[Free ThinkerNY]

[Mojave]

“President Obama is being criticized because his inaugural celebrations are projected to cost the taxpayers over $400 million. When asked about it, Obama explained that Ted Kennedy planned to attend and there was going to be an open bar.”

http://barackobamajokes.googlepages.com/inauguration_jokes

[weegee]

Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING

The NYet Times doesn't give a Rat's a$$ this time around I see.

For Inauguration in Wartime, a Lingering Question of Tone (NYTimes.com > Washington By JOHN TIERNEY Published: January 16, 2005)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 - Inaugurations are always balancing acts: part coronation, part celebration of democracy, part touchdown dance in the end zone. But they become even trickier during times of war, particularly when television images of dancers in black tie can be instantly juxtaposed with soldiers in body armor.

..."Our tone throughout the inaugural events will show gratitude toward those who protect the ideals that make our nation so great," said Jeanne L. Phillips, the chairwoman of the inaugural committee, which seeks to raise $30 million to $40 million through ticket sales and private donations to pay for the events.

...Some critics say spending so much on these parties seems ill-timed both because of the Iraq war and the tsunami catastrophe in Asia. Anthony D. Weiner, a Democratic congressman preparing to run for mayor of New York, sent President Bush a letter on Tuesday suggesting that the millions in inaugural funds be sent to the troops in Iraq.

"Precedent suggests that inaugural festivities should be muted - if not canceled - in wartime," Mr. Weiner wrote, noting that in 1945 Franklin D. Roosevelt limited the celebration to a cold luncheon at the White House...

[weegee]

Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money!

[peace with honor]

GEE, WHAT A SHOCK ( NOT )

[utahson]

I wonder how the all or nothing bite off their noses to spite their faces third party and stay at home conservative voters feel about this? While the rest of us were doing everything we could to stop this coming train wreck, those fools did nothing to help stop it but throw away their votes intentionally on a losing pony or took their ball and went home. This train wreck belongs to those voters and nonvoters, as much as it does Obama mindless worshipers.

[DBrow]

The Guardian is off a bit, the tab was $161,000,000 before Bush declared a disaster area in DC (that will boost $$ considerably and obfuscate audits).

W's inaug ran about $70,000,000 when you add security.

We must all make sacrifices in the new economy. Except for some.

This is an unprecedented event, and I think SOME more extravagance is called for. I actually heard a kid say that now, even HE can become president (he's black), and that is a good thing, something worth celebrating, I think (maybe next we'll get a conservative constructionist black candidate!), but this? Plus the Lincoln-mimick train trip?

[lonevoice]

Alternatively, Obama could use the $160 Million to cut a check for for $80 Million for each of the projected 2 million people showing up for this fiasco. Then he could have his inauguration televised for free by all radio and television stations. I bet even the most crazed ObamaNuts would think this is change they can believe in.

[GoldwaterChick]

Does that include the l.5 million free Odumbo balloons?

[pillut48]

I can't believe after all these post responses no one has mentioned the obvious!!!

BUSH'S FAULT!!!!

/sarc

[bert]

The iniguration, the first black man to be president, on the day after a national holiday, the celebration of moonbattiness extrodinare is the time to pull out the stops.

Money is no object. The rich are rich. Their money will be appropriated as necessary

[Psycho_Bunny]

Absolutely insane.

[Girlene]

But...but...but...I thought Obama said, "Everybody is going to have to give. Everybody is going to have to have some skin in the game. (on shared sacrifice). When does he start sacrificing?

[Ulysse]

Most expensive inauguration after the MOST EXPENSIVE electoral campaign....
Most corrupted staff,most liberal ideology....

The CHICAGO boy is TOO MUCH

[angelsonmyside]

The Million Man Coronation March on our dime, irritates the stew out of me.

[mrsmith]

This will be more of an in-auger-ation.

[kempo]

I don’t want anyone to get hurt but I think it would be funny if they had a snow storm during the proceedings.

[SolidWood]

$150m

Taxpayer's money. But forget about it. Let's rather talk about Palin's RNC wardrobe.

[egannacht]

Your petty bourgeois concern for money is inconsequential to the Great Benefactor

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

["Part of the spending includes emergency funding announced by the White House on Tuesday to help with the soaring costs."]

Looks like everybody's getting a bailout these days.

Obama's setting a great Leadership example here. Not.

[Madame Dufarge]

Idi Amin.