It’s pretty special. The first person of color in the history of the United States is being sworn in as the forty-fourth President. The Dude is charismatic, and unfortunately is being worshiped like a god. Folks are renting their homes and RV’s to make a buck but you won’t catch me downtown to witness it. I’m keeping to the suburbs and will travel if I can find some money. I’ve done some hair raising, death defying and macho stuff in my life but I have a fear of mobs. Crowds don’t bother me as much as mobs. I dislike that a crowd can become a mob really easy and when it does it seems everyone loses their minds.
As a person that is in the District of Columbia (DC) everyday and that loves the Nations Capital the agoraphobic warns not to come to the DC for the Inauguration.
I can be honest because I am not trying to make money off of you. I can say that because I know that there are some things that haven’t been worked out. I can say this with certainty based on my background in security. I may be paranoid but statistically, the chances that something can go wrong are too high. So if I know you, I am going to advise against it.
For starters, our metro system, the Metrorail cannot handle crowds larger than our sports teams.
During a special event, like a Nationals Game, or an event on the Mall, the public is forced like Lemmings into fixed turnstiles with no allowance for those unfamiliar with the system, or for mistakes. There is a very high potential for criminal activity to impede flow.
I suggested to Metro back in June 2008 that some type of portable handheld point-of-sale type card reader be used during special events in addition to what is currently in place by special event trained individuals to read, record and process fare cards. But I was given a lackluster reply back. I’ve been on the platforms during a game and the platforms in the subways are not made for large crowds. I can foresee a mob pushing some elderly or small person onto the track if the crowd was too big. If they will trample a security guard at a Wal-Mart, they will surely do worse to get on a train or to get warm. If someone gets hurt in the train, on the platform, or in the station, we do not have adequate emergency medical services in place.
Secondly, the Secret Service is going to try to mitigate terrorist activity and shut down the highways, roads and access to the areas they need to traverse. I have worked with them in the past. They will leave your butt stranded without so much as a “how-do-you-do.” If I know you, love you, and care about you, I’m asking you not to come to DC.
I can be honest because I am not trying to make money off of you. I can say that because I know that there are some things that haven’t been worked out. I can say this with certainty based on my background in security. I may be paranoid but statistically, the chances that something can go wrong are too high. So if I know you, I am going to advise against it.
For starters, our metro system, the Metrorail cannot handle crowds larger than our sports teams.
During a special event, like a Nationals Game, or an event on the Mall, the public is forced like Lemmings into fixed turnstiles with no allowance for those unfamiliar with the system, or for mistakes. There is a very high potential for criminal activity to impede flow.
I suggested to Metro back in June 2008 that some type of portable handheld point-of-sale type card reader be used during special events in addition to what is currently in place by special event trained individuals to read, record and process fare cards. But I was given a lackluster reply back. I’ve been on the platforms during a game and the platforms in the subways are not made for large crowds. I can foresee a mob pushing some elderly or small person onto the track if the crowd was too big. If they will trample a security guard at a Wal-Mart, they will surely do worse to get on a train or to get warm. If someone gets hurt in the train, on the platform, or in the station, we do not have adequate emergency medical services in place.
Secondly, the Secret Service is going to try to mitigate terrorist activity and shut down the highways, roads and access to the areas they need to traverse. I have worked with them in the past. They will leave your butt stranded without so much as a “how-do-you-do.” If I know you, love you, and care about you, I’m asking you not to come to DC.
Speaking of law enforcement, all my federal police officer friends are getting called into work for the event which means, you’ll have Metropolitan PD, Metro Transit Police, Uniformed Secret Service, US Park Police, US Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service, and maybe even the US Mint, US Bureau of Engraving and Printing Police and the Pentagon Police out there. I also heard that 4000 National Guard troops will be in town to help. I expect martial law to go into effect meaning military rule or authority imposed on a civilian population when the civil authorities cannot maintain law and order, as in a time of war or during an emergency. See photo above.
You won’t be allowed to carry anything for your personal protection while in DC, so be careful. You will not be forgiven if caught by one of these deputies, either, believe me. It will get ugly for you fast.
And finally, aside from the numbers, the inability to travel comfortably, being in a police state and giving up your rights for the weekend. I say with love-- stay out. But it’s only because I’m agoraphobic and I love you.
You won’t be allowed to carry anything for your personal protection while in DC, so be careful. You will not be forgiven if caught by one of these deputies, either, believe me. It will get ugly for you fast.
And finally, aside from the numbers, the inability to travel comfortably, being in a police state and giving up your rights for the weekend. I say with love-- stay out. But it’s only because I’m agoraphobic and I love you.
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