I never thought I'd live to see the day and already know I'm a part of history with this election.

Now, this is what TV is for..I'll be watching with pride! :)

I don't 'get' those that are calling this ignauration, "Hype"?

I wish I could be there, but will watch on television. It IS historical.

Today, Obama said (something like): ' the quiet heroes are the ones that make this country great.' -true and refreshing.

I'd love to, but NO WAY! I live very close to DC (15 miles) but they are literally telling us to stay away unless you've got tickets for certain things. A few of the major roads will be closed, bridges will be closed-even for pedestrians. I'm afraid to see how crowded the Metro (subway) will be. Restrictions and checkpoints left and right! (understandably)

Plus, it's about 17 degrees right now. So with 2 kids in tow and tickets to nothing, I'll be watching from the warmth of my living room! And save the paper for their time capsule!

I would absolutely love to witness it all in person, but I'll have to settle for watching it on TV . . . I'm sure with misty eyes and a lump in my throat :)

I'm very excited about his election and look forward to the inauguration very much. I watched Obama's speech this morning on TV, in Pennyslvania, getting ready to take the historic train trip to DC. I'll be glued to the TV Tuesday, and I bet lots of workplaces will allow people to have their TV's on at that time too. I work at an elementary school, and the principal has encouraged us to allow the children to watch it on TV also.

Here's a sobering thought that will make your front row seat in front of the TV the best spot in town....

Despite all the well thought out preparations and with the projected crowd numbers they calculate there will be only one Port-a-Potty for every 6000 people.

No. It's 3,000 miles away and I hate crowds and cold. But I've watched every inauguration since 1960 on TV and will do the same on Tuesday. Every time I see a new president take his oath of office, I think of the billions around the world who would give an arm and a leg to have such a peaceful handover of power; who never saw a government change in their countries without soldiers and tanks in the streets; who had to fear for their lives if they raised their voice in opposition to the local tyrant, dictator, madman.

No matter which party wins - thank God for our system!

I agree with Teresa. It will be way too crowded and too cold to go. Would LOVE to see it, and I live just eight miles from the White House, but the papers are saying we have to be there hours ahead of time and then stand and wait. No thanks!

I am going to a "Ball" on Sunday. Obama and Biden will not be there, but it should be fun. The metro and the bridges, etc. will still be open. It will be cold though.

Everyone here is very excited about the change in Administration. I hope things improve for the country - we need it.

i have an aunt & uncle going, they are heavily involved in the DNC in chicago. we have several democratic politicians in our immediate family including a former US senator and a US state rep, someone is always going to national DNC events. if it was 80 and sunny in D.C. then i'd go in a heartbeat otherwise forget it, it's warmer here in orlando lol. in sept i did get to get fairly close to both barack obama, bill clinton and jimmy smits (LOL) at their kissimmee rally, it was surreal and inspiring!

i am baking a cake for a party at work, my co-workers and i worked very hard to get alot of people/clients registered to vote this yr. i will watch online while at work which knowing my boss will be either a requirement or atleast recomended LOL. i am VERY excited and VERY excited for the future of our country :-) finally too as we were getting ready to leave...~ liz

It's not for me. Washington DC is always cold in January. My highschool band marched in the parade several years ago. They complained about how cold and uncomfortable they were when they got back.

I have no more desire to go to this one than I have had to go any others..and that means zilch.

I will listen to the speech to see if it's is any different from any of the other speeches he's given so far. I wish him well for our country's sake.

Lionda

Amen to what sable wrote. Thousands of men and women have given their lives so that such "hype" could continue every four years.

Earlier on this thread I said I wouldn't want to be in the crowd, that I'd be watching on TV instead. But then I remembered that I was in St Peter's Square at midnight on Dec 31, 1999. It was miserably cold that night in Rome, raining, jam-packed with people, and I was there only because my wonderful mother-in-law asked me to accompany her on her pilgrimage to be with the pope to welcome the new century.

I can't explain how I felt that night. I'm a practical person who had to decide to leave her husband and six kids for two weeks at Christmas time, which includes my birthday and two of the kids'. But being in that crowd that night was magical, serene, surreal, wonderful. I'm not catholic - in fact, I'm atheist - but when the Pope stepped out and the crowd made a collective sigh, I sighed with them and was moved to tears. I never expected that. I guess those who witness Obama's inauguration and festivites are/will be feeling something like that.

Not going. Not watching.

I'll probably go out to dinner that night.

