The Daily Nusz

I was there.  In Washington DC.  On the National Mall.  With one of my oldest and dearest friends. 

We were far away.  Behind and to the right of the Washington Monument.  Literally millions of people were closer to President Obama than we were.  But for some reason, squished between an African American woman from Takoma Park, MD and a blatantly gay man from somewhere in California, it felt like he was right there, just beyond our view. 

We heard him speak.  The sound over the enormous speakers wavered at times.  The crowd alternated between cheers and complete silence.  At times, our view was hindered by taller people, fists raised in triumph, or waving flags.  

I thought his inaugural address was well-written and eloquently spoken.  Here are some of my favorite parts:

 Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

Here are some pictures.  No, none of them are of President Obama (he doesn’t know that we are BFFs yet).

Leaving at around 9:00 am; it was approximately 25 degrees F

After an hour and a half on the metro, we start our walk to the National Mall.

People lining up for the port o potty. There was no need to line up, since there were approximately 1 billion littered around the city.

We saw some neat signs on our walk to the Mall.

Welcome to Washington DC President and Mrs. Obama!

We saw a few freaky religious signs too. And the freaks who were holding them.

This sign tells us where all the horses are put together.

This was on the walk to the Mall. Look at all the people in the distance!

See the long line of people walking around the frozen pond? Luckily we were ahead of them.

Yes, we were pretty far back. But it was closer than most of you got, as you were probably sitting on your couch.

After the inauguration, while waiting over an hour to move about 3 feet, a girl jumped up on the potties to see what was going on.

Walking across the bridge into Virginia. Notice all the pedestrians on the one side.

Walking over the Potomac River on our way to Virginia. It was really c-c-cold.

Thanks, President Obama, for an awesome day!

I don’t really want to blog about the presidential election.  For several reasons.  One, this blog is so NOT about my political beliefs.  Two, I’m not remotely articulate enough to express how unbelievably awesome it was to see the first black candidate win the election—by a landslide.  Three, I don’t really want to encourage any anti-Obama comments, since I don’t really care about the political beliefs of random people who happen to read this blog.

As Kevin can attest, I have been obsessed with the election.  I watched all the debates, listened to NPR every chance I could while driving, laughed at all the segments of Tina Fey/Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live, and chuckled through Jon Stewart’s and Stephen Colbert’s comments on the Comedy Channel.  By the time Monday, November 3 came around, I was so excited about the election that I literally couldn’t sleep.  On Election Day (or “Obama Day” as I wrote on our calendar), I was so happy that it was a “teacher workday” (which means the kids stay home while the staff works), since it meant I could sit in my office pretending to work while I really listened to live coverage on CNN’s website.   In the evening, I hustled the kids off to bed and sat in front of the TV, counting electoral votes, watching the blue states light up, and chatting online with fellow Obama supporters (Laurie, Rose, Lindsay, Jenny . . .).  By the time McCain conceded, I was filled with so much emotion—so much pride and relief. 

Over the next day or so, I avidly read my favorite blogs, scanned the status updates of my friends on Facebook, and listened to the stories of others as we all processed the results of the election.  Some of my favorite stories/comments:

From Mer’s blog: 

I looked down at Barak Obama’s name on the touch screen, and I was filled with emotion. I wished I had a way to mark the moment – a picture or a print out. In that moment, all of the intellectual reasons for supporting Obama melted away and I was left with a pure emotion.  I fully felt the desperation for change, and the weight of the hope that he represents that has driven so many people to work so hard for his campaign.  Up until that moment of standing in the voting booth prepairing to cast my vote, I hadn’t really allowed myself to acknowledge how much I personally had invested in an Obama Presidency – both because of the historic turning point for our country in electing a black man, and because I believe he will save this country.

A post from my friend Cortney:  Last night my brother-in-law got a text from his sergeant in the Army that said “vote right, vote white” . Super super ridiculous.

A post from my friend Erin:  So my sisters boyfriend Craig has a friend, Mike, who is campaigning for Obama in the south. Well, Mike knocked on a door in this one neighborhood and asked the woman who answered:
“Have you decided who you are going to vote for?”
woman in a really southern accent: “Honey, who are we vot’in for?”
woman’s husband: “The ‘N’ word] “
woman: “we’re gonna vote the ['N' word] in”
He had no idea what to say, so just said thanks and left. I find this very strange. Strange that they used that word like it was the word “man” or “woman”, and that there are people in the south that dislike Mccain so much that they are going to vote for a black man that they refer to as “the n–” All I can say is wow.

Anyway, my best friend from high school, Mer, who lives in DC, commented on the fact that she is planning to attend Obama’s inauguration on January 20.  I suddenly thought, “I should go too!”.  With Kevin’s blessing and a bit of help from our babysitter, Jen (a Republican, I think, but we still like her), it’s been decided that I am going to drive to DC on Monday night, attend the inauguration with Mer and some other friends on Tuesday, then drive back on Wednesday.  I AM SO EXCITED.

Now, Kevin pointed out that I will probably actually see MORE if I watch television from the comfort of my own (warm) house.  He may have a point.   But to be in DC when the first black president is inaugurated?  To hear (I hope) him speak and actually see history occur? 

I’ll be there.