WTF? Bush's second inauguration will be the most expensive in history

[kuozzman]

First the mandate, then freedom medals, now this!? What's next? A * national monument?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1404822,00.html

PRESIDENT Bush will hold the most lavish and expensive inauguration celebration in American history when he is sworn in for his second term next month. But he hopes to temper the four-day extravaganza by holding special events to honour US troops in Iraq.

Mr Bush’s inaugural committee is hoping to raise more than $40 million (£20 million) for the event, a record. It announced yesterday that the theme for inauguration week, Washington’s equivalent of the Oscars, will be “celebrating freedom, honouring service”.

It is seen as a valiant effort amid the frenzy of black-tie balls, fireworks, corporate donors and cocktail parties to remind revellers that America is a nation at war.

[Sannum]

1. Not an Inauguration.

A Coronation.

[jeff30997]

3. I was gonna say the same thing.

I wonder if some kid will point out that the Chimperator have no clothes ?

[Vincardog]

4. Does any body have a stink b*mb handy? Oh Oh he smell

[comsymp]

2. No need for a * Nat'l monument

My dog took care of that this morning.
(no more fried shrimp for her, btw)

[berner59]

5. all in bad taste...

During a time of war - to have a celebration is disgusting... I read where Roosevelt felt it was wrong to use the money to celebrate when soldiers were dying so he toned it down, no parade, small affair...

Not Bush though...disgraceful...on top of not really winning this anyway...oh I'd love to see a challenge on Jan 6th!!

[Lenape85]

10. And when people compare Chimpy to FDR, it makes me upset

FDR was a selfless man who did not want to go to war, but he had to so that evil could be defeated

Chimpy on the other hand is in it for oil profits

[FlaGranny]

15. Hi, Lenape,

When I saw your username I just KNEW you were from NJ. Your first name isn't Lenni, is it? :-)

[ChloeForKerry]

6. Sickening!

troops without the proper equipment and GOP spends that kinda cash for a fucking party!

[ikojo]

7. Buuuuuut he's honoring the

TROOPS! So it can't be all bad now can it?

/sarcasm off.

As long as it's wrapped appropriately in the flag no questions will be asked.

[GreenArrow]

8. "what a great group we have here tonight...

The Haves and the have mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base."

[AllegroRondo]

9. Fascism is alive and well

Mussolini would be so proud

[Mad_Dem_X]

11. Disgusting pigs!

Just when you think they can't possibly sink any lower...I really hope protestors show up by the THOUSANDS and disrupt the whole tasteless thing (no violence, just steal the limelight from Herr Bush).

[snacker]

12. Shame on them

and every idiot who voted for him!

[RobertSeattle]

13. Shhhhh: Someone told me we are at WAR

I'm sure all the injured Vets at Walter Reed will be invited.

[Skidmore]

14. Shhhh. It's their due.

[liberalpragmatist]

16. Some undeniable Fascist/Authoritarian undertones

I'm not someone who believes that George W. Bush is an aspiring dictator or fascist. I'm just not.

But even so, I cannot deny that he's dangerously blurred the lines between patriotism and nationalism/jingoism, glorified military action with a messianic zeal. This inaugural just cements this further - I have no problem with honoring and admiring the troops, but that's not what this is about. This is about suppressing dissenting, antiwar voices, linking the war (bad) with the warriors (remember Kerry's great line about that?) so to slur any opponents of the war as anti-military, and wrapping Bush in a cloak of untouchability. So while I don't think Bush is an aspiring dictator, his actions are clearly undermining the United States' democratic traditions.

[Goathead]

17. His house in Midland is already a historic site

What a bunch of bullshit. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places. http://www.bushchildhoodhome.org/home.html