish to expect or demand otherwise. Yes, I know who runs the SySStem...the very rich run the SySStem.

In any case, I like a healthy mixture of capitalism and socialism in a society...which is what we more or less have in Canada and most of western Europe right now. I hope Obama will move toward a system more like that, but I won't be too surprised if he doesn't, because the powers arrayed against anyone doing that in the USA are enormous.

I figure he will either work with them fairly much as usual or they'll destroy him.

I would love to go to that inauguration, but I wouldn't want to put up with the crowds and all that, so I'll just watch it from afar.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 03:21 PM

"we had our own Mr Obama ten years ago."

Just list all the similarities. Young(ish) and able to talk in public without putting his foot in his mouth. And quite a lot of people thought he'd be better than the last lot in power.

That's about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: akenaton
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 03:51 PM

Yes thats about it McGrath!....Oh yes I fogot about the CHANGE thing, and that Blair was perceived to be centre left just like Mr Obama!

Jeri if you had rfead the thread you might have noticed that a friend of mine is travelling from UK to the inauguration.
Her family is apparently very big in Chicago Dem politics, she showed me a photo, they all wore suits with bulging inside pockets and apparently they're heavily into rap music....Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inaugurat
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 04:09 PM

Found this on Yahoo...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090115/ts_alt_afp/uspoliticsobamachildren
Maybe if we all row the boat in the same direction...
bob

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 04:12 PM

I did see that post you made a couple of days ago. I was mainly referring to the three you've made since.

This thread isn't a debate, and I will stop bitching about debaters, but the debaters should take advantage of some other thread about Obama.

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: akenaton
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 04:26 PM

I think guest's euphoric post invited debate?

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 05:21 PM

"I'll be there, with bells on" seems a quite reasonable and measured level of euphoria to mark the replacement of George Bush by a recognisable member of the human race.

What have you got against bells anyway, akenaton? Just because they don't have Morris Dancers in Scotland...

Regardless of whether Obama lives up to all the hopes that have built up around him - could anyone? - the fact that Americans have pretty convincgly voted for a black man promises to be a nail,in the coffin of racism in America. Of course the corpse of racism still has to be nailed down into that coffin and planted underground- its still running around killing people like a zombie in a movie (for example). But this last election in itself represents a significant advance, and it's worth celebrating,

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: DougR
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 06:35 PM

I think not.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 07:04 PM

"I wouldn't like any impressionable mudcatters to leave this thread under the illusion that everything is going to be "all right" simply because the American media have elected a black man." ake

Thanks for your efforts in educating this "impressionable mudcatter". In my opinion- and in my experience - the most important part of Barack Obama's grasping the helm is not that he is a "man of color/colour". That is nice and I am proud and hopeful about it but it is just the icing on the cake.

Far more important is that he is an articulate person of vision, one who appears to have integrity and insight and a clarity of purpose. Frankly, I have sincere doubts that anyone on earth can remedy our ills immediately - but a change of direction is at least a start.

As for me, no, I'm not going to the inauguration. W A Y too many people. However, I am taking the day off work and attending an Inauguration Day party at our local Centennial Hall. The way I see it, this is a once in a lifetime event and I want to 'be there'.

East Coast time is four hours ahead of Alaska so our breakfast, speechifying and seats athwart a big-screen television will run from 7:15 to 10:00. (Well, maybe not 'athwart')

Subject: RE: BS: Any 'catters going to Presidents Inauguration?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 07:15 PM

Well, Doug, McCain did seem to indicate that, though he'd sooner have won himself, he saw the fact that Americans felt able to elect a black candidate as president as something to rejoice in.

Listen once again to that gracious concession speech McCain made after his defeat, or read it here:

... America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States....Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it...