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Off-Topic => Political Debates - Thick Skin Required for Entry => Topic started by: kitkatz on January 17, 2009, 01:00:48 PM

Title: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 17, 2009, 01:00:48 PM
My daughter Maria is now in Washington D.C. to attend the inauguration and a college conference. They invited her to be a part of this event.  She will be attending an inaugural ball, too.  I wish I was there with her.  She says she will Facebook pics to me as she goes along, but she is going to be real busy. So check my Facebook area for news.   This is information on the conference she was invited to in Washington: http://www.inauguralscholar.org/events.cfm





EDITED:Changed title-not a political thread-kitkatz-Moderator
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: David13 on January 17, 2009, 01:03:21 PM
That is so cool, Kit!   :clap;

I am sure this is an experience your daughter will never forget! 
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 17, 2009, 01:05:09 PM
Maria's school Milwaukee School of Engineering had a few people help her out with the tuition to the conference.  They came up with over 1,000 dollars for her.  Hurray for them!  :thumbup;

Can you tell a proud Mama is loose on the internet!
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: okarol on January 17, 2009, 01:16:23 PM


 :cheer: Yay for proud mama!  :cheer:
 :clap; You did a good job!
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: monrein on January 17, 2009, 02:55:32 PM
What a great experience for her, you, and vicariously for us, KK. 
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: Bill Peckham on January 17, 2009, 03:00:11 PM
Hope she stays warm. I think it would be awesome to be there on the historic day.

Is anyone going to watch the innaugeration on TV? I'm going to have breakfast at a friend's viewing party - Obama omelets (we can have french sounding food again right?) and coffee. I think it starts at 11:30 (8:30 out here) with the actual swearing in at noon.
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: paris on January 17, 2009, 04:31:03 PM
Good for your daughter, Kitkatz.  Wish I was there too.  My girls were going. Melissa is good friends with Katie Helmes (Jessie Helmes  granddaughter) and Katie invited them to come and stay with her.  AlohaBeth sensibly decided not to go since she is leaving for Paris in two weeks.  $$$ !

Bill, my day will be planned around watching this historic event. I usually watch the inaugrations. but especially want to watch so I can say "I remember the day".   My extreme Republican husband will be watching also.  He may not have voted but he recognizes the importance of this day in history.

Kitkatz, I will keep checking your facebook. I don't want to miss a thing!
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: kimcanada on January 17, 2009, 04:36:36 PM
Awesome for her Kit, I will be like Paris, waiting patiently for pics in FB
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: pelagia on January 17, 2009, 08:33:14 PM
That is really fantastic for your daughter!  She must be something special, Kit. 

I too am planning my day around the inauguration.  I will be attending a celebration party on Tuesday night, but no inaugural balls for me.  We were way too far down in the campaign volunteer hierarchy to get tickets.  We did get a special commemorative announcement that is suitable for framing  :)

The Obama's have called for a national day of service on Monday.  I want to do something to participate, but I have to wait until I come back from my trip overseas.  There isn't enough time before that for me to do something meaningful.
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: G-Ma on January 18, 2009, 12:11:51 AM
 :cheer:
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: kimcanada on January 18, 2009, 04:32:24 AM
I am getting very excited, and I am not even American!!
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: Rerun on January 18, 2009, 07:04:33 AM
I am glad for you Kit because it is a HUGE party.  But costing tax payers over 100 Million Dollars makes me sick considering the current economy.  The news says..... and they are slobbering over this.... The 100 Million will come out of our pockets and 50 Million are donations from Hollywood! A total of 150 Million.  The State of California is broke and State workers will be taking off 2 Fridays each month starting in February so that the state can survive and 50Million dollars goes to a HUGE party in Washington D.C. from its citizens. 

The Bush Inauguration was 40 Million.  Just to put things in prospective.  No.. the TV will be off Monday and Tuesday!

