Team Bush plans to party on

[BurtWorm]

Does anyone really think the *nation* needs an inauguration for a second term?


From salon.com's War Room:

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html

...

The Bush camp has been taking some heat for the estimated $40 million it will raise and spend on the big party; such criticism seemed especially apt before the White House upped its initial paltry sum of $15 million for tsunami relief to $35 million, and then again later to a more worthy $350 million. (Though there are still plenty of ways to measure even the latter as modest at best.) Others had already taken note of what the $40 million could buy for some of the woefully underfunded U.S. troops in Iraq.

Nonetheless, Bush's legion of party planners were ready to defend their cause. ...

<A> "senior inaugural official," who according to Bumiller "asked not to be identified," called the unflattering comparisons regarding the $40 million a "political shot." The official added that "people are not going to demand the cancellation of the Rose Bowl parade or the Oscars."

A few questions pop into mind here.

# Has anybody actually called for the cancellation of the inauguration? ...
# Do presidential administrations normally tap key resources, fundraisers and hundreds of other people to stage the Rose Bowl or the Oscars?
# Is it a bad idea to call for some hard thinking about why the richest, most powerful nation on earth isn't doing more to help ease the suffering of the much poorer, weaker nations of the world? (Or to consider that doing so might actually be in our own best interests, security and otherwise?)

Why the unnamed official at Bush party HQ felt the need to comment anonymously remains unclear to us here at War Room. Then again, we're pretty sure we wouldn't want to own his or her sorry analogy, either.

[Stephanie]

1. I called for the cancellation of the inauguration!

Does that count? I've been calling for cancellation, and that he DONATE the $40 million, for a week. It's disgusting.

[BurtWorm]

2. There should be more pressure on them to tone it down or call it off.

And it should come not just from you or me but from the Democratic Party and responsible Republicans. This is gross, what they're planning to do. There's no call for it.

[Stephanie]

3. Let Them Eat Cake

It's shameless. 150,000 dead, 5000 Americans missing, 5 million still in danger. This raging narcissist is throwing himself a $40M party.

Who will shame him into something more appropriate?

Old threads on this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=201623

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2877029

[BurtWorm]

4. I'm going to contact Rangel.

He's got the guts to say something about this. Hillary and Schumer definately do not.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[Stephanie]

6. it's unseemly

[BurtWorm]

7. Tradition, schmadition!

Who needs it? What is it good for, besides greasing the palms or massaging the egoes of Republo-fascists?

[Stephanie]

8. It's also the most expensive inauguration in history

Disgusting.

[babylonsister]

9. Let's not forget past presidents who did in fact

cancel inaugurations in time of war. I believe I've read Roosevelt did this. Continuing to promote this lavish spectacle while the world is weeping is indeed disgusting.

[BurtWorm]

10. Roosevelt's example, as on most things, is sterling.

His fourth inaugural was a very modest affair. (In fairness, the modesty may have had as much to do with his failing health as with the war.)

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[babylonsister]

12. FDR's 4th inauguration w/o festivity

Fourth Inaugural Address
Saturday, January 20, 1945


The fourth inauguration was conducted without fanfare. Because of the expense and impropriety of festivity during the height of war, the oath of office was taken on the South Portico of the White House. It was administered by Chief Justice Harlan Stone. No formal celebrations followed the address. Instead of renominating Vice President Henry Wallace in the election of 1944, the Democratic convention chose the Senator from Missouri, Harry S. Truman.

http://www.delanoye.org/primary/FDR_Inaugural_4.html

[JAK1941]

13. And Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

It's obvious that everything is just one big party for this moron, anyway. Did you ever see a chimpanzee that wasn't a screwball? Seriously, I think it's a disgrace.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi JAK1941!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: