By DAVID HERBERT
Three days after the Purple Tunnel of Doom KO'd the inaugural dreams of thousands of Obama supporters, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, head of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, is talking reparations.
The California Democrat announced this morning that the aggrieved parties will be getting packets of commemorative programs and glossy photos of the president and vice president to make up for the long lines and faded dreams. But that may not be enough, some purple ticket holders say.
Stuart Hess works part-time at a Dunkin' Donuts in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The 35 year-old cut back his hours to volunteer for Obama's campaign and then worked overtime to afford the bus fare to D.C. -- all to stand in the Third Street tunnel from 4 a.m. onwards watching people vomiting and defecating.
"I feel robbed," Hess said. "I believe proper reparations would be a handshake from President Obama, a thanks for my hard work, and an apology for what I sacrificed."
Time hasn't healed these wounds either. The Facebook group "Survivors of the Purple Tunnel of Doom" boasts more than 4,600 members, is attracting dozens of new registrants every hour and has more than 1,200 posts from angry ticket holders.
At the Washington Post's inauguration blog, the plurality of voters in a running Internet poll believe a dinner at the White House would be the best way to compensate those who couldn't use their passes.
Mauro De Lorenzo, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, thinks a special event with the president for himself and other aggrieved ticket holders would be nice, but he's also concerned that future events revolve less around security and more around openness.
"Major national civic rituals can't be declared to have achieved their purpose just because a bomb [didn't go] off," De Lorenzo wrote in an e-mail to NationalJournal.com. "I'm less concerned about someone being 'held accountable' than in seeing real discussion about how we're going to integrate civics and security better in the future."
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Lost in Transition does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.
Responded on December 16, 2011 3:40 AM
heluxtech
vERY NICE POST. I've read this
post and if I may I desire to suggest you some interesting things or
suggestions.
heluxtech
Responded on December 15, 2011 3:44 AM
UGG Outlet Store
UGG Outlet Store
UGG Delaine Boots for sale! UGG Australia boots in variety of styles and colors from our store.
Responded on October 29, 2011 2:13 AM
topbestairlines
It's the best time
to make a few plans for the future and it's time to be happy. I've read this
post and if I may I desire to suggest you some interesting things or
suggestions.
cheap flights
Responded on October 15, 2011 4:06 AM
Cheap Uggs
cheers for posting this article. I am definitely tired of struggling to find relevant and intelligent commentary on this subject. Everyone nowadays seem to go to extremes to either drive home their viewpoint or suggest that everybody else in the globe is wrong. cheers for your concise and relevant insight.
Responded on September 3, 2011 9:27 PM
Waggoner897
Would you suchlike to author a invitee author on my blog?
moving to vancouver canada
Car Insurance Nixa
Responded on August 7, 2011 10:17 AM
macky78
Wonderful illustrated information. I convey you nearly that. No uncertainness it testament be real profitable for my coming projects. Would same to see some remaining posts on the duplicate someone!
Real Estate Marketing Strategy
Responded on August 4, 2011 1:23 PM
huge90
Very engrossing theme testament marker your parcel to inspection if you indite author about in the forthcoming.
refrigerator repair nyc
, sell jewelry long island
Responded on July 25, 2011 11:24 PM
jimbob
It’s astonishing how many mortgage holders are simply not aware of thier options. It’s only when the situation get very critical that they research what their options are and oftentimes this means it is already too late, as many of the options are no longer available. It's always crucial to secure the best possible mortgage rates you can as this can make huge savings. Adverse credit house loans are found from most financiers, on-line, and also via local loan companies. A lot of creditors will have their own conditions when it comes to offering home loans for bad credit report. For example, some lenders might be comfortable with a few missed payments over the last number of years, and may even also admit court judgements designated against your report, whilst some other lenders wouldn't.
Responded on July 25, 2011 10:30 PM
kevin2011
Building one space station for everyone was and is insane: we should have built a dozen. Halloween Costume
Responded on July 3, 2011 12:14 AM
Ratr
but he's also concerned that future events revolve less around security and more around openness.
http://www.luvsunglasses.com
Responded on June 27, 2011 9:15 PM
soccer cleats for sale
federal law over over Adidas Soccer Shoes over state laws makes little sense, Thomas said. "Had Mensing and Demahy taken Reglan, the drug prescribed by their doctors
Responded on April 5, 2011 10:07 PM
prom4sale
Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses everyday lives. Jan M. Berkowitz has experienced first-hand, green technology that works, saves money, and helps to protect our environment. Renewable energy resources and techniques such as in-situ coal gasification and underground coal gasification are two ways that Jan M Berkowitz has worked to help protect our precious water supply. Underground coal gasification and In-situ coal gasification benefit our water supply as they do
Responded on March 22, 2011 3:43 AM
rosem
I think youve made some truly interesting points. Not too many people would actually think about this the way you just did. Im really impressed that theres so much about this subject thats been uncovered and you did it so well, with so much class. Good one you, man! Really great stuff here.
