inauguration

[once a runner]

Much like the Olympic Games, presidential inauguations have gotten out of hand. This isn't soley a rip on Bush, as Clinton's inaugurations were out of hand as well. I would love to see a president forgo all the pageantry and parties and keep it simple. I don't know if their apperance of excess is a right message to send the American people. Governments ask their citizens to make sacrifices for the good of the country, but make very few of their own.

[CRLionDawg]

This event has turned into one huge party for whichever political party has the office.

[southpaw]

I agree with runner but a spending a paltry 40 million versus the budget busting unfunded mandates and pork barrel spending Congress passes every year should be the what the media reports.

The only reason there this is even an issue is because of the liberal media that still is bashing Bush every chance they get.

[count2infinity]

the inauguration i think has become like the presidential race advertisements... way over the line of how much money is spent on it. The money could be used in a better way that throwing a party. If you wanna toss a party, great, but keep it small, there's no reason for that large of a party.

[juniatalax07]

this is just a sad day for our nation...first of all the spending on this activity is insane, and it cannot be excused by pointing at other crazy ways our government wastes money. the sham posted about "liberal media bashing bush" is definatly out of line, the figures for the budget of the inauguration have been there for everyone to see...and we can all agree that this is way too much to be spending regardless of who is being put into office.

but then again, the money we're spending today hails in comparison to what we've wasted in money and lives in george's war, where there total tally as of 12:15 pm January 20th, 2005 is:

American Casualtys: 10,252
Iraqi Casualtys: 17,582 (mostly civilians)
Monetary cost to the United States Government: $150,850,557,000 (and counting)
Weapons of Mass Destruction: 0

--and for any defense that the iraqi governement "moved them" to another country...if we had the intelligence to know where they were keeping them...its probably pretty safe to say we would also have the intelligence to know that were moving thousands of pounds of weapons across national borders...

[southpaw]

Did anyone in the "media" ever complain about Clinton's gaudy inaurgation balls? I don't think so because Clinton made them feel all warm and fuzzy.


I guess the price of freedom comes pretty cheap in your opinion. Remember nothing sacrificed nothing gained. Saddam's rape rooms, and toture chambers and mass graves.....hmm........I guess in the last 2 years no Iraqi civilians would have been murdered, raped, pillaged, or gassed by Saddam?
I guess we should have left the UN "spOILs for Food Program alone to further stregthen Saddam's grip on his country even further.

George's War? Call it that if you want to be on the wrong side of history yet again with all the other pinko, commie, liberals. Did you support "Clinton's war in Kosovo?

[southpaw]

naugural price tag in line with history


By Joseph Curl
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Reuters news agency this week headlined a story, "Critics Say Bush Inaugural Too Lavish for Wartime," then quoted one "critic," Rep. Anthony Weiner, New York Democrat, who complained that the estimated $40 million for the Bush-Cheney inauguration is extravagant.
The Associated Press moved a story that asked, "With that kind of money, what could you buy?" The answer, the wire service said: "200 armored Humvees ... vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children ... and a down payment on the nation's deficit."
But a review of the cost for past inaugurations shows Mr. Bush's will cost less than President Clinton's second inauguration in 1997, which cost about $42 million. When the cost is adjusted for inflation, Mr. Clinton's second-term celebration exceeds Mr. Bush's by about 25 percent.
According to the Consumer Price Index, $42 million in 1997 is the equivalent of $49.5 in 2004.
The significant majority of funding for this year's festivities, including nine officials balls, are from private donations and tickets for events held by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a similar setup to fund raising Mr. Clinton used to underwrite his inauguration. Mr. Clinton had a record 12 balls in 1997.
A Jan. 20, 1997, story by USA Today estimated about $12.7 million of Mr. Clinton's inauguration was financed by U.S. taxpayers. Initial estimates indicate the District will foot about $17 million in security costs this year.
"Every inaugural, there's a really good reason given why you should spend whatever donors are sending in on something else," Rich Galen, a veteran Republican activist, told the Associated Press, saying many of the complaints come from the losers of the election.
Mr. Weiner and Rep. Jim McDermott, Washington Democrat, in a letter to President Bush said that a celebration during the war on terror is inappropriate and the money could be better spent, saying the funds could be used pay for 690 Humvees and a $290 bonus for each soldier serving in Iraq.
"Precedent suggests that inaugural festivities should be muted — if not canceled — in wartime," said the letter, which cited President Roosevelt's scaled back inauguration in 1945 that had a menu of cold chicken salad and pound cake.
Tracey Schmitt, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and White House officials say the inauguration is an American tradition that transcends partisan politics and is a symbol to the world.
President Johnson didn't eschew pageantry in 1965, racking up a $1.6 million bill for inaugural festivities despite the Vietnam War, historian Robert Dallek told Reuters.
In 1997, there was grumbling that the inauguration cost too much. But Clinton spokesman Barry Toiv said at the time, "It's really a symbol to the world and has been for over 200 years, and it's worth celebrating."
This year, the inaugural committee has taken a similar tact, dubbing the events "Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service."

[Lemmy]

Q: How many Bush Administration officials does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: None. There is nothing wrong with the light bulb; its conditions are improving every day. Any reports of its lack of incandescence are a delusional spin from the liberal media. That light bulb has served honorably, and anything you say undermines the lighting effect. Why do you hate freedom?

[TheAnalyst]

I also think too much is spent on pageantry. But I will add that it is quite an experience and something to remember for the rest of your life.
The balls, parade, and ceremonies are something to behold. If you ever get the chance to go, don't pass it up, even if your 'guy' didn't win.

[El-Moldo]

Perhaps we should have taken the 40 million and divided it amongst all of us. Maybe we could each have gotten a 37 cent stamp. Also, maybe we should drop the halftime extravaganza at the super bowl and take the money to feed the homeless. And what about those million dollar a minute commercials. I'm sure we could cut out alot of stuff for the betterment of America.