mystigo_dragon's blog post - I saw President Obama in the flesh,...

Yesterday the POTUS met with the "Obstructionist Party" (GOP) leadership at the Renaissance Hotel, downtown at lunchtime, in my burg! The municipal powers that be announced that there would be street closures (that encompassed my job site) from 11 AM until 2 PM.

Well, I strolled to lunch at around 12:30, sat and had an outstanding Maryland crab cake platter (with cold slaw and tater salad and a draft beer) while listening to his speech - lunch lasting about 45 minutes.

When I came out of the restaurant, there were groups of people on each corner, approximately 50 to 75 at each and police officers in the streets as well. Temperature, a cold 30 degrees outside!

When I got up to the corner across from my building, I understood from bystanders, that nobody was allowed to cross any of the streets until the POTUS' motorcade went by! I said, "He's still talking!" (collective groan from the crowd)

I walked up the block and into a Subway fast food to wait this cluster-fuck out!

Another 45 minutes and a police car's flashing lights indicated that the Prez was probably en route! When back to the corner and another 20 minute wait, at which time I tried to talk a panhandler into running across the street to divert the police so that we all could make dash across the street! (Laughter fro all in earshot)

Finally, the president's motorcade cruises by and there he was, the POTUS, waving, as we all cheered, just like the now 100 or so people at each corner! A great moment!!!

However, the next time I see a massed crowd lining the streets to greet a dignitary the event will be forever corrupted in my mind by the fact that they are there because the police guaranteed the huge turnout by forbidding anyone for crossing the street!!!

Democracy,... ain't it a blast!!!