Inauguration (Page 2)

Agreed...that was gadawful.  Don't poems rhyme?

Umm, are you really wondering why or is that a rhetorical question?  If it's a real question, I'd think a huge reason is that something happened in the election of '08 that 99.9% of the population living 50, 40, 30, maybe 20 years ago never thought could or would happen.  It happened, and folks wanted to see history.

Think of a sporting event...folks want to see Henry Aaron hit #715...they're not exactly lining up to see #724.  

Poetry is an art, so each can have his or her own opinion, but one of the principles is "show don't tell".

painting a bowl of fruit = telling

Painting something that represents the favors and feels of the fruit = showing.

Blanco kept interjecting with "like my mother did for me." And "my father did that for me and for all."

I just didn't think it was that good.

orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

it could mean people are not as excited about the next 4 years of his Presidency or maybe it could mean that people cannot afford to go in this economy!

But you could be right

orrrr, it could be multi-factorial with a little bit o' this and a little bit o' that!  Think about it, if folks could go back in time to see Jackie Robinson play, do you think they'd line up to see his first game?  or the first game of his 5th season?  I think the answer is obvious...1st season, 1st year.

As for the economy...you do remember what was happening to the economy prior to President Obama being sworn in?  Prior to the Obama presidency, we were losing about 600,000 jobs per month under GW Bush.  An interesting article here sums it up pretty well:

http://open.salon.com/blog/mpbulletin/2012/09/03/economy_worse_under_obama

In terms of favorability ratings, the difference between ~65% last inaug. and ~55% this time around, definitely plays a part.  

All in all it's a beautiful day to be an American.  

The first one was a truly historical event for many reason. It is an event that your grand kids will learn about in school and you can tell them that you were there....This one, not so much. 

Anybody know where you can find estimated numbers for the past 5-6 inaugurations?  I'm certain that would show a trend.

I was at the inauguration and the ball last night

numbers turned out to be more like 1.8 million - LARGER than 4 years ago.

as to the ball - that does cot $65 (5 for picking up tix vs 23 to have them sent to you). Bare cement floor (really fun in heels) the only food was pretzels, cash bar ($3 for soft drink/water, $10 for hard liquor wine was inbetween),  very barren - the stage hard to see - the view from home the best and makes it look  WAY more glamorous.

Everything I've read this morning puts the numbers around 1.0-1.2.  Where did you get 1.8? 

Historical aside -- the public swearing in was George Washington's idea, and he established the tradition at the very first US Pres inauguration.

total ridership for Metro yesterday was only like 719K so I hightly doubt that another 1.1MM walked and/or drove in for the event.  1.8MM is an absolute fantasy number.

The 1.8 million is the number from 2009.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012103884.html

no way would I have been there had the celebration been one that the donald wanted to be at.

Is it ever a good idea to spend that much on anything in Washington?  Good economy or bad?

If Romney had won the lefties would be saying the same thing.  The guy won so he gets his party. 

I agree.  I was thinking "Why doesn't someone break from tradition and have the 2nd inauguration on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial?" and then I thought "ah but then he'd be the guy who snubbed the Congress."

Another data point for the attendance: In 2009, the weather was a bit warmer and sunnier. This year, it was colder, cloudier, and rain in the forecast.

JayZ looked pretty annoyed that he had to wait to move through the crowd after the ceremony.  Beyonce was schmoozing and smiling with everyone around her whereas JayZ was going largely unnoticed or not acknowledging anyone.  Probably the first time he or Beyonce have had to wait on anyone in a few years...  They have people to move the people out of the way usually...

Even as much as a fiscal conservative that I am and not watching a minute of the inauguration because I figured why should I ruin my day, I can't think of something that Washington DC does that gets better value for the dollars spent then the inauguration. And then again, I am a sucker for recognizing the importance of tradition and ceremony in civil society.

so you cannot disagree on an issue and be supportive?

I'm pretty sure he got pulled over with drugs and guns in the car, he refused search until the K9's showed up, then it was all over. One of his 99 problems if I recall correctly.