The DC Traveler

There’s so much hullabaloo and disaster mongering going on about the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The list of potential things that “might” happen is getting longer by the day. 
If half a million people show up, the infrastructure should be okay, except for major issues such as transportation and dining near the mall.  But if a couple million people converge on the Mall, the infrastructure, along with the food service industries will be pushed to their limits.
So here’s a few of the potential “disasters” that might occur due to massive crowds attending the inauguration celebration, and my estimation of …read more

8 Comments

The U.S. Capitol Police just posted the list of items that can not be brought to the inauguration in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2009.  These items seem to apply only if you have reserved tickets, inside the security perimeter.  The DC Traveler is attempting to get clarification from the Capitol Police.
If you are not inside the security perimeter, these rules will most likely not apply.
Note that strollers and chairs are on the list, so ATTENTION PARENTS with small children and people who may need to sit during the long wait.
Prohibited items at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration …read more

2 Comments

Here’s a quick update to a the local party-related issue that’s been big local news around the upcoming inauguration in Washington, DC (and the most recent poll on The DC Traveler).
A little over a week ago, I posted a new poll on the The DC Traveler, regarding if people thought that the city should allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 5:00 a.m. during inauguration week.
The votes so far…

23% – No, it’s a horrible idea.
27% – Yes, let people party longer.
50% – If people can’t get drunk by 2:00 a.m., another 3 hours won’t help them.

Sounds like a resounding…NO!!  …read more

2 Comments

During the Christmas holiday season in Washington, DC, the Washington Region Alcohol Program operates it’s SoberRide free taxi program.
Drivers that may be alcohol impaired or unable to safely drive can request a free taxi ride to their home, up to a maximum cost of $50, through January 1, 2009.
It’s never wise to drive after indulging and especially during the holiday season. Again this year, area police will be establishing sobriety checkpoints around the region.
Most years, Metro DC police set up approximately 30 during holiday season, including some surprising locations. One year, I saw a check point in …read more

Comments Off

It time for a new poll on The DC Traveler, but let’s recap the last poll. First, the last poll asked…
Will  you be attending the Inauguration on January 20th in Washington DC?
Here’s the results:

Yes, wouldn’t miss it!! – 32%
No,  I’ll watch it on TV. – 32%
Planning on it, but still working on details – 18%
I’m going to Disneyland, no crowds that day – 18%

So it looks like a good number of people who voted (50%), have plans to attend President-elect Obama’s Inauguration on January 20, 2009.
And here’s the new poll…. and in
Should Washington, DC officials allow restaurants, bars and night …read more

2 Comments

Historically, the inauguration of a new President includes many events seeped in tradition.  On January 20th, 2009, the list of inaugural events include:

Morning Worship Service, a tradition started in 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Motorcade Procession to the Capitol, where President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will accompany the President-elect Barack Obama and his wife and Michelle to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Vice President’s Swearing-In Ceremony happens before the President is sworn into office on the steps of the US Capitol.
The new President’s Swearing-In Ceremony follows and has occurred 54 times, for 43 presidents, in 10 …read more

2 Comments

I again visited a couple polling places in Northern Virginia, including my own, just after 9:00 a.m.  The initial long lines were gone and the waiting time to vote was under 10 minutes. 
Both polling places, along with the regular electronic voting machines, had several paper ballot stations, there to accommodate the high number of expected voters. 
Personally, I waited under a minute to check in, and less than three minutes to vote on one of the three electronic machines. All of the 6 paper ballot booths were open during my visit.
Poll workers commented on “very high” or “record” voter …read more

5 Comments

This morning, during the pre-work voting rush, I witnessed huge crowds queuing up to vote.
I visited three polling places near my home in Northern Virginia before 7:00 a.m.,  and at two locations, the line s were at least double in the two most recent presidential elections in both 2004 and 2000. 
The lines at these two polling places ranged from 150 voters waiting to over 250 people lining up outside of the building, plus additional people indoors.
Strangely, at one other polling place just a mile away, there was no outside line and only 30 or so people inside …read more

1 Comment

I’ve written about this story four times before on The DC Traveler… about the former DC Administrative judge who has been repeatedly pressing a lawsuit during the past three years by suing a Washington, DC dry cleaners for between $76 and $54 million dollars for allegedly losing a pair of his pants.

Former judge Roy “frivolous lawsuit” Pearson took his case to the Washington Court of Appeals, after it was initially thrown out of DC court, then again by a DC Superior Court. If he wins his appeal, his case will be heard again. A decision is expected in the next …read more

Comments Off

Last week, the traffic from an estimated 35,000 supporters tied up local access roads for up to 45 minutes to attend a rally for Democratic presidential nominee Senator Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama at Ida Lee Park in suburban Leesburg, Virginia. 
On Monday, Alaska Governor and Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin will be visiting Leesburg in suburban Washington, DC for a rally of her own. 

It seems with Virginia as a highly contested battleground state, the candidates just can’t seem to visit often enough. I suspect with just a week left until the election, we may see Joe …read more

Comments Off