VolcanoJen's Not So Excellent Inauguration Adventure

[VolcanoJen]

Greetings from Washington, DC, DUers!!

Just a very quick dispatch because I'm finally back at the hotel and I am utterly exhausted.

As a Blue Standing Area ticket holder, I was so excited to make my way into the district this morning. Such immense crowds (I was near Union Station), such smiling faces, such elation from all!

The signage from Union Station was poor, but we finally made our way to the security checkpoint for the Blue ticket holders, at Washington Avenue near 1st Street. It was about 8:30 when we arrived there. In a huge crush of people, we waited. And waited. And waited. The line barely crawled, and by 10:30 we became understandably concerned that we were so delayed getting into our area on the Capitol lawn.

And fifteen more minutes passed. Fifteen after that. It's now 11:00 and there are thousands of people ahead of us. We know in our hearts there is no possibility we will witness this historic moment, after all. The disappointment was overwhelming, but more so to others who grew even more impatient. Suddenly, the line turned into something of a mob scene, with half of the crowd moving to merge in with the others far ahead of us in line. There was an immense crush of people. It was all we could do to move sideways and avoid getting swept up in the wave. At that moment it was a relief to get out of the relative madness, but, and I'm sure anyone here could understand this, it was crushing to know that I would not witness this historic moment, after months of anticipation, after all.

Walking back toward Union Station, the cannons were fired and everyone on the street knew Obama had just become President. I started crying, and so did so many around me. The dejected ticket holders started their own little party on D Street, and although it wasn't what I had expected, it was still a wonderful moment. My Inauguration Moment. Hugging strangers in absolute joy as the 21 gun salute went off!!

Later, we made our way to the Dubliner to watch Bush leave Washington. What a fun party that was!! A packed bar of people singing the "Na Na Hey Hey" song, and hissing at Cheney in the wheelchair. Seeing those televisions was my first glimpse of any of the events of the day.

I'll write more later, it but that's it in a nutshell. It was still a beautiful day; this is so much bigger than I am and I appreciate that. I'm utterly exhausted after a crazy day, and am finally settled in the hotel room to watch some coverage on TV.

So... did I miss anything?

[Jennicut]

1. I'm sorry you missed the big moment, Jen.

Sounds like you still had some fun though. Glad you came out unscathed.

[VolcanoJen]

5. I do have to say I'm disappointed in the security team/Capitol Police

Still not sure who was running the show, but found out at the Dubliner that many Purple ticket holders experienced the same shut-out. For the ticketed areas, you'd think they were experienced... they seat the same areas every four years. Yet, there was an amazing dearth of security in our area. Not a single police officer, no bullhorns instructing the thousands of us waiting patiently.

It really is a testament to the character of the crowd that nothing horrible happened. I'm sure I'll read more about what happened in the coming days online, since so many thousands of us experienced it together. But how on earth did they screw that part up while getting everything else perfect?

[FrenchieCat]

13. Write to Diane Feinstein......

as she was the one running things.

Early in the morning, I heard that they were letting people through although they were supposed to until 7:00 a.m., and they were getting in at like 5:30 a.m.

CNN was reporting on it.

So yes, it looks like the security apparatus got screwed up quite a bit.

[VolcanoJen]

20. Thanks, Frenchie!

I would at least like to express my disappointment to, I don't know, someone. It was a true, Epic Massive Fail in the Blue and Purple areas!

But... it was fun hitting the Dubliner just ahead of the swarms of people leaving the Mall, and finding out just about everyone in there was a Blue or Purple ticket holder who had been shut out. Small blessings... we beat the masses out of the Mall and were toasting President Obama long before they were!!

Frenchie

[leftynyc]

27. Yup- my sister and niece were purple ticket holders

and experienced the same thing as you. They gave up around 10:30 and managed to find a place where the capitol was visible but were upset their tickets were not able to be used. And they missed their train back to New York because of the metro problems. An exhausting day but still glad they made the trip and also mentioned the feelings of unity and the kindness and joy of perfect strangers. THAT made the trip for them.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

28. Some friends of ours with purple tickets made it in

They told us that one of the problems was that too many people who didn't have tickets were trying to get in, creating a bottleneck situation. Well duh, there were no signs along to street or tunnel where we were lining up indicating that the line was for "Purple Ticket Holders Only".

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Aw. *hugs* Sorry it wasn't what you expected but at least you found a way

to celebrate after all.

[saigon68]

3. At least you tried

I know how hard you all in Ohio worked this time.

Thanks from me

Enjoy the moment

It is what it is.