Gucci handbags on sale
Responded on March 15, 2011 2:46 AM
illso
thanks to the variety created by designer labels and brands and to the surge in clothing industry. Today, you can get your favorite replica handbags
Responded on February 19, 2011 12:16 PM
wide format printer
GREAT SHARING. THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORT. Perfect stuff as usual..Great post.Really an innovative and interesting idea. Thanks for informative listing. power led
Responded on February 19, 2011 1:05 AM
11x17 laser printer
GREAT SHARING. THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORT.
Perfect stuff as usual..Great post.Really an innovative and interesting idea. Thanks for informative listing.
p90x schedule
Responded on February 18, 2011 5:06 AM
boboy
Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other. Do you think so? Air Jordan
Responded on January 19, 2011 10:04 PM
compensation solicitors
Many people like read articles and good articles can attract more people to read and help more pelple. this article belong to good article adapt to any people read. no matter men women or children ,younger of oler .this article is very meanful from every aspect , such article is our like .thanks you give us so good article. We will support always.
compensation solicitors
Responded on January 19, 2011 9:31 PM
ryan
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information.replica hublot
Responded on November 30, 2010 1:06 AM
pandora bracelets
Now that oil prices have plummeted, I also think we may have more leverage with Russia than we did before.pandora bracelets uk
Responded on November 30, 2010 1:04 AM
pandora bracelets
Now that oil prices have plummeted, I also think we may have more leverage with Russia than we did before.pandora bracelets uk
Responded on November 8, 2010 1:33 AM
urtuyoes
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information.ugg shoes I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing.ugg outlet store
Responded on November 5, 2010 2:49 AM
fast new car loans for bad credit
I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.
Responded on October 30, 2010 3:20 AM
tiffaaf co
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing.nike.com
Responded on January 26, 2009 8:13 PM
Barbara M Henderson
I, too am a Purple Ticker Holder, who did not enter the gates during the ceremonies. Yet, deteremined not to be totally on the outside; I stayed over, after my family & friends decided to go back to the home TV-screen. So with some maneuvering, a few of my new found close-net commrades - (people I never knew or will likely never ever see again-)--, we decided to watch-out for the security who was directing the exist crowd and not allowing others to enter afterwards; well we managed to get on the grounds by squeezing pass those exiting & leaving..we got on the grounds. We wanted the opporturnity to get to the other side...of the fence.....to experience more from the actual grounds even though it was over... Oh yea, we saw the Bush's helicopter take-off...I met & visited with so many other people with the same glem in the their eyes.. Yes, I was very disappointed; yet not totally discouraged. I was still so very glad to have been a witness, whether from near or from afar..To be THERE with soooooooo many p...
Read More
I, too am a Purple Ticker Holder, who did not enter the gates during the ceremonies.
Yet, deteremined not to be totally on the outside; I stayed over, after my family & friends decided to go back to the home TV-screen. So with some maneuvering, a few of my new found close-net commrades - (people I never knew or will likely never ever see again-)--, we decided to watch-out for the security who was directing the exist crowd and not allowing others to enter afterwards; well we managed to get on the grounds by squeezing pass those exiting & leaving..we got on the grounds.
We wanted the opporturnity to get to the other side...of the fence.....to experience more from the actual grounds even though it was over... Oh yea, we saw the Bush's helicopter take-off...I met & visited with so many other people with the same glem in the their eyes..
Yes, I was very disappointed; yet not totally discouraged. I was still so very glad to have been a witness, whether from near or from afar..To be THERE with soooooooo many people. I felt we belonged to some one-ness, a part one another; although our homes were from the multitude of varied locations.
After traveling from Texas and I don't regret the prayers, time, money, energy & family dynamics involved to make this journey possible...My daughter, who lives in DC was a HOST w/The MOST.
Also my son, daughter-in-law, her sister & brother-in-law,neice,my mother, grandson,2 sisters, 2 neices, plus several friends..even some from my church family were there & they traveled by bus.
Of course, I would appreciate whatever consolation which is offered to those of us, Ticket Holders, in particular the Purple People who did not get to be on the other side during the ceremony.......
Collapse