History

Here is video of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s full "I Have a Dream" speech from 47 years ago today on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom:

Amazing.

Contemporary commentary from Doug Hagler:

Not cynical fear-mongering, not knowingly spreading ignorance, not vapid scribblings on a chalk-board, not comparing everyone to a Nazi, not hypocrisy married to self-righteousness, not infantile partisan one-upmanship, not snarling jingoist xenophobia. Masterful rhetoric from a heart moved by love even for those who would destroy him, telling us who we are called to be.

up at 5:30 for early start into D.C. 5:57 AM Jan 20th

decided to drive to Rosslyn metro. route was blocked but used navi 6:44 AM Jan 20th

Originally we had planned to try to take a bus from Aleix's to Rosslyn.  However, the parking garage we parked in on Sunday was pretty convenient and reasonably priced (~$40 for inauguration day), so we decided to drive to Rosslyn and park.  The route we'd taken on Sunday to get to Rosslyn was closed (except for buses and taxis), so we were briefly worried about getting there.  However, we were able to use the navigation to head in the right direction and arrived without much difficulty.  We were also worried that the trains would be packed by the time we got to Rosslyn.  It was crowded, but we were able to squeeze onto the first one.

now on packed train but not moving due to sick passenger on a train ahead of us 6:46 AM Jan 20th

train inching along. dressed too warmly for sardine can 6:57 AM Jan 20th

train moving pretty steady now 7:04 AM Jan 20th

Here's a photo outside the Federal Center South West metro stop.

ate hot dog outside metro station. Donovan McNabb got out of a limo right beside us. 7:32 AM Jan 20th

Since we didn't eat breakfast, we grabbed a hot dog (unexpectedly, they were spicy) and Coke outside the metro station.  While we were standing there, a limo drove up next to us.  A cop was yelling at the driver to move it out of here.  We were surprised to see Donovan McNabb and several fur-clad ladies (looked like his mom and aunts, perhaps) get out of the limo and start walking toward the inauguration.

standing in line. gate opens in 15 minutes. 7:46 AM Jan 20th

Here are a couple of videos from when we were standing in line:

At one point as we stood in line, a group of elderly African Americans broke into a gospel song.  Too bad I didn't get it on video and that they didn't continue singing because it was nice to hear.  We should have encouraged them to keep singing. 

line turns into a sea of people but no progress is evident 8:43 AM Jan 20th

moved a little 8:46 AM Jan 20th

we're through security 9:29 AM Jan 20th

Here's a picture of security:

After a couple of hours in line, we were finally in our ticketed area to watch the inauguration.  We were in the silver section.  It was so far away from the action, that Lisa didn't even realize it was a ticketed section when she first looked at the map of the inauguration area.  We were basically on the mall, just in front of the mall area where you didn't need a ticket.  Since the steps of the capital were so far away, we positioned ourselves in front of a jumbotron.

Here are a couple nice photos from the AP (from the nice collection on the Boston Globe's site) where I've indicated our location.

A photographer named David Bergman took a 1,474-Megapixel photo during the inaugural address.  You can zoom around in the picture.  If you zoom into the area of the jumbotron in background on the right hand side just past the water, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Lisa's green hat.  Here are the links for that:

1,474-Megapixel photo: link

Post on David Bergman's blog: link

The audio was poor.  It wasn't loud enough, there was a delay, and you also heard it with even more delay coming from other places on the mall.  I was surprised that at both the concert and the inauguration they didn't have the technology to have the video and audio in sync.  At least at the concert it was loud enough.  I followed things by reading the closed captioning.  For shorter people like Lisa, that wasn't much of an option either.  It was quite cold.  The crowd blocked the wind, but your feet became quite cold.  Everyone was complaining that the toe-warming packets weren't working.  Standing for so long took quite a toll on our backs too.  All in all, it was great being there with the masses of so many different kinds of people sharing in the moment, but the conditions weren't so great for actually viewing the inauguration.

standing in front of a jumbotron with the capital rising behind it 9:46 AM Jan 20th

is it capital or capitol? the latter, I think 9:47 AM Jan 20th

at least the sun is out but it's still so cold 10:20 AM Jan 20th

crowd chants Teddy 10:43 AM Jan 20th

chorus of hearty boos for Lieberman 10:47 AM Jan 20th

cheers for Colin Powell 10:49 AM Jan 20th

Here are some photos I took:

Here is a video of the crowd:

As soon as Obama finished talking, many folks starting trying to leave.  We did too because Lisa's back was bothering her so badly, so we missed the last prayer.  However, it still took quite a while before we were able to get out of the venue.  People were taking apart the fences to try to get out but still having a hard time finding an exit.  Here is a photo of the area afterwards:

walking to Rosslyn after hot choc and a cookie 2:06 PM Jan 20th

Rather than waiting in line to get on a crowded metro, we walked out of the city and back to Rosslyn (after stopping for hot chocolate and a cookie).  It took about an hour.  Here are a few photos from the walk:

Here is a video I took while walking out:

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill before hitting the road 3:06 PM Jan 20th

By the time we got back to Rosslyn, Jonathan was starving so we grabbed a bite to eat and then hit the road to head back towards Michigan.  We didn't have much trouble getting out of town except some initial difficulty due to road closures. 

