"It's time to put a stop to all this nonsense, protesting and causing confusion"(NSR)

[Free Range Lobster]

Tickets in Hand Were No Assurance of Access
Protesters, Long Lines Spoiled Party for Some

By Peter Whoriskey and Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, January 22, 2005; Page A01

Some people who had wonderful tickets for the inauguration never reached their seats because of the lines at security.

Some shuddered at the protesters' shouts and scrapped or shortened their festivities.

And some said that although they'd traveled across the country, the chaotic combination led them to settle for a view of the inauguration from in front of a TV.

"It was the most ridiculous thing I ever saw in my life," said Rob Miller, 38, a Bush supporter from Orangeburg, S.C., sporting a big, black Stetson while standing in line yesterday at Dulles International Airport. "It got to be so much you couldn't enjoy it. We had great seats for the inauguration -- in the red zone -- but we could never even get there because of the lines."

As revelers from across the country checked out of their hotels and filed through the Washington region's airports yesterday, they shared the usual inauguration stories -- of the speech, of the sense of history and power, of the cold. But it seemed that many visitors would remember the nation's 55th inaugural celebration as well for the sight of sharpshooters on rooftops, for the burdensome security checkpoints and for the masses of riot police and shouting protesters.

"They need a new law for these protesters: 'You cross the line, you do the time,' " said Kenneth E. Boring, 80, still apparently irritated by the experience as he waited to leave Reagan National Airport.

He and his wife Dottie, 59, of Dalton, Ga., are members of Republican Eagles, the elite GOP fundraising group, but they watched the president's speech from the Willard InterContinental Hotel. The security line was too long, they said, and made longer, in their opinion, by the protesters.

"It's time to put a stop to all this nonsense, protesting and causing confusion," Boring said.

Marci Powell of San Antonio went to the inauguration four years ago and remarked that this time was different.

"This time, we had tickets for everything, but we couldn't get in," she said, preparing to fly home yesterday from Baltimore-Washington International Airport. "There were throngs and throngs [in the lines for the parade]. We went over to the Marriott and watched it on television."

Her group had tickets to the Texas Wyoming Ball that night. But it was delayed in the security line and missed the president once again.

"We got in at 8:15," Powell said, "and [Bush] came in at 8."

Many students who flocked to Washington for the event seemed struck by the fact that this piece of history was intertwined with pat-down searches and a sense of imminent danger.

Nicholas Whittington, 13, of Baltimore, Ohio, and Courtney Marinak, 14, of Jupiter, Fla., came to the inauguration with the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.

They ended up watching the parade on a television inside the National Press Club building, trapped indoors, they said, while protesters jostled with police outside. They weren't able to leave the building until 5 p.m.

"We had to walk like five miles around the parade route because of the road closures," Nicholas said, recounting another of the day's setbacks.

Justin Moidel, 17, who lives in the Pittsburgh area, attended the swearing-in with friends, but after venturing outside the security gates for food, the group ditched plans to return for the parade because of the angry protesters and daunting lines at the weapons check.

"I liked being part of history, and the passage of power," said Moidel, who said he considers himself a conservative Democrat. "But the long lines and being protested against. . . . There was one lady who yelled at me, 'Are you prepared to die?' I guess she thinks Bush is an aggressive leader who will get us into war."
(note: are 17yo's this stupid now?)

One of the most glamorous points of departure for yesterday's exodus was Manassas Regional Airport, where at noon private jets were rolling up to the glass terminal like so many taxicabs. At least three congressmen breezed in, hitching rides with moneyed friends. The Rev. Jerry Falwell came through with an entourage and took off for Lynchburg, Va.

The crowd, distinguished by a scattering of furs and boots, enjoyed jet-shaped sugar cookies served on silvery trays and retold tales of inaugural bliss -- so many receptions, dinners, balls and prayer breakfasts -- as they waited for private flights home.

It was a swell several days indeed, they agreed, with only minor unpleasantness: a line here, a wayward protester there, cold feet.

Robin Greco said that when she and her husband hit a long line at a security checkpoint for the parade, their solution was simple: They just went to SunTrust Bank on Pennsylvania Avenue, where they enjoyed tenderloin, drinks and a prime, heated view. Her bank in Savannah, Ga., provided them with tickets to the exclusive party.

"We have accounts at the bank," she explained.

"I felt very, very secure," said John Jernigan, in a black fedora and with a Mississippi drawl, still looking a bit dazed from the celebrations.

"Yes, there were some waits -- and in our section there were two cruddy-looking people," he said, referring to two protesters who found their way to the prime blue section B, right in front of the Capitol. "You would've just thought they were trash that had blown in is all, but I thought it was great."

Staff writers Annie Gowen, Stephanie McCrummen, Theola S. Labbe and Paul Schwartzman contributed to this report.

[Stu Gotz]

"Yes, there were some waits -- and in our section there were two cruddy-looking people," he said, referring to two protesters who found their way to the prime blue section B, right in front of the Capitol. "You would've just thought they were trash that had blown in is all, but I thought it was great."

Love it when the compassionate conservatives speak their minds. Sounds like something out of Dickens.

[LegoSkier]

"They need a new law for these protesters: 'You cross the line, you do the time,' " said Kenneth E. Boring, 80, still apparently irritated by the experience as he waited to leave Reagan National Airport.

He and his wife Dottie, 59, of Dalton, Ga., are members of Republican Eagles,

Way to go dude. I sense some viagra at play here.

[extreeski]

civil disobedience is one of the hallmarks of this country. If its nonviolent it hurts noone and makes people think. Or at least puts a monkeywrench in the system.

When are we as maggots going to protest our country's overproduction of greenhouse gasses so our favorite sport isn't washed away by pineapple expresses and warm springlike winters?

[Plakespear]

These peopel who claim to be "patriotic Americans" have no clue what it means to be an American. This country was founded by people who disliked their government, and dissent is as American as apple pie, baseball, and burning witches.

To Kenneth Boring: I was arrested for no good reason in NYC during the RNC. So here's my message to you. To quote a great american icon:

[mr_gyptian]

Civil Disobedience is a hallmark?

how is organizing a militia to overthrow a government Civil Disobedience?

the protesters have every right to be out there, ummh...protesting. But to what end? They aren't changing anyone's mind. If anything they are causing people to harden their positions. Yelling at teenagers, asking them if they want to die. Good tactic. It should work as well as the scaremongering in DARE campaigns.

Keep up the good work.

[Will]

He and his wife Dottie, 59, of Dalton, Ga., are members of Republican Eagles, the elite GOP fundraising group, but they watched the president's speech from the Willard InterContinental Hotel. The security line was too long, they said, and made longer, in their opinion, by the protesters.

"It's time to put a stop to all this nonsense, protesting and causing confusion," Boring said.

You know, someone who voted for Bush really should know that all that security and lines had little to do with lefty-protestors.

Or should I accuse them of not taking the terrorist threat seriously?

[Will]

They aren't changing anyone's mind. If anything they are causing people to harden their positions. Yelling at teenagers, asking them if they want to die. Good tactic. It should work as well as the scaremongering in DARE campaigns.

I could say the same of the 8 year old child quoted as shouting, "Democrats kill babies!"

Dumb-ass rhetoric exists on both sides.

[grrrr]

But to what end? They aren't changing anyone's mind. If anything they are causing people to harden their positions.

Unlike your spew, which has convinced everyone on this board...

[Greydon Clark]

If the fucktard Republicans from out state could find their asses with two hands they wouldn’t have had these problems. I happen to know for fact that the many of the protestors got their prime seats because not enough paying customers showed up, thus they let the commoners in for free--more bodies = less embarassment. This past weekend Washington, DC was so wadded up tourons that it made New Years at Brekenridge look core.

[extreeski]

Mr. Gyptian.

Umm....

Martin Luther King Jr.
Emerson
Thoreau
Watson
Greenpeace
Sierra Club
American Indian Movement
Anti Nuclear Protesters. (We closed Rocky Flats) Woohoo!!!!

It is by definition that a democracy can not work if the people can not speak there minds and protest, be arrested in civil disobedience, and ruffle a few feathers in the process.

If you want nazi germany then believe karl rove and gwb. That's what they want. Go spend your soc sec privatization check on a pair of fat skis and then snap them. That's a good way to spend you social security. Not.

