Inauguration Photo Thread

[Linney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff It was a great day, with huge crowds of wonderful people.

Thanks so much for sharing these. I've been following your pictures and stories over the past couple days. It has been great to hear your first-hand account of the inauguration experience!

--Linney

[kyounge1956]

Quote:

Originally Posted by samclem Lots to be proud of today. Every inauguration, to me, validates the incredible process we have and highlights the importance of the Constitution. It's not about the new President, or about the departing one. 44 peaceful changes of power from one man to another over the course of over 230 years--few nations can match it. As long as we have the Constitution and as long as respect for its tenets remains strong in the populace, our future is bright.

Right you are, samclem. Remember in 2000 it wasn't until three weeks or a month after the election that we knew who the next president was going to be? I thought to myself during the period of uncertainty that in a lot of countries there would have been a coup de etat if similar circumstances had arisen.

Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue! (unfortunately there is no flag wavin' smilie)

[TromboneAl]

Don,

A news reporter said that when Bush's helicopter flew over, "some of the crowd was respectful, others less so." What did you see at that point?

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyounge1956 Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue! (unfortunately there is no flag wavin' smilie)

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl Don, A news reporter said that when Bush's helicopter flew over, "some of the crowd was respectful, others less so." What did you see at that point?

I heard reporters comment on this, too, as well as some Bush jeering during the ceremony. Too bad, but there are always a few who can't see past shorter-term issues and just don't "get it" with regard to the big picture. I try to focus on the much larger percentage of folks who silently took it in, applauded politely or raucously, and were happy for the day.

[kyounge1956]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

Where'd that come from I looked and looked.

[donheff]

Here is the final Inauguration themed excursion. My friends from Hawaii wanted to experience the internationally renowned Ben's half smoke with chili at Ben's Chili Bowl. Ben's popularity has gone off the charts since Barak Obama and DC Mayor Fenty went up there for half smokes last week. We got up there and the line ran down the block with three police cars to handle traffic. Luckily I knew that Ben's son's opened "Ben's Next Door" in December. It is an upscale urban bar/restaurant but they serve authentic Ben's chili and half smokes at lunch. So we sat in luxurious comfort in front of a wide screen TV at the bar and enjoyed our half smokes with the works while the traditionalists waited in line for two hours next door.

Here is Ben's sign:


This is the line down the alley:



And here is a shot out fron with the Obama Ice Sculpture produced by a patron:

[Westernskies]

Welcome to the new Soapbox! (is it January 21st already?)

[Purron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westernskies Welcome to the new Soapbox! (is it January 21st already?)

DUDE! You're back! Glad to hear from you and Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day to you and yours! If you're not familiar with this auspicious occasion, check out my thread in "other topics".