It was a fun weekend and quite an experience.  We were definitely glad we only had 2 tickets (and therefore decided not to bring the kids).  I doubt we'll do it again (unless we have much closer tickets!).

  today's agenda: drop van at Aleix's, CoC/Inauguration Tweetup, Slate Political Gabfest live... 9:58 AM Jan 19th

We checked out of the hotel and drove toward Aleix's place.  Instead of dropping the van off at Aleix's and getting a ride to the metro, we decided to drive to Rosslyn and park there.  Then we took a train into the city.

Obama look-a-like on the metro getting lots of attention 12:15 PM Jan 19th

saw an eagle swoop in and land in a tree during the drive this morning 12:25 PM Jan 19th

We made our way to the Hawk and Dove restaurant for the CoC/Inauguration Tweetup.  We met online friend GKB and his wife Sara as well as several other ACU folks there (like Tanya, Brandon, Matt; still bummed that Freeman and Stanley bailed on the trip).  The restaurant was crowded, so we packed in as many of us as we could around a few small tables.  Here are a couple photos:

Most of those folks were planning to meet Shaun Casey for dinner, but we had other plans (Slate's Political Gabfest live).  Casey is a graduate of ACU who now teaches at Wesley Theological Seminary in D.C.  He was Obama's evangelical outreach coordinator during the campaign.  We decided to make our way to the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church to hear Shaun Casey's symposium talk "The Wisdom of Serpents: Christians and the Obama Administration."  A new friend from the Tweetup (Matt Lowe) went with us.  We tried to get on a nearby subway, but the lines were enormous.  There were also huge lines as people were trying to pick up their inauguration tickets.  That's when we realized what a big favor Fitz had done for us by picking up our inauguration tickets from Dave Camp's office on Friday.  We ended up hoofing it over to the church, arriving just in time for Casey's talk.

listening to Shaun Casey at Mt Vernon UMC 2:53 PM Jan 19th

After Casey's talk, we walked around a bit and found the metro stop for the trip back to Rosslyn after the Gabfest.

in line for Slate political gabfest 4:38 PM Jan 19th

Here are a couple of photos from inside the synagogue were the live Gabfest (a political podcast that we listen to) event was held:

After the Gabfest we took the metro back to Rosslyn and drove to Aleix and Libby's house.  It had been nearly twenty years since I'd seen Aleix, so it was great catching up with him and meeting his wife and kids.  They're political insiders, so it was also great fun talking politics over order-in Italian dinner!  We went to bed kind of late considering the early alarm we set for the next morning.

Finally an account of our January trip to D.C. for the inauguration. 

Friday evening we dropped the kids off at Lisa's parent's house and then hit the road.

  on the road 7:32 PM Jan 16th

We spent the night at a hotel (in Ohio) and then continued the journey the next morning.

started seeing cars and buses headed to DC before we got to Pittsburgh 12:32 PM Jan 17th

We planned to spend Saturday and Sunday nights in a hotel (while the rates were still reasonable) and then Monday night with friends.  We stayed at the Econo Lodge Metro in Arlington.  It's got reasonable prices and quality and is a short walk from a metro stop.  After checking in we went to meet some friends for dinner in old Alexandria (Union Street Pub).

at the hotel in D.C. Tonight, dinner with The Elders 5:28 PM Jan 17th

Sunday morning we walked to the metro station and road into D.C.  Here are a couple of photos of the national mall with the multitude of portajohns and jumbotrons set up.

on the mall. now, where to eat lunch? 12:08 PM Jan 18th

We tried to find our way to an Indian place for lunch, but Google Maps failed us.  We ended up choosing something else for convenience.

