Today was the big day the nation has been waiting for for months, and for some years. We got up at 3:50 with hopes to board the metro at 4. When we arrived at the National Mall, I thought the pedestrian traffic was not terribly overpowering. We got a great spot, fairly close to the capital. Once I arrived, I quickly became extremely cold. For me, it was unbearable. I left and thought I would just get back to a Metro Station. I was so foolish. Authorities had locked us in with gates. I was unable to get out and ran in circles until finally I found a really nice National Guard’s officer who was very kind to me and let me out.

I visited three different entrances to one metro station before I was able to enter it to return back to Arlington. While I was at the one standing in line,  a lady fell into the tracks and was hit by a train. Authorities soon closed this one as well. I was very frusterated. I finally was able to get onto the metro and watched the Inaugural Speech from my hotel room, which was just as well.

In concluding the events of the past week, I will say it is a priveledge  and a challenge to be in Washington during the Inaugural process. It has been an experience I will never forget. What I valued most about this trip is getting to understand the hope and enthusiasm people have for Obama in this time of economic uncertainty. It has undoubtedly helped me to understand the 1933 Inauguration. It is an invaluable experience.

Today I set out to revisit both the Smithsonian’s American History Museum and the FDR memorial. I thought I would visit the museum first. After fighting (passively) my way through the crowd, I looked at the line of entrance to the museum. It was extremely long. I decided to go directly to the FDR memorial. I walked over a mile there and a mile back, which was quite refreshing. On my way to there, Obama’s motorcade came flying by and I think my ears are still damaged from that. It was cool to see that though.I then decided to go to Union Station to purchase another bottle of an Italian wine I really enjoyed the other night. Union Station was closed, as evidently Joe Biden was having dinner there. When I finally made my way back to the Metro, I was exhausted. I had already been to gym this morning and then to have to walk at least 4 miles in the cold, it was not ideal. I did so much, yet so little.

One observation I made today was the optimism shared by millions of people on the streets of DC. It very much reminded me of the streets of Washington on March 4, 1933. I could see the sincere hope people have for the incoming president. This whole event here is helping me to better understand the election of 1932 and the soon followed transition of executive power. The economic crisis is hindering people’s ability to pay their bills. As Franklin Roosevelt said, “the people demand action and they demand it now,” Barack Obama has mentioned many things he plans to pursue in his first one-hundred days. In 1933, a record- breaking half of a million people showed up to see Roosevelt take office. Now, Washington is once again seeing record numbers appearing to see a commander-in-chief take office. I think it is a remarkable American experience to bear witness to the transition of power of the US presidency.

Today I woke up with an agenda that  was quickly altered. I thought I would take some items out to my car parked at a distant Metro station. I found out that the Metro police were not honoring reserved parking for the inauguration. This being the case, I ventured out on a little trip in moving my car to the hotel. It took twice as long as mapquest said, but I did it. By the time I had finished this, it was too late to go to the Smithsonian like I had wanted. So I then thought I would go to the FDR memorial and take more pictures. This was an impossible task, as there were almost a million people walking the opposite direction I wanted to go. After everything today, I got a nice little tour of the campus of George Washington University and a lot of exercise walking around Washington. I also got to experiance what a sardine must feel like packed in a can. Riding the Metro this afternoon was a great example.

Tonight I plan to finish my book on FDR and his first inauguration. I can see a great deal of parallels of FDR’s inauguration in 1933 and Barack Obama’s in 2009. Both have been faced with a crisis. Both placed much responsibility on the former presidents. Both entering the position with a great economic crisis. Both have very differing position then the administrations they are replacing.  Most importantly, both have the country looking at them to lead them out of the difficult situations. As I walked the streets of Washington and listened to the conversations, it was as if I was walking around Madison Square in 1933. People have hope that they have not had in a long time.

Today we visited the Newseum and then did our own thing. What I really liked about the Newseum was not only the old historical importance the media has certainly played in shaping American history, but the many artifacts were very cool. When I saw the KDKA microphone on display, I became very happy. For personal reasons, that hit my heart in a special way. I was especially impressed with the many old documents on display. They had many books that I have long had much interest in. One of which was Common Sense. Although the computers were able to pull up old newspapers from many major events of the past, I was a little disappointed in the inability for them to pull up other events, I thought were important periods in history.

This afternoon, I searched endlessly for some fresh baked milles feuilles with no success. I think the people of Washington are deprived of good French pasteries. I am really excited about tomorrow’s concert with Springsteen. I have been to one of his concerts, but almost all of his songs on my ipod. Now I am deciding at what time I should leave to this event. I have heard estimates of millions of people attending.

My first trip down to DC was many years ago. When visiting, my friend gave me a tour of the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. I absolutely loved it. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, as I was quite young. I have wanted to come back for years. Although I frequently come to Washington, the museum has either been closed or I have been too busy.  Today, we went to the museum. It was exhilarating to return. As a history major, it was like heaven. I was not impressed with the presidential section, as I feel last time there was much more to offer, although this time, artifacts were more secured. I don’t think the Industrial/ Invention section changed much, but I don’t know if it could get any better. There were so many retired, life-sized models of engines, generators, and various other mechanics necessary for the age we now live in. I was very impressed with the new food center at the museum. If I remember correctly, the only food restaurant was an over-crowded sub shop. It was in desperate need of renovation. The new food center is awesome.

