TJ didn't want to type in his blog today, here is his interview:
Tim Allison (TA): This is TJ's Dad interviewing TJ and TJ's Mommy. TJ what are your thoughts about the inauguration?
TJ: I'm so sad that I didn't get to go to the inauguration.
TA: What happened?
TJ: They had too much people.
TA: So even though you had a ticket...
TJ: They had too much people and they closed the gate.
TA: Did you have to wait a while? How long were you in line?
TJ: For like hours and hours.
TA: So, how come you are sad?
TJ: Because, I wanted to go to the inauguration. I wanted to hear Barack Obama speak. 'Cause I think it will be very good.
TA: Well, we can hear him speak on TV.
TJ: Well, I just wanted to hear him in real life.
TA: And you wanted to see him when he was president?
TJ: Uh huh. Yes.
TA: What did you say when you were in the audience. Did you lead some chants?
TJ: Yes." I said "Fired up" and they said "Ready to go" and when we couldn't get in I said "Please let us in....We have tickets"
TA: And the crowd joined you in this chant.
TJ: Uh huh.
TA: Did you meet some nice people while you were in line?
TJ: Yes, there were all kinds of nice people. They wanted my business card.
TA: Did you tell them about your blog?
TJ: Yeah.
TA: There were a lot of nice people that were supporting Obama, weren't there?
TJ: Yes.
VA (TJ's mom): Do you remember the large African American man from Sugarland, TX at the end of the swearing in.....
TJ: What color ticket did he have?
VA: He had purple also and he couldn't get in either.
VA: I gave him a hug. He said he was happy that Obama was President, but he was also sad that he couldn't get in because he had waited a long, long time for this day.
TA: And he wanted his picture taken with you, so we took your picture together.
VA: And he was very tall and was telling everyone what was happening with the gates.
TA: You know there were many hundreds or perhaps thousands of people with purple tickets who were locked out by the Capitol Police, but that doesn't mean that they weren't happy that Obama is now President.
VA: Mommy is happy that Obama is President.
TA: Daddy is too.
TJ: I'm happy that Obama is President too, but I'm sad that they wouldn't let me in to see it.
Dad's note: Apparently there was a major problem with the purple ticket line. One of the Capitol Policemen told us that people without tickets (and with other tickets) had overrun the checkpoint and they had filled up both the purple area and an overflow area. Apparently the security just couldn't handle the crowds. Some people had been in line with purple tickets since 5:30 am and still couldn't get in. We waited for four hours in the cold, not to mention having flown out to DC from CA for the swearing-in. There were many hundreds (possibly thousands) of us with tickets that were not let in. TJ is disappointed (as are we) and we've tried to explain that sometimes life hands you disappointments. What matters most is how you handle the challenges you face. We will be taking TJ to the Western Regional Ball and maybe he will get a chance to meet Obama. That would certainly lessen the disappointment......
TJ you were an inspiration all morning long, braving the cold and the seemingly endless lines. I was disappointed you didn't get in to hear the speech. But you kept those around you in good spirits with your cheer and spunk and enthusiasm for Obama. Thank you for keeping the spirit of the moment alive.
ReplyDeletePaul F
Hi TJ, we have been thinking of you all day! I am sorry you didn't get to get into the swearing-in ceremony but I think you have had a lot of great experiences. I hope that you have a great time at the Ball!! Your friend, Sheldon!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you did not get to get in even though you had a ticket. As disappointing as that is, you have still been able to witness a part of history in ways that many others have not been able to. How exciting that you get to be in Washington D.C. in the midst of it all! I hope that you do get a chance to meet the president at the Western Regional Ball. That, in and of itself, sounds like a great place to be. :-)
ReplyDeleteMrs. Wilcox
Oh TJ, I am so sorry! Our class watched the inauguration on tv today and everyone was looking for you! We have an American flag for you from our celebrations at Peabody today.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great time at the Western Regional Ball.
Hugs,
Miss Limb
HI TJ,this is Oluwabukunmi Oluwatobiloba Kaiyewu (Tobi), the Nigerian American man, whom you took a picture with. I was blessed by God Almighty to be in Washington and part of the Presidential Inauguration. I was sad about this momentous event was poorly managed, but for me to be sad about not getting into the Inauguration is selfish on my part because at the end of the day, our leader is President Barack Obama. I was excited to see the youth of America, such as yourself, so involved in politics. God bless you and your family in every goal you accomplish in your lives.
ReplyDeleteTJ -
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you weren't able to get into the inauguration ceremony even though you had a ticket. But, you got to see President Obama and the First Lady at the Ball. How cool is that? And you were actually in Washington where it was all happening. You got to meet so many wonderful people from all over the country. You got to experience the excitement. You got to feel the cold. And you got to go to an Inaugural Ball. (I've never been to an Inaugural Ball!) We were just here in Santa Barbara watching it all on TV. You had a very special experience TJ. Thank you for sharing it.