160 Million

[busymom]

If I were Obama, I would give up the pomp and circumstance of the official inauguration, have a televised inauguration that everyone can watch from home for a fraction of the cost and save the taxpayer some money. Now is not the time to be spending the most on an inauguration ever.

[tekisui]

1. Think of it as the country's biggest party to celebrate the END of

the worst pResident ever.

[busymom]

hmmm

I'll celebrate at home in front of the tv with a few good friends, beer and popcorn...We don't need to throw out 160 mill. right now.

[tekisui]

9. My understanding is at least half of it was donations.

[TTUBatfan2008]

2. Tell that to all the minorities...

who are headed to D.C. because this means so much to them. Just go ahead and ignore the other 232 years of history in this country.

[firedupdem]

4. I guess this is the theme for the day. Thanks for your comments. n/t

[tekisui]

15. I really don't understand this complaint.

They want to deny Obama something that the country gave chimpy twice? It boggles my mind.

[Kahuna]

22. I think that many of those who don't think this is a worthy event were born..

many years post civil rights era. They don't really understand the significance of Obama's victory and what it means to America.

[TTUBatfan2008]

33. I think it's the most important inauguration since Washington...

In a country with as nasty of a history as we've had in our collective treatment of minorities, it's a huge deal. Think about it. Johnson's civil rights legislation was signed into law in 1964. The country was nearly 200 years old at that point and slavery went back another 200 years in America before the country was officially founded. So you basically had almost 400 years of oppression and it still lingers in society even to this day, some 44 years later. In the grand scheme of things, a minority being elected President just 44 years after minorities were given basic friggin' rights is a gigantic accomplishment for the country.

[Kahuna]

39. I agree one hundred percent about this being the most significant

inauguration since Washington. I almost posted that earlier. So, I give the "opponents" the benefit of the doubt and consider them mostly ignorant concerning history and the impact this event has on our history.

[TTUBatfan2008]

40. Yeah, Washington and Obama...

two most important inaugurations in history so far. And when we can get a woman inaugurated that one will be right next to those, and same goes for a gay person being inaugurated. Those three groups have been more oppressed than anyone in this country, and Washington's inauguration is hugely important because it was the first one and represented the fact that we were a legit country.

[Kahuna]

Right again!!!!

Great minds, eh? :pals:

[TTUBatfan2008]

43. I think so!

:)

[akbacchus_BC]

65. Nor do they care to read up on that history so that they can at

least have an understanding of the significance. Ignorance sure is bliss sometimes!

It is mind boggling to see some DUers being so negative. I am sure a lot of the cost will go towards security and other facilities to accommodate Americans who fought for change and want to be present at such a historic event.

Darnit, if it were not so expensive to travel from Canada, I would be there too. I have to compromise by taking the day off and celebrate with you all via the TV.

Cannot wait for the weekend and moreso, Tuesday.

[scheming daemons]

3. The overwhelming majority of the cost is for security

...and that's quite alright with me.

[Kahuna]

5. This is an historic event as you well know. Many plan to party like it's 1999..

:woohoo:

[phleshdef]

6. Right and all the people that spent money to go and businesses that spent to prepare are screwed.

Get real. All of this money is coming from the DC area taxes and is being invested right back into the same area. Its not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, I wish it cost even more. This is an example of good capitalism that will greatly benefit the DC area. This is one complaint that has no justified basis.

[Hepburn]

7. Gee, I wonder if it were Hillary being sworn in if you would feel differently.

Just a thought...:eyes:

[busymom]

10. No, I would not....and I would speak out about it too.

[Hepburn]

23. ....

...so do you support Obama?

[Kahuna]

14. Deleted by poster

[Starbucks Anarchist]

8. If you were Obama, I still wouldn't listen to you.

[MadBadger]

11. What about the millions now coming to DC for the extended weekend? Fuck em?

Aint nothing going on now!

[busymom]

17. Obviously, it is too late now, but this

is something that could have been better thought out, I think.

[Occam Bandage]

24. So, Obama should have told people, "you know, guys,

I understand you all want to come here and see me be inaugurated, and yes, you all want to celebrate the end of the Bush era, and yes, that would be a huge financial boon for the DC metro area, and yes, I'm going to raise half of the cost, but it would cost some taxpayer money for security to keep us all safe. So anyway, my acceptance speech will be in the Rose Garden in front of the media and hand-picked supporters, and you can all go fuck yourselves."

