Whatever happened to the days

[SammyBlue]

When a person could go and watch a president or a nominee speak on the campaign without a ticket to attend?

Don't give me 9/11.

I just got an email from JohnKerry.com and to attend a rally in Flagstaff (which, unfortunately, I cannot attend) on Sunday, I was told that I needed a ticket, but their were free.

What kind of crap is this? People should be allowed to see who is running for president themselves without so much as anything required, except a search for weapons since we don't want any wingnut (on either side) blasting his/her way into prison (pun intended).

I abhor this crap and hope others do too. The only consolations I can see are that Kerry's people don't deny people based on their political affiliations, that people aren't asked to fill out a loyalty oath and that reporters aren't asked their race.

But the fact that admission is necessitated by a ticket bothers me to no end.

[tabasco]

1. Kerry's having outdoor rallies where you don't need a ticket.

Maybe this was an indoor event, in which case the need for a ticket should be obvious.

[SammyBlue]

5. No, the event is in Hertiage Square in Old Town Flagstaff

This is an outdoor event.

[beyurslf]

2. The ticket lets you get closer.

When JK and JE will be in KCMO you can get a ticket to be closer. If you don't get a ticket, you can attend, but you will be farther away. This helps with people coming too early in order to be first in line and the closest possible. If JK is coming at 8 at night, they don't want people lining up at 8 am to get close.

[tabasco]

6. That makes sense.

With the size of the crowds he's been getting, I would be one of the people to go early to get a good spot. If you use tickets, it might allow some elderly people an opportunity to get a good spot. Of course, I'm sure the Kerry tickets are available without signing a loyalty oath!

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Kennedy

I think security has been getting tighter since the Kennedy assasination.

[candy]

4. It's crowd control,nothing to do with the assasination

I saw JFK the night before the election in 1960 at Boston Garden and we needed tickets,which were free.

It was very crowded and without tickets it would have been downright dangerous.

[BiggJawn]

7. I wish his train would come through my town....

I'd run alongside as fast as my fucked-up legs would carry me, waving and blowing kisses.....