His jacket filled with inauguration badges with the slogan ‘I was there’ and speaking as confidently as a priest at Sunday mass, he danced around the scores of people.
‘Get your Obama buttons. I was there...I was there!’
A plump woman ahead of me stopped in her tracks, showing a little interest in the buttons and asking how much for one.
‘You can only buy five’, he said, ‘five for $5.’
‘Now, why the hell would I want five?’ she replied sharply.
‘Get one for all the family! I was there...you were there!’
The woman walked away quickly and I would have too. This was one of my first encounters in Washington DC at a time when my New York snobbery drove me to make one definitive comment about the city.
‘The buildings are so small’, I think I said.
As I got lost further in the smiling masses, all dressed in red, white, and blue or wearing Obama hoodies, jackets, hats, buttons, shoes, I found myself infected, infected with full blown, hyped up enthusiasm. It was refreshing to go to a place where everybody was smiling, cheering, singing, all chanting for one team and one result. The vendors selling souvenirs were not competing against each other but working together to color the people of the city for this momentous occasion.
The buildings became charming instead of small. New York buildings can appear too big at times, too commercial, they rise above you sardonically sneering, like awkward teenagers not yet used to their gangly form, having to wear all the latest gear to fit in. DC is a city more comfortable in its own skin.
The buildings are older and wiser and they seem to politely nod as you pass. They know they have a story to tell but they will wait for you to ask. And boy did I ask. In my 36 hours there I bolted around the city from site to site, museum to museum and memorial to memorial, helped in part by the compact size of DC. You can walk everywhere and there are views along the way to ensure you never tire.
For the inauguration itself, it was not about how close you could get to the action, but the crowd you were in. I loitered outside the Washington Monument with thousands of others. Mother Nature must have been contacted by the White House because she left a clear sky for the event and her January winds, normally cold and bitter, only playfully bit at the masses to remind them that it was still January. Songs were sung, chants were chanted. My infection got worse and I now had Obama Fever.
Looking at all the different memorials belonging to past presidents;Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and being part of an inauguration of a current president who promises big changes in years to come, I got the rare feeling of being surrounded by history, past, present, and future.
It may be impossible for Obama to make all the changes that he promised in his inauguration speech but I think what matters most is his integrity, the fact that you know that this man will at least try to make changes, fueled by a desire to leave a legacy and be a great president. He was the greatest vendor of all in Washington DC on Monday afternoon. He wasn’t selling jackets, sweaters, hats, flags, headbands, perfume, teddys or pictures. He was selling hope, and he sold it very well, to people previously starved of hope.
Before I left, my fever flared up and I made a purchase. Five buttons for $5, more than enough for all my family. I bought a hat too.
28 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Smyrnian | Jan 24, 2013, 09:51 PM EST
Also they heard someone shout "free stuff".
Smyrnian | Jan 24, 2013, 09:17 PM EST
Madeline. That must have been some poor guy in the crowd just trying to get to work. Everyone else had no job to go to or wanted to go to!
Meanolgrouch | Jan 24, 2013, 04:14 PM EST
LOL - how did that errant comma sneak in? Must be something in the air here. Should be "its", not "it's". But then the rude carpet rats wouldn't know that or care, so why does an adult even bother with them?
Meanolgrouch | Jan 24, 2013, 04:14 PM EST
LOL - how did that errant comma sneak in? Must be something in the air here. Should be "its", not "it's". But then the rude carpet rats wouldn't know that or care, so why does an adult even bother with them?
Meanolgrouch | Jan 24, 2013, 04:11 PM EST
Well, I knew this website leans to the right, but it's little fascist teabagger trolls are wearing thin. Better things to do than hang around here when I have to hold my nose. See you on the next U.S.-related thread, I guess. Meanwhile, why doesn't at least one of you learn to spell? Such lowlife trogs can be soooo boring!
Madeliene | Jan 24, 2013, 02:55 PM EST
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! there WAS at least ONE whit face in the crowd!It wan't mine!Oh and for your "you are a rcist" crowd, he stinkds in BOTH colors!
michaelidaho | Jan 24, 2013, 12:06 PM EST
Meanolgrouch, You just proved my last point. You did not respond to a single word I wrote. If my posts do not make any sense then you should have no problem providing an example of your assertion. I do not know why people keep talking about Republicans anytime a person criticizes Obama. I know very little about Karl Rove and really do not care about him.
