First Pictures, Now The Story

It all started at 7am, when fiver weary troopers arose to toast, juice and coffee (minus the coffee for me) before beginning our trek down to the National Mall. One said trooper had a ticket, so she veered off in an effort to get closer. The rest of us rendezvoused with 9 other trooper-like folks and continued on our journey.


Brilliantly, the organizers funneled everyone onto one main drag, which kept foot traffic moving. Things were full but calm. Overwhelming but reserved. We managed to canoodle all 13 of us into a perfect spot just steps from the Washington Monument. A jumbo-tron was just to our left, the dome of the Capitol visible on the horizon. Three hours to go and every square inch of space is nearly full.

An hour passes and the freezing temperatures start to take a toll on our toes. Fortunately, people were beginning to arrive, which allowed for collective "cheering and booing, depending on who emerged. Actually, only one person solicited boos. I'll leave that to you to determine.

Every time they go to a shot of Obama, his motorcade or someone who looks like Obama, people go crazy! The environment is electric. 11:30am finally rolls around. President Elect Obama emerges. It's go time.


This is the moment where everything starts to feel like it's happening in slow motion. Invocation creepy, as Warren gutturally expounds the names of the first children: "Sashaaaaaa and Maliaaaaa." Just take the oath. Aretha's voice booms and people are overwhelmed. Just take the oath. Biden is sworn in. Please just take the oath! Finally, at 12:02pm Chief Justice Roberts stumbles through the oath of office, Obama kindly repeating what he has said even though it's incorrect (now that's class). And just like that, Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States.

People go crazy! I am in a state of shock. Could it be? Is George W. Bush really no longer the President? He has reigned my entire adult life and I don't quite know how to digest a Bush-less world. More than anything, I am relieved. Relieved that it has finally happened. Relieved that Bush will go back to chopping trees or starting fires with sticks or something. Relieved that a brilliant, inspirational man is now at the helm.

The speech scores big with most of the crowd. The 40 and overs are crying. Still, a peaceful calm weights on the crowd. A unified sense of "woosh, we can relax now. It finally happened." Then, just as all 2 million of us tromped in, we tromp right back out. National Guardsman direct our path, smiles on their faces. They're gunless. I am further confused. We top it all off with an All-American cheeseburger from Five Guys.


At home we watch the parade and rest up, only to learn of the events that followed - Ted Kennedy and Bobby Byrd falling ill. Hillary Clinton sticking it to some rogue Republican Senator who is questioning the philanthropic work of the Clinton Global Initiative. Toasts. Applause. A parade. Balls. A new way forward.

Oh what a day. Oh. What. A. Day.

UPDATE: And oh what a week. Within 48 hours we begin to close Guantanamo, put an end to secret CIA interrogations, reinstate habeas corpus and freeze White House staff salaries. Booya-kasha!

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Kyle Taylor

Inauguration Photos!

Just running out, but posted tons of pics from the big celebration on flickr here. A more thorough update after I celebrate!



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Kyle

BBC Radio Appearance Part 2

BBC Radio welcomed me once more Monday afternoon, this time from the National Mall! We took questions from the World over about whether or not expectations have been set too high for the incoming President. I was the "middle of the road" perspective. Yes they've been set high, but at no fault to Obama himself, who has been working tirelessly to explain that change takes time and must involve each and every one of us. You can listen to it on their website here. Click the "podcast" or "listen" link on the right.

The link, in case the embed doesn't work: http://worldhaveyoursay.wordpress.com/

More news soon!

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Kyle Taylor

Rockin' For America

It was easily the biggest concert of the year. Garth Brooks, Ellen, John Mellencamp, Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Usher, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Bono, Beyonce, Jack Black, Laura Linney, Tom Hanks, Josh Groban, Joe Biden and yes, even Barack Obama. Two hours. One million people. The Lincoln Memorial. Hot Dogs. It was an All-American afternoon and I was right near the front, just off to the left. Magical.


Yes it was cold and yes we were standing for about 6 hours, but it was worth every minute. I walked from where I was staying (nearly 2 miles) and found roughly 1 million people staking out a spot or waiting to get through security in anticipation of staking out a spot. Contrary to what most were anticipating, it wasn't overwhelming, it wasn't stressful and it wasn't scary. People were jubilant. Excited. Relieved. The security guards (it did feel like we were in Baghdad's Green Zone) were friendly. Crowds were [fairly] orderly and everyone was just taking in the amazing moment.

My fear has always been and still remains that people believe at some level that they have elected, as the good Reverend said yesterday, "not a man, but a Messiah." With that framework we as a people are setting him up for failure. Obama took that to task in his remarks, noting that change takes time and must involve each and every one of us. Whether people were hearing him is another question, but I do hope so. For now, I think most are embracing the overwhelming sense of euphoria that has filled the usually quiet city. Come Wednesday though, it's go time. The struggle wasn't won on election day, and the office - the institution of Democracy - is bigger than any one man. Let's just remember that.

Here are some of my shots from the concert. Tomorrow is the big day! GOBAMERICA.
























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Kyle Taylor

Let The Crazy Commence!

I've been in DC for a few days now but today marks the beginning of "official" Inauguration events. Until Saturday evening the future President wasn't in the District and now having some context, it should have been more obvious. As I sit here writing - roughly 15 blocks from the National Mall - helicopters are whirling overhead. Police cars cruise down the street about every 5 minutes. There are even men with guns standing on the corner. And that's 15 blocks away!

While there was no indication of extra people on Thursday and Friday, they started to arrive in droves yesterday afternoon, and all decided to go to the same 4 venues last night. The energy is off the charts. This city is alive.

Today we're walking down to the National Mall for the big concert - every famous person on earth singing songs about America! They're expecting 1 million people and there are five entrances. Woo!


The "obstacles" seem to be buses and the weather. 10,000 charter buses are converging on the city in the next 24 hours. Yes, you read that right. Now, where are they going? They're actually turning city streets into parking lots. SOLID MASS OF BUS. As for the weather, it was -11 degrees Friday with windchill. I have never in my life been so cold! Still, we're braving it because this is a once in a lifetime experience.

My only note to the "out-of-towners:" When riding escalators on the subway, stand to the right and walk to the left. Thanks!

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Kyle Taylor