![https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/560823_583510308330246_1956489287_n.jpg"](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/560823_583510308330246_1956489287_n.jpg"){kind=link}
Posted on 01/21/2013 7:17:36 AM PST by SeekAndFind
WASHINGTON -- Four years after making history by becoming the first African-American president, Barack Obama will kick off his second term on Monday with a scaled-back inauguration that reflects the tempered expectations for his next four years in office.
Lingering high unemployment, bitter political battles and a divisive re-election campaign have punctured the mood of optimism and hope that infused Obama's 2009 inauguration after a sweeping election win.
This time, Obama's inauguration will feature smaller crowds and a reduced slate of inaugural balls and parties to match the more subdued tenor of the times.
When Obama raises his right hand to be sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts outside the U.S. Capitol at 10:55 a.m. Chicago time, it will be his second time taking the oath in 24 hours.
He had a private swearing-in on Sunday at the White House because of a constitutional requirement that the president be sworn in on Jan. 20. Rather than stage the full inauguration on a Sunday, the main public events were put off until Monday.
Obama begins the day worshiping at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House. He will then take the oath again and deliver his inaugural address from the Capitol's west front overlooking the National Mall, where a crowd of up to 700,000 is expected to watch.
That is down significantly from the record 1.8 million people who jammed Washington in 2009 for Obama's first inauguration.
As Inauguration Day dawned and people streamed through the wintry cold toward the Capitol grounds, Washington was in security lockdown, with thousands of police and National Guard troops deployed, barricades up and Humvee military vehicles blocking major intersections.
Outside the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, an elaborate presidential viewing stand, encased in bullet-proof glass, awaited Obama and other VIPs
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
......something doesn't compute here..........
There must be 5,000 public-service unionized cops along the parade route. What’s with that? Did police unions from around the country spend tax payer money to send LEOs to this event?
Stand by for some talk about how the founding fathers want immigration reform and gun control.
Everyone flush at 10:55 eastern time.
Tune in for Mark Steyn
With Photoshop and deceptive camera angles, yeah, it will appear to look like its more then just few tens of thousands of union’s bussed in and Holder’s people from the surrounding area.
Lets see if the Presstitutes show untouched-up wide-angle overheads shots and wide-angle-from-a-distance crowd shots from THIS event...
Funny, every hotel still has rooms to rent and the big names concert was canceled....
I work at a real job on Pennsylvania Avenue in DC. Sidewalks look nothing like Glenn Beck’s 9-12 Project gathering.
I’ve dressed in black.
I see Michelle is dressed as Emperor Palpatine ...
I swear I just heard some reporter on PBS call Joe Biden “the most important vice president in the history of the world” LOL
I have to admit that I totally forgot that this was today.
Not that I care.
Would have been nice to have a 1/2 million there for a pro-gun rally.
Just announced: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.... Barack “H” Obama”
“H”????!!!! “H”???!!!
Say it!
Hussein@!!!
Who the fudge is the announcer?
Micheal Buffer?
LOL
Well done!
LOL so true.
Chuckie Schumer is yapping about our “Collective Journey”
Just finished the first 12 episodes of “Homeland.” Now it’s an “NCIS” marathon. Refuse to put live TV until this obamanation is over.
BTTT bump!
Well said!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.