Sorry to rain on the Parade!     >:(
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: pelagia on January 18, 2009, 07:27:35 AM
Well, I can't be there, but I donated money to help with the costs.  Did they have my name in the report of donors?!
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: Rerun on January 18, 2009, 07:32:34 AM
I think the best thing he could have done would to have told Americans to STAY HOME and party in their community.  Go buy pop, beer, whatever at their local grocery store.  He could have really keyed things down and saved Millions on security and set up crews and clean up crews.  President Bush has already put in a State of Emergency for the District of Columbia for the extra cost for that city. 

                        :Kit n Stik;
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: pelagia on January 18, 2009, 08:11:50 AM
wish I could be there  :)
Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: Rerun on January 18, 2009, 08:42:36 AM
"Change We Need"

Did this mean nothing?    ???   Oh, yeah, the campaign is over!

Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: BigSky on January 18, 2009, 08:55:45 AM
I am glad for you Kit because it is a HUGE party.  But costing tax payers over 100 Million Dollars makes me sick considering the current economy.  The news says..... and they are slobbering over this.... The 100 Million will come out of our pockets and 50 Million are donations from Hollywood! A total of 150 Million.  The State of California is broke and State workers will be taking off 2 Fridays each month starting in February so that the state can survive and 50Million dollars goes to a HUGE party in Washington D.C. from its citizens. 

The Bush Inauguration was 40 Million.  Just to put things in prospective.  No.. the TV will be off Monday and Tuesday!

Sorry to rain on the Parade!     >:(

No raining at all.

The left screamed about the 40 million spent on the Bush Inauguration saying the money should spent on the troops for equipment. 

The fact the left is spending more than 3 times as much and none of it towards the troops shows they are the party of hypocrites and they never cared about the troops but were just trying to use them for their own political gains when they brought up the amount spent on the Bush Inauguration.



Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: monrein on January 18, 2009, 09:21:29 AM
This is an area of ENORMOUS cultural difference between our two countries.  When we have an election we usually spend about a month or so on it.  We know our results immediately, well within about 4 hours, and all votes are hand counted by employing large numbers of people to facilitate the process.  Then the newly elected prime minister who is only voted for directly by the folks in his/her riding, not by all citizens since we vote for the individuals representing each party in our own geographical ridings, just starts work.  No inauguration, no hoopla, no nothing much except of course they move into 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa and some redecorating usually happens.  Celebrations tend to be more private affairs organized by campaign workers I suppose or people particularly involved in political life.

We also seem, for the most part, to focus way way less on issues like the religion of our leaders or their personal lives.  People I talk to are generally suspicious of politicians who like to trot out their families for public consumption and who hold themselves up as vastly morally superior due to their proximity to God or their religious leaders. 

U.S. hype around political figures and inauguration day of any and every president often seems to me like a coronation of sorts (lots of cheap souvenirs and an overabundance of cheap sentiment too) and I never quite get it. 

I also find it rather curious how the "left" and the "right" are talked about as monolithic, homogeneous groups when obviously that is silly in the extreme and applies to neither side of the political spectrum.


Title: Re: The Obama Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 09:23:01 AM
Now my daughter was not involved in any of the hype, so please keep this thread about her visit to the inauguration. If you want to argue politics go somewhere else, please!


Kitkatz
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 09:25:25 AM
Maria called today. Colin Powell spoke to them this morning and they are off to another thing this afternoon. She says she will Facebook some pics when she gets time today.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: rose1999 on January 18, 2009, 10:03:50 AM
Kit you must be so proud of her, what a lucky lady to be at such a historic occasion.  Here in the UK our elections are much like Monrein described, we generally don't much care who gets in because "they are all as bad as one another" seems to be the general feeling and they just come into Number 10 relatively quietly.  I'm envious that US citizens care so much about politics.  Wish her a wonderful day!!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 10:06:39 AM
Most Americans are not voting. This election stirred up some of them to the polls.  I am very happy she is there.  She calls me periodically.  THey were up at 4:45a.m. this morning to eat breakfast and be on a bus by six. I told her you all want pictures on Facebook. She said she will try to get some up tonight. I bought her the professional pictures they are having done at the event.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: monrein on January 18, 2009, 10:17:58 AM
Kitkatz, I apologize if anything I said in my post was offensive to you and in fact I probably had forgotten in my haste that this was the "Maria goes to the Inauguration" thread.  I'd like to say that I would go too if I were invited and I'd have gone to Bush's also if I'd been invited and I'm happy to attend the next coronation in Britain too, if I'm invited.

My comments were clearly inappropriate for this thread and I remain excited that Maria will be there at the inauguration.  I look forward to the photos and I hope she  "has a ball".   :flower;
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Bill Peckham on January 18, 2009, 10:39:44 AM
Kit what details can you give us? How many scholars are there with her? Which hotel is she at (walking distance or farther out?) - those are some big gun speakers - Powell and Gore. What an honor. Has the weather been an issue? I've heard that there is a concern about not having enough porta potties - they should have invited more dialyzors.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: paris on January 18, 2009, 10:43:49 AM
I would love to meet Powell.  This is truly a once in a lifetime experience and I am jealous!  It sounds like she is appreciating this opportunity.  Can't wait to see pictures   :pics;  Tell her we are living vicariously through her.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: thegrammalady on January 18, 2009, 12:26:51 PM
how exciting and what fun. i'm looking forward to the pictures.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 05:14:41 PM
Kit what details can you give us? How many scholars are there with her? Which hotel is she at (walking distance or farther out?) - those are some big gun speakers - Powell and Gore. What an honor. Has the weather been an issue? I've heard that there is a concern about not having enough porta potties - they should have invited more dialyzors.



She is in the Omni Sheraton near the Washington DC Zoo.  So far weather is not an issue. 40 degrees when she got there.  20 is to be the low I think. She called all happy this morning!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 05:17:01 PM
Kitkatz, I apologize if anything I said in my post was offensive to you and in fact I probably had forgotten in my haste that this was the "Maria goes to the Inauguration" thread.  I'd like to say that I would go too if I were invited and I'd have gone to Bush's also if I'd been invited and I'm happy to attend the next coronation in Britain too, if I'm invited.

My comments were clearly inappropriate for this thread and I remain excited that Maria will be there at the inauguration.  I look forward to the photos and I hope she  "has a ball".   :flower;


I was not angry about anything said in your post,  I wanted the political stuff to not be here in this thread.  We tend as a group to get a little crazy with political discussions. I just want to enjoy her trip and share it.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Bill Peckham on January 18, 2009, 06:48:20 PM
Kit what details can you give us? How many scholars are there with her? Which hotel is she at (walking distance or farther out?) - those are some big gun speakers - Powell and Gore. What an honor. Has the weather been an issue? I've heard that there is a concern about not having enough porta potties - they should have invited more dialyzors.



She is in the Omni Sheraton near the Washington DC Zoo.  So far weather is not an issue. 40 degrees when she got there.  20 is to be the low I think. She called all happy this morning!

That's great!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: petey on January 18, 2009, 06:54:53 PM
I'm jealous, kitkatz!  I would love to be there, too, enjoying this historic event and all the excitement around it.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 07:35:50 PM
She saw Colin Powell
Then to see two strategists who were dem and rep.
Lunch
Inauguration Opening concert by Lincoln Memorial.
She is going to see the memorials at night tomorrow.
Political stuff tomorrow at conference.
Then Al Gore speaking tomorrow.
She is in a room by herself much to her surprise.
She has a giant bathroom!
She is real happy.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 07:44:27 PM
She says most of the college students at the conference are political science majors, so she gets some weird looks when she says Biomedical engineering major!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Bill Peckham on January 18, 2009, 08:00:16 PM
how many people are in her group?
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: jbeany on January 18, 2009, 08:12:11 PM
I'd love to be there - what a week to visit DC, which is fabulous anytime!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Mimi on January 18, 2009, 08:16:57 PM
Smart girl....who has a smart momma.
I hope she will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Love, Mimi
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 08:30:21 PM
I think she is.  They were off to get dessert when I called her.  She called me back. She is up early early tomorrow!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Bajanne on January 19, 2009, 02:19:08 AM
This is absolutely wonderful!  Let your daughter know that she has the IHD family (well, most of us) right there with her!  I lucked out - I am off on Tuesday and will be able to see the entire thing. I will be looking to see if I see your daughter!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Ang on January 19, 2009, 02:19:53 AM
i  wholeheardely  agree  with  reruns  earlier  comments,


