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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

Posted on 01/18/2005 7:58:45 AM PST by SmithL

Washington -- Jubilant Republicans are descending on a nippy Washington for President Bush's second inaugural on Thursday, an affair of celebrations and protest, pomp and a predicted high temperature of 35 degrees.

Beneath the festivities surrounding the 55th presidential inauguration, there is a current of unease. Washington is capital of a nation at war, with 150,000 Americans serving in Iraq and 18,000 in Afghanistan. So far, more than 1,500 military personnel have been killed in the two countries, with more than 10,000 wounded.

Some critics have suggested scaling back Thursday's inaugural, which will cost $40 million in privately raised funds for the parties, parade, dinners and entertainment events. It will cost tens of millions of dollars more in public money for an unprecedented security effort that will involve about 6, 000 people who will cordon off a large chunk of downtown.

"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.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: inauguration
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Weiner, along with the rest of the losing whiners, are deeply disturbed.
1 posted on 01/18/2005 7:58:51 AM PST by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Obviously, Weener is having trouble accepting that Bush won. Let the parties begin!

2 posted on 01/18/2005 8:00:53 AM PST by PilloryHillary
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To: SmithL
#1 The 'bash' is privately funded.
#2 FDR didn't want to be seen in a wheelchair. Polio, remember???
#3 I hate lib-uh-rhul journalists...
3 posted on 01/18/2005 8:01:10 AM PST by null and void (I refuse to live my life as if someone, somewhere will be offended if I laugh...)
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To: SmithL

Rush Limbaugh accurately pointed out yesterday that FDR's inaugural wasn't necessarily scaled back due to WAR, it was scaled back due to FDR being prepared for his pine pajamas.


4 posted on 01/18/2005 8:01:54 AM PST by SoFloFreeper
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To: SmithL

And this coming from a city that flushes millions down the toilet giving the homeless cash for their addictions!


5 posted on 01/18/2005 8:01:54 AM PST by BullDog108 (Islamists are Insane! http://bvml.org/webmaster/enemy.html)
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To: johnfkerrysucks

I like it!


6 posted on 01/18/2005 8:02:30 AM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: SmithL

As long as only the inauguration itself is paid for with my tax dollars and the rest is paid for privately, they could have a party for the next four years for all I care.


7 posted on 01/18/2005 8:02:37 AM PST by Quick1
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To: SmithL

They're jealous we're gonna have fun. I love it when the legacy media liberals can't disguise their resentment and envy. Yeah, its gonna be a quite a coming out party for conservatives this week!


8 posted on 01/18/2005 8:02:44 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: SmithL
If Kerry had won the election, the dems wouldn't be saying there is no problem.

President Bush has every right to enjoy his inauguration and if the dems don't like it, they can go to hell.
9 posted on 01/18/2005 8:02:47 AM PST by BMC1
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To: SmithL

#4 FDR had a HUGE 'bash' for his first inaguration in the very worst depths of the Great Depression.


10 posted on 01/18/2005 8:02:53 AM PST by null and void (I refuse to live my life as if someone, somewhere will be offended if I laugh...)
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To: SmithL

Judas...chastised Jesus for allowing expensive oil to be used to annoint him...Judas complained that the oil should be sold and the money given to the poor....
-Judas was the keeper of the purse and was stealing from it


11 posted on 01/18/2005 8:03:03 AM PST by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
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To: null and void

FDR held two parties during The Great Depression. Talk about rubbing it in.


12 posted on 01/18/2005 8:03:17 AM PST by massgopguy (massgopguy)
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To: SmithL
Lots of presidents including x42 had inaugural balls while at war.
13 posted on 01/18/2005 8:03:51 AM PST by Sunshine Sister
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To: SmithL

I think it's a missed opportunity on the one hand. But in the end, this is a bash by a political party, privately funded, to celebrate their victory. I am sure it's a big part of thanking and rewarding party volunteers, etc. I don't see it as a national event. I see it as a private political event. The swearing in and speech are national. The parties are none of my business.


14 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:11 AM PST by Huck (I only type LOL when I'm really LOL.)
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To: SmithL

I think it's a missed opportunity on the one hand. But in the end, this is a bash by a political party, privately funded, to celebrate their victory. I am sure it's a big part of thanking and rewarding party volunteers, etc. I don't see it as a national event. I see it as a private political event. The swearing in and speech are national. The parties are none of my business.


15 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:12 AM PST by Huck (I only type LOL when I'm really LOL.)
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To: null and void
#2 FDR didn't want to be seen in a wheelchair. Polio, remember???

Didn't stop the three prior inaugurals, did it?

16 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:15 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: SmithL
Jubilant Republicans

*****************

Well. That sets the tone for the rest of the article.

17 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:20 AM PST by trisham
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To: SmithL
Weiner = Whiner.
Another sore loser Bush-hating piece of garbage from the SF Chron? What's new about that?
A very big YAAAAWN!
18 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:24 AM PST by KwasiOwusu
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To: SmithL
Where was Mr. Epstein when Bill Clinton spent $1,000,000,000 (one billion dollars) on his little junket to the Peoples' Republic of China to kiss up to his Beijing owners?

.

19 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:40 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Drug prohibition laws help fund terrorism.)
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To: null and void

As Rush pointed out yesterday the left is somewhat selective in their outrage. Should we not have not held MLK Day this year because of the millions in lost work that it cost that could have been used in the fight against Islamo Fascism and the tsunami victims?


20 posted on 01/18/2005 8:04:45 AM PST by Patrick1
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