Pendragons Princess

Some common sense from D.C. for a change:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081220/ap_on_el_pr/inauguration_security_rules

Inaugural security: leave chairs, strollers home

By NAFEESA SYEED, December 20, 2008

WASHINGTON – No strollers near the 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 will sit, snack, carry diapers or transport tired tots.

Some older people 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.

“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.”

The tightest rules are reserved for the lucky 240,000 ticket-holders, who get to sit closest to the Jan. 20 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.

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 portable toilets that the transit system and park officials are providing downtown.

“It’s truly scaring people,” Johnson said. “The news is becoming more and more bleak.”

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.
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Of course it is highly questionable that a small child even belongs at such a somber event. God forbid that some of those parents get a babysitter for their child while the parent attends the inauguration. The last thing our child-centered society needs is to make a presidential inauguration a child-oriented event., because that is not the purpose of the inauguration. The kid won’t die if left home with a babysitter for a few hours. It is tragic to think that Americans would even treat a presidential inauguration along the lines of some Saturday concert picnic event. What else could possibly be on their minds besides entertainment? Ladies and gentlemen, the presidential inauguration was not, never, or ever will be designed for a bunch of otherwise bored Americans who couldn’t possibly see the difference between watching it happen in person versus watching it on the television set. Maybe they had to sell their television sets in order to buy those tickets. Thank God Obama is smart enough to say “No strollers” to the event – babies and small children do not belong at presidential inaugurations, especially since they have no concept whatsoever of such an event. I can just picture a whole bunch of people crushing into each other with babies and small kids getting in the way on the Mall. Older kids like pre-teens and teens can at least follow the event but I am with Obama on this issue, all the way.