Seriously, if you are expecting a bazillion people to go into DC for an event, the best thing to do is to close the major traffic arteries into the City. Force all of the traffic to take residential streets through Maryland!!
I like it! Simple and brilliant. The ensuing traffic jams will prevent any bad guys from getting into the City in the first place!!
If our leadership has to turn the capital into an armed camp and shut down hundreds of miles of arterial roads (b/c that is what the traffic jams will do) in order to appear in public, maybe we’ve gotten something wrong.
January 9, 2009 at 11:23 am
43 presidents before this and we’ve NEVER had this type of impact to our region. IF there are no “credible” threats…why are they acting this way?
I truly feel for those who have to work that day inside and the perimeter of the beltway. What a nightmare it will be. And those poor souls who just HAPPEN to be driving “through” the area to get to their final destinations north or south…they’re gonna wonder…”WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?!?!?”
My advice is…Make it a point NOT to drive in or around the DC Region for 48 hours before and 48 hours AFTER the inauguration.
Good Luck and God Bless!
January 9, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I thought by electing the “One” that we would never have to worry about terrorism again? The “One” was supposed to bring instant good will from the rest of the World. The “One” was supposed to bring all Americans together.
Yet, those in charge of protecting the President to be are acting as if the we have just elected the most hated man in the history of the World.
This is the just the start of the fun. The “One” will always be treated differently, and kept from the commoner while he provides us with wisdom and greatness.
January 9, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Does Obama have anything to do with which roads are/are not closing? Aren’t the same police, FBI and other agencies that have been in charge of security, roads, etc. during inaugurations still in charge? Why are you using this as a tirade against him?
I’m not suggesting that you should like him but, come on, why not blame the weather on him too? You often make some good points but here you are really hurting your credibility.
January 9, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Stay in Manassas on Jan. 20 , buy lunch in Old Town and come watch the Inaugural in the parish hall at Trinity Episcopal Church beginning at 11 a.m. There’s two wide screen TVs and it’s warm. The church is located at 9325 West Street next to the Post Office. No matter what your politics, this is an historic event. Coffee, tea and some treats will be provided. If you have any questions/need directions call the church office at 703-368-4231.
January 10, 2009 at 1:52 am
RM,
In past Inaugurations, have there been this level of security? Nope. What is different this time? Obama.
BTW, Obama has in fact said while it will be tough, the weather must be changed in order to control “global warming”. Obama does believe he can change the weather.
January 10, 2009 at 5:44 pm
RM,
Thanks for liking some of my points I make here. Obama spent a lot of time on the stump explaining how America lost respect, friends, and support from the rest of the World over the last eight years. He explained that his policies would change that, and that he was the best person to regain our standing in the World.
His election was met with enthusiasm from the rest of the World. I simply do not understand why he needs the extra protection.
Recall, how the early reports provided that five million people were going to come to DC on 01/20/09, how every hotel room from DC to Pittsburg was sold out. Now, of course reality has set in those numbers look pretty silly.
Unfortunately, I see this type of hype not going away anytime soon for the “One”.
January 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm
What a tremendous waste of our money and for what? If nothing happens we will have spent all this on what, and if something happens there will be all those saying we didn’t spend enough. And the bridges will be closed to accommodate the walking evacuation of DC should the need arise.