The 2008 Presidential Inauguration

[Marx]

The election is over! The transition is underway! The plans are being planned! THE INAUGURATION OF THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS UPON US!

Here are some preliminary details and events...

THEME: RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE

Sunday, Jan. 18 – An afternoon welcoming event open to the public.

Monday, Jan. 19—The Martin Luther King Day federal holiday will be commemorated by Obama and his family, along with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Biden’s family, in community service events around metropolitan Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 – Noon swearing-in ceremony on the West Front of the United States Capitol. A luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. The 56th Inaugural Parade begins around 3 p.m. Official Inaugural Balls will be in the evening.

Wednesday, Jan. 21- Obama and Biden participate in a prayer service.

THIS IS FOR ALL THINGS INAUGURATION!

Discuss.

UPDATE: I know that there are many Politico's out there that are planning on going to the inauguration, or have been to one before. Tell us all about your experience! Post your crowd reports!

UPDATE #2: Are you attending an Inauguration watch party? Tell us all about it!

[Marx]

OBAMA DEFENDS CHOICE OF PASTOR FOR INVOCATION
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/...ation_minister

President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday defended his choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, rejecting criticism that it slights gays. The selection of Pastor Rick Warren brought objections from gay rights advocates, who strongly supported Obama during the election campaign. The advocates are angry over Warren's backing of a California ballot initiative banning gay marriage. That measure was approved by voters last month.

But Obama told reporters in Chicago that America needs to "come together," even when there's disagreement on social issues. "That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," he said.

Obama also said he's known to be a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays and lesbians, and will remain so.

Warren, a best-selling author and leader of a Southern California megachurch, is one of a new breed of evangelicals who stress the need for action on social issues such as reducing poverty and protecting the environment, alongside traditional theological themes.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization, said Warren's opposition to gay marriage is a sign of intolerance.

"We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination," the group said in a letter to Obama, asking him to reconsider.

Obama's selection of Warren is seen as a signal to religious conservatives that the president-elect will listen to their views. During the campaign, Warren interviewed Obama and Republican John McCain in a widely watched television program that focused on religious concerns.

Gay rights advocates say they are troubled that Obama would give Warren such a visible role at his swearing-in. "By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table," the letter said.

[SuBe]

I'm glad he pick Warren. Good for him for sticking by his word and not caving in to the Medios. I actually applaude Mr. Obama for his decision and they way he stuck up for himself.

[Marx]

Originally Posted by SuBe

I'm glad he pick Warren. Good for him for sticking by his word and not caving in to the Medios. I actually applaude Mr. Obama for his decision and they way he stuck up for himself.

It's more than the media. Rick Warren is a moron.

[SuBe]

Originally Posted by Marx

It's more than the media. Rick Warren is a moron.

But, it is who Mr. Obama wants and at least it isn't Reverend Wright.

[Marx]

EXPECT LOGJAM OF CELL PHONE CALLS AT OBAMA INAUGURATION
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/16/i...nes/index.html

*looks at Jman*

[The Senator]

Originally Posted by SuBe

But, it is who Mr. Obama wants and at least it isn't Reverend Wright.

I don't really know if there's much of a difference between the two. Wright was an idiot who believed the white man invented HIV/ AIDS to kill black people; Warren is an idiot who believes a magic man in the sky controls everything we do, evolution was a concept invented by Satan, and that minorities deserve to be persecuted because they don't share the same vision laid out by said magic man in his all-powerful story book. They're both total morons.

[SuBe]

Originally Posted by jmanspice

I don't really know if there's much of a difference between the two. Wright was an idiot who believed the white man invented HIV/ AIDS to kill black people; Warren is an idiot who believes a magic man in the sky controls everything we do, evolution was a concept invented by Satan, and that minorities deserve to be persecuted because they don't share the same vision laid out by said magic man in his all-powerful story book. They're both total morons.

How can Wright be a Pastor if he too believes in the Magic Space Man?

[The Senator]

Originally Posted by SuBe

How can Wright be a Pastor if he too believes in the Magic Space Man?

They both believe in the Magic Space Man, hence why they aren't too different from one another. Their assorted, other cuckoo-crazy beliefs also prove they are in the same boat.