Would love to go, but it is going to be entirely tooooo cold, and being stuck for maybe 12 hours just doesn't get it for me. I volunteered for Clinton's 1st inaugural and it was an experience that will live with me 4ever. Because we were a part of the volunteer staff, we were invited to other events. I remember being on the Memorial Bridge watching the concert there, and how overwhelmed everyon e was - you could feel something; a togetherness like I hadn't see/felt in a very long time. I think that was the first time there was a more trendy and all encompassing genre, that everyone could relate to.

The traffic here will be unreal!!! I know why and respect that. People forget how small a city DC really is. If even half the people go down there, and because of security reasons, it will be very difficult to get around, even for the emergency vehicles. They are really restricting your ability to move around. I don't think - in fact I know, it hasn't been like this before. I was listening to the Homeland Security folks, and they are really worried about a lone rouge more than a terrorist attack. Some folks in this country REALLy don't want Obama in the White House. On the other hand, a lot of people don't believe or undertand how real that threat is, in this country. I don't think this is so much the hype everyone is talking about. This is the real deal, and many people don't want to see this.

The city tries to keep things as open to the public as possible, but so many things have changed that, including 911. This time, I'm glad they are doing this. I think they just needed to close the government for the day. Everyone would not want to participate, but it's a little too difficult for folks that would like to be there. I know some people at my job will not be able to get to work because of bridge/street closures and all.

For those of you that are going - post details when you can.

Also not going and not watching never have I have always thought the money that is spent on this could be spent better else where....why just not have the swearing in ceremony and be done with it......??? Stacy

Amen Stacy! So much $$ spent when it's badly needed many other places. I have never watch one either. I hate politics and the attention this one got this year was too over the top for me. I'm over it all....can't wait till it's all over. I wish him well...and hope he can turn things around for our country.

I am not going but I will have it on all three of my tv's in my house plus
I am going to tape it to save for my grandchildren.
Deb

most of the events are being paid for from either his leftover campaign funds or by private companies/indivuals/groups, is my understanding. f i remember correctly he did not want parties (they did cancel fireworks too) but other's did and groups stepped forward to pay up.

can't be worse than laura bush just dropping $500,000 on new china this past dec. it's ugly as all get out too...don't know why they allow the out going admin to buy this when leaving??? that is a gross waste of $$ ~ liz

sjarz, where in central BC do you live? I used to live in Prince George.

I'll be watching from my couch here in Calgary! LOL I'm soooooooooo not interested in politics, yet I had to watch the election coverage in November to see history made, and will watch on Tuesday while Mr Obama accepts his new position. Can't wait. I'm saving a glass of wine to toast him and wish him all the best. He probably has more to prove than any other president ever has. It's going to be an interesting 4 years. I don't think he will meet everyones expectations because they're all expecting way too much, but I do think he will do a good job.

=o)

Wow, I'm really surprised - I thought more of the KT members from the US would be going. I agree that one will likely see more on Tv but I still expected there'd be a few of us going due to the hype and history...
Deb - I live in Kamloops, but used to live in Williams Lake and years ago in Vanderhoof - hated living there, I was a jill of all trades on a dairy farm. Nothing quite like the aroma of cow manure at 3 a.m. which is when the first milking was done.
Suzan J

I'm tired of hearing about it already. A "Children's Inaugural Ball", a "Youth Inagural Ball" Give me a break. So much money that could be used for so many other things. Guess I sound like an old sourpuss, huh?

A grand waste of money in an economy where people are losing their jobs left and right and so many families are struggling to keep food on the table. I don't know how BO can spend this fantastic sum of money in good conscience, knowing the economic woes of so many decent folks. It's a puzzle to me.

This is not a "historical" moment, IMHO (and YAWN). It's simply a transfer of power in a republic that has done mastered the peaceful transfer of power in the last 200 years. That's something to be proud of.

The Bush china did not cost five hundred thou. It cost less, for two sets. The main set is a simple pattern in white and green, similar to the Clinton china in design, which, BTW, Laura Bush used extensively over the years. The second, smaller set, more suitable for luncheons and holidays, has designs of the leaves and insects (butterflies, dragonflies, etc.) that are found on the White House grounds.

The Presidential sets of china are NOT paid for by American taxpayers. They are paid for by the White House Historical Association Acquisition Trust, which is composed of donors from both political parties, and which was started, IIRC, by Jackie Kennedy.

Another waste of money...LOL...how do you people know all of this? I would never give a hoot about her china and I never hear of what they buy. I guess it's because I quit listening to the news? I don't remember such details in the news when I did watch it!

What do you think of the mother in law living in the white house? That I did hear on the news and from DH. LOL........