What I thought was the coolest thing at the museum was the latest edition to the Iraq War/Occupation section. Next to the war display was  a display of an important event in history. Along with over 100,000 other people, I was part of the ANSWER Coalition’s September 15, 2007 protest and march on the capital. We first demonstrated in Lafayette Park and then stormed marched on the hill. There was a police line set up, where we saw hundreds of people arrested preforming civil disobedience. I was next to many people getting pepper-sprayed by the brutal ‘capital police.’ On display was a picture of many of the mass protest, as well as two anti-war signs used, both of which are on display on my porch. I was overwhelmed with pride and joy to think something I did is now on display in the Smithsonian.

Although I am having a great time, the wind chill is less than favorable. It is so cold here. When I usually come here, it is in the spring, summer, and fall. I have never been here in the winter. I recognize the current weather is unusually cold, but it is almost unbearable. It certainly had interrupted my independant plans. I am glad I am not up in Western PA/NY to put up with the weather they are now recieving though.

Thursday was a day full of many different activities. I was very happy to hear Michael Genovese. He gave his insight on the American Presidency and what it has become. As I originally suspected, Genovese’s interpretation of the current situation on the executive branch is very similar to that of Jack Nichols and Bruce Fein’s. Genovese even frequently referenced the “imperial presidency,” which is something that a truly intelligent would come to the conclusion of. Genovese went into the constitution and the founding father’s reasoning of their decisions. This has been an area that I have studied independently for the past year and a half. I was very excited to hear this lecture.

With my colleagues, I went out to a fun dinner and then off to hear comedian Mark Russell. That was really fun. I think the dinner before hand made the comedy show all the better. Russell was an outstanding comedian offering not only humor on the election, but different areas of the country, including making shots at Buffalo, NY.

Today White House Press Secretary Dana Perino appeared live on a segment of C-SPAN. Perino was asked many different questions that ranged from well-thought-out  to rather lame. To no surprise, she continued to blindly support President Bush’s policies. When asked a question about 911, she accused the person asking the legitimate question as being not only a conspirator, but even went as far as to question the person’s intelligence. The audiance was clearly disturbed by this. What I find interesting is that Helen Thomas was interviewed on Amy Goodman yesterday and she gave a very clear description of Perino. Today I was able to confirm that. One thing I found that Perino said that I know was completly wrong was when she said the Bush was the first to claim the Darfr situation is genocide. This is wrong because in the speech he made note of the genocide, he claimed he did so because congress had declared it such. Perino certainly mislead the audiance, and unless someone had carefully studied the situation, it may have goon completly unnoticed.

We were able to meet with the ambassador of Algeria. It was a great opportunity to ask questions. Much to my supprise, my colleagues had the same questions I had thought to ask. I was very impressed with the dialogue that transpired. It was great to have an intellectual discussion about foreign affairs. The ambassador was very honest in asking the questions.  I was a little supprised by his comment on the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict. I was hoping he would have more confidence in the peace process. He believes that the current genocide in Gaza has set the peace process back 5 years. I would really like to think he is wrong.

We enjoyed another day full of politics. I was quite frustrated having to wait in the lobby, while people were constantly pushing each other and me standing there with my heavy blanket on. After I was able to get comfortable in my chair, things went very well. I often watch CSPAN, so watching an episode live was very awesome.  I recognized two of the three gentlemen. CSPAN does a wonderful job of offering a public service, as they are not owned by large profit-thirsty cooperrations, like other media outlets. I was quite disappointed in the reaction of some of the other participants who have been acting quite rude. For example the guy I sat with yesterday had half a dozen donuts and a chocolate milk in the auditorium after it has been clearly stated that such items were strictly prohibited. Unfortunately there have been many other such cases.

I was so happy to be in the presence of  Bob Schieffer tonight. I remember my first time seeing him. I was campaigning hard for Senator Kerry in 2004 when Schieffer was the moderator. I liked him right from there, as he showed no biased either way. He did the same during this past election. I would hold Schieffer in the same regards as Amy Goodman. I am really upset that I could not hear him speak, as students were being quite rude. I was able to move close to him, and was then able to hear a little better.

Today I found where the ACLU’s main office building is located in D.C. I will have to stop by and speak with them on possible job opportunities. I am very excited to do this. Perhaps I will have time tomorrow.

Today we were able to hear several people speaking of very different aspects of the American presidency. Although I was looking foreward to hearing Michael Genovesse’s interpretation of the imperial presidency, I gained some satisfaction with the fifteen minutes of hearing him speak. He touched on certain issues that are increadable important, but often overlooked by the mainstream media. Genovesse was able to briefly show us how dynamic this transition of power is. Although long-winded, Marc Pachter gave a really trivial interpretation of the history of many presidents through presidential portraits. I really enjoyed that presentation.

Today we went to see the NORML lobby group, advocating for the decriminalization of Marjuana. As a strong proponant for the legalization of the drug, I was optimistic going into the presentation. The speaker did not impress me, as he understands government as I do. I was hoping for something new. I was also dissapointed in his strong advocacy for capitalism, while at the same time understanding how corrupt business can be. I think this is a paradox. Washington has been providing us with a perpective impossible to place in a text book.

Today, we attended the first session of several, beginning many more fun inaugural meetings. We were honored to hear Steve Bell, Dana Bash, and Michael Genovese. I really enjoyed listening to all three speakers, as they offered both a historical and a comical insight. Unlike many of my colleagues, I was impressed with the quality of many of the questions that Bash took. I think they were very important; although some were redundant, Bash was able to take each one in a different direction with captivating answers.

I was very happy to hear Genovese speak about presidential trivia. He explained that he will take us more indepth about the relationship of presidential power and the consitution and how that has become more complex recently. I am very excited about that, as I personally have been deeply concerned about that very issue. From what I understood, he may be the next Bruce Fein or Jack Nichols. Even if Genovese does not share the same opinion, I am glad that topic is part of the conversation, finally.  It looks to be a great week.