Rio Grande Wrap at Bruegger's 12:38 PM Jan 18th

Here is a video of Lisa from lunch:

After lunch we walked back to the mall, thinking we might try to see the We Are One concert.  As we stood in front of the White House right next to the Washington Monument, several helicopters flew over our heads.  One landed on the White House lawn, greeted by a crowd.  Later we learned that it was President Bush.

helicopters flew over our heads and one landed on White House lawn 1:34 PM Jan 18th

Here is a video of the helicopters:

in line for the concert. will we get in? 2:09 PM Jan 18th

didn't get in. headed for a jumbotron 2:27 PM Jan 18th

Here are some photos of the crowds watching the concert via jumbotron at the Washington Monument.

Here is a video of the crowd near the beginning of the concert while Denzel Washington was talking:

few seconds delay between audio and video on jumbotron. The Boss sings The Rising 2:43 PM Jan 18th

"Michael Scott" and Jamie Foxx tag team 2:54 PM Jan 18th

Jamie Foxx does a good Obama impression! 2:56 PM Jan 18th

everyone wondering who bettye lavette is 2:56 PM Jan 18th

but know bonjovi 2:57 PM Jan 18th

"Forrest Gump" reading Lincoln quotes 3:03 PM Jan 18th

surrounded by an endless mosaic of colors...of hats, coats, and skin3:07 PM Jan 18th

James Taylor 3:09 PM Jan 18th

John Legend 3:10 PM Jan 18th

Biden 3:13 PM Jan 18th

does he still go by Mellencamp 3:16 PM Jan 18th

Queen Latifa (sp?) 3:21 PM Jan 18th

Josh Groban elicits chuckles from the crowd 3:24 PM Jan 18th

Cal Penn and George Lopez. Is Penn Harold or Kumar? 3:28 PM Jan 18th

will.i.am, Herbie Hancock, S Crow sing Marley's One Love 3:30 PM Jan 18th

Obama bobs head to reggae beat 3:32 PM Jan 18th

Tiger Woods 3:32 PM Jan 18th

Jack Black sports a green tie and tag teams with Rosario Dawson 3:39 PM Jan 18th

Garth Brooks 3:41 PM Jan 18th

Barack bobs head to Garth too 3:42 PM Jan 18th

Garth leads the masses in Shout 3:44 PM Jan 18th

Garth Brook's performance, energy, and the way he engaged the crowd was one of the more enjoyable moments of the concert.

Ashley Judd and Forrest Whitaker 3:48 PM Jan 18th

Usher? and Shakira and Stevie Wonder do Higher Ground 3:51 PM Jan 18th

need the Chilli Peppers 3:52 PM Jan 18th

Samuel L. 3:54 PM Jan 18th

U2 sings Pride as sun peaks through the clouds 3:58 PM Jan 18th

As a U2 fan since high school (and someone who bought a U2/MLK Pride (In the Name of Love) t-shirt in Europe in high school and then wrote MLK quotes all over it as a freshman at Lipscomb, the U2 performance was certainly memorable.

Bono gives shout-out to Israelis and Palestinians 4:03 PM Jan 18th

Bono corrected the historical inaccuracy in Pride 4:06 PM Jan 18th

Obama steps to the mic 4:10 PM Jan 18th

Pete Seeger...This Land is Your Land 4:18 PM Jan 18th

Pete Seeger and crew's performance of This Land is Your Land was great…especially since the crowd was singing a long and laughing at the funny parts. 

Here is a video of the crowd during Seeger's performance:

Beyonce sings America the Beautiful 4:23 PM Jan 18th

After the concert was over, we made our way to a nearby metro stop.  After about 30 minutes waiting in line, we were on a train and headed back to the hotel.

in line for subway, Smithsonian stop 5:02 PM Jan 18th

that was pretty quick. now riding in crowded subway 5:33 PM Jan 18th

Here's a photo of the crowded subway train:

back at the hotel making plans for dinner 6:03 PM Jan 18th

We took a short walk to a restaurant near the hotel for dinner and watched the Eagles lose to the Cardinals.  Then we walked back to the hotel and watched the Steelers' game before hitting the sack.

Bear Rock Cafe for dinner and football 6:17 PM Jan 18th

reclining in bed watching the Steelers 9:22 PM Jan 18th

Polamalu! 10:02 PM Jan 18th

Garrison Keillor reminds us that May 2, 1611, was the date that the King James Bible was first published. I was surprised to learn the following from Keillor:

The translators also deliberately used old-fashioned language. At the time they were working on the Bible, words like "thou" and "sayeth" had already gone out of fashion. Some scholars believe that the translators wanted to give the sense that the language in the Bible came from long ago and far away.

I'd be curious to learn what percentage of Christians still rely on the KJV. It must be a dwindling number. Growing up, only the KJV and ASV were accepted at my church. I remember when it was announced that the NKJV and NASB were also acceptable. The NIV was never acceptable. It probably isn't still.