Obama Chicago Farewell Address

[Call_me_jorge]

If you live in the Chicago area, Obama will be giving a farewell address on the 10th at McCormick Place and you get obtain a free ticket, one per person, on the 7th. I plan on attending. https://www.whitehouse.gov/farewell/info

[Mister Matt]

I do NOT do big crowds, especially in Chicago.  The last time I was at the Taste, I was nearly stampeded by a panicked crowd when someone pulled out a gun.  I live in the heart of Loop, so I get my fill of obnoxious crowds with every parade, marathon, music festival, sports championship, major holiday and on St. Patrick's Day, I don't go beyond my front door.  The most I could do was attend the tree lighting, watching from the edge of the crowd and busting out as soon as the last firework lost its spark before people started moving.

[Leaf Coneybear]

I would love to go! I couldn't get down there until one though, not sure what time tix go on sale, probably too late tho

[brdlwyr]

Matt - are you that crazy guy that I see screaming from the crowds?

[Leaf Coneybear]

Tickets go on sale 8 am Saturday morning. Anyone have any idea what time I should get there? Is 6 too late? I read something that said they don't want people lining up before then.

[Mister Matt]

brdlwyr - I used to be.  Not anymore!  Well, except when I marched in one of the Trump protests, but that was different.  

[Leaf Coneybear]

Anyone know if you have to be 18 or over? I'm sixteen and really want to go but someone on facebook told me it's 18 over. I haven't been able to find it anywhere no one on facebook can answer either. 

[UncleCharlie]

Leaf Coneybear said: "Anyone know if you have to be 18 or over? I'm sixteen and really want to go but someone on facebook told me it's 18 over. I haven't been able to find it anywhere no one on facebook can answer either. 

There does not appear to be any minimum age requirement mentioned and I'm sure if there was, they would say so You will not be allowed to line up before 6 a.m. so that would appear to be the right time to get there or maybe a little bit before to position yourself as well as possible when they start allowing people in.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/farewell/info

 

[Call_me_jorge]

I got in line at approximately 9:15 and I got a ticket. I was honestly so shocked. Can't wait for Tuesday!

[brdlwyr]

Excellent - did you wait in the cold?  At least it was 10 degrees rather than zero! 

[Call_me_jorge]

brdlwyr said: "Excellent - did you wait in the cold?  At least it was 10 degrees rather than zero! 

 

"

I did. Although I wore two coats I didn't feel like I dressed warm enough, especially since I didn't have gloves and a hat. People around me were extremely kind enough to lend me their hand warmers.

[brdlwyr]

Please post pics! So exciting for the city but also one of the saddest eras of American history! 

[Leaf Coneybear]

Seriously? 9? I got in line a 6 am and there were thousands before me already (even though they said doors open at 6) at 8:45 the police officers were out of tickets. I left. I find out a couple hours laster that they weren't, and hundred who didn't wait as long as me got tix! Nothing against the lucky ones who did get tickets for waiting in line for less time, just upset that I was lied to. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Leaf Coneybear said: "Seriously? 9? I got in line a 6 am and there were thousands before me already (even though they said doors open at 6) at 8:45 the police officers were out of tickets. I left. I find out a couple hours laster that they weren't, and hundred who didn't wait as long as me got tix! Nothing against the lucky ones who did get tickets for waiting in line for less time, just upset that I was lied to. 

 

"

That really stinks. I'm sorry. I know a couple of people who were waiting in line near me, were told the samething so they left, but then came back. I wonder why they made/who made the call to tell people they ran out of tickets. Maybe they released a new batch.  

[Leaf Coneybear]

call_me_jorge, apparently police officers (the woman who said they were out was an officer) have no affiliation with McCormick place so they basically had no information. Not sure how true this is, I've heard some say that police officers often do things like this at events like this so that they are less crowded or just so they can leave earlier. That's why some people stayed, they knew that police officers often do this. Wish I knew. Either way, I'm devestated that I was mislead. Especially when I see people who were behind me and didn't wait long at all got tickets, (nothing against them, just kind of unfair) it hurts. Just weird and disappointing. 

[Call_me_jorge]

i was tears from beginning to end. That's all I'll say 

[ErikJ972]

The last eloquent speech we'll see from a US President for at least 4 years.

I didn't always agree with Obama, but he's been the best President in my lifetime. Sad to see him go.

[brdlwyr]

We cried at home. 

[ErikJ972]

Me too.

If anyone has the right to be cynical about our current political systerm, it's Barack Obama. And the fact that he was able to give a such an inspiring speech filled with hope for the future was a comfort to me.

One of my favorite lines from last night speech (and I had a lot of them):

"After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves."

[Mister Matt]

I couldn't watch it.  With this and the upcoming inauguration of Captain Creamsicle, I feel like we're all participating in the opening number of Titanic and the rest of the world is sitting in the audience.

[adamgreer]

The marked difference between the eloquence expressed by the great President Obama last night and the debacle of a press conference from the creamsicle today is sickening.  God help us all.  

[madbrian]

Last night, Obama was the embodiment of his wife's slogan, When They Go Low, We Go High.  Frankly, I don't know how they've managed to take the high road these last 8 years.