[Addendum]

Originally Posted by SuBe

How can Wright be a Pastor if he too believes in the Magic Space Man?

magic space man/invisible man - god

[Marx]

Wasn't Warren the one who said 'teh gayz' brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans? I'm drawng a blank...

[SuBe]

Originally Posted by Marx

Wasn't Warren the one who said 'teh gayz' brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans? I'm drawng a blank...

I think that was the crazy guy that goes to all those funerals and protests. Whatever his name is. Westboro Baptist Guy.

[SuBe]

Originally Posted by jmanspice

They both believe in the Magic Space Man, hence why they aren't too different from one another. Their assorted, other cuckoo-crazy beliefs also prove they are in the same boat.

I'm not going to wholely disagree. I only have a problem with it if they want government to create laws enforcing their beliefs. If they don't do that, whatever. They can do what they want and believe in what they want.

[Marx]

Originally Posted by SuBe

I think that was the crazy guy that goes to all those funerals and protests. Whatever his name is. Westboro Baptist Guy.

I think you're right. I get them all confused!

[Addendum]

He did say that removing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was "an atrocity worthy of Nazism"

I think that dumbass Pat Robertson said the thing about Katrina

[Marx]

INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENT: 2009
http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/

This is an amazing website that has just about everything you need to know for Barack H. Obama's upcoming inauguration.

PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
PARADE INFORMATION
TRIP PLANNING
CEREMONY INFORMATION
HISTORICAL INFORMATION

It's definately worth checking out!

[Holiday]

Does anyone else have no interest in watching this? I'm sure I'll check out the highlights on the news but that's about it.

[The Senator]

Originally Posted by Marx

Wasn't Warren the one who said 'teh gayz' brought Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans? I'm drawng a blank...

No, that was John McCain's pastor friend, John Hagee...

[Marx]

Originally Posted by jmanspice

No, that was John McCain's pastor friend, John Hagee...

They all blend together in my head! It's hard to tell them apart sometimes...

[DACrowe]

If you've read Obama's book, you know the man has a very secular and pargmatic view of religion. He views many pastors as self-serving politicians, though not all and was basically an agnostic until he met Rev. Wright.

My guess is since disowning Wright, he is still a Christian, but has again a more pragmatic view of religion and took a pastor to pander to the right. And it worked.

[Comicfilmer]

Anybody else here going to the Inauguration? I'm heading out on the 18th. I figure I'll do some sight-seeing first as it's been about 7-8 years since I've been out that way. I'm especially excited to check out the new WWII memorial for the first time.

[Marx]

Originally Posted by Comicfilmer

Anybody else here going to the Inauguration? I'm heading out on the 18th. I figure I'll do some sight-seeing first as it's been about 7-8 years since I've been out that way. I'm especially excited to check out the new WWII memorial for the first time.

I wish I was able to go...I'll just have to check it out on tv. How in the world did you get a hotel room!?!?! Supposedly every hotel in the DC and surrounding areas are completely booked.

[The Senator]

I will be at both the inauguration and the Out for Equality inaugural ball.

[Marx]

Originally Posted by jmanspice

I will be at both the inauguration and the Out for Equality inaugural ball.

I'm jealous.

[Marx]

INAUGURATION SECURITY SET TO BE 'TIGHTER THAN EVER'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/1..._n_152563.html

No strollers near the Capitol. No tents on the National Mall. None of that Silly String on the parade route.

That's just a sample of the items forbidden from President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration for security reasons. And while many people say the inconvenience is a small price to pay to witness the swearing-in of the nation's first black president, others are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how they will sit, snack, carry diapers or transport tired tots.

Some older people are backing out of their inaugural plans, partly because of a no-chair rule for the parade route. Parenting blogs are abuzz with complaints about the less-than-kid-friendly restrictions. Thermoses, coolers and backpacks are out at both the Capitol and the parade route.

"Of course, they're not going to say, 'no children,'" said Sunny Chanel, a San Francisco-based contributor to Babble.com, a parenting Web site. "But they're definitely not making it easy for parents with smaller children to go."

The tightest rules are reserved for the lucky 240,000 ticket-holders, who get to sit closest to the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol. There are understandable prohibitions on weapons and pepper spray. But you also can't carry an umbrella. And don't think about holding up any "Yes We Did" signs _ posters also are not allowed.