Washington Gears Up

The Jumbotrons are all up on the Mall. Last night they looked like Stonehenge, forming a silent vigil before the big day. Washington traffic was mad. Out of state drivers spotted included Maine, Delaware, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and Montana. The George Washington Parkway will be closed. It's a great temptation to walk from Alexandria to the big event but the temperatures last night were in single digits with the windchill factor that makes the journey rather daunting. People are already filing in for the concert this afternoon around the Lincoln Memorial. Snow flurries expected and the temperature has gotten a little warmer. Bono's appearance turns me off--why not the local band Foo-Fighters? Obama is expected to speak--I bet somewhere between Stevie Wonder and Springsteen. Obama and Jolting Joe Biden have already done the Arlington Cemetary tribute. I have to wonder how Obama's voice is going to hold out after today and tomorrow's Martin Luther King speech. The feel around town is that the turnout will be massive after all, despite the constant bummer broadcasts. If you can't walk two miles, are older, have children, may feel the need to go to the bathroom and can't stand hours on one leg, you are urged not to come. Overheard this morning a security type informing his friends about the Mumbai scenario, saying terrorists are likely to attack hotels. Does this explain the strange phenomenon of visitors hiring bodyguards for the events? Or are these guys meant to bludgeon the crowd to get you to a car? So far, it beats Clinton's march from Monticello to proclaim a New Covenant. If I punk out, I can always go to the Alexandria market square to watch the proceedings on the Jumbotron there.