Earlier this evening, outside our window, one could hear the menacing rumble of explosions, could make out bright flashes of lights over the rooftops of nearby buildings. All day and all evening, emergency vehicles have darted around the city, their sirens wailing and whirring frenetically. Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances. Could it be Washington DC is under attack? Could it be there is some great crisis? No these are the sites and sounds on the eve of the 55th presidential inauguration. Those explosions and bright lights? Fireworks over the Ellipse. And the sirens? Motorcades for important dignitaries, wealthy supporters of the incumbent, and yes even the president himself. Motorcades are important to have when going off to the assorted high-dollar balls, dinners, and yes, The Texas State Society 'Black Tie & Boots Ball,' which according to rumor, will feature a Lyle Lovett and . . . well, a bull, though it's not clear whether it will be a 'live' bull or of the 'mechanical' variety.

The irony, of course, is that while DC is hosting this grand, $40-million dollar series of celebrations for our president (and picking up $17.3 million tab for police, construction, and emergency services, while at the same time being inconvenienced by the congestion, traffic, and street closings) there won't be too many of it's residents actually in attendance at any of the festivities. As the District voted against Bush 9 to 1 in the November elections, it's safe to say that not too many of its residents would be invited to any party thrown by or for Bush. Even the 'public-invited' parade is going to consist primarily of out-of-town Bush supporters. The attendance of the parade will be carefully controlled at entrance points by police. And the selling of bleacher seats at $15, $60, and $125, will help to ensure a mostly-supportive audience.

There are also many 'counter-inaugural events being planned, including a Critical Mass bike ride and a Women's March and Funeral Procession. The ANSWER coalition even managed to reserve a section of bleachers for themselves at 4th and Penn. The one I find the most interesting is the 'Turn Your Back on Bush' movement. (I will probably even take part in this one myself, if I can get close enough to the parade for it to matter.) Here's another good piece on two opposing activists groups that will be at the parade.

I'll walk down to the parade route tomorrow, camera around my neck, ready to witness democracy in action. I'll be getting there probably around noon, so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of crowds, or lines. Several streets within a couple blocks of my apartment are going to be closed off to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Hopefully, I won't have any trouble getting into the 'restricted' areas.

Earlier today, I told Catherine, "You know we're probably in one of the safest locations in the world right now with all the security forces within blocks of our apartment."

"True," she said, "but we're also smack in the middle of one of the largest targets in the world."

"Ah, yes," I said. "Right."

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