Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Dispatch from the Inauguration: 'I Would Not Miss This for the World'
A Metro fare ticket | Photo by Jeremy Oberstein/LAist
()
A Metro fare ticket | Photo by Jeremy Oberstein/LAist
With one day left until Inauguration Day, thousands of constituents fanned out among hundreds of congressional offices Monday to collect their prized Golden Ticket to today's swearing in. 240,000 tickets were handed out by Congress, but hundreds more pressed their luck, hoping to secure a place for history. One couple, a young boyfriend/girlfriend duo from Pasadena, showed up at Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff's prepared for nothing, but hoping for everything.
The couple knew their chances were slim and their venture to Schiff's office proved fruitless. Still, buoyant from a pervasive sense of change that has enveloped D.C., the pair did not sour after the Pasadena congressman said the best he could do was put them on a waiting list.
"Oh, we're still going to be there," the girlfriend said. "I would not miss this for the world."
Support for LAist comes from
The atmosphere in Schiff's office was festive, as it was in other congressional offices. Champagne chilled on ice as visitors shoved pastries into their mouths while waiting in line to speak with Schiff. He yucked, smiled and generally excelled at being a politician.
Some had their picture taken with the congressman, others with a life-size cutout of Obama that proved ubiquitous (and really creepy) around Washington. Residents laughed and gleefully paraded their tickets to anyone watching in the hallway.
The scene was quite different two buildings down, in Rep. David Dreier's office. When one resident picked up his tickets, the office of the San Gabriel Valley Republican chair of the Rules Committee was relatively quiet. The celebratory hum of Schiff's soiree was bookended by the mood killer that was Dreier's office.
Four staffers handed out packages with cool indifference as the congressman was locked in a closed door session, reportedly with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. There was no champagne, no food and no hellos from the representative. That scene was replayed in other, though not all, Republican offices.
Outside, it was a madhouse. Lines stretched around the block as traffic snarled at nearly every intersection in a 2 mile radius. Security was also beefed up and by midnight Monday, a pair of National Guardsman patrolled almost every street corner in Washington, even ones outside of the general vicinity of the Capitol building.
()
Vendors hawking their wares near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. | Photo by Jeremy Oberstein/LAist
Then, of course, there was the merchandising. Every manner of pins ("Children for Obama"), hats, stickers and posters lined street corners. Giddy tourists happy to commemorate the occasion forked over dollars as vendors could not keep their wares in stock fast enough. That is to say nothing of Obama's omnipresence EVERYWHERE in Washington: on Metro tickets, on billboards, on signs that aren't even for him. "Doesn't it make you a little uncomfortable," one person asked. "I mean, he's like a king."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist