Listening to the inauguration at the same spot, four years later: From "American Carnage" to "The Hill We Climb"

1/20/20. 11:53a.m. The Water Towers in Washington Grove, Cobb’s Hill. The ice is not thick enough for walking. Note the hole in the slush marking the spot where my lower leg got very wet and cold. [Photos: David Kramer]

1/20/20. 11:53a.m. The Water Towers in Washington Grove, Cobb’s Hill.

I remember exactly where I was at noon on January 20th, 2017.

As seen in Shawn Dunwoody joins our conversation with “Psalms of the Glackx.”, I spent the of the last few hour of the Obama Administration at Sasso Cafe on Park Avenue with public artist Shawn Dunwoody, deciding we’d rather have a coffee than watch Trump’s inauguration on tv.

Shawn Dunwoody 1/20/17 at Sasso Cafe on Park Avenue. From Shawn Dunwoody joins our conversation with “Psalms of the Glackx.”

Afterwards, I walked to the Washington Grove trails behind Cobb’s Hill where I listened to Trump’s inaugural address at the Water Towers on my SONY hand held radio. I remember thinking the speech was dark but well crafted, perhaps authored by Steve Bannon. Trump’s use of the phrase “American carnage” sounded very much like a Bannonism. In a Bushism, former President George W. Bush supposedly remarked of the speech: “That was some weird shit.”

On Wednesday, I went back to the same spot with my SONY hand held radio where I heard Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem: “The Hill We Climb.”

After the Capitol riot, Senator Lindsey Graham said, “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. Oh my god, I hate it.” Talker could say something similar. Since the very first one on January 14th, 2016, Why Peter Wehner will not have to not vote for Trump (I was wrong),Trump and Trump-related articles became a magazine staple, a hell of a journey. No doubt Trump will again grace our pages, but he’s bound to fall on the punditry worthy pecking order. (See all Trump and Trump related articles.)

Today, we offer a selection of Trump and Trump-related greatest hits. The criteria is that each article required a field trip.

The Bug Jar on Monroe Ave March 14th, 2016 On seeing my first Trump supporters outside the Bug Jar

Hillary Bialecki from On seeing my first Trump supporters outside the Bug Jar

Scottsville Road across from the airport April 10th, 2016 Next stop Albany. On the road with the Trumprenuers

Jessica Rowe and David Kramer from Next stop Albany. On the road with the Trumprenuers

The Art Museum of Rochester on Monroe Avenue April 18th, 2016 A Trumprenuer on the road at Trumpmania

Anthony Rotolo and David Kramer from A Trumprenuer on the road at Trumpmania

Monroe Community College April 19th, 2016 Talker interviewed by Channel 8. Knowledgeable supporters back Cruz’s gold standard

Chris Amato and David Kramer from Talker interviewed by Channel 8. Knowledgeable supporters back Cruz’s gold standard

Six 7-Elevens throughout Rochester October 22nd, 2016 Rochester 7-Eleven coffee drinkers narrowly favor Clinton 101 – 97; most are independent

Louise and David Kramer from Rochester 7-Eleven coffee drinkers narrowly favor Clinton 101 – 97; most are independent

The Visual Studies Workshop on Goodman November 5th, 2016 A Fake Election at the Visual Studies Workshop

David Kramer [Photo: Ray Ray Mitrano] From A Fake Election at the Visual Studies Workshop

Near City Hall. The intersection of Church and State Streets December 25th, 2016 Trump’s Brand of Christianity is a Threat to the First Amendment