Inaugural Mania

By Kiki Obadal

The January 20th Inaugural of President-elect Obama has become a full blown industry.  Planned and executed by a joint congressional committee, the public events begin on Sunday, the 18th with an official welcoming ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial, the three days of public events culminate in not one, but 10 official balls—at which it is customary for the new president to make an appearance.  In addition, there are dozens of unofficial galas planned for revelers from all over the country who will converge upon D.C. for the historic festivities.  A mere 600 hotel rooms are still available in DC, and not to be outdone, hundreds of private citizens living in and around D.C. are renting their homes and apartments to visitors.  There are 99 listings on Craigslist for condos and houses adjacent to the capital city. Bridges will be closed, causing major inconvenience to local residents; although schools and the federal governemnt will be closed that Tuesday.  Metro officials have printed and extra 2 million system maps, and there will be 8,000 police on duty for the big day.  And last but not least, retailers around the city are featuring ball gowns galore for party-goers.  Even thrift shops are joining the action.  After all, what could be more American than making a few bucks?
 
I don’t want to throw a wet blanket on all this hoopla, but as a born and raised D.C. native, I am somewhat aloof to all the excitement.  After all, I live here and have spent my share of time in and around Congress and have glimpsed and or met senators, congressmen, presidential contenders and presidents before. So, humbug. Now, my aloofness is also due to the fact that I did not vote for Obama; my pro-life views and Reaganesque sentiments in favor of limited government prohibited me from doing so.  So I am not really inclined to join the festivities.   Having said that, be sure that I will watch attentively on the television.  

Then again, I suppose if you are from out of town, this would definitely be the time to visit Washington, and it would be a pretty exciting chance to get a glimpse of the man who will occupy the hotseat for the next four years, but more importantly, to see what his stylish wife is wearing at the ball.  I guess it is, after all, the most important ritual of national life in America, the greatest country ever to exist.  And as a person who is grateful to have been born in this great country, I do believe we are in this together and it would be just plain stupid for me not to wish our new president well as he tries to repair our economy and manage foreign policy.  Alright, I suppose I wish him every success.  And, come to think of it, I wish you my tiny studio condo at a mere $189 per night.  I think I will wish myself some bubbly that night too, because I am proud to be an American, and free to do just that.