Is this for real????

[progmom]

Are people involved in the inaugural parade really being told not to look directly at the boy-prince?

Or am I, once again, just being a gullible airhead?

[smbolisnch]

1. I heard that as well, but I don't have a source!

Pretty bizzarre, go figure. :eyes:

[RagingInMiami]

2. It's for real

Someone posted a link about it last week. The musicians were specifically told not to look at the king, er the prez. and not to make any sudden movements.

[Hand]

15. No sudden movements?????

Damn--There is gonna be some SORRY-ASS drumming at this inaugural. Or a lot of drummers with multiple bullet holes.

:evilgrin:

[NGU]

3. I haven't heard that

Where did you hear it?

[progmom]

7. Posters on DU have been referencing it for days

I started to get the feeling that I had either missed a really big inside joke, or it was for real...

:shrug:

[NGU]

11. I haven't been on DU the past few days...

I have been busy getting almost engaged (he bought the ring this weekend but I won't get it for another week). I guess this makes sense from a security standpoint, but I don't know that it will really help. I would still like to know people's source on this info.

[rasputin1952]

13. Congrat's on your "pre-engagement"...

:)

[NGU]

14. Thanks n/t

[johnnie]

4. Would you look?

Trying to play the trumpet while bawling your eyes out because of the tragedy of it all would be hard as hell. Good thing they can't look. It would either be a lot of laughter or a lot of crying.

[On the Road]

5. It Seems Sinister and Repulsive

but there's one innocent interpretation I hadn't heard discussed. Maybe this is standard operating procedure. In any parade, you don't want the performers gawking at whoever is the center of attention. Think about the result if the performers are all turning their heads. It's a natural tendency that has to be suppressed. I don't know one way or the other, but I don't want to be gullible either. Can anyone confirm or deny from experience?

[Dookus]

6. It's real

but it's not what people here think it is. It's not about imperiousness - it's about security. If you were going to shoot at, or throw something at, the President, you'd have to have him in sight first. It's an attempt to keep him safe.

I don't like it, but it's not due to Bush crowning hiimself emperor.

[RagingInMiami]

8. But I wonder how many other presidents had the same rule

[Dookus]

9. probably none

but as you know, things are different now. Again, I don't like it, but security has reached previously unheard of levels.

[progmom]

10. Ah, ok.

There have been various rumors about aging pop stars (Michael Jackson, Neil Diamond) employing the same policy, so I wasn't sure what the motivation was.

[DelawareValleyDem]

12. Probably a good idea not to look

Could be more dangerous than looking at Medusa