US President George W. Bush was scheduled to speak at the Auburn University baseball field on October 25, 2002. I wanted to attend. I had a ticket (required). The ticket stated to be there by 3:30 p.m. for the 4:50 speech. I was there by 3:00. The line was kind of long.
Long story short, I didn't get in.
I had a lot of company, thousands of ticket-holders weren't able to attend the speech. I was told the field was full. If so, too many tickets were distributed. Sadly, Jordan-Hare Stadium, which would have easily handled every ticket-holder, stood empty (save for a few secret service agents) across the street from the baseball park.
Oh well, it's not the end of the world I guess. The next time a US President visits Auburn, I'll take it for granted that the powers-that-be will poorly handle the logistics again and I'll be sure to arrive earlier. Of course, since this is the first appearance in Auburn by a sitting president in over 60 years, at this rate I'll be well past 100 the next time a president visits the Loveliest Village.
Anyway, here are few pictures of my frustrating attempt to see President Bush.
Yes, there were actual protestors at Auburn University (I knew a few of them). They were a little too well-behaved, there was no chanting, no pretentious attitudes, just a small group of people holding signs. My favorite protestor was below:
Preach, baby, preach.
Other Protestors
There was a lot of security around the stadium, a combination of local police and Secret Service.
SS in the Jordan-Hare ramps overlooking the baseball park
Umbrellas weren't allowed in the stadium and hundreds of umbrellas were stacked outside on the ground and in trees. Here is my ticket line, minutes before being told no one else would be allowed inside. The blue and white tent was the entrance for my line.
So close, so very close...
We outsiders were herded pretty far from the baseball field by some less-than-friendly police, though we were able to see the President's helicopter (escorted by Apache helicopters for security) arrive in the distance, and we could sort of see the motorcade arrive.
I walked to my office and watched President Bush's speech on television. Most of his message consisted of "Vote Republican next month" and "America good, Saddam bad."
Maybe next time, George.
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