The world's on fire; yet King George & Queen Laura will host TWENTY-FOUR Xmas parties.

[Bluebear]

>>>In all, the President and Mrs. Bush will be greeting 10,000 guests during 24 parties spread over 20 days as they wrap up their sixth Christmas in the White House. <<<

http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1564661,00.html

[LibDemAlways]

1. That's in keeping with their belief that

ordinary Americans are peons who exist to supply the tax dollars necessary for their extravagances. It's a safe bet those in attendance will be millionaires and multi-millionaries who routinely rob people blind.

[madokie]

19. You know what, I would put everything I own on that fact

I realize that I am going to be a peon no matter what I do but I sure don't like it being rubbed in my face. :) Its time for a new direction in America, where average joes like us are the important one's

[Anthony Soprano]

2. Jan 18, 2005: "Tab for Bush second inauguration bash hits record $40 million"

Tab for Bush bash hits record $40 million
Corporate donors step in to foot some of the bills



Jim Bryant, of Hargrove Inc., puts the finishing touches on a 32-foot long float of a scroll with the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. The company has created floats for inaugurations dating back to Harry Truman's in 1949.

By Diana Olick and Rob Reynolds
CNBC
Updated: 2:00 p.m. PT Jan 18, 2005

President Bush and wealthy donors are sparing no expense for his second inauguration. Besides the ceremony itself, there will a parade with 11,000 people, floats, vehicles and horses. There will be nine fancy dress balls and assorted receptions, rock concerts and candle-light dinners.

The inaugural committee plans to spend $40 million -- the most ever. President Clinton's 1993 festivities cost $33 million. So who’s picking up the tab for the Bush bash?

"There are a wide variety of companies that are giving; some people were former supporters,” said Larry Noble, executive director at the Center for Responsive Politics. “We’re seeing some Pioneers and Rangers -- the big fundraisers for Bush. Among the companies we are seeing are Texas companies and energy companies."

"The wealthy here are buying access through giving large contributions,” said Noble. “And it looks a lot like what we have seen before -- with the political conventions and other things. It looks like a government for sale." Some commentators, even conservatives who supported President Bush's re-election, question the appropriateness of a lavish inaugural in wartime. "This president -- who was the choice of 80 percent of ‘morality’ voters, is undermining his moral standing by making a giant party for rich people while our soldiers continue to battle and die in Iraq," said talk radio host Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6839280/

[Bluebear]

4. Yo, Tone, welcome to DU! nt

[Anthony Soprano]

9. Thanks!

:toast:

[bdamomma]

13. welcome to DU Anthony Soprano

:hi:

[Anthony Soprano]

16. Thank you!

:patriot:

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Let them eat fruitcake... nt

[IntravenousDemilo]

20. Perfect response! n/m

[OneBlueSky]

5. no conscience . . . no sense of propriety . . . no empathy . . .

and he's controlling the most powerful military machine ever conceived by humankind . . .

scary doesn't even beging to describe it . . .

[Red Zelda]

10. A military machine

that after half a trillion dollars can't fix a third-world country it invaded.
Shazzam!

[leftofthedial]

6. their base requires parties

like my rich ex-boss had to have a vacation every 8 weeks

when you give hundreds of thousands of dollars to the right kind of people, you expect to be entertained for your trouble

[MrCoffee]

7. i'm sending him a fiddle for christmas, anyone wanna chip in?

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. Hopefully they'll order from Putin Baking and Catering Services.

And aren't we at war? Do people really have gala parties when we're at war?

[BeliQueen]

14. LOL

Oh my--now THAT was funny.

[bdamomma]

11. they really don't give a shit about anything huh?

what would bush say, I have a life too you know". I can just hear him saying something like that.

[BeliQueen]

12. Let them eat cake...

...or in this case the Christmas tree ornaments.

I shake my head at the severity of their insensitivity.

[TheCowsCameHome]

17. They care only about themselves. Everything else is immaterial.

The war they have created is many miles from the ballrooms and parties they'll attend.

[Chipper Chat]

15. Will there be any soldiers among the 10,000 guests?

[TahitiNut]

18. ... and not a single "Wise Man" in sight.

:dunce: