Hey Dawgs, I know I only mentioned it in passing last week but my fiancé and I did go up to D.C. for the Inauguration. I figured I’d post a “What I Saw” type thread. A couple things first: I’ll try to keep it mostly on my observations and less on my personal opinions. I think there will be plenty of other threads for that. Second, I’ll try to limit my own commentary in regards to how the event was covered by the media except in areas where I can provide a little more insight. And lastly I thought about organizing this based upon topic/subject, but I think I’ll just go chronologically.
So it was a bout a day or two after the election when I suggested to my fiancé about heading up to D.C. for the Inauguration. Our preferred candidate would have been Ted Cruz and we were one of the millions who voted for Trump through gritted teeth. So our decision to go up wasn’t because we were “all aboard” the Trump Train. D.C. is only a few hours from us, it is an event that doesn’t happen every day, and if nothing else it should promise to be pretty good people watching seeing as how contentious the Election was.
Logistically we decided to find a hotel outside of D.C., settling on a Red Roof Inn in Stafford, VA. Driving in to D.C. was not going to be an option so we took the Amtrak from Quantico, VA which was 5 minutes down the road. We left there at 8:22am and got in to Union Station in D.C. about 9:30 pm. On the way we met a few other couples that were Trump supporters from California and upstate NY. One of the things not only they but other people we met from established liberal bastions was how relieved they were that they were finally around a bunch of like-minded people.
Pulling in to D.C. was pretty cool. The first thing you see from a distance is the Washington Monument. The first thing you see up close is the Jefferson Memorial.
We had a fairly elevated view as we pulled in to the city and we could already see police cars manning intersections and high metal fencing either blocking off sections or directing the flow of people.
As we made our way out of Union Station I have to admit that I thought the flow of people would have been heavier. I guess the best way to equate this is that I thought it would be the equivalent of halftime at a Browns game but it was closer to that push the fans make when they head in from the tailgate lot to the stadium 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
Security wise right away there was a mixed bag of heavily armed law enforcement (almost full fledged SWAT), your basically equipped patrol cop, security guards, and the equivalent of our stadium ushers. They were all sprinkled about and everyone we talked to was glad to offer us help. Metro cops had their K9’s walking around. Out of all the K9’s I saw, they were mostly labs and other dogs typical to your “family” dog.
Stepping out of Union Station the first thing we saw were about a dozen or more small tables set up selling all sorts of President Trump SWAG. Buttons, flags, scarves, t-shirts, mugs, hats… it was all there. She left hers at home so I bought my fiancé an American Flag styled pom pom hat.
To the left of that, about 50-100 yards away around a statue was the first batch of protesters we encountered. It was a mixed bag, and I estimated about 200.. maybe a bit more. Blacklivesmatter was represented, but nearly as much as I thought it would be. There were some people holding up signs that said “Abolish the Police”, “Save the Water” (not sure what that was in reference to), and general “Not my President” type stuff. There was also a couple of dudes standing up high with a big Palestinian flag. Someone was shouting something in the middle of the protest but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I have to say that no one harassed me or accosted me. In fact they didn’t even seem to notice I was there. They basically kept to themselves from what I observed.
The only people that tried to give me anything like literature was this Jews for Jesus group. I don’t know how that works, but I guess I don’t have to lol. Unfortunately I hadn’t been able to get tickets for the Inauguration, but most of the National Mall was reserved for those who didn’t have any. Unfortunately the maps of D.C. you get don’t fully take in to account the scale. I outsmarted myself thinking we could make the trek to the south side of the Mall as the north side I presumed would be much more packed, being closer to the Station and closer to the Parade Route. Our thinking was that we were only going to be able to pick one or the other. We agreed we’d rather see the swearing in. The route we decided on took us behind the Capitol Building and due to everything they had blocked off, we ended up going an extra mile before we were able to make our way back in towards the Mall. This sucked.
