Swearing-in ceremony will be mayhem

Washington D.C. — Tomorrow’s the big day.

President-elect Barack Obama will assume the presidency in front of a crowd expected to be, by far, the largest gathering ever on the National Mall.

And while part of me is excited to hear what Obama will have to say (with all those people coming just to hear him speak, he better make it good), another part of me is just looking forward to watching the mayhem that will likely ensue when millions of people try to leave the mall after the ceremony.

We got a taste of it after Sunday’s opening celebration, when thousands of people were crowded outside a metro station waiting for trains. After waiting with them for a few minutes, we gave up and called a friend for a car ride back to our home base. But I’d be willing to bet people were waiting there for hours.

And the numbers on Sunday were fewer than half of what is expected for Tuesday.
Anticipating the likelihood of problems arising from the large crowds, the Obama team today issued an advisory for families to develop a planned meeting place in case they become separated.

The Red Cross is planning to have community outreach teams on hand to help reconnect lost children and others with their families. Law enforcement officers and volunteers will also be instructed to be ready to assist with lost individuals.

Hopefully, I won’t be one of them. This city’s confusing, and I don’t know if I could swallow my pride enough to ask for help.