[VolcanoJen]

11. Hey there!

saigon

I don't want to give anyone the wrong impression... it was amazing, emotional, immense. But not everything went perfectly today, and I just wanted to share that perspective with everyone.

It is what it is, indeed! But honestly... what I'll always remember is crying and hugging strangers on a street when the cannons went off. That's not the moment I anticipated experiencing, but it was the one I received as a gift.

[Kukesa]

25. Crying and hugging strangers is a good memory. n/t

[onehandle]

4. The job was done.

Sorry you didn't get to your spot, but it sounds like DC was one giant happy party from what my wife and I saw on TV today.

If you were in DC, you were there. Keep that in mind.

[VolcanoJen]

7. It was, in fact, the biggest party in the history of our nation

Everyone was so happy, so joyful. It really has been a wonderful, wonderful experience, save for the glitch today!

[panader0]

6. I'll bet many more had the same disappointment.

Watching at home, I saw the train stations packed, and every train was already full anyway. Sorry you didn't make it in, but at least you were close.

[Kukesa]

26. Story I read said the stations were already packed at 5 am. n/t

[renate]

8. I'm sorry... you're taking it very well

As amazing as it would have been to see him as a speck in the distance taking the oath of office, it sounds from the TV coverage that the crowds and the party atmosphere were the real event. I hope you had a fabulous time being around all those happy, exhilarated, joyful people.

[shireen]

9. it was your special moment,

Not what you expected but you were in the presence of a historical milestone in our country. You may not have seen it directly, but you felt it. I'm envious. I wish i could have been there.

[DCBob]

10. That's a damn shame. Apparently there were thousands of ticket holders who did not get in.

I guess the huge crowd overwhelmed the system. But sounds like you found a way to enjoy the day regardless. Cheers to you and to our new President!

[VolcanoJen]

12. DC Police are saying thousands of blue & purple tickets were over-allocated

Honestly, I'm not sure I buy that. I mean, how does that happen and nobody knows about it?

It was still wonderful to be there... just a glitch in an otherwise perfect several days so far. I wish all of you were here in DC right now!

[KittyWampus]

14. Hugging strangers... I had several experiences like that at a woman's art conference

Isn't it amazing when so many people are so totally OPEN to each other in public like that?

Thing is, it could be like that every day.

We just have to remember to try.

[Liberalboy]

15. I think you had the best seat in the house :-)

You got to FEEL the energy, I envy you

[wndycty]

16. Similar experience in the Silver Standing Area, however the crowd literally bum rushed . . .

. . .security to get in.

[VolcanoJen]

17. I heard rumors about that at the Dubliner!

Were you there, in the Silver section? A bum rush was attempted in the Blue line too, but it was quashed by the decent people in the crowd who outnumbered the selfish, dangerous people. It was a shame that this glorious day had to be marred by that.

[wndycty]

18. Yeah and the frustrating thing was that there was no reason for the Silver section to be closed. . .

. . .I was near the front and looked at the map on my ticket and realized the area everyone was being kept out of was actually the area reserved for Silver ticket holders. I looked up and the cops were attempting the hold crowd back and next thing you know I hear a cop yelling "I'll knock you out!" and the crowd responded by surging forward and breaking the perimeter and later by knocking down a mesh fence.

I understand what you are saying about safety, BUT when we got in we realized the section EVERYONE was being kept out of was the section we all had tickets for. We are not talking about a slow moving line, we are talking about the cops telling everyone they weren't letting ticket holders into a section we all tickets for and was virtually empty. It didn't make a lot of sense.

[VolcanoJen]

19. I'm so glad you made it in!!

Sigh... it is weirdly ironic that several thousand of us ended up being the few Americans who didn't actually see the Inauguration live! But.... a memory is a memory, you know?

I was shocked that there was no organization in the blue, silver and purple areas. No officials, nobody telling us what was happening. At several times we in the blue "line" broke into a chant: "What's Going On? What's Going On?"

[malletgirl02]

29. Silver area

My dad and I also had tickets to the silver area. After a combination of slow moving relatives who took too long to get ready, an hour long ride from were I live to DC, and a nightmare metro ride we finally got to the mall. We couldn't even get to the silver gate. how ever my dad and I went took a detour to try to find the jumbotrons and we ended up further up the mall towards the Washington monument. I think we actually ended close to the silver section, we were close to the one of the Smithsonian museum I think it was the Native American history one. We didn't realize that we were close to a jumbotron until near the end of Obama's speech. By the Way If anyone knows if the inauguration is going to be replayed please let me know. While I heard most of it, and I could see the Capital building, I would like to see it up close.

