Comments on: Inauguration Ceremony: The Perils Of Being Purple http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/ Downtown Washington DC/Penn Quarter news and urban commentary Tue, 01 May 2012 22:08:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: angelinabowers http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13820 angelinabowers Sat, 24 Jan 2009 15:35:14 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13820 All of the comments I have read are accurate. The whole experience in the dreaded tunnel was not pleasant. My aim when I arose at 5 am that morning was to see my president elect being sworn in as the 44th president of the united states. In that tunnel there were no kinds of preparation made for the masses of people who were herded in there. Me and my family were in that tunnel for four hours. When we finally reached the exit it was impossible to move at any steady pace. When we finally got to the dreaded purple gate we were told that we could not enter. We were disgusted and disappointed to say the least. I have been told that the joint committee on inaugural ceremonies are supposed to send ticket holders a gift for our troubles, which includes a taping of the swearing in. I do hope that that is true. With all of this aside, I was a participant of history along with my daughters, my husband, my sister, my nephew and my 14 year old grandson. I wish our new president god's speed and his blessings for the job he has in front of him, which I am sure he will perform well! All of the comments I have read are accurate. The whole experience in the dreaded tunnel was not pleasant. My aim when I arose at 5 am that morning was to see my president elect being sworn in as the 44th president of the united states. In that tunnel there were no kinds of preparation made for the masses of people who were herded in there. Me and my family were in that tunnel for four hours. When we finally reached the exit it was impossible to move at any steady pace. When we finally got to the dreaded purple gate we were told that we could not enter. We were disgusted and disappointed to say the least. I have been told that the joint committee on inaugural ceremonies are supposed to send ticket holders a gift for our troubles, which includes a taping of the swearing in. I do hope that that is true. With all of this aside, I was a participant of history along with my daughters, my husband, my sister, my nephew and my 14 year old grandson. I wish our new president god’s speed and his blessings for the job he has in front of him, which I am sure he will perform well!

]]> By: MVTResident http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13808 MVTResident Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:16:31 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13808 According to the PIC, we are now going to be able to get the things that we were given when we picked up the tickets!!! They are "rewarding" us with the program and invitation. Don't they know that we got those with the tickets? According to the PIC, we are now going to be able to get the things that we were given when we picked up the tickets!!! They are “rewarding” us with the program and invitation. Don’t they know that we got those with the tickets?

]]> By: Anonymous http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13805 Anonymous Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:57:09 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13805 What's really scary about this is the lack of planning, responsiveness, presence and the overall apathy and incompetence of the US Capitol Police. Yes, there were more people and it was an extraordinary crowd. But they had months to prepare for this -- years really, since inaugurations are repeated every four years. Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrence Gainer, the former failed Chief of the Capitol Police, lied about the causes behind this disaster, according to today's WaPo: "Gainer denied that slow screening was responsible for the difficulties, saying that the sections filled by noon and that additional people couldn't have fit even with speedier processing." WaPo goes on to report that his lie was contradicted by others, as well as a satellite photo: "His account contrasted with reports from some people who got into the sections and said they weren't full. Authorities did not count how many entered or were stuck outside. The satellite photo indicates that the back parts of the blue and purple ticketed areas were largely empty. It also shows empty swaths in the silver ticketed standing-room-only areas on both sides of Third Street, beside the Capitol Reflecting Pool." It's a shocking lack of accountability. Gainer should be fired, as should the current Capitol Police Chief. Officers who failed to respond to citizens' medical needs should be booted immediately. This are the same Capitol Police who hired recruits who failed criminal background checks and psychological evaluations. This are the same Police who let a guy drive up to them in his truck and get past them, then ran amok in the Capitol before being apprehended by an ordinary staffer. But none of them will have to bear responsibilty. Everyone will go happily along the way because this is the Capitol Police. They're bunglers of the highest degree. An they're "protecting" the Capitol. What’s really scary about this is the lack of planning, responsiveness, presence and the overall apathy and incompetence of the US Capitol Police. Yes, there were more people and it was an extraordinary crowd. But they had months to prepare for this — years really, since inaugurations are repeated every four years.

Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrence Gainer, the former failed
Chief of the Capitol Police, lied about the causes behind this disaster, according to today’s WaPo:

“Gainer denied that slow screening was responsible for the difficulties, saying that the sections filled by noon and that additional people couldn’t have fit even with speedier processing.”

WaPo goes on to report that his lie was contradicted by others, as well as a satellite photo:

“His account contrasted with reports from some people who got into the sections and said they weren’t full. Authorities did not count how many entered or were stuck outside.

The satellite photo indicates that the back parts of the blue and purple ticketed areas were largely empty. It also shows empty swaths in the silver ticketed standing-room-only areas on both sides of Third Street, beside the Capitol Reflecting Pool.”

It’s a shocking lack of accountability. Gainer should be fired, as should the current Capitol Police Chief. Officers who failed to respond to citizens’ medical needs should be booted immediately. This are the same Capitol Police who hired recruits who failed criminal background checks and psychological evaluations. This are the same Police who let a guy drive up to them in his truck and get past them, then ran amok in the Capitol before being apprehended by an ordinary staffer.

But none of them will have to bear responsibilty. Everyone will go happily along the way because this is the Capitol Police. They’re bunglers of the highest degree. An they’re “protecting” the Capitol.

]]> By: peeved purple person http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13803 peeved purple person Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:39:49 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13803 For Complaints about insufficient police presence and/or dangerous situations ignored by police, contact the Inspector General of the Capitol Police: OIG@cap-police.senate.gov HOTLINE - Toll Free 1-866-906-2446 For Complaints about insufficient police presence and/or dangerous situations ignored by police, contact the Inspector General of the Capitol Police:

OIG@cap-police.senate.gov
HOTLINE – Toll Free 1-866-906-2446

]]> By: pqresident http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13797 pqresident Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:00:56 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13797 the e-mail Frank mentions is also posted on the web at the Senate's inaugural website <a href="http://inaugural.senate.gov/media/releases/release-012109-feinsteinstmt.cfm" rel="nofollow">here</a>. link is shown below. http://inaugural.senate.gov/media/releases/release-012109-feinsteinstmt.cfm the e-mail Frank mentions is also posted on the web at the Senate’s inaugural website here. link is shown below.

http://inaugural.senate.gov/media/releases/release-012109-feinsteinstmt.cfm

]]> By: Frank Townend http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13796 Frank Townend Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:59:50 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13796 I got the following E-mail this morning: =SENATOR FEINSTEIN STATEMENT ON INCIDENTS AT 56TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL CEREMONY= Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, today issued the following statement in response to reports of incidents which prevented a large number of ticketholders from reaching their designated areas at the 56th Presidential Inaugural Ceremony: Following is Senator Feinstein’s statement: “I have just spoken with Mark Sullivan, Director of the Secret Service, and I have asked him to convene along with the U.S. Capitol Police, all law enforcement and other parties involved in planning for this Inaugural to conduct a prompt investigation into two serious incidents that have been reported. These reports have prompted great concern by members of the Inaugural Committee, including Senator Bob Bennett, and by Congress in general. The specific incidents include the report that a decision was made to cut off access to Purple and Blue standing areas, which meant that a large number of ticketholders could not reach their designated areas. I am also aware of the incident involving the 3rd Street Tunnel, where thousands of people were stuck for several hours and apparently without any law enforcement presence. There may have also been other irregularities, but I have heard enough to know that something went wrong and we need to find out what happened. Mr. Sullivan has indicated that he will provide a full report. I would encourage people who have direct information about these incidents to contact the Secret Service, in addition to contacting the Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies at feedback@jccic.senate.gov” I got the following E-mail this morning:

=SENATOR FEINSTEIN STATEMENT ON INCIDENTS AT 56TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL CEREMONY=

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, today issued the following statement in response to reports of incidents which prevented a large number of ticketholders from reaching their designated areas at the 56th Presidential Inaugural Ceremony:

Following is Senator Feinstein’s statement:

“I have just spoken with Mark Sullivan, Director of the Secret Service, and I have asked him to convene along with the U.S. Capitol Police, all law enforcement and other parties involved in planning for this Inaugural to conduct a prompt investigation into two serious incidents that have been reported. These reports have prompted great concern by members of the Inaugural Committee, including Senator Bob Bennett, and by Congress in general.

