It is AIPAC-occupied territory!!!
"In age of security, White House Christmas not the same; Public spaces have become more controlled" by David Montgomery, Washington Post | December 19, 2008
WASHINGTON - .... Washington is ever slipping away. Public spaces where the masses might interact with the actors and institutions of official Washington are becoming more controlled and contrived. Or closed altogether....
To compensate for restricted access, in 2002 the Bush White House created Barney Cam, a video tour of the mansion's decorations starring the presidential terrier. Barney is back this year at Whitehouse.gov....
You know, that is OUR HOUSE!! We are ALLOWING YOU to RESIDE THERE! You are lucky we don't evict your ass, shitter!
Bush sounded wistful about the new reality. "I hope that we - and pray - that we will, as time goes on, not live in a time of terrorism where we have security concerns. . . . That's certainly something we all pray for at the holidays."
That type of talk makes me ill, you false-flagging, mass-murdering SOB!
On Jan. 20, when Barack Obama gives his inaugural address, he should take his eyes off the teleprompter and enjoy the view. He'll be one of the few who can anymore.
I've seen it!
From the temporary podium constructed between the two grand staircases of the West Steps of the Capitol, he will see American democracy itself distilled: Before him, the People. Slanting to the right, the parade route, Pennsylvania Avenue NW, connecting - and separating - the People's House (the Capitol) from the President's House (the White House). Finally, there are the key monuments, the obelisk for the first president and, beyond it, the temple to the president who held the republic together through the Civil War.
Remember when you, too, could climb the West Steps and see all that at a glance?
Yes.
Many Washingtonians knew what tourists didn't: Here was the best view of the Mall. The steps, including the broad terrace to which they ascend, were the first place you took visitors, to give them a panoramic orienting overview. Lingering there became a Washington tradition as soon as they were built in 1892. According to an 1897 book on the Capitol: "On summer evenings, when the heat drives the townsfolk from their homes, there is no more popular resort than the terrace-promenade."
The West Steps became Washington's bleachers to watch fireworks and listen to concerts. Joggers and dog-walkers scaled and descended the staircases at all times of year, in all weather. But since shortly after Sept. 11, the West Steps have been barricaded. Except for very special occasions when the lowest steps have been temporarily reopened, that space and vista are perks enjoyed almost exclusively by congressional leaders with overlooking offices and Capitol Police sentries....
Translation: they are a bunch of out-of-touch, insulated, elite stink-s***s!
Globe chopped this next piece. I wonder why!
"Inaugural security: leave chairs, strollers home
WASHINGTON (AP) — No strollers near the U.S. Capitol. No tents on the National Mall. None of that Silly String on the parade route.
That's just a sample of the items forbidden from President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration for security reasons. And while many people say the inconvenience is a small price to pay to witness the swearing-in of the nation's first black president, others are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how they'll sit, snack, carry diapers or transport tired tots.
Yeah, FUCK the PUBLIC! Hell, they only "elected" the guy!
Some seniors are backing out of their inaugural plans, partly because of a no-chair rule for the parade route. Parenting blogs are abuzz with complaints about the less-than-kid-friendly restrictions. Thermoses, coolers and backpacks are out at both the Capitol and the parade route.
How come the papers always find the blogs when they want to?
"Of course, they're not going to say, 'no children,'" said Sunny Chanel, a San Francisco-based contributor to Babble.com, a parenting Web site. "But they're definitely not making it easy for parents with smaller children to go."
Probably the POINT, no?
The tightest rules are reserved for the lucky 240,000 ticket-holders, who get to sit closest to the swearing-in ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol. There are understandable prohibitions on weapons and pepper spray. But you also can't carry an umbrella. And don't think about holding up any "Yes We Did" signs — posters also are not allowed.
It could get tricky as people congregate along the parade route, where many items allowed on the Mall will be off-limits. That list includes bicycles, backpacks, aerosols (which could include Silly String), coolers, thermal containers and chairs. Signs or placards can be brought to the parade — but only if they're made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and are not more than 3 feet by 20 feet.
Antron Johnson, who's organizing an inauguration trip with three busloads of Obama supporters from Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., said he's had about a dozen people, mostly elderly, who dropped out after learning about the parade's no-chair policy.
Yeah, fuck that (sorry)! Who would want to go now, Sig Heil!?
Additionally, Johnson said seven people, including families with young children, recently backed out — losing their deposits — because they're afraid they won't be able to maneuver in big crowds. Turnout estimates vary widely, with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty saying 2.5 million to 3 million people are a possibility and the National Park Service planning for at least 1 million.
Johnson said some people are worried about packed Metro trains now that officials are sounding warnings. Metro has said its bathrooms will be closed for security. The option left for parents wanting to change stinky diapers? Hundreds of porta-potties the transit system and park officials are providing downtown.
Now you have gone TOO FAR!!!!
The rules aren't so strict on the National Mall, where most people will end up because tickets aren't required. Officials have said everyone will be checked, but they haven't said what that will entail. People won't be able to see much, except what's on Jumbotrons, but they can bring all sorts of stuff. Besides the obvious no-nos — firearms, explosives, fireworks — the only bans are on alcohol, tents and glass bottles.....
Authorities say expect to go through some type of security screening. If you have an item prohibited for a certain area, they will confiscate it.
Confiscate THIS!