I figured that the money for this type of thing does come from donaions or private companies...but I say use it to help foundations etc...I have always felt that way not just this year....STacy

I am sure that I will get bashed for this by some :-) - but I don't understand why it's so historic. Is it being called historic because he's a (half) black man? If so, I thought that one of the signs that we're making progress against racism (either way) is that it no longer matters what color a person's skin is. So why are we drawing attention to it by calling this so historical? He's a man, elected to be the leader of the greatest country in the world (IMO). Why is his color getting everyone so excited? I thought we were supposed to be color-blind. I was hoping we were moving more in that direction.

I hope and expect that Obama will be a wonderful success and make history by doing a fabulous job and becoming known for that. Now THAT will be something worth celebrating and writing about in the history books. I would have hoped that he, himself, encouraged people to tone down the race identification. Am I missing something?

Suzieque

Ditto Suzieque! My thoughts exactly. And again I agree with Stacy, no matter where the $$ comes from in every election it should be put to better use....God knows it's needed in many places!

Any change of presidents is historic. I understand what you are saying Suzieq. I don't care what color Obama is--I just think he is very intelligent and possibly can help dig our country out of this hole we're in.

As for the expense of the inauguration--many millions have come from donations (I think I read $45 million at least). The money isn't given away--it pays people to do the work to present the inauguration. That's jobs! And if you consider this wasted money that could be better spent, it's just a drop in the bucket compared to what has been poured into the war and the bailouts.

Gwanny, I don't think there is anything wrong with the MIL living there. Actually, I think it's great! She'll help keep life stable for the girls and allow Michelle extra time for her responsibilities. If/when it seems appropriate, she can go back to her own home. If I were First Lady, I'd be thrilled to share it with my mother or mil. I feel their obvious dedication to their children sets a wonderful example for all families.

If you were black ('half-black') or, like me, old enough to remember Racial Segregation maybe you would better understand the significance of the occasion.

(btw/Mrs. Robinson is not the first MIL in live in the White House. She has been instrumental in the care and nurturing of Sasha and Malia, no reason for that to not continue.)

ML

I am wondering if those of you who don't consider this a "historical" event are too young to remember when blacks were not allowed in restaurants in D.C., when drinking fountains and rest rooms in the south were labeled "white" and "colored". Blacks got the right to vote just before women did. Would you consider this event "historical" if a woman was being inaugurated?

It's another "Special Interest" situation that has a budget. It would be nice to have more budgeted to other things - helping folks stay in their homes, obtain, or retain a job, etc. But, a lot of people consider those as entitlements, which they are against, no matter what. Unfortunately, some of these same people will spend thousands of dollars on an inauguration, Super-bowl commercials and tickets, trips overseas for lunch, etc. I do think this inauguration is a little different. When it comes down to it, Obama's work will be the same as any other US President. However, this still is a historic moment for the country, whether everyone celebrates it or not. Not that many years ago, he would not have been considered a human person, allowed to run in the election. We do need to celebrate that, if for no other reason than to help irradiate it totally at the lower levels, and prevent it from happening again on a larger scale. This type of thing remains a problem, globally, and if the US can show that it can overcome this problem, other areas can, as well.

Since the beginning, the inaugural was established as a GRAND occasion, and since has been steeped in traditional celebrating - like the New Year (and why is so much spent on that!), or the Super-bowl. All of these have become institutions. If the regular folks lobby for something else, it could probably change, but folks with that level of finances, believe these types of occasions REQUIRE a higher level of pom and circumstance - to see and be seen. Maybe 2012 will be different - here's hoping anyway.

Linda and maddielee - I do understand and remember discrimation against people of color. But my point is that we've been trying for years to overcome treating someone differently because of the color of his or her skin, and we've come far! Frankly, I don't even think of Obama as black or white or whatever. He's a person. I think the results of the election show how far we've come.

But now the color of Obama's skin is being highlighted and celebrated. Are we supposed to pay attention to skin color or not? I say not! I think that most people want to be honored for something they've done, not for something they had no control over.

I am very, very happy that we've come as far as we have. But this, to me, seems to be asking for attention on something that we, as people have been working toward not paying attention to.

I am happy for our new president and hope that he makes history, but by what he does while in office. I will give him every bit of respect that I have given other brand new presidents. Then my opinion will be formed over the next 4 and perhaps 8 years.

Regarding the original question, I'm not going to the inauguration, although I know someone who is. I will see some of it on the news. That's as much of any inauguration as I've seen. As said, I pay more attention to what they do on the job.

Suzieque

Linda, I remember! Laundromats which said "white only."