I’ll break right here and put in some things I saw during this walk. First, there was an obvious lack of garbage cans the closer you got toward the Mall. Clearly for security reasons. Any cans I did see in the train and Metro stations, or even the few I saw on the street had a K9 nearby constantly checking it out. The National Guard was also out and about, many wearing body armor and carrying gas masks, but I did not see a single one armed. Law enforcement were the only ones armed and this ranged from local PD, Metro PD, to ICE, FBI, etc. A real mixed bag.
There was one really cool character we came across. It was a Sikh gentleman dressed as Capt America! I love Capt America. He didn’t have a shield, but he wore the uniform and had a blue head wrap that matched! He held up a sign that said “Black, Muslim, Trans, Latino, Asian, White… We all make America Great”. And that’s it. He’d say hello and pose for pictures with people. I thought it was really cool.
I also walked by one guy who yelled out “Blue Lives Matter shirts sold here! Can’t get ‘em in Baltimore”. I laughed at that and was about to buy one from him just because of his sales pitch but when I turned around I noticed he was only holding a stack of magazines. Not sure what his angle was.
Anyway, by the time we made it to one of the security gates, we were probably about 3 blocks from the Mall itself, but the way the line twisted and doubled back it was really more like 7 or 8 blocks. We had only made it a block in about 45 minutes before the swearing in started. We ended up watching some of it on our cell phones. We met a couple of other nice families and chatted about who we liked and didn’t like in regards to Trump’s appointees.
It was near here that we saw our second group of protesters who had taken over a street intersection. Again this group was maybe 200 strong? A bit less I think. Signs, drums, chants… nothing crazy and they didn’t seem to be actively going after anyone. There was one woman who came walking through the lines while on her cell phone yelling “F*** Trump” but most people paid her no mind. To this point in the trip more than one person we talked to quipped about how we had thought there were going to be way more protestors than what had turned out.
Seeing as we weren’t going to get in to the Mall we opted to cut bait and head over to the Fallen Officers Law Enforcement Memorial. Based upon all the reports of massive protests prior to the event I half expected there to be some sort of protest going on over there but as it turned out there were literally only like 4 or 5 people there. Including the one dude smoking some dank weed on the north end.
At this point it was mid day and we figured we’d grab a bite to eat before the crowds left the Mall. We made our way in to the Green Turtle, your basic sports bar. They had a lot of patches from law enforcement agencies around the country. Being a couple blocks from the memorial it was a popular spot during Law Enforcement Week every May. Obviously it was a largely pro-Trump group. Everyone cheered when he started signing whatever papers where in front of him and sang when footage of Obama was getting on to his plane. No one was particularly vulgar about it. We left there to find a gift shop associated with the Memorial. We found it but unfortunately it was closed. Fortunately though there was a Fraternal Order of Police club upstairs who welcomed us in. It was a really mix of current and retired cops from all over. Plus it had a bar. We decided to stay there for a few rounds as we weren’t likely to get in any real site seeing.
Here’s where I’ll make a comment about the news coverage. Early in the morning there was some rioting. If you guys saw the footage this would have been when the Bank of America and the Starbucks got busted up. I think the media called this group “J20”. Alter that afternoon just prior to the parade there was another confrontation north of area. This was about 5 blocks north east of the back side of the White House. Unless you were watching it live, likely the only footage you’ve seen is a bunch of flash grenades going off and a line of police officers, maybe some footage where reporters almost got whacked by a grenade. The live coverage I saw was that the media was actually getting front of a lot of the rioters trying to get footage of the police which I thought kind of weird. The media would get one and only one chance to get the hell out of the way before the cops started lobbing what they were going to lob. All this was in response to rocks and such being thrown at them. One of the pieces of video I haven’t seen replayed is when the cops charged the rioters then reformed the line in order to take back ground.
*I have to admit that at this point I had a few beers in me and cheered when I saw the cops charging the rioters, pepper spraying them and way laying them. Akin to cheering Crow on when he broke that 85 yrd TD run against Baltimore.
