Pres. Obama should cancel the Inaugural Ball !

[Disturbed]

With the Economy in such horrible condition this Gala should be canceled.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. No, he shouldn't.

There needs to be a celebration after these eight horrible years.

[qanda]

2. He deserves a celebration.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. WE deserve a celebration.

[backscatter712]

65. DAMNED STRAIGHT!!!

For austerity's sake, I can see cutting back on the expensive champagne (though I consumed a $60 bottle even though I was unemployed on Election night after Obama won...)

Even in these tough times, we the people need a party once in a while, and this is damned good cause to celebrate!

[mucifer]

3. millions of people have already made their plans.

[zippy890]

4. no. we all need to celebrate

party pooper

:P

[xultar]

5. DU has officially jumped the shark

[Journeyman]

30. Come now, that happened at least four years ago. . .

when so many posters blamed BushCo for the tsunami Skinner was forced to forbid any and all such threads.

There were incidents and discussions before that which indicated a deterioration of quality here, but the tsunami madness -- in my reckoning -- marks the point where this board first slipped beneath the waves.

[xultar]

95. Agreed. I remember that...it was crazy.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

6. I agree.

I plan on walking around town with a large cactus on my back on Inaug Day. I mean, if one must live a joyless existence, why not go for the gusto?

Now, where did I put that horsehair shirt?

[Recursion]

8. Austerity is not the answer

Seriously, think about that: canceling the galas means a whole lot of caterers, servers, staff, etc. aren't going to have jobs they were counting on.

[atimetocome]

11. go shopping

[Mme. Defarge]

9. Absolutely NOT!

Millions of us worked and contributed to bringing about this peaceful revolution -- against huge odds and a stacked deck. We WON. America WON. The WORLD HAS WON.

Should the Parisians have stayed indoors and not greeted their liberators because there was still suffering in the world?

I would go so far as to say that we have a DUTY to celebrate this magnificent achievement.

[cali]

10. Cancel the debates!!!!

oops, I mean the inaugural balls.

[otohara]

12. Tell That to The Hotels, Restaurants, Shops in D.C.

who can't wait for the millions of American's coming to celebrate this historic election.

No way - terrible idea.

[EFerrari]

13. Disagree. When times are bad, we need our ritual celebrations more.

[hlthe2b]

14. Why is it only the Democrats are expected to be austere...

and get kicked in the face for it... Think Jimmy Carter and his public walk to the WH sans much of the hoopla... Obama can have a stately celebration without the excess that the REPUGs are known for. But, he should have his celebration. It is not only for him but for all Americans.

[trayfoot]

81. Agreed!

[4lbs]

15. With millions of people expected for the inauguration, the day could bring in an influx of cash to

the DC Metro area of around $100 million.

[mondo joe]

16. Absolutely not. NT

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. Disagree. But I don't think DC should be left holding the bill.

Obama's campaign, or the DLC should donate monies to lessen the impact on the DC budget. In our glee to celebrate, we're losing sight of what this will do to civil services in DC.

I wonder what the cost of providing porta-potties alone is going to cost for a crowd estimated to be as large as four million people.

[mondo joe]

25. Will DC reap the benefits of hotel rentals, car rentals, restaurant and bar business?

Does DC pay for any part of the inauguration anyway?

[cherokeeprogressive]

32. Yeah, they do.

http://www.dcexaminer.com/local/Soaring_costs_for_inauguration_could_break_the_bank_for_DC11-18.html

[saltpoint]

18. Respectfully disagree. We are creatures of ritual and this celebration

matters a whole lot.

I watch for Obama's team to amend or extend the traditional "party" aspect to include a well-constructed reach-out to the disenfranchised.

With some progressive planning, Barack Obama's inaugural celebration could become the model for future inaugurals and expressly be designed to add something to the homeless and the poor.

This is a very real and very doable possibility.