michaelidaho | Jan 24, 2013, 10:55 AM EST
I love the way people never respond to my comments but go on to some other non-related tirade. Meanolgrouch: I agree with you - get rid of corporate welfare. However, the military-industrial complex is both a Republican and Democrat issue. Democratic legislators are the most strident opponents of cutting military bases in their districts, even though their constituents have a very low relative representation in the military (talk about moral hypocrisy). Occupy who? Please. Picked by the oligarchy? Yeah, just keeping voting Democrat. They will be happy to take your money to fund archaic compensatory teacher union packages (i.e. tenure), bankrupt destined clean energy companies (e.g. Solyndra)and unlimited college aid for worthless degrees that equip most students with few skills, an exhorbitant amount of debt and no job
Meanolgrouch | Jan 24, 2013, 10:15 AM EST
Michael, maybe people would respond more often and with better approval if your posts made more sense. As it is, all you do is spout mildewed Karl Rove teabagger nonsense for the most part, perfectly illustrating my point about rightwingers' fondness for circular firing squads. We on the left won't have to outbreed you to ensure your group's demise; you are doing the job quite well yourselves, hastening the day when you shrink to an insignificant, tiny minority. Is your hysteria over losing power or fear of retribution or both? The GOP delay on raising the debt limit is about to push the U.S. into a second credit DOWNGRADE. Howard Dean was correct when he said only a fool lets the GOP handle the country's money.
michaelidaho | Jan 24, 2013, 09:10 AM EST
I love the way people never respond to my comments but go on to some other non-related tirade. Meanolgrouch: I agree with you - get rid of corporate welfare. However, the military-industrial complex is both a Republican and Democrat issue. Democratic legislators are the most strident opponents of cutting military bases in their districts, even though their constituents have a very low relative representation in the military (talk about moral hypocrisy). Occupy who? Please. Picked by the oligarchy? Yeah, just keeping voting Democrat. They will be happy to take your money to fund archaic compensatory teacher union packages (i.e. tenure), bankrupt destined clean energy companies (e.g. Solyndra)and unlimited college aid for worthless degrees that equip most students with few skills, an exhorbitant amount of debt and no job.
Meanolgrouch | Jan 23, 2013, 11:55 PM EST
Ephraim, you've just described the GOP deadly addiction to circular firing squads. If I could, I'd offer to load the ammunition for them. Michael, the U.S. is NOT broke; we the people have been getting robbed blind by CORPORATE WELFARE and the military industrial complex. The greed of the few who are NOT producers - they're robbers! Fortunately the Occupy movement is growing stronger all the time. When John Q. Public finally realizes his pockets have been picked by the oligarchy, there'll be hell to pay. The best (? I use that adjective lightly) business plan in the world proves worthless when there's a riot in the warehouse.
Meanolgrouch | Jan 23, 2013, 11:45 PM EST
Seanomelb, just think - Dems could retake the House in '14! Part of the problem, though, has been the so-called DINOs, or blue dogs. They might get counted Democratic on a technicality, but they're still dogs in a manger. Some are not even moderate Democrats, but changed their party affiliation because demographics in their districts changed enough they needed to in order to get elected. Now if we get a majority of REAL Democrats in the House, then we're off to the races. But as a lifelong far left Yellow Dog, I know we have to keep our eyes on that long arc of history. They who laugh last laugh best.
michaelidaho | Jan 23, 2013, 10:22 PM EST
Ephraim, I am not a registered Republican. There are plenty of morons in both parties. I was writing about our current President. I am glad you mentioned people without jobs. It is quite evident that Obama does not have a viable economic plan and knows very little about stimulating economic growth. I agree that the GOP has not done enough to promote affordable health insurance and I do agree with elements of Obamacare (e.g. pre-existing conditions issue, mandatory enrollment). However, I am not sure inventing a social program to “help” every individual and situation is the role of the Federal government, especially when we can not even afford worthy programs (e.g. aid to the elderly, disabled and food stamps). By the way, the Republicans are hardly doomed. They control the House of Representatives, are a slight minority in the Senate and Obama only won 51% of the popular vote.
EphraimKibbey | Jan 23, 2013, 08:50 PM EST
michaelidaho - You read Obama's speech, don't you read, watch or listen to the GOP office holders, office seekers and the morons at the GOP debates. The rest of the country does! Minorities do! Those without jobs do! Those without health insurance do! Those wishing to keep politicians out of their private parts do! Those worried about social programs do! And what they read, see and hear from the GOP, THEY DO NOT LIKE! That is why the GOP is doomed, not because of anything our President writes, does or says but because the people in the GOP do not like anyone but themselves and they make their dislike so obvious. They do not want to help anyone but themselves. Talk about NEGATIVE vibes. YUK!