[Lane Meyer]

Skiing! Winter! Yay!

[Plakespear]

how is organizing a militia to overthrow a government Civil Disobedience?

That's because the Boston Tea Party didn't work first.

edited to avoid another five page political flame war.

[irul&ublo]

Tickets in Hand Were No Assurance of Access
Protesters, Long Lines Spoiled Party for Some

Nicholas Whittington, 13, of Baltimore, Ohio, and Courtney Marinak, 14, of Jupiter, Fla., came to the inauguration with the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.

So that's what they're calling the Hitler Youth these days.

[extreeski]

same shit different country

re nazi youth

[mr_gyptian]

Mr. Gyptian.

Umm....

Martin Luther King Jr.
Emerson
Thoreau
Watson
Greenpeace
Sierra Club
American Indian Movement
Anti Nuclear Protesters. (We closed Rocky Flats) Woohoo!!!!

It is by definition that a democracy can not work if the people can not speak there minds and protest, be arrested in civil disobedience, and ruffle a few feathers in the process.

If you want nazi germany then believe karl rove and gwb. That's what they want. Go spend your soc sec privatization check on a pair of fat skis and then snap them. That's a good way to spend you social security. Not.

First off, unbeknownst to me. My parents drug me to one of those damn protests. Let's just say I got off on the wrong foot with these people.

but how is it that these references you make, outside of Emerson and Thoreau, are 20th century references. Capitalism, a trait of our society since it's inception is a hall mark. Now I would say that general disobedience also is a hallmark. but civil disobedience wasn't really in wide usage until the women's suffrage movement. I may be wrong, but all labor disputes, draft riots were very violent affairs. The indians didn't start out in drum circles protesting the Washington Redskins.

I won't even get into the non-violent principles of Greenpeace.

to your last comment, the origins of which I am unaware. The social security privatization does not work that way. you don't get a check that you can spend or even control the investment of. you are able to contribute to an account. An account that can invest in assets, probably a mix of bond and stock index funds. Thereby giving you a tangible account. not this "lock box" bullshit.

[Stoysluttie1]

Civil Disobedience is a hallmark?

how is organizing a militia to overthrow a government Civil Disobedience?

the protesters have every right to be out there, ummh...protesting. But to what end? They aren't changing anyone's mind. If anything they are causing people to harden their positions. Yelling at teenagers, asking them if they want to die. Good tactic. It should work as well as the scaremongering in DARE campaigns.

Keep up the good work.

Wow! I actually agree with you Mr. G. Its like the people who spend their time on a beautiful saturday protesting at abortion clinics. I walked by one a few months back, not even headed that way, and they were all over me. All it did, like you said, was make my stand on the position stronger.

But, you could of at least said that "it should work as well as the scare mongering of the Bush administration."

[extreeski]

you have a point. They aren't changing shrubya's mind. He could care less what people think. He's gonna do what he wants. So his little shrubya's kids will have big trust funds.

I agree. terrorrism is not civil disobedience. I think we should have finished the job in afghanistan, found bin laden, tried him had elections in afghanistan and gotten out. End of military story. Keep the dollar high. Inflation down.

Not GW. He had to keep going.

Yet, I applaud any person who lays down in front of a bulldozer, tank, whatever. Non violently or in a way that harms machinery but not human or animal life in malice. Our populus is too jacked up on meth and reality tv to see the reality right in front of them. Ghandi, MLK, No Nukes Movement, 60's Peace Movement, were mostly nonviolent. the black panthers didn't start taking up arms until the fbi started sicking their f'd up cointelpro on them. And they were just feeding and educating their people because the man wouldn't do it for them.

You are either a spectator in history or a participator.

Poo Poo for the budding hitler youth who couldn't get a front row seat to watch their false american idol of leader leading them to straight to economic, social, and environmental hell.

Sorry for the rant. But the lack of snow here has me going crazy.

[Free Range Lobster]

On the 17yo...

"But the long lines and being protested against. . . . There was one lady who yelled at me, 'Are you prepared to die?' I guess she thinks Bush is an aggressive leader who will get us into war."

Like I said, are 17yo's really this stupid now?