Now it’s important to note that this group of rioters from what I could tell and saw and heard, was not made up of BLM or any other social justice type groups. From what I heard afterward this group was mainly anarchists and specifically anti-police. These were clearly not the same people I saw outside Union Station or playing their drum circle on the middle of the street.
After awhile we ended up leaving and being tired we made our way back to Union Station to catch an earlier train back to Quantico. My fiancé hustled a dude in to giving us $75 worth of swag for $35 lol.
In closing there were a few other general observations I had. First being, in spite of the lack of garbage cans, the place was remarkably clean. Very little litter. Second, everyone in terms of security and hospitality were very friendly, patient, and willing to help out.
Finally, overall it was very chill atmosphere. I don’t have any stats to back me up, but most of the people who bothered to carry signs (I’d say 60% or so) were anti-Trump. About 30% were rather neutral in regards to Trump and called for unity. A smaller amount were of the “anti-capitalism, pro-socialism” variety.
It’s definitely a trip we’d consider doing again in 4 years, depending on who is being sworn in of course. Some lessons learned would be to see if there was a way to stay at a place distant enough from D.C. so it’s affordable, but find transportation that could get you in to D.C. by 5 or 6am. I also would immediately jump on getting tickets for either the swearing in or the parade. In 2013 the Inauguration Committee passed out free tickets to Senators and Congressman to pass out to constituents. When I called my local Rep’s office they said that this year the Committee would be passing them out directly.
Unfortunately I didn’t get that many photos or videos as I was trying to navigate.
I think I can confidently say that 99.9% of the event was peaceful and without incident. The media is probably making some of the incidents out to be bigger than what they were or present them with a much broader scope than what they were. I don’ t think there was nearly as much in the way of protest that many people thought there would be, or at least there wasn’t nearly as much protest that was disruptive like I think a lot of people assumed there’d be.
"Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." -Jack Burton
-It looks like the Harvard Boys know what they are doing after all.
good stuff man. glad you went. was looking forward to 40's observations, but we all know he didn't actually go.
did you happen to see that white nationalist dude get punched in the face? i'm not sad about that.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Nice trip report, DD. I was under the impression that some of the vandalism and rioting was more widespread than it actually was. It is refreshing to read that wasn't the case.
I have a question. The Media is reporting that the overall turn out was weak as compared to say, Obama in 2009.
If you are on facebook at all, you've probably seen the pictures of the two events side by side. That makes it look as if the Trump event was empty by comparison. We also saw video of the parade route showing rows and rows of empty bleacher seating for Trump. I didn't see any from Obama to compare.
So, if you can (and I know you may not be able to)tell us the truth crowd size.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
I went downtown but was stopped at the checkpoint due to my concealed carry. Since I couldn't get in, I walked over 3 blocks to join up with the protesters. We really got that Limo rockin'! It was hard to breath thru the scarf too.
*I have to admit that at this point I had a few beers in me and cheered when I saw the cops charging the rioters, pepper spraying them and way laying them. Akin to cheering Crow on when he broke that 85 yrd TD run against Baltimore.
Thanks for the read. Great review except more details on the beer.
------------------------------ *In Baker we trust* -------------------------------
Haus, from what I witnessed any of the violent stuff was really quite contained and by no means widespread. I think due to the amount of chatter prior to it was generally expected there was going to be massive and widespread protests/violence. as I mentioned I only saw 2 group of social justice type groups protesting and they didn't seem to be aggressively going after other people. I know ore than a few people I met commented on how few protests there actually were. Which brings me to...
Daman- yeah, I've seen those pictures and heard about all that mess too. Turn out probably was muted, but I'm not so sure it's for the narrative these photos are being used to push, namely that Trump doesn't have any support or that there's no enthusiasm for him.
We were still about 7 blocks worth of people away from the Mall when the swearing in started. I imagine it was similar at other access points, AND I'll assume it was the same for past Inaugurations so I won't try to say "well, there were as many people but they just didn't get in on time". There's really no way to know how many people were there but just didn't get in.