The specific incidents include the report that a decision was made to cut off access to Purple and Blue standing areas, which meant that a large number of ticketholders could not reach their designated areas.

I am also aware of the incident involving the 3rd Street Tunnel, where thousands of people were stuck for several hours and apparently without any law enforcement presence.

There may have also been other irregularities, but I have heard enough to know that something went wrong and we need to find out what happened. Mr. Sullivan has indicated that he will provide a full report.

I would encourage people who have direct information about these incidents to contact the Secret Service, in addition to contacting the Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies at feedback@jccic.senate.gov”

]]> By: Purple ticket holder http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13795 Purple ticket holder Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:11:06 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13795 I don't know who to blame but the coordination of the gates and the security check points were horrible. The police were not communicating to the public AND to each other! There were no ticket signs, no sense of direction, silence or wrong directions from law enforcement officials, etc, etc. We stood with the crowd at the 3rd Street alley for more than 2 hours from 8:30 a.m. to after 10:30 a.m. when I finally decided to head back to Judiciary Square metro (the designated metro stop for purple ticket holders) to go home. In my opinion, designating Judiciary Square as the purple metro entrance was a mistake. They should have told us to enter from the Union Station metro stop because the real Purple Gate was closest to that metro stop. My friend insisted we take the Union Station metro home. So we walked towards Union Station and lo and behold, we saw the real Purple Gate (at the intersection of 1st Street and Louisiana Avenue) and the entrance was actually a few feet away from us (with the crowd in between) which wasn't as deep as the larger one stuck on 3rd Street though it was moving VERY slow due to security but AT LEAST it was moving. We squeezed tightly through the "Gate of Purple Heaven" at around 11:27 a.m. and after going through the security check points for about 1 minute, we ran as fast as we could to our standing area near the left side of the Capitol. We found a comfortable spot just as Senator Feinstein began her welcome remarks. It was a miracle but after hearing some of these horror stories, I feel awful for many of my fellow purple citizens who couldn't get in at all. Know that those of us who did make it in represented the same spirit that you had, a spirit of hope, unity, solidarity, and pride in our nation. God bless you all. As Obama said, "This was never about me but about you." Know that Obama wouldn't be president without your support. Seeing you all there gave me a sense of gratitude and renewed my faith in the American people. You rock! I don’t know who to blame but the coordination of the gates and the security check points were horrible. The police were not communicating to the public AND to each other! There were no ticket signs, no sense of direction, silence or wrong directions from law enforcement officials, etc, etc. We stood with the crowd at the 3rd Street alley for more than 2 hours from 8:30 a.m. to after 10:30 a.m. when I finally decided to head back to Judiciary Square metro (the designated metro stop for purple ticket holders) to go home. In my opinion, designating Judiciary Square as the purple metro entrance was a mistake. They should have told us to enter from the Union Station metro stop because the real Purple Gate was closest to that metro stop. My friend insisted we take the Union Station metro home. So we walked towards Union Station and lo and behold, we saw the real Purple Gate (at the intersection of 1st Street and Louisiana Avenue) and the entrance was actually a few feet away from us (with the crowd in between) which wasn’t as deep as the larger one stuck on 3rd Street though it was moving VERY slow due to security but AT LEAST it was moving. We squeezed tightly through the “Gate of Purple Heaven” at around 11:27 a.m. and after going through the security check points for about 1 minute, we ran as fast as we could to our standing area near the left side of the Capitol. We found a comfortable spot just as Senator Feinstein began her welcome remarks. It was a miracle but after hearing some of these horror stories, I feel awful for many of my fellow purple citizens who couldn’t get in at all. Know that those of us who did make it in represented the same spirit that you had, a spirit of hope, unity, solidarity, and pride in our nation. God bless you all. As Obama said, “This was never about me but about you.” Know that Obama wouldn’t be president without your support. Seeing you all there gave me a sense of gratitude and renewed my faith in the American people. You rock!