To me it will be a thrilling experience and I'll be glued to the tv. It most definitely is historically important. For the first time an African American child can believe he or she can be anything they want to be as it's finally been proven to them. I've lived in a country where, in my lifetime, people totally equal to us were not ALLOWED to live their lives the same as the Caucasion. Think of this

Rosa sat so that Martin could march
Matin marched so that Obama could run
Obama ran so that all people could fly.

I Don't think it's celebrating Obama's success (other than he seems to have the perception of a Kennedy or Clinton charisma). It's the country that is celebrating it's success, and more importantly the change that people appear to be ready for. Most of the extra stuff is related to security, which is a major concern because of "this" election and ghosts of 911. I think we all are tired of it because of unprecedented media coverage. Plus this was an awfully loooong election process this time. Everyone started so early. I hesitate to think about the next one. It has actually already started - before this one was even determined. I was home looking for a job during the tail end of the election, and was so happy when it was over! That, and the economic crisis were the ONLY things on TV, which kept me company. I finally turned it off because it was also contributing to the stress.

I still think I'd like to experience the inaugural first hand - if it was at a better time of the year!! It is toooo cold!

I think there are so many things that are going to make this historical. Race being one but I don't believe the largest. He is young, he has a young family, I think we will see FAMILY again. I feel that so many families have been torn apart by all the economical conditions recently, and seeing a young family together may help others. (I honestly think (for MOST) divorce is too easy to do...why work at it?!) I love the fact that his MIL will be living in the White House with them. I grew up with my father telling stories about having grown up with his Grandmother helping/living in their home....as did my DH telling about his grandmother living with them. Family!

Our country is in bad shape...we NEED change, this is a huge change, in so many ways. President elect has ALOT on his shoulders, I hope and pray that he and his groups can do something about it in 4 years....it has taken more than that to get into this mess.

No...I have a standing appointment for nails and a massage.

Suzieque... I agree with you 100%. It's been beat into our heads for years now to be colored blind. Now the media has been shoving it down our throats about the first black president. Yesterday was history... pick any day 3 months ago... that was also history. As there ever been this much "hype" over an inauguration before? Nope, not that I can remember or ever heard of. It's only because a black man has been elected president, and he's only 1/2 black at that. No, I will not be watching it on TV either. I've got a bunch of DVD's I've been wanting to watch. The whole meaning of the inauguration has been swept aside. Very sad...

I wish I were going. The train went right by my home yesterday - a few blocks away. I thought that was awesome. I am thrilled with this new administration.

Excellent post Suzieque.

I hear you, Suzieque.

Nope, I won't be going. Don't think I would anyway even if I were offered tickets. There will be so many people and so much security checking I doubt I would be able to do anything but stand and watch. I probably will watch the swearing in part on TV but that is about it. I agree 100% with Suzieque. I don't find this to be historic just because of the color of a person's skin. It is the swearing in of a new President elected by the people, period. NancyLouise

I'm sick of the spending and the non-stop coverage over days and days. Can't we wait a bit for some success before we canonize him?

DH and I will be watching the House marathon on USA network.

Another ditto to Suzieque and Renee B.

Put my name on Teresa_VA's post and add about 20 miles and subtract one kid. LOL.

Actually, my brother in law works for the pentagon and he and my sister were invited. Where do you suppose they will be? In Fla. golfing. They were not interested in the crowds and in a few more years he will retire, and he said he is "busting out of Washington as fast as he can to a more quieter lifestyle.":)

~it's not just black children, seeing this brown skinned man as the president..it's every NON all white child..seeing that they too, can be President..or anything they want to be.
It wasn't long ago..that that seemed unattainable to these children.

Of course I was only slightly saddened that it wasn't my child that was the first person with more than a summer tan to be president..but I will conceed to this man and his ideals.

What was most important to me, was not his skin color, but actually his family..That he too had a young family, and understood that for them (all children) we need our world to change now to have a healthy future.

I will be watching an actual puppet show at noon tomorrow. I'm chaperoning a field trip. ;o) So I'll have to catch the video online later. Never say never, I guess, but the crowd of an event like is what would keep me away.

It is historic and exciting, I think, for the level of interest and participation. If everyone thought "oh, ho hum, a new president, who cares? What's the big deal?" we'd be sorry nation of apathetic boneheads. Yeah, it's a lot of money spent, but it means someone is getting paid to do a job. Oddly enough, I think it makes people feel better to have a big celebration. If this big event and all the hoopla around it inspire people to get involved and make a difference, to set higher goals for themselves and their children... it's a good thing.

Michelle's mother moving in sure beats hiring a nanny. They will need help with the girls, and who better? No big deal. The girls need as much family and love around them as possible. As do all children.