Advice for Colbert/Stewart rally attendees: Don’t Overhydrate

The New York Times published an article today with regard to the coinciding events on the weekend of October 30-31st. In addition to the March/Rally event hosted by Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, the National Mall will also host the Marine Corps Marathon on October 31st, with attendance for the marathon anticipated at 30,000. And apparently, the Marine Corps Marathon organizers are not much for sharing. Specifically, they’re not up for sharing the port-a-potties rented for the Sunday event with the Rally goers at the Saturday event.

I don’t know which is more offputting, the lack of sharing from the Marine Corps Marathon organizer, or the horrible attitude of the gentleman from the National Parks Service [emphasis added]:

Organizers for the simultaneous rallies on Oct. 30, which will have Comedy Central personalities as hosts, asked Mr. Nealis to share the toilets, promising to contribute to the cost and have them cleaned before the marathon’s start at 8 a.m. the next day. (The rallies officially end at 3 p.m.)

But Mr. Nealis would not concede that precious territory.

“I understand that they were having problems ordering Porta Potties, that they might have to go as far as Baltimore to get them, but I just didn’t want to share,” he said.

… Bill Line, spokesman for the National Capital Region of the Park Service, said in a telephone interview: “It is common, typical, regular, ordinary for us to handle multiple events on the National Mall at any given time. Do you get that?”

When asked if the rallies and the marathon might create a problem regarding the availability of toilets on the Mall, Mr. Line sounded incredulous.

“I have every right to ask questions, and I am asking questions that I would like an answer to,” he shouted. “Who’s making these allegations? I want to know who is saying there will be a problem with portable restrooms.”

Full Text of Article – “Runners and Rallies Will Not Share Toilets”

So now I have this mental image of this poor government worker in a park ranger outfit, hounded by the press, losing his mind over a question about bathroom facilities. I totally agree with MsInterpreted, who suggested that NPS ought to consider having someone else handle the media inquiries for a spell.

Also, considering how much Stephen has supported the military, from the WristSTRONG funds going to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, and the Iraq shows for the USO, to the Been There Done That celebration this week, Stephen has gone above and beyond in every possible way to support our Nation’s troops. While I’m sure there are behind-the-scenes logistics that have not been brought to light in this article, it’s still a bit insulting that the Marine Corps Marathon organizer would not take up Comedy Central’s offer.

At any rate, Zoners, go easy on the coffee on the morning of the March and Rally. Seeing as how the Marine Corps Marathon people are intending to padlock “their” Port-A-Potties, at the very least, make sure to bring a bolt cutter for the padlock^*.

^*Editor’s Note: Please don’t bring bolt cutters. Thank you.