A couple reasons I think it was down:
-The expectation of massive protests and the presumption many would/could turn violent. I think there were a lot of families who would have gone if it weren't for that. That very safety concern is the reason why we left our girls with Nana.
-I think there is something to Spicer's point about the availability to watch it live from home that could lower turnout. Clearly there's no way to determine just how much, but the ease with which we can now watch stuff at home or on the go HAS made an impact and I think it only fair to at least assume this would be no different.
-Let's also face it: Trump didn't have as many die hard supporters as Obama did, especially his first time around. Most of the people we met I think were more in that vein. But I wouldn't expect many people who voted "never Hillary" to have enough enthusiasm to make such a trip.
-And let's also face it: the election of another rich white dude doesn't have the same historical significance as the election of the first black dude.
"Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." -Jack Burton
-It looks like the Harvard Boys know what they are doing after all.
Haus, from what I witnessed any of the violent stuff was really quite contained and by no means widespread. I think due to the amount of chatter prior to it was generally expected there was going to be massive and widespread protests/violence. as I mentioned I only saw 2 group of social justice type groups protesting and they didn't seem to be aggressively going after other people. I know ore than a few people I met commented on how few protests there actually were. Which brings me to...
Daman- yeah, I've seen those pictures and heard about all that mess too. Turn out probably was muted, but I'm not so sure it's for the narrative these photos are being used to push, namely that Trump doesn't have any support or that there's no enthusiasm for him.
We were still about 7 blocks worth of people away from the Mall when the swearing in started. I imagine it was similar at other access points, AND I'll assume it was the same for past Inaugurations so I won't try to say "well, there were as many people but they just didn't get in on time". There's really no way to know how many people were there but just didn't get in.
A couple reasons I think it was down:
-The expectation of massive protests and the presumption many would/could turn violent. I think there were a lot of families who would have gone if it weren't for that. That very safety concern is the reason why we left our girls with Nana.
-I think there is something to Spicer's point about the availability to watch it live from home that could lower turnout. Clearly there's no way to determine just how much, but the ease with which we can now watch stuff at home or on the go HAS made an impact and I think it only fair to at least assume this would be no different.
-Let's also face it: Trump didn't have as many die hard supporters as Obama did, especially his first time around. Most of the people we met I think were more in that vein. But I wouldn't expect many people who voted "never Hillary" to have enough enthusiasm to make such a trip.
-And let's also face it: the election of another rich white dude doesn't have the same historical significance as the election of the first black dude.
For me personally, it's a non-story if the crowd was larger or smaller. But apparently Trump and his Press Secretary think it's a big deal as they protest loudly about it. I think it was Spicer (press secretary) that said that it was the largest crowd ever for an inauguration. Then he went out on Saturday and just beat the heck out of the media.
I was just wondering what the truth was. Pictures could be doctored so I don't know what to believe.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Honestly, I don't think Trump I wrapped up in the crowd size or the illegal votes things as much as some are making it out to be. I honestly think he's trolling the media with those things more than anything.
Think about it... are the comments on either topic out of character for him? Not in the least bit. I have yet to see ay Trump supporters use either as some sort of a rallying cry for anything. I think most supporters hear it and say "Well, that's Trump".
Juxtapose that with how the media has reacted., They are trying to use it as something to undermine the credibility of his Presidency. They've made these things a bigger issue than they rationally deserve. These are the least news worthy issues so far especially when compared to the other actions he's taken so far.
The more I analyze the topic, I really do think there is a concerted effort by this Admin to de-legitimize the liberal media. One, I don't think it's all that difficult given how most people feel about the media. Knowing how they blow things out of proportion I think only helps Trump.
2) I think the media in general is not legitimate especially seeing as how the media did much more than Russia ever did in trying to influence the election.
I am concerned about how far they will take it however. It's one thing to illustrate their bias and all, but it's another if we get to the point where the 1st Amendment is being suppressed. We'll have to see.
"Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." -Jack Burton
-It looks like the Harvard Boys know what they are doing after all.
