Let America Send Inaugural $$Millions to Our Warriors and Their Long-SufferingFamilies

December 16, 2004 | Tracer

[tracer]

"So far, we have gotten calls from as far away as California from people wanting boots for the Inauguration," said Walter Pie, president of the Pinto Ranch Fine Western Wear, just down the road from where former President George Bush lives in Houston. "Especially from women."

"The boots sell for between $1,000 and $3,000, with the all-alligator skin model going for $6,000."

Indeed!!

How can we as a Nation look ourselves in the mirror while plans are coming together to squander millions and millions of dollars -- both public and private -- on galas; parades; travel, meal, and lodging expenses; souvenirs; floral arrangement; orchestras, booze; finery, etc. etc. -- when so many of our Nation's wounded warriors and their families suffer far away from home in and near Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center located within ten miles of the upcoming Inaugural festivities?

How can our much-touted Judeo-Christian, American values permit us -- including attendees at the FReepers' Gala --allow us to congratulate ourselves on the occasion of the Inauguration of a President who to date has been a staunch supporter of our men and women in uniforms and their families?

None of this Hollywood-style nonsense is required by the Constitution. Indeed, the Inauguration ceremony could take place under the lenses of television cameras and broadcast to millions of Americans who, along with the Government which represents us, did the righteous thing and directed -- to our wounded and otherwise afflicted warriors and their long-suffering families -- the many millions of dollars that otherwise would have been spent on a few days of celebration that inevitably will take their rightful place in our archives, scrapbooks, and memories.

It's time to wake up nd smell the coffee, America. We as a Nation are at war and as a people remain divided in many ways.

Let us show each other and the world that so despises us the true character and fiber of this great Nation.

To do otherwise will rightly invite and bring to pass lasting condemnation from our own hearts and from the mouths of America's friends and enemies, both foreign and domestic.....

[Glenn]

Those are private funds, no?

[Graybeard58]

Are you a gov employee?

Must be if you think you can manage my money better than I can.

[P-Chan Penny]

If we can't celebrate, what are our men and women fighting and dying for?

[conservlib]

There are many good points here. During WWII, the US had no inauguration celebration. The President sworn in and a small number of guests ate a regular meal. NO GALA!

[Mr. Lucky]

Has anyone prevented you from contributing so much of your own money as you please to these worth causes?

[YOUGOTIT]

WE WON! We will have a party. If the left-wing anti-Americans want to try and embarrass our leadedahip and support the enemy, which they have been doing since the war started, (Islamofascist) terrorist than we need more articles like this.

[rabidralph]

Do you think our brave troops canceled their dining-in ceremonies and military birthday balls because we're at war? While I appreciate your rant, I think we should honor the office of the presidency and celebrate our freedoms at the inauguration.

[Tempest]

You know you can ask these people to contribute to your cause as well but you can't demand it of them. Maybe you could offer them some boots or something for their dollars.

[tracer]

"Has anyone prevented you from contributing so much of your own money as you please to these worth causes?"

No, they haven't. And, yes, I do and will.

If it's any of your business, comrade...

[Tempest]

Wow you had to go all the way back to WW2 to mention that. What happened during the Vietnam and Korean wars? Or are you just regurgitating some talking point brought up in an article posted yesterday. . .

[mdittmar]

The American people will spend their money on who they want,what they want and when they want!

Supporting our troops is great,Go here if your so inclined.

[tracer]

"You know you can ask these people to contribute to your cause as well but you can't demand it of them. Maybe you could offer them some boots or something for their dollars."

To paraphrase the ikeeper's response to Inspector Clouseau, "It is notta my dog"...... 8~)

[tracer]

Enjoy.....

[Tempest]

then why rant if it's "notta". . .

[Mr. Lucky]

Let's see, your posting a vanity thread complaining about how the private funds donated for the inaugural are spent is just oh so correct, but no one may inquire as to how you spend money?

[MisterRepublican]

Strange, I don't remember the liberals complaining about Clinton's lush inaugural in 1997, although we had troops in Bosnia and elsewhere. Sour grapes, anyone?

[tracer]

"Those are private funds, no?"

Tell that to the payroll officers of the White House, Secret Service, DC Metro police, US Park Service, Federal Protective Service, the DOD, and the rest of the DC government, etc., etc., yes?

[Dog Gone]

What a weird vanity.

[Glenn]

Tell that to the payroll officers of the White House, Secret Service, DC Metro police, US Park Service, Federal Protective Service, the DOD, and the rest of the DC government, etc., etc., yes?

Are they working as volunteers now? It'd be a damn shame if they actually had to do something for their pay.