[Occam Bandage]

12. That "pomp and circumstance" is mostly security. He's expected to draw the biggest crowds ever.

And it's certainly too late to tell everyone to cancel their plane tickets and hotel reservations.

[otohara]

Donate Today - Save Tax Payers & Celebrate In Style

https://donate.pic2009.org/page/contribute

[AyanEva]

13. .

I'm more than happy to pitch in my tax dollars for the party and I've barely got two nickels to rub together. After all, it's my party too! :)

[ecstatic]

16. Some people want to be there. This is history for some people

Maybe not you. :eyes:

[busymom]

18. It's history for me too. It would STILL be history if an inauguration within

the white house or in the Senate were televised for me to watch at home which...is what I'll be doing anyway. It would be just as historic.

The type of celebration doesn't dictate how historic it is.

[Kahuna]

25. To YOU. Please allow other people to chose how THEY want to celebrate.

This is still America, m'kay. ;)

[MadBadger]

27. I think you have a ME issue. This isnt just about you and how you feel.

[Thrill]

19. Why? No other Presidents have done it

And his inauguration is Historic and Special to many people.

I like how all of sudden people are worried about the cost of Inaugurations. No one was ever concerned about the donations Presidential Inauguration Committees could accept until now either

[DevonRex]

20. So the first black president doesn't get to be inaugurated like all the other presidents.

Shame on Obama for not acknowledging he is inferior to GWB. And shame on him for having events for regular people. I mean, just who does he think he is? He needs to learn his place.

:sarcasm:

[Occam Bandage]

28. Keeping the normal entrance to the White House open would cost money in security.

He should have to go in the service entrance.

[DevonRex]

31. And eat in the kitchen. Nothin but pot liquor and cornbread.

And on Sundays, the pot liquor would have ham hocks in it. Yippee!!

[Occam Bandage]

We can't be spending taxpayer money on fancy chefs and dining rooms. nt

[DevonRex]

36. Who needs a chef? Michelle needs to earn her keep. nt

[firedupdem]

29. He's always been uppity and inadequate. n/t

[Kahuna]

30. Yeah! That guy! How dare he want the same as the WHITE presidents!

The nerve! :sarcasm:

[DevonRex]

32. He'll learn soon enough how to behave in polite society. Maybe. nt

[countingbluecars]

21. Watching this may help you understand

why this inauguration is worth every penny of the 160 million.


http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=11491093&ch=4226716&src=news

[Aloha Spirit]

46. wow, I still can't believe North Carolina went blue this year!!

Thanks for sharing that video; this Inauguration will function as more than a party...
It will function as an opportunity for healing and consolidating our resolve to work together.
People will be giving back to their communities on Martin Luther King Jr day, and I think the Obamas' commitment to service this weekend shows that they understand the larger problems and how this weekend relates to them.

[Skidmore]

56. All of that and more because it will signal

to the rest of the world that we are back. That we can change and that we are looking outward not just inward. There is much goodwill at home and abroad to be shared during this important ceremony and rite of passage.

[Aloha Spirit]

58. Very true-- it will be a display of competence and of the health of our democracy! nt

[NYC_SKP]

71. "They cheered when Martin Luther King was killed"...

Very moving piece, thank you.

:patriot:

[Connie_Corleone]

26. The inauguration is ALREADY televised.

Many people want to BE THERE beause it's historical. Most of the money is for security.

Half the money was raised from individual donors, like myself.

The price tag on inaugurations are going to go up every 4 years anyway. You can't compare Obama's inauguration to previous ones.

I guess this must be the latest "outrage" of the week.

[Deja Q]

34. WWHD?

What would Hillary do, if she had won?

Nothing different?

Also, how is security "pomp and circumstance"? Or at least "pomp", the circumstance is rather justified and it would be for Mrs. Clinton too.

[dionysus]

35. were the shoe on the other foot would you be proposing this? i think we all know you wouldn't.

[Connie_Corleone]

37. Maybe Obama should move into a shack instead of that big mansion.

Taxpayer money and all.

