Bill in Portland Maine has the day off today, so it is my privilege to bring you this substitute edition of Cheers and Jeers!
Yesterday, I went to hear Obama speak at a Labor Day Rally in downtown Detroit. Below the fold, I bring you my photo diary of the event, with apologies for my spotty photography abilities. Sometimes I accidentally get a good one!
DISCLAIMER: Virgomusic's Cheers and Jeers is but a pale imitation of the work of the master. Furthermore, it's not low-carb. But it tastes great if you dunk it in your coffee first!
Note: I have a magic laser, and it's pointed right at you. If you talk smack about the D, I'll ZAP! you into a place beyond space and time, where you'll be forced to listen to an eternal loop of this song. Before long, you'll be begging for Motown!
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My group of friends arrived in the Hart Plaza vicinity around 8 a.m. -- the gates opened at 8:30 -- and already there was an astonishing number of people lined up. In fact the line snaked up and down the block before turning a corner right in front of Cobo Hall. We heard later that folks had started lining up at 4 a.m.!
Here's a view from the end of the line when we got there. Don't ask me how I achieved this particular color effect; as far as I know, there's a tiny LOLcat operating the camera from the inside.
Here's my group of cool peeps:
We met some nice people while standing in line. This young woman had made her own Obama-themed dress:
She painted the buttons herself, too!
Have you moved recently? Are you registered to vote at your current address?
Here's a view of the line, just as it started to move (that's the Renaissance Center, a.k.a. the Ren Cen, in the background):
Quick, look -- ponies!
The rally site was at the end of the Labor Day parade route, so we saw some paraders as we waited in line, and -- HOLY SHIT, the tubas are coming! RUN!!!
A variety of professionals were at the ready to answer any needs that arose:
We saw that ambulance in action a little later. Oh, and McDoc was working in the ER yesterday, and said it was very busy -- Monday holidays can be like that!
Other things to look at while waiting:
The UAW-Ford National Programs Center Building
Detail of the "Victory Eagle":
The sculpture in the form of an 'O' is called Transcending, and it honors the labor movement:
Finally, here's Joe Louis' famous fist:
Well, after waiting in line for 3 hours, we FINALLY got up to the gate and though the metal detectors, but the area in front of the stage was crammed full. We were able to watch from the surrounding lawn, but our view wasn't great. Fortunately my little camera has a lot of zoom, and I was able to isolate this pic -- yes that is Obama, albeit a bit blurry:
That's a bit better than this -- would somebody move that stupid sign?!
The PA system wasn't great, and we could barely hear a word he said from our vantage point. What we could hear went a little bit like this:
Oh, well... I knew I'd be able to watch video online when I got home. :P
Your humble hostess, incognito -- hiding from the sun!
Floor's open -- what are you cheering and jeering about today?
p.s. Here's another Detroiter's Obama rally story.
p.p.s. Props to our own AAbshier, who took one for the team by attending a McCain't rally this weekend!