posted on January 9, 2005 10:01:04 PM new
Little Napoleon is about to crown himself Emperor of the US.. at a whopping cost of
50 million......does the man have no shame..
Paul Harri in New York
Sunday January 9, 2005
The President's lavish inauguration is 'obscene' when US troops are dying in Iraq war, say critics....
All the partying is being condemned by many commentators as in poor taste for a nation fighting a bloody war......
That angers many anti-war protesters who say the lavish celebration is inappropriate during conflict. Some conservative commentators have even joined the fray, contrasting the spending with a recent scandal over a shortage of armor for American soldiers and their vehicles.:nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono:
The inauguration is expected to be one of the most expensive in history. Inaugural organizers initially estimated that the cost for three days of events would reach $50 million.
Last week, the committee said it would spend $30 million to $40 million, all of it paid for by private donations.
----
Companies and individuals should be and are able to donate their money to what they wish to dontate to...just as they are doing. You want your own money given to another good, needy program then give your own money to them.
posted on January 9, 2005 11:16:10 PM new
Come one Linda. Whether it's paid for with private funds or not, in the wake of everything going on right now you have to admit that our president spending 50 million dollars on a three day party is rather embarassing.
He has his father out stumping for donations to help out Tsunami victims while he is whooping it up? Wouldn't it be more a more appropriate act at this point in time to scale back on the celebrations and donate the surplus funds?
You gotta admit that number is more than a little grotesque. I did a little research ... here what else could be accomplished for the price of this three day celebration....
Using the average median 3rd quarter 2004 price, you could buy 265 US houses.
You could provide 5 years of ARV treatment for 27,778 HIV positive children in South Africa
Heifer International could provide 100,000 cows to families around the world to provide milk to sustain a family and give additional income.
Instead... the president gets a party.
How does one justify that?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 9, 2005 11:31:41 PM new
Hi fenix - I still hold that people can and should be allowed to give their own money for whatever project they wish to....without anyone offering better ways it could be spent. It's their money, their choice. But I understand that's the way the 'left' always deal with money issues ...take from others to support your own interests. I content it's their money.
I'm sure if you were going to donate your own money you'd choose who you want it to go to/for. And I doubt you'd be thrilled having someone tell you it would be better spent on....bla bla bla
This is just more partisan complaining. clinton spent just under $30Million dollars on his and the article says that most likely what will be spent on this one also.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on January 9, 2005 11:52:03 PM new
No Linda - you are incorrect. This is not partisan complaining. I would say the exact same thing if Kerry had won and this was his inauguration.
I don't believe that you honestly can justify in your mind a 50 million dollar party (or 30 million). I think the only reason you are defending it is because you feel it is a an attack on Bush as opposed to simply an attack on bad taste and bad timing.
Just because you can spend money on something does not mean that you should.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 10, 2005 12:30:40 AM new
We just disagree, fenix.
Each and every President has their own party...the cost has risen each 4 year period. I see no reason why people have a problem with this President having a non-taxpayer-funded party...like everyone else has. There always have been 'better' uses the money could be spent on.
This is like a 'reward' party for those who support their party or this President. It's THEIR money....not the taxpayers.
I'd feel no differently if it were kerry doing the same thing. And knowing him....there would have been even more grand a party planned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on January 10, 2005 12:45:56 AM new
The Racine Report
Debatable: Should Bush scale back inauguration?
(at 18:24:44 on 12/16/04 by Dustin - General)
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Throughout U.S. history, grand parties and celebrations have accompanied the inauguration of a president.
This year will be no exception. Events surrounding President Bush's official return to office will be on scale with previous war-time presidents.
The one exception among presidents was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who scaled back his inauguration during the height of World War II. Roosevelt marked the start of his fourth term, with a simple swearing-in ceremony, a brief speech from the South Portico of the White House to a small crowd and a modest luncheon.
Having run as a wartime president, should Bush consider a more modest inauguration?
No other president-elect taking office during wartime — from Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War to Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Korean conflict to Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War — has scaled back his inaugural events as Roosevelt did.
Neither will Bush.
------------
So see....he's doing nothing different than other presidents have done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on January 10, 2005 04:38:21 AM newNeither will Bush.
In light of his recent approval ratings, I think he should. Why doesn't this surprise me? He's the most amoral, egotistical, self-centered and self-righteous individual I have ever had the displeasure of hearing speak. He's a a dysmorphiac, IMO.
FYI - Dysmorphia is a strongly held belief about oneself that is not rational and completely unfounded, although the person believes them to be true.
Therefore, as Maggie stated: The man has no shame.
Linda
People who have enough money to donate large sums of it, have a bigger social responsibility than the rest of us who have no money. Donating it so the president can throw a lavish party while the rest of the world is in turmoil (including the US), is in poor taste.
Don't they get to write this money off as a donation?
Cheryl
"Success in almost any field depends more on energy and drive than it does on intelligence. This explains why we have so many stupid leaders."
-Sloan Wilson
posted on January 10, 2005 08:16:25 AM new
yes, Cheryl you're right on all counts.
The contributors get to right it off....they also get anything they then want from the president.
linduh would defend this president if they spent three days having sex orgies with children, human sacrifices and burned down the White House.
She says, "So see....he's doing nothing different than other presidents have done"
Childish samey-samey mentality ....proving bush hasn't the brains, heart or imagination to think independently.....
why should he care if he's offensive, thoughtless, self-centered, inhuman, and degenerate....
posted on January 10, 2005 09:29:57 AM new
Such a small price to pay for a righteous President. Unlike the Mega $$$$ Clinton spent paying off his sexual assult cases & Mega $$$$$$$ on attorney fees.