]]> By: MVTResident http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13794 MVTResident Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:33:44 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13794 Feinstein launches investigation and has a contact e-mail (end of her statement). Her statement is below: I have just spoken with Mark Sullivan, Director of the Secret Service, and I have asked him to convene, along with the U.S. Capitol Police, all law enforcement and other parties involved in planning for this Inaugural to conduct a prompt investigation into two serious incidents that have been reported. These reports have prompted great concern by members of the Inaugural Committee, including Senator Bob Bennett, and by Congress in general. The specific incidents include the report that a decision was made to cut off access to Purple and Blue standing areas, which meant that a large number of ticketholders could not reach their designated areas. I also aware of the incident involving the 3 rd Street Tunnel, where thousands of people were stuck for several hours and apparently without any law enforcement presence. There may have also been other irregularities, but I have heard enough to know that something went wrong and we need to find out what happened. Mr. Sullivan has indicated that he will provide a full report. I would encourage people who have direct information about these incidents to contact the Secret Service, in addition to contacting the Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies at feedback@jccic.senate.gov Feinstein launches investigation and has a contact e-mail (end of her statement). Her statement is below:

I have just spoken with Mark Sullivan, Director of the Secret Service, and I have asked him to convene, along with the U.S. Capitol Police, all law enforcement and other parties involved in planning for this Inaugural to conduct a prompt investigation into two serious incidents that have been reported. These reports have prompted great concern by members of the Inaugural Committee, including Senator Bob Bennett, and by Congress in general.
The specific incidents include the report that a decision was made to cut off access to Purple and Blue standing areas, which meant that a large number of ticketholders could not reach their designated areas.
I also aware of the incident involving the 3 rd Street Tunnel, where thousands of people were stuck for several hours and apparently without any law enforcement presence.
There may have also been other irregularities, but I have heard enough to know that something went wrong and we need to find out what happened. Mr. Sullivan has indicated that he will provide a full report.
I would encourage people who have direct information about these incidents to contact the Secret Service, in addition to contacting the Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies at feedback@jccic.senate.gov

]]> By: fellowpurplepatriot http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13790 fellowpurplepatriot Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:14:09 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13790 My husband and I had purple tickets too. We spent five hours in line in the 395 tunnel, in what turned into an underground claustrophobia nightmare. We eventually abandoned the tunnel line and went outside only to find that the purple line was in complete disarray. There were no officials directing anyone, as you mentioned. When the crowd started pushing and pressing in, we gave up and went back to our penn quarter apartment and watched from tv. I was very frustrated when I heard stories from other people who showed up at the mall much later in the morning than we did and were able to get through security. But it helps to know that we weren't alone in our frustration. It certainly makes for an interesting story to tell! My husband and I had purple tickets too. We spent five hours in line in the 395 tunnel, in what turned into an underground claustrophobia nightmare. We eventually abandoned the tunnel line and went outside only to find that the purple line was in complete disarray. There were no officials directing anyone, as you mentioned. When the crowd started pushing and pressing in, we gave up and went back to our penn quarter apartment and watched from tv. I was very frustrated when I heard stories from other people who showed up at the mall much later in the morning than we did and were able to get through security. But it helps to know that we weren’t alone in our frustration. It certainly makes for an interesting story to tell!

]]> By: Steve701Penn http://pqliving.com/inauguration-ceremony-the-perils-of-being-purple/comment-page-1/#comment-13785 Steve701Penn Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:48:53 +0000 http://pqliving.com/?p=4073#comment-13785 The cops were AWFUL and there was so much room left on the parade route (from what I saw on my rooftop and on TV). The cops were AWFUL and there was so much room left on the parade route (from what I saw on my rooftop and on TV).

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