No problems at all from this purple inauguration ticket holder.

Absolutely no problems entering and it was a calm, moving right along departure walk out of the capital. Jeers and cheers when obama took the podium for his speach. A 21 gun salute coming from our rear seemed to catch most people off guard, but what a treat it was. Everyone seemed very moved by the whole experience and while leaving it was more of a reflective, quiet rejoice type mood from the crowd departing.
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9:30a. In place and set.

Cheers and excitement are coming from all around the capital and mall area. It's fillin up quick with people from all directions filtering in. The event seems to be running smoothly. Friendly security forces pass by from time to time making sure all is well. Ocasional sirens in the background, but for the most part a peaceful morning. They just added the protective shield around the podium where obama will give his speach. Post by jack witt.
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Almost there.

The band is playing as we approach the capital. The sun is rising, and I think it's gonna be a great day. Post by jack witt
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Cleared security in only 30 min. 8:30a.

Post by jack witt
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Green hoods

This group of ladies with green hoods came from selma Alabama to see OBAMA sworn in. Making our way to the capital now. Posted by jack witt.
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Union station DC. 7a.

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Boarding the Virginia railway express to DC

6a inauguration day. Taking the train to union station DC. Met some folks from Alabama and Florida in line. Everybody is layered to the Max to brave the weather. Forecast is for 31 degrees today. The whistle is blowin. We're heading into history.
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3 ladies from Ohio for OBAMA.

Jam packed into the DC metro, sporting some matching warm hats, the look on these gals faces says it all about the excitement, anticipation, and jovial moods everybody in DC has been in today on this inauguration eve. I can only think of what awaits tomorrow for us 250, 000 ticket holders and millions of people expected to swarm into the mall area to witness history. ( Posted by jack witt.)
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Special Inaugural Hotsheet for Monday

There are a number of public viewing parties of the inauguration of President Obama Tuesday with a large event set for LA Live hosted by the four scariest words in Los Angeles, Acting Mayor Jan Perry (who will be in charge of the city with both Mayor Villaraigosa and Council President Eric Garcetti at the official event in DC).

In the meantime at least two local blogs will have on the ground coverage of the events in DC; LAist has a crew en-route road-tripping while our correspondent Jack Witt landed at Reagan International this afternoon and will begin filing stories Monday.

It's been a while since we've heard from Big Mouth-Elect Joe Biden; the Barack Obama transition team has done a remarkable job of keeping the former Delaware Senator in the shadows. However it had to be too good to be true when the soon to be VP told the New York Times “I’m the most experienced vice president since anybody.” By the way Biden admits he hasn't even seen his new office yet. Oh it's going to be a fun four years!

With just a day left in office Republican lawmakers such as California's Dana Rohrbacher are urging President Bush to pardon Border Patrol Agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos. Even Democrats such as Reps. Bill Delahunt (D-Ma.), soon to be Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) support at least commuting what many feel are excessively long prison sentences. Compean and Ramos were convicted of shooting an allegedly illegal alien drug smuggler on the Mexican border in what some counter was a politically motivated prosecution. Considering how little time left Bush has as President the chances for Compean and Ramos are looking quite slim.

Inaugural Coverage, Mayor Sam Style

Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday and we'll have coverage here on Mayor Sam over the next few days.

Jack Witt, a contributor to both the Downtown NoHo Times (a member of the Mayor Sam Blog Network) and NoHoArtsDistrict.com will be our correspondent in Washington, D.C. live blogging all the activities and his observations. In addition to his writing and blogging activities Jack is a well known fitness trainer and business leader here in the San Fernando Valley.

Stay tuned for all of Jack's great reports!