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Here's my Inaugural Parade action report folks.

First, we were not with the FReepers at their assigned location. We received an open house invitation in a building along Pennsylvania Ave. We arrived there early, easily going through only one check point. Surprisingly easily...hmmm.

Anyway, we hob-nobbed, watched the swearing in ceremony on the TV's they had set up, had a nice lunch, enjoyed ourselves. The fire alarm went off in the building and everybody started calmly walking down the stairs but a maintenance person came and told us it was a false alarm. We went back to our spots along the windows.

It seemed the parade got off to a late start. In our view over to the left we could tell was a designated protest areas. Here are a few of the signs (typical, stupid stuff):

1. "I masterminded 9-11 and thanks to George W. Bush, all I got is away with it." --Osama bin Ladin (This won poorest grammar award from our group)

2. " I can't stand 4 more minutes!" (BWAHAHAHA!!)

3. "4 More Year = 4 More Wars (boring!)

4. Buck Fush (rolling eyes here)

5. I"m freezing because I care." LOL

6. "I voted for Kerry, now I'm holding this eff'in sign! (BWAHAHA!)

The police were shoulder to shoulder guarding these people who were out along the streeet. However our building was right next to a check point area and some of the idiots were right below our window behind the wire screens. Either they didn't go through the check point or they weren't allowed into the main parade area and were kept behind the fence. There were probably about 70 people down there the vast majority about age 16. They pulled over a parking meter, tried to bait the riot police by pushing on the fence sections and they burned 2 flags. Unfortunately they didn't ignite themselves in the process. Standing right at the window, I gave them the "L" for Loser sign and Mr. Prairie (who was more upset about it all that I'd expected him to be) gave them a different sign once or twice.

The biggest thing to know is that after the President's motorcade when by, the vast majority of the "protestors" in that area went home. We had the opportunity to let them see our "L" for Loser signals some more as hundreds were let out at the check point right by where we were. But for the wonderful bands, floats, horses etc. they didn't give a fig about any of that of course.

In addtion to the police lining the street about every 5 yards there were Marines interpersed with the police. Whenever a flag or the Presidents motorcade came by the Marines came to attention and saluted. Naurally.

It was a fun day, we are back at hotel to get ready for the ball. I've been asked to post this on a couple of threads. I didn't see too many people waving flags, but that could have been because of concern about bringing them through the check points. There were flags along the parade route.

Prairie