Bush opts for costly bash in wartime - FDR scaled back event, but there's no clear precedent

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/18/5 | Edward Epstein

[lilmsdangrus]

bump for weinerness.

[1LongTimeLurker]

I thought long and hard about going to a ball since I live near D.C., but in the end I looked at the price of the tickets and decided to donate the same amount to the USO for care packages for the troops.

[Izzy Dunne]

"Precedent suggests that inaugural festivities should be muted -- if not canceled -- in wartime,'' Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-New York City, wrote to Bush last week.

President suggests that Weiner should be muted -- if not canceled in wartime"

[Arrowhead1952]

Another article by the "Bush bashing crowd" for his bash. Many great replies on this thread.

Critics attack "lavish" Bush at time of war

[PeterFinn]

It was 1921 - well before he became President. There's also doubts that he had polio.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-10-30-fdr-usat_x.htm

[RexBeach]

I really do hate to bring this up...

MLK Day costs the federal government 110-million-dollars every year.

There. I've written it.

[null and void]

Roosevelt contracted polio in 1921, as any biography of the man would tell you.

Right you are. I'm full of __it here. Thanks for keeping me accurate.

[TheBigB]

Just for one, www.americanpresident.org.

Tragedy struck, however, in 1921. Roosevelt contracted polio, a terrifying and incurable disease that left him paralyzed in his legs.

[KurtAZ]

Should make the parties bigger and more lavish in response to this. Friggin morons. Raid Kerry's bank account and start throwing the money in the streets. I hate these moronic journalists that actually think their opinion matters.

[SoFloFreeper]

He contracted polio in office. After the first two inaugurals.

No, FDR got polio in the early 20s, when he was only 39...he wasn't elected to the Presidency until 1932.

[Alouette]

Mary Lincoln wore a $2000 gown to the 1865 Inauguration. How much is that in today's currency?

[cvq3842]

It figures.

I see the Democrats are clearly still in their "let's throw anything we can against the wall, hoping it will stick" mode.

Maybe a PROGRAM, one that the people WANT, would work better for them. Sounds like the Dems still don't have one.

[Non-Sequitur]

Source please? If I'm wrong, I need to know.

Any biography, like I said. Including this one.

[null and void]

As you say. I've learned something today. Made it worth getting out of bed...

[NRA1995]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[null and void]

OK, got it!

[PeterFinn]

"Everything is political for these people -- even taking a whiz."

That explains why they piss me off!! (:

[Brilliant]

Hollywood should cancel its various awards ceremonies. It's money that could be used to feed the hungry. Come to think of it, why are we spending money on entertainment at all when our boys are dying in Iraq? That's cold-hearted.

[null and void]

I think I'm going to be hearing about this gaffe for a while...

[pabianice]

Lest we forget a true president of the people...

Sterling Silver Clinton White House Silver Sculpture and Tray(proceeds to go to Hillary in 2008 Campaign)

Available at a high-profit price at the Clinton Presidential Library and Bait Shop Gift Store