Innaguration 2009

[Mr. Sea Otter]

I don't want to start a political thread here, but I am curious if anybody else went to the Obama inauguration? I braved the crowds and saw it myself (diapered of course). Anybody else make it down to the mall? It was just incredible how many people were there.... Later my girlfirend and I were talking, and I asked her how many people (not counting kids) she thought were in diapers there. We figure between the old folks, those who can't stand porta-poties (I heard 1 pottie per 6,000 people!), and those who were smart enough to realize that you could very easily get stuck in a crowd (I got stuck for nearly two hours trying to leave!), that there were probably thousands if not tens of thousands. Not sure how many were AB/Dl though...

[DailyDi]

Watched it on TV. Have a strict policy against attending "general admission" events. I prefer a more VIP treatment

[underwhere]

Watched it on TV. Have a strict policy against attending "general admission" events. I prefer a more VIP treatment

DailyDi, they didn't invite you to the luncheon? I think somebody screwed up the guest list.

[Crinklebritches]

Seeing it on TV I thought, "There is no way I would have gone without wearing a diaper!" and wondering if the local stores ran out of stock of adult diapers. lol

[bobbyc]

As strange as it might sound to us I don't think the idea of wearing diapers to events like this crosses most people's minds. I don't even think many people even think of planning their day around when and where they will have to go to the bathroom, they just cross that bridge when they come to it, so to speak.

I have been in a conversation about the possibility of going to Times Square for New Year's Eve and no one even brought up the toilet situation. To the majority of the population's credit, however, most don't have to pee every 30-45 minutes either.

Also, even if normal people did decide to go the diaper route, just imagine them going to a store and buying a pack of depends and then realizing, when it's too late, that they (depends) are not built to absorb a normal bladder's capacity.

Just my opinion on how the rest of the country views this sort of thing. Now China, on the other hand...

[spoonchicken]

Too bad the mainstream media hasn't done a "human interest" story on this exact subject......just wondering if there were any accidents in the crowd

[Crinklebritches]

When watching the Innaguration, the news media mentioned rest room facilities many times. I can't imagine some people not thinking about that before they attended the event (of course that's me an AB/DL thinking still). You're probably right BobbyC, most people don't think about that.

[anondl]

I did find this on the internet. Yahoo News, I think.

U.S.News & World Report <http://www.usnews.com>

Saturday, January 17, 2009

<http://www.usnews.com/blogs/alpha-consumer/2009/01/13/your-inauguration-day-survival-guide/comments/>

Your Inauguration Day Survival Guide

January 13, 2009 09:04 AM ET | Kimberly Palmer

<http://www.usnews.com/Topics/tag/Author/k/kimberly_palmer/index.html> |

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For native Washingtonians and visitors alike, Inauguration Day is likely

to be crowded, hectic, and short on key supplies. With as many as 2

million people expected to descend on the capital, there will probably

be long lines at ATMs, runs on beer, and shortages of useful items such

as adult diapers, which some viewers plan to wear given the limited

bathroom facilities.

That means consumers should stock up just as they would before a big

tornado. Here are 6 things you should have in hand before Jan. 20:

* *Gas*. While private vehicle use will be restricted on

Inauguration Day itself, bus fleets, limos, and private cars will

be shipping large numbers of people into the city and surrounding

area in the days leading up to Jan. 20. That could mean long lines

at gas stations for anyone who needs to fill up.

* *Cash*. Even on a normal Friday night, popular destinations such

as Washington, DC's Dupont Circle can attract long lines for ATM

machines. To avoid the crowds, make sure you have the money you

need in advance.

* *Beer*. As young people settle onto their friends' futons for the

festivities, they'll likely be buying beer and other types of

alcohol, which could create local shortages. To make sure you have

the libations you need for Inauguration night, buy them ahead of time.

* *Food and water*. Some people are predicting pandemonium in a city

that's not used to so many visitors. With that in mind, you may

want to stock up on water and canned goods.

* *Toilet paper*. Washingtonians aren't used to hosting so many

house guests at once. Toiletries will be in high demand.

* *Adult diapers*. It sounds unappealing, but Inauguration Day

planners have warned of inadequate bathroom access. Those with

tickets to the event are likely to be standing in place for three

hours or longer. That means anyone who prefers to visit the loo on

a regular basis will need an alternate means of relieving

themselves -- while standing in place.

Tags: personal finance

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[PowderWhite]

I went to the inauguration, my 80 hour weeks organizing on the campaign having gotten me a ticket into the event! Unfortunately it was a ticket to the Purple Gate of Doom. Lame. I was stuck in the same place for over three hours with several tens of thousands of people packed together so close we couldn't even fall down if we wanted to, without a porta potty in sight. I didnt see or hear about any accidents though, so either Democrats have super bladders or there was some padded people around me. Adams Morgan was kicking that night, JUMBO SLICE MFers!