Your boy just went on a hissy fit and started a probe over voter fraud only because people keep pointing out he lost the popular vote.
What you're saying and what's actually happening are two very different things.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
President Trump truly got bothered by factual data:
Quote:
The Park Service does not release crowd estimates. Experts, however, have estimated that the 2017 turnout was no more than a third the size of Obama’s eight years earlier.
Reynolds was taken aback by Trump’s request, but did secure some additional aerial photographs and forwarded them to the White House through normal channels in the Interior Department, the sources said. The photos, however, did not prove Trump’s contention that the crowd size was upwards of 1 million.
Reynolds, who had served as the Park Service’s deputy director of operations for six months before assuming the post of acting director, is a third-generation employee who has worked there for more than 30 years. As deputy director, he oversaw the Service’s $2.8 billion budget and more than 22,000 employees.
In the days since Trump’s election, the Park Service has become an unlikely protagonist in a battle between the new president and some career government employees.
The trouble began late Friday, when the agency’s official Twitter account retweeted two tweets that could be perceived as critical of the new administration: the one comparing the relative crowd size for Trump’s inaugural to that of Obama’s 2009 swearing-in, and another that noted policy pages that had been removed from the White House’s website.
There were these huge women's protests ... but with one statement, Trump stole most, if not all of their thunder.
He has them chasing the rabbits left and right.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
For as long as this dude's been in the public spotlight, I'm surprised that his 'trolling technique' is working so well.
I mean, it's not like we haven't seen it for years with him. Twitter is, and has always been his strongest suit: Keep it short. Keep it punchy. Attack/make the opponent play defense.
He also uses another well-documented tactic- which he spelled out in detail- in his ghost-written 'AOTD':
"Start from an outrageous, borderline crazy position- and negotiate back to a position of (relative) sanity. Hopefully a sane position that benefits you." [paraphrased]
Trolling, walking back from extreme positions, playing optics- he's done this all his life. Most of it is straight-up from the PT Barnum handbook. We should all get used to this as 'the new normal' from 1600 Penn.
Every time I see some new, sensational Trump-related article/post on my fb feed, I tell myself: "Give this story 72 hours before reacting... because there will be another 48-60 hours of spin and counter-spin before the pollutants (on both sides) centrifuge themselves out of the real story."
It's how he operates. And it's nothing new.
____________
I've already made the readjustment to 'new normal.' I'm not jumping at every sensational headline. I'm not getting sucked into every single daily 'microdrama.' And because of that, I've already seen the pattern emerge.
Clock The Pattern... and the step-by-step process becomes obvious.
The only difference between now and his early days: he now has a staff to do his Michael Jackson 'spin/moonwalk' move for him. In the early days, he had to do it all himself. This isn't rocket science... and the man told all of us how he operates- in print. In narcissistic detail- 30 years ago.
None of this should surprise anyone, whether they support or oppose him.
___________________
I have deep concerns about this approach, Devil.
It's one thing to employ such tactics in real estate, where only money is at stake. It's quite another to employ such tactics when thousands/millions of human lives (and the stability of entire regions) are at stake.
Every other POTUS we've ever had has at least exhibited a basic understanding of the stakes attached to the office of POTUS- even Presidents whom I disagreed with.
I don't get that vibe from this dude. I get from him something I've never seen before. Something YOU'VE never seen before. Something NONE OF US in America has ever seen before.
He plays fast and loose with things that should be handled with thought and care, irrespective of political proclivity.
____________
I don't care that Donald Trump ran as an R. I don't care that he defeated Hillary Clinton. I don't care about electorate votes, popular votes, or any of that crap.
Donald Trump is the POTUS of my country. Donald. Trump.
As someone who grew up as a li'l kid with 80+ cops as his revered 'adopted uncles,' I'm asking you (adult to adult) to be honest with me, Devil: ... would you feel totally confident going out into the field with this man as your C.O.? Does he fit the profile of someone
Because that's what all of this really comes down to.
For me, it's not about politics, as much as it's about character and leadership.