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
posted on January 10, 2005 09:30:00 AM new
Anyone want to places bets as to whether or not Bush's limousine will be egged during the inauguration like it was in 2001?
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on January 10, 2005 11:45:51 AM new
" Anyone want to places bets as to whether or not Bush's limousine will be egged during the inauguration like it was in 2001?"
posted on January 10, 2005 12:02:12 PM new
You are just bitter because none of em will sleep with you
Actually Logan - last I heard there was an attempt to bring all of the groups together in a single action of lining the route and standing with their backs turned towards him.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 10, 2005 12:14:15 PM new
"Actually Logan - last I heard there was an attempt to bring all of the groups together in a single action of lining the route and standing with their backs turned towards him."
posted on January 10, 2005 12:55:13 PM new
fenix: Actually Logan - last I heard there was an attempt to bring all of the groups together in a single action of lining the route and standing with their backs turned towards him.
Maybe instead of doing the wave as he drives by everyone can pull a Randy Moss and give Bush the salute he deserves.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on January 10, 2005 01:21:57 PM new
The entire world lost when he was re-elected.
You know, this was a chance for him to present himself in a better light, to show a more humane side...if he chose to, he could have opted to down-play this inauguration celebration in light of the on going war and the devastation being felt by those suffering the effects of the Tsunami..
Instead like Krafty says he is an ego maniac, who only cares about himself.. he has no idea how bad this makes him look..not only to us here in America.. but to the entire world... He has brought nothing but Shame to America..You say get over it, Classy, how can we get over it.. when he continues to go from bad to worse..
Linda you say this inauguration is paid for entirely by his supporters.. are they paying for all the security that will be involved too? I wonder..
posted on January 10, 2005 01:29:02 PM new
Maggie, your comment above made me think that Bush is trying to portary an image like that of a Saudi Prince since he hangs around them so much.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on January 10, 2005 01:36:55 PM new
The money gets spent here in the U.S. The people that receive the money pay taxes on it. And pay their expenses, employees, and living expenses. Some of it might even get saved and re-invested.
Of course the liberals are against that! Nobody is a victim! Nobody is relying on entitlements! How does it aid third world breeders to produce more? And nobody is asking them how it should be spent!
posted on January 10, 2005 01:41:17 PM new
Parklane.. if a loser is someone who doesn't think like you.. then I will happily accept the title.... thank you..
posted on January 11, 2005 02:04:00 PM new
RE: THE LEFT
"In fact, the Liberal coalition is frighteningly like the class structure
of the European societies from which America diverged. A needy underclass
sending respect and obedience up to a privileged elite. The elite,
in turn, dribbles down bread and hospitals. Needy souls dependent upon
charity for the sustenance of their bodies, in symbiosis with an elite
of busybodies dependent upon giving charity for the salvation of their
souls. It's not progressive. It's medieval. This is one reason why the
liberal elite is so in love with Europe. There the two classes know
their places and dance the dance without interruption by freewheeling
hillbilly hayseeds that just want to be left alone. Europe is more
liberal. Liberalism being a co-dependency. America, by contrast,
still has a large middle class that values independence over
co-dependence. This leads to considerable frustration of America's
liberals, who cannot even 'imagine' how anyone would not want their
help. So they are left -- in piqued disbelief -- to pore over exit
polls to find how their pets were led astray, again. Yeah, the answer
is in those exit polls somewhere, My Lord." --Mac Johnson
posted on January 11, 2005 02:28:47 PM new
Oh I get it now Parklane. If these big wigs have big, lavish parties, they are employing people and that's good. LOL!!
So if Tony Blair got re-elected and the U.S. was hit by a comet, it would be OK if he spent 50 million on a party instead of helping? What kind of people would donate to this knowing full well there's a disaster and a major war taking place in the world? (Hint: Republicans.)
posted on January 11, 2005 02:52:55 PM new
Here you are discussing the Inaguaral ball when all presidents have had them. Nothing new... If Clinton's was 30 million with the inflation rate than 50 million is about the same.
As ordinary peons that we are, are unable to donate to the tsunsami as we can't afford it, but how do you, logansdad, know what those people didn't donated. You are assuming something you know nothing about just like the football thread.
Is it any worse to own 7 hugh houses like the Kerry's do. Also the 1 car and 6 SUV's the Kerry's have and don't forget the $7,000 bike that he rides. Have you heard if they have donated anything?
What about Clinton and his hugh Library and the poor people that were displaced to build that library. That's okay though.
posted on January 11, 2005 05:20:14 PM new
Libra... now I don't want to upset you and have you accuse me of picking on your spelling, because God knows, I make my own share of spelling errors.. but it just so happens that you have misspelled one of the words that really makes me crazy, as I see it so often used and misspelled on Ebay.
Huge is something immense or very large
Hugh is a Male name.
So often I have seen this word used in Ebay titles or descriptions and I am so tempted to email the seller to correct them, but it isn't my place.. as I am sure you will tell me that is the case here as well. Sorry, it's just one of those things like finger nails on a chalk board.. Maggie
posted on January 11, 2005 07:00:24 PM new
Libra... now I don't want to upset you and have you accuse me of picking on your spelling, because God knows, I make my own share of spelling errors.. but it just so happens that you have misspelled one of the words that really makes me crazy, as I see it so often used and misspelled on Ebay.
Huge is something immense or very large..like classics penis.
...take from others to support your own interests. I content it's their money.