MegK311 | Jan 23, 2013, 06:27 PM EST
Sorry I can't get excited about 4 more years of Obama. He hasn't kept the promises he made at his first inaugruation. Don't blame his the Republicans for all his failures on the Republicans because he had Democrats in power in the Senate and Congress for the first 2 years he was in office. Obaman wants to dictate to us and he forgets that we the people also elected the Congress to represent us and he needs to listen to what the people of this country want. He is elected to lead not dictate his way or no way
seanomelb | Jan 23, 2013, 05:02 PM EST
Four more years of commonsense policies from Obama. only problem is the house is run by Obama hating teabaggers who possess no commonsense
Smyrnian | Jan 23, 2013, 05:01 PM EST
He was jumping around because like everyone there he knows free stuff is on the way, paid for by those who work. Also, I have it on good account that of all the people at the inauguration, only 4 actually missed work that day!
Smyrnian | Jan 23, 2013, 05:01 PM EST
He was jumping around because like everyone there he knows free stuff is on the way, paid for by those who work. Also, I have it on good account that of all the people at the inauguration, only 4 actually missed work that day!
michaelidaho | Jan 23, 2013, 04:20 PM EST
Wow, you really have drunk the kool aid buddy. The people who love this guy have almost developed a cult-like devotion to him that defies rationalism. I am proud to say that I did not watch one second of any inaugural activity on television. However, I did read his inaugural address. Once again, I was not impressed, inspired or surprised. Why? Because he persists in babbling on about clean energy and college degrees for everybody, while the economy sputters along stimulated only by deficit spending that future generations will have to pay. Furthermore, his arrogant and condescending attitude that somehow he and the Democrats have a monopoly on empathy for immigrants, the elderly, and the disabled is nauseating. Finally, his attempts to portray himself as a kind of new MLK for women and gays are pathetic.
Meanolgrouch | Jan 23, 2013, 03:56 PM EST
Inauguration Day (the public one) was one of the best of my life, and I've made it 67 years so far. After 8 years of GOP horror, it was nice to see the good guys win yet again. If the GOP continues its circular firing squad habits, perhaps they'll relieve the country of their presence shortly. No matter - changing demographics, or 'the browning of America', will displace them soon enough if they don't implode first. I'll cheer the day. It will be enough for me if I live to see Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office. You can see I don't ask for too much in life; just the best it has to offer.
Domer80 | Jan 23, 2013, 12:54 PM EST
another in the long line of "finejournalists" hired by Niall O' Dowd for IC. "The buildingsare so amall" was his observation. A journalist might ask or research WHY. No building in DC can be taller than the top of the Capitol is the reason for the "small" buildings.
michaelidaho | Jan 23, 2013, 12:41 PM EST
Obama was once again selling the kool aid and you drank it buddy. The people who love this guy have almost developed a cult-like devotion to him that defies rationalism. I am proud to say that I did not watch one second of any inaugural activity on television. However, I did read his inaugural address. Once again, I was not impressed, inspired or surprised. Why? Because he persists in babbling on about clean energy and college degrees for everybody, while the economy sputters along stimulated only by deficit spending that future generations will have to pay. Furthermore, his arrogant and condescending attitude that somehow he and the Democrats have a monopoly on empathy for immigrants, the elderly, and the disabled is nauseating. Finally, his attempts to portray himself as a kind of new MLK for women and gays are pathetic.
longislander1940 | Jan 23, 2013, 12:13 PM EST
I was at President Bush's inauguration. That was beautiful and had a great time. I was invited. Where did all these people get their invitations and who paid their way? The irish do not know what's going on in the U S. We don't want to abcome another Europe with people sitting around waiting for their handouts. Working for a living never hurt anyone.
patrickesq | Jan 23, 2013, 10:39 AM EST
Cavan should change his name to craven and tell his blameful buddies you can never win an argument, or win any respect, by calling people names
CavanAncestor | Jan 23, 2013, 10:07 AM EST
I'm surprised, given the weather, that all that Kool Aid didn't freeze including your reporter's. Integrity? You should be drug tested as well. This is one of the most corrupt Administrations ever installed by an electorate suffering from an epidemic of willful blindness. Legacy? Yes...the bankrupting of the country and its dimunation on the world stage as a force for good.
saraindc | Jan 23, 2013, 09:56 AM EST
regardles of opinions on Obama, Washington DC is a fantastic city to live in - its got a wide variety of characters and people from all over the world. Its a lovely city to walk in and people are friendly - they are curious to know who you are, where you're from and interested. Say what you like about the government here but we as a people are happy living here - and we welcome anyone coming to our city, particularly those coming in high spirits and happy to be here - moaners and miserable people with nothing good to say about anything stay away. We have our positive energy about life and intend to keep it!!
kelauggie1 | Jan 23, 2013, 09:12 AM EST
Boundless enthusiasm? They were just glad to be off from work. Why be enthusiastic when the guy you're swearing in will finish the job of dismantling the US in the next 4 years?
kelauggie1 | Jan 23, 2013, 08:35 AM EST
Yeah, He sold hope and change four years ago too. Fool me once---