The metro ride was the worst part of the day. Before the inauguration started I was wishing I just stayed home and watched on TV. I should have been more assertive with my relatives to wake up earlier. We were supposed to leave at 6:00om I a little before 5:00 am, we didn't leave my house until 7:00 am. Sorry about the rant.

[karynnj]

31. CSPAN has already archived a lot of it

Look for the inauguration day links under recent programs - several links take you to multiple links for the events of yesterday. http://cspan.org /

I couldn't find a scheduled replay.

[wndycty]

48. Yeah the Metro was really miserable

[MountainMamma]

21. So sorry Jen..........

You worked so hard to get our man "Obama" elected. Getting him elected has ended up being of historic magnitude. Seeing the swearing in was super but watching the leaving of the previous occupant of "our house" was even better. We did that, yes we did. Savor the experience that remains. Auntie M

[mrreowwr_kittty]

22. I feel your pain.

I was a purple ticket holder, and when my b/f and I got up near the gate around 11:15, we were told that the gate was closed. Dejected, we made our way back to our hotel. We stopped in at a mini-mart on Mass. Ave. for some coffee and the owners had the Inauguration on. Along with a handful of other patrons who'd been thwarted in their attempt to see the proceedings, we gathered round to watch Obama take the oath of office on a 10 inch TV screen. Despite our disappointment, it was still awesome. Because whether or not I personally got to witness Obama get inaugurated, he did!

[Zomby Woof]

23. I am sorry for those developments

If it's any comfort from those of us who watched from afar - you were there. You were in Washington, D.C., when one of the most important and significant days in American history played itself out.

I know it was a big letdown that the logistics did not work as planned. Consider this the price of the moment. So many people with so many hopes and filled with so much anticipation, like yourself - so overwhelmingly enormous was the desire to be there, that the physical reality of the surroundings could not accommodate everyone as envisioned.

But you were there, and you made the best of the adversity. You did well, Jen Jen!

[VolcanoJen]

43. Also, amazing things happened in that crowd

Like when we lifted up wheelchairs so that people who were overwhelmed could escape the crowds. That was a collective, inspirational moment. And how everyone just kept everyone else pumped up.

Keep Hope Alive! Free The Blue People! What's Going On!

Ahhh, the chanting. It's what I'll probably remember most. It was such a cool, mellow crowd. We're all so lucky that nothing truly horrible happened... in fact, we did a lot of good, that day! Those stories need to be told as well; it's fascinating to watch the tale of the Blue & Purple Brethren become internet legend, but let's make sure these stories don't become urban legend, you know? Let the truth be told.

ZombyWoof

[democrattotheend]

24. I was in the blue line too

And I was so scared we would not make it, but I refused to give up. We managed to get in 6 minutes before Obama took the oath, but it was dicey, and we missed some of the beginning, which was a bummer. But I got to be there for the swearing in and the speech, and it was worth it. I'm so sorry you could not get in...they really screwed up with the way they handled the blue gate in particular.

[Lorien]

30. So sorry that you missed it, but you can always say "I was there"!

even if you weren't within eyesight. It's all on Youtube, which will give you a better view than what 99% of your fellow supporters in DC saw that day!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

32. I applaud your attitude regarding the whole thing.

Yours was a proper one - patience and understanding, that an event with an estimated 1.9 million people might not wind up accommodating everyone involved, but still appreciative of the event itself. I cannot begin to thank you for sharing your feelings on your experience, and I am very, very sorry that you didn't get to see it.

[Zomby Woof]

33. ZombyKick

My first of the NEW ERA.

[Kukesa]

34. New Era Kick! n/t

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

35. Just got home - I drove up from Southern Ohio w/o a ticket

We staked out a spot by the monument and were able to have a very, very nosebleed seat for of the events. We did get to see the Jumbotrons. However, consider yourself fortunate that you did not get stuck afterwards in the maze of port-a-potties and security fences for 3 1/2 hours, being told by frustrated security "i think you can get out over there" - only to walk 3 blocks to said spot and be told to go to destination after destination with more of the same response.

We finally escaped from The Mall around 6p.m. and were too exhausted to enjoy the bars (stayed right by the Dubliner). I'm still sore in every muscle this evening and probably going to need another day to get rested.

Still, even after that mess, I'd do it all over again. It was worth it just to see the mood of the city, both in the Mall and outside.

And getting to be a part of the giant booing of bush is one of the proudest moments of my life.

[VolcanoJen]

42. Really does sound like you guys did better than we did.

And good for you!!!!