:eyes:

[Kahuna]

41. And all that security whenever he goes out in public. We oughta be able

to save on that too. :eyes:

[Connie_Corleone]

47. He can get a bus card and take the bus.

The first black president doesn't need all that security.

[Kahuna]

48. A bus card!!!! Walking is healthier. nt

[cali]

38. thrilled that you aren't Obama. Absolutely thrilled.

[NYC_SKP]

42. Where can I send my check to you to cover your share of the cost, $2.00?

I'll do it, I will. Two bucks, no problem, I'll collect a few cans exchange for some quarters, and send 'em to ya!

[AyanEva]

50. Split the cost?

I'll chip in a dollar.

[NYC_SKP]

52. Done!

You got a deal, AyanEva!

And welcome to DU, if you are newish here! :toast:

[AyanEva]

59. LOL Thanks!

I'm new in that I'm recently de-lurked and finally started posting here and there. I think I registered maybe in 2006 or something and popped in and out periodically. This is the longest I've ever stayed after an election. It's such a good source for news!

[akbacchus_BC]

67. That's the spirit, cheers and welcome

[BeyondGeography]

44. Bullshit

[DevonRex]

45. Hear hear! I join with you in calling bullshit. That's all that needs to be said. nt

[NYC_SKP]

53. Have you seen his new LIMO?!!11!!!11!!! WTF??

:rofl:

[DevonRex]

55. He gets a limo???? Pffft.

[snooper2]

49. :)

Thread number 34

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring :)

[rvablue]

51. You MUST be joking with this post... give it a rest! And you'r wrong, BTW

because it will actually bring a lot of good.

Buses have been rented.
Hotel rooms booked.
Everyone there is going to have to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Taxis, buses and the metro will be charging fares day and night for the weekend.
And that's just the beginning.

ALL OF THIS MONEY WILL BE PUMPED INTO THE D.C. ECONOMY .... WHICH IS FUNDING A LARGE PORTION OF THE INAUGURATION.

All you were trying to do with this post is start a flamefest. Hope you are proud of yourself.

And while you are pouting on Jan. 20th, I will be celebrating that President Obama has arrived and the lying Shrub is being shipped back to Texas.

[DevonRex]

54. You go girl!!!! Wish I could rec your post. I give it a +10! nt

[rvablue]

62. Thanks JZ, this inauguration "controversy" BS is insane! n/t

[rvablue]

60. delete

[alcibiades_mystery]

57. If you were Obama

You would have dropped out of the race in November 2007.

:rofl:

[jenmito]

61. And if HILLARY won you would've started an identical thread, right?

:rofl:

[onenote]

63. so what would this televised inauguration look like

Obama taking the oath of office (in the Capitol or in the White House) in front his family (what about members of Congress? Could they attend? From both parties or just Democrats? Members of his cabinet? Any friends? How many members of his family?) then giving his speech and then turning around and going to work? No parade. No balls. Nothing but a half hour to one hour tv show and that's it?

Just curious.

[Renew Deal]

64. It's also the largest inaugeration ever.

They are expecting up to 5 million people. Only 100,000 showed up for Bush and most were protesters. It works out to around $32 per person.

[lonestarnot]

66. Wonder what you would have thought about it had McSame cheated his way in there.

:shrug:

[blues90]

68. I agree 100%. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

70. Bull Shit

[DevonRex]

72. Seconded. nt

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

69. w/e, I hope Obama dances his ASS off at the 10+ inaugural balls he goes too.

cry somewhere else.

[cottonseed]

73. It was Hillary's idea

I heard

[Grateful for Hope]

74. I so can see where you are coming from

but, there are so many (millions) who want to be there so much so that they have already purchased plane tickets, hotel rooms, etc.

What I see is that because our country has been nearly destroyed over the last eight years, every citizen who wants to be a physical part of this historic event should be accommodated. If this means elevated government expense in the way of security, etc., they are entitled it.

IMO, money far better spent than bailing out banks without any accounting as to how the money is spent.

[leftofthedial]

75. Irony is wasted on the faithful.

[FrenchieCat]

76. You can volunteer for National Day of Service on MLK's birthday.....

which can amount to way more than 160 million....if folks like you would put in their time to match their words.

Here's more about something you can do to help your country, from the first lady ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeNgjXPZkrM&feature=channel


This is from Barack Obama is 44: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eUnTTwrxmc