I'd venture to say this: In the few short years/posts that we've exchanged, I'd much rather hand over my country's future to you than I would Donald Trump. Your posts display a level of character that not only mirrors that of My Pops, but also make me want to have someone like you as a friend in my life.
What makes someone like you (for whom I have the utmost respect) be OK with someone like him?
That calculus just doesn't make sense to me.
________
I really don't want to hijack the thread with a personal exchange... but this angle is truly fascinating to me.
If you think it's best, please PM me your answer. I want to use this MB forum as a platform for understanding others.
It's like watching a narcissistic train wreck in slow motion everyday on repeat except all the characters except the conductor are new each time.
And for progressive libs it's like Christmas everyday because the corporatist dems and republicans are kissing his feet while 60% of Americans dislike him.
TYT, Bernie and many other progressives are going after the dems from the inside. Trump is their best friend right now. A couple of days old and they have tens of thousands (maybe hundreds) of members and already have 900+ nominees they are vetting to run for offices across the board!
Trump keeps this up the whole country will be liberal progressive in no time (except the neanderthal Trumpians) and elections will be a cakewalk! Wait until he cuts social security, they'll be jumping ship in droves!
Last edited by OldColdDawg; 01/27/1701:23 AM.
Your feelings and opinions do not add up to facts.
It's like watching a narcissistic train wreck in slow motion everyday on repeat except all the characters except the conductor are new each time.
And for progressive libs it's like Christmas everyday because the corporatist dems and republicans are kissing his feet while 60% of Americans dislike him.
TYT, Bernie and many other progressives are going after the dems from the inside. Trump is their best friend right now. A couple of days old and they have tens of thousands (maybe hundreds) of members and already have 900+ nominees they are vetting to run for offices across the board!
Trump keeps this up the whole country will be liberal progressive in no time (except the neanderthal Trumpians) and elections will be a cakewalk! Wait until he cuts social security, they'll be jumping ship in droves!
Even more extremists out of touch with normal people lol I found an accurate political ad for you:
"Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." -Jack Burton
-It looks like the Harvard Boys know what they are doing after all.
Oh I disagree with what he's wrapped up in. He totally believe he's unable to let anything slide. If he's trolling the press, then he deserves what he gets.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Trump keeps this up the whole country will be liberal progressive in no time (except the neanderthal Trumpians) and elections will be a cakewalk!
That's what people said during the campaign. "He keeps this up there's no chance he wins the nomination". Then it was "He keeps this up and Hillary's going to win in a landslide". We all heard it, and we all saw that dumbfounded look on his opponents' faces. Like it or not, there are plenty of people out there that are buying Trump's bill of goods.
Why? Because the liberal elite look at anyone that doesn't think the way they do as being inferior, and people grew tired of being treated as such. Anyone that thumbed their nose at the libs and said we aren't going to take that crap anymore was going to appeal to a lot of people. Just looking at these people as ignorant fools who are deserving of your hate and disdain sure isn't working....and it only invites retaliation.
I do realize this goes both ways, but prior to this election I've not seen so many people so wrong and surprised at the outcome. I sure was. I didn't think Trump had a chance in hell of winning.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
The liberal elite are scared of a progressive Democratic Party. The elite want a Democratic Party that favors the 1%, and runs on liberal social issues.
What I saw was the Silent Majority finally getting their fill of Liberal/Progressive oppression and head for the Polls.
Keep telling yourself that 40. Repeat it enough and it will become your truth.
But for real though, republicans came together under some very odd conditions (to say the least) and stuck to their guns. They managed to elect a guy with a 38% favorability rating; the most disliked candidate in history. Meanwhile the libs began divorce proceedings with the establishment.
So I guess you get to gloat for a while. But I should remind you that even a blind squirrel, an almost extinct nasty little nut hoarding ground dwelling varmit variety of blind squirrel, can find a nut sometimes.
Celebrate buddy you earned it, but please not in that hula skirt and coconut shell bra...
Your feelings and opinions do not add up to facts.