The "Na Na Hey Hey" moments and "booooo" moments I saw later on YouTube were fantastic!!

What a day to be in DC, eh?

[Kukesa]

36. Please remember to buy your MOM a souvenir, Jen! n/t

[YvonneCa]

37. Your experience must have been disappointing...

...and I am sorry you didn't get where you wanted to be. I'm SURE C-Span will make coverage available at some point...maybe sooner than anyone thinks.

Here's another thought for you: You represented the many here and across the country who had no way to go...and, I have to tell you, you were one of the MILLIONS I saw on TV when I turned it on. For me, that's when the tears came. Without those of you who did that...went there, despite conditions, to stand up for our democracy...today would be a very different day. The country needed to SEE us...and you made that happen. Thank YOU.

[Kukesa]

39. What a nice post. n/t

[VolcanoJen]

44. You're pretty awesome, Yvonne!

You would have welcomed among The Blue People in that line!!

Again, it was an awesome thing and an awesome day. Of course it was bitterly disappointing to have tickets which you thought were "guaranteed" only to find out they meant nothing. But just being there was intense. And let there be no doubt that even we dejected Blue and Purple People knew where we were and were reveling in the moment!!

Thank you so much for your kind words. YvoneCA And it's wonderful to know that all of us moved you, you know?

CHANGE.

[YvonneCa]

46. Thank you. It was an awesome...

...day! And, considering how bleak things were in 2004, we are turning out to be a pretty awesome country.

[WinkyDink]

38. Better to have been there and crushed only in spirit! YIKES!

[kestrel91316]

40. You were THERE. You got to feel it in the air and be a part of it.

Seeing it on TV, while thrilling, just wasn't the same as breathing the air of the moment.

[Glimmer of Hope]

41. I am glad you had fun anyway but I am just really curious why there was such a foul up.

Obviously something was not planned correctly by the police or organizers.

[calimary]

45. LOVE it! Congratulations!

I'm just having trouble readjusting. A long hostage hold can be like that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[alteredstate]

47. On Tuesday, I braved the crowds and cold in the Purple Tunnel of doom.... in a freaking wheelchair.

Does anyone have information on where to complain about the cluster fuck on Tuesday?

I'm wearing a cast on my right leg, and wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it to the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony. But I'd read about the "handicapped entrances" to the gates, so we decided to leave early and watch the ceremony from the purple section.

When we reached the Capitol area, there were no signs to direct us and there was no safe entry plan for handicapped attendees. Ticket holders for all areas and those without tickets merged in a teeming mass of freezing flesh. We finally found a couple of volunteers who sent us in the wrong direction. At one point we were stranded in the middle of a crowd of thousands, being shoved from all directions, with no way to move.

Somehow we made it to the tunnel, and after a long, scary trip we actually ended up in the crush of humanity that was the "purple" line. I was pushed up against a fence and I feared my wheelchair would be overturned and I would be trampled. Someone actually found a security guard and I was pulled away from the fence. After three and a half hours we entered the purple section. I wheeled myself up the ramp to the handicapped area and was turned away, because it was full. I burst into tears. I've photographed countless Obama rallies and events during the 18 months I worked as a volunteer, and I was hoping to get a few shots of our new President being sworn in. I spent my time at the swearing-in staring at the asses of those around me, and getting bumped and stepped on, but I was glad to be there.

I have vivid mementos of the event --- big bruises all over my leg, above my cast.

[VolcanoJen]

51. We helped many in wheelchairs escape the Blue "Line"

We even watched Tammy Duckworth leave. At one point, we moved out from the crowd to help a disabled veteran in a wheelchair by lifting his chair over the curb and out onto the only clear swath so that he could leave. I am heartbroken so much more by what happened to the elderly and disabled in those awful lines than I am by my own experience. And again I must testify to the abundance of good feelings and warmth and good will in our own Blue People crowd. This scene could have easily dissolved into a tragedy, and quickly, were it not for cool heads and happy hearts.

I mean, think about it, alteredstate... can you imagine being stuck in a similar crowd full of Palin Supporters, the same ones we saw lining up outside those infamous rallies during the election!?!?? God Help Us All if that had been the case.

I'm so sad that you didn't get in, either. And I hope that you will be able to have good feelings about the event as time passes.

alteredstate

[FailureToCommunicate]

49. You were there. You made the effort AND brought your relatives along to hope

they too could experience that historic day. That was great of you! I am sorry you didn't get to where you should have to "see" it, but I hope you can, over time,
feel better that you tried and WERE there. You are no doubt in the satellite crowd photos that let the rest of America, and the world, see that
this was indeed the most important inaugural in our 200 years as a nation.

