Pres. Obama to Speak at Arizona State University Graduation: Hot As Hades
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on May 13, 2009
By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone
I live in Arizona near Tempe. I drive by Arizona State University every day on my way to and from work.
It’ll be “Nightmare City” with heavy traffic all day because of Pres. Obama coming to speak at ASU’s graduation. ‘Nuff said about that.
Notice in the upper right corner of the Arizona Republic news story graphic below how hot it still is here at 1:22 am…
Pres. Obama to speak at Arizona State University graduation ceremony
People are going to have to arrive at ASU hours earlier than normal for the university graduation because of all the added security prior to entering ASU Sun Devil Stadium. During this time of year (heck, until practically Halloween), Arizona is usually an oven by late morning. The high for the day should reach 100 degrees F, and could reach 110 degrees F on the field of the crowded stadium prior to Obama speaking. Water bottles and umbrellas are forbidden to be brought in for the president’s address. Other banned items include purses or bags larger than 12 inches on any side, balloons, signs or posters, weapons, pointed or metal objects, air horns, Mace or pepper spray.
From the Arizona Republic:
ASU officials are warning people to expect up to a 90-minute wait to clear security checkpoints, which will be managed by U.S. Secret Service agents. And some people could spend up to seven hours under the scorching sun in an open-air stadium, waiting for the ceremony to wrap up with fireworks shortly after 9 p.m. That’s not counting time spent in traffic getting to and from the stadium.
The pre-ceremony show includes an appearance by rock star Alice Cooper, mariachis, a gospel choir and a marching band.
Cmdr. James Hardina, of ASU Police, said authorities are most concerned with the heat.
“This is a big event. There will be long lines. We want people to start hydrating at least the day before (commencement),” he said.
Hot as Hades, that’s for sure. “Hydrating at least the day before”? This is how they’re hoping to avoid the inevitable when you have 71,000 people crammed together for hours in the scorching heat? I anticipate a lot of folks passing out from the heat long before POTUS speaks. Will he be bringing TOTUS to ASU?
From The Arizona Daily Star:
There will be pomp and circumstance — and probably a lot of perspiration.
Arizona State University graduates will be outside for as long as six hours today in triple-digit temperatures to get to move their tassels from the right to the left in front of President Obama. And they won’t be allowed to bring water bottles with them into Sun Devil Stadium because of security regulations, either.
The commencement won’t start until 7 p.m., but some attendees have been told to show up as early as 2 p.m., a full five hours before the event even starts, to accommodate the president.
“We want to fill the stadium from the shaded side first,” ASU spokeswoman Sharon Keeler said.
Needless to say, this won’t be a typical graduation.
It’s been moved from the air-conditioned comfort of the Wells Fargo Arena to the football stadium. Alice Cooper is the opening act. U.S. Secret Service agents will provide airport-style security.
A little-noticed sentence from the Arizona Republic:
The hot weather could influence the scope and length of Obama’s speech.
So glad I won’t be there. I’ll be miles away, traveling a different route to avoid the three-ring circus.
To our ASU grads: Congratulations! And, stay cool!
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