but  by  the  same  token,  being  a  part  of  history


thats  pretty  cool.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Wattle on January 19, 2009, 02:31:08 AM
Regardless of "which side your bread is buttered on"......  this is about a young girl having a once of a lifetime experience.

I hope Maria has a wonderful experience and the memories last a lifetime.    :cuddle;
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: rose1999 on January 19, 2009, 07:42:22 AM
Sounds as if she really is having the time of her life - tell her we all send love and many of us are jealous  :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: aharris2 on January 19, 2009, 09:00:59 AM
I'd love to be there - what a week to visit DC...

I'm with you jbeany. KK, we are living vicariously through your daughter. I hope she has a blast!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: paul.karen on January 19, 2009, 09:26:30 AM
I am not as excited as many people are about Obamas inauguration.
To me he is but another politician. One with Star power or appeal.  But i am happy for anyone who sees this as such a glorious event.

My only hope is that he can bring change or at least a positive attitude that means something other then broken promises and words.
I wish obama the best.  I hope he can do alot of positive things for us in the USA.

I hope he never looks back and blames the past for the future he will set for himself.

Im sure your daughter is having the time and party of her life.  As are so many other happy people.

God Bless America
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 20, 2009, 02:25:35 PM
When I talked to Maria this afternoon, she was in the fourteenth floor of the Press Club in Washington,D.C. watching the festivities on the television there.  She said it was a madhouse in WAshington. The parade area was cut off at 7 a.m. this morning due to the multitude of people coming. 

They took a tour of the monuments in the lights and decided to see how far the could get down in front of the capital building last night.  They got up the chairs area on the steps of the capital building.  The are going to the aerospace museum/ sculpture garden ball tonight. She wants to see the museum so she is going there tonight.  See what happens when you send a biomedical engineer to a science museum! She is so happy!

She comes back to reality tomorrow so pics should be up on facebook soon!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 20, 2009, 02:45:20 PM
And you thought I was kidding.  She is there!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: monrein on January 20, 2009, 02:49:36 PM
Great photo Kitkatz.  What a terrific souvenir and memories she'll have of being there.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kimcanada on January 20, 2009, 03:09:43 PM
WOW, how exciting is that, I mean to be there, good for her!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: twirl on January 20, 2009, 03:12:15 PM
wow
did she take a Stanley
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kimcanada on January 20, 2009, 03:13:33 PM
 :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
Stanley!!
 :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 20, 2009, 03:40:28 PM
I wish she had!
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Treasure on January 21, 2009, 12:38:10 AM
Kit, my son, Anthony, also attended the inauguration. He drove down from New York on Monday, with his partner. I can't wait for the photos...

Treasure
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Wattle on January 21, 2009, 02:45:45 AM


 :cheer: :cheer:  Yay Maria. Great photo Kit.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 21, 2009, 06:32:53 AM
Photos are up on facebook.  Some are black photos taken at night. Pictures of Maria in her inaugural ball dress are up! Look up Maria Soto on facebook.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Ang on January 23, 2009, 07:57:40 PM
nice  photo.


asking  a  stupid  question?

in  the  photo  the  placard  said 56TH  innauguration,how  does  56  go  into  44  presidents

  iknow  its  something  simple  i  can't  be  buggered  googling.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: Rerun on January 23, 2009, 08:03:40 PM
Like George W. Bush had 2 terms but he was counted once.  So he had two inaugural balls.
Title: Re: My Daughter's Trip to the Inauguration
Post by: kitkatz on January 24, 2009, 12:33:18 PM
Some presidents had two terms, so 56 inaugurations, but only 44 presidents.  I had the same question!