We drove from Boston in a white-out blizzard crawling for hours at 20mph behind plow trucks at thought many times of turning back. I have been reading
the books about General Washington and his improbable band of winter soldiers at Trenton, then surviving terrible winter hardships at Valley Forge and Morristown
when the cold and the Cause seemed unending. Their struggle made my fretting about the difficulties of our drive seem petty by comparison. It was amazing to hear Obama
in his speech make the same historical comparison about the difficult times we as a nation face. Those colonials were tough folks!

Anyway, we made it to DC and met up with friends with kids same age as ours who had also worked on the campaign. We walked from a station before Union to avoid the crush but soon joined the crowd
waiting to get into the silver ticket area several blocks away waiting next to lines of idling busses. My heart sank also, feeling bad more for the disappointment the kids would feel as it became clear we
wouldn't be getting close to the Mall in time. My son said "Cheer up dad, at least the people around us are friendly" And he was right. We were ALL there for the same insanely great reason!
The chanting and singing of the masses around us felt like we were in a huge outdoor church service together. We laughed, we cried, we all booed together. We will always remember the friendly crowd.

When the cannons boomed and Obama was now REALLY President and Bush flew away in the helicopter the millions around us all felt as one. The nightmare is over. Its a New Day! Praise be!
Strangers hugged and wept and laughed thru tears. The masses of people, the long walk, freezing feet, none of that mattered now. We had done it. We had changed our stars.
We can hold ourselves a little straighter...

Thank you Jen, for helping make this day come true. Yes we can! Yes we did!

[VolcanoJen]

52. "Cheer up dad, at least the people around us are friendly"

My sentiments exactly, of course. I am so sorry to hear about your Silver Ticket heartbreak, FailureToCommunicate. As I wrote elsewhere in this thread... imagine if we had been stuck in a crowd that size, only instead of light-hearted, jovial, high-spirited people, we were packed in like penguins with Sarah Palin supporters, like the kind we watched line up outside her events during the campaign!? OUCH!!!!!!

The cannon fire, and The Dubliner after escaping The Blue Mass of Hell, those are my Inauguration Memories. And I cherish them. Not everything turns out as expected.

And you know what? I'd still do it all over again.

FailureToCommunicate

And a hearty toast as well to your very wise son!!!

[FailureToCommunicate]

54. Thanks Jen. But our Inaugural visit was no heartbreak. The twins got to be

part of history ("Dad, now we have our OWN D.C. stories to add to yours about King's speech and anti-war demonstrations!") as did we all. And wandering to try to avoid the thickest crowds
we saw parts of the Capitol we'd not have seen other wise - "So THAT'S were the Supreme Court building is..." And just to be part of that amazing MASS of humanity, most of whom seemed dressed in their Sunday best,
is the best of many happy memories we'll always cherish from that crazy trip.
Cheers!

[VolcanoJen]

50. HELLO Everyone!!

So, I'm finally home. I've read some fascinating accounts of what happened to "The Blue People" as well as our Purple-People-Brethren stuck in the tunnel. I'll write more soon, and hope to update this thread with photos too.

I love you guys!! Thanks for your support! And allow me to reiterate... all was not lost. I had my "Inauguration Moment" on D Street, and shortly thereafter, singing "Na Na Hey Hey" as well as rousing choruses of "There's No One As Irish As Barack Obama!" at The Dubliner near Union Station.

It wasn't what I anticipated, but the memories are precious nonetheless.

DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND!!!

[Fleshdancer]

53. The blue and silver ticket holders got screwed

I found myself in a massive crush too because one officer was directing everyone with blue, silver, and no tickets down a road that turned out to be a dead end. The poor officer at the dead end area was visibly pissed off when he found out about it and he went to go search for the first officer that was creating the massive people jam. It took me roughly 30 minutes to escape from it. I was too short to see what was going on, but I think someone removed a few of the metal barricades to free us. At that point, the blue line was toast because the overflow of people interrupted their line and the poor silver ticket holders still didn't know where their line even started. Complete chaos.

When I went to DC, I was bummed about not having tickets. Once I was there, I realized that every ticket holder I met did not have a chance to get through their line early enough. I had time to hoof it over to the WWII Memorial and watch it on the big screens when the ticket holders didn't.

KUDOS to the people though. Even with the huge crowds, massive people jams, confused police officers giving wrong directions, and numerous metro station closings, everyone I encountered was very kind. In any other situation the tension would be too high, but on that day, we all knew we wouldn't want to be anywhere else on the planet.