“When I started counting, the number of machine guns strapped to National Guard or Secret Service personnel totaled 28. All roads but one leading to the Forum were barricaded, some with snowplow trucks, and the line of cars and trucks angling to make it through wrapped around two blocks.  Ditching the car, it took an hour to make it inside through twisting paths marked by security fences and confused guards. And that was before making it to a dark, covered, leaky passageway featuring wet blue Astroturf. The more troubling news is the Secret Service decision not to allow umbrellas within the perimeter.”