If anyone would like to contact the transition team on this, the contact site is:

http://www.change.gov/page/s/contact

[wildflower]

78. I think that's a good idea

With some progressive planning, Barack Obama's inaugural celebration could become the model for future inaugurals and expressly be designed to add something to the homeless and the poor.

I agree, this is doable. I also agree with Mari333 below. I remember how we bristled at the excesses of the Bush inaugural four years ago.

[Mari333]

19. I would like it if

the first people invited to the ball were soldiers (grunts) and their families. The troops who served . People who cant afford it.
I hate pretentious DC balls with armani suits and designer gowns.
I kind of wish it was cancelled also, or at least brought down to earth and had real people there, not the DC crowd of nincompoops.

[Captain Hilts]

20. No, he shouldn't. FDR didn't. It helps the economy. nt

[Wapsie B]

21. Not only should there be an Inaugural Ball there should be a Mardi Gras celebration

on the streets of DC.

[pnwmom]

22. Wrong. He should spend away. It will help stimulate the economy.

As well as stimulate all of us!

[FrenchieCat]

23. Terrible message that would send!

that we are truly fucked, and are in shit so deep that we are paralized and cannot celebrate the obvious; Freedom from a Fucked up administration. That would be truly depressing. :(

[peace13]

24. Six years of war and not one party canceled.

Why start now? Hopefully this will be the last party held while the country is full of despair!

[RB TexLa]

77. Why start now? Because we are decent human beings.

It's called class.

[liberalmuse]

26. Oh hell no!

Americans have waited too long for this. It is an occasion for much celebration. And besides, as others have said, it will help the economy more than you think.

[FarCenter]

27. Whether we have a ball or not, we need a symbolic national repentance for the sins of the Bush admin

[norepubsin08]

28. I AGREE

We should have an all out ceremony of inaguration with a parade that the masses can come to celebrate...then fuck all the balls...it's bullshit..just a place for a bunch of rich fuckers to go show off.

[cali]

31. sometimes the rabid hatred here of anyone who's wealthy

is a cartoon.

[girl gone mad]

62. Maybe if the rich weren't so cartoonishly voracious..

they wouldn't incite such rabid hatred.

Just a thought.

[Reterr]

79. It is hardly a surprising reaction in harsh times

Especially on a board like this where many people have often indicated they are undergoing a fair amount of financial hardship in their personal lives.
If someone whose life sucks in every way due to economic hardship wants to vent online, if it is therapeutic then I hope they go for it.

Is it always fair or accurate? of course not but it is hardly unnatural; fairly human if you ask me.
The dislike of the poor for the wealthy is certainly much more understandable than the reverse and we see a lot of that in this country. It is the norm; ask any homeless person.

[alarimer]

89. Believe me, this celebration is not for us.

WE will never be allowed in the door of their "balls". But if you are a contributor, a politician, or lobbyist, you will get your invite for sure.

Fuck this inaugural bullshit. It's not a coronation.

[truedelphi]

29. My concern is his safety - and for that reason I wish that he was

Having a simple private and inside the WH swearing in.

But he is a people-loving guy and probably could not be persuaded to do that. (Though I bet Michelle shares my concerns.)

[Tutonic]

33. I agree. Spend money more effectively. Rich people can celebrate

some other time. Poor or middle class people have no business wasting their money.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

34. He should also cancel the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

No celebrations or other forms of fun should be allowed.

[Chulanowa]

76. So long as we don't have to wear dickies and put belt buckles on our hats!

http://coursesite.cl.uh.edu/HSH/Whitec/LITR/4333/images/thanksgiving,%20pilgrims/pilgrims2.jpg

I might be as for not having a good time as the next goodman, but I'll be gosh-darned if I'm wearing that getup.

[RB TexLa]

35. Defiantly agree. It would be a move that shows class.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. All those service workers in D.C. who were counting on the income from these events

might not think it was such a classy move.

[RB TexLa]

40. They may like it if the new president and adminstration starts working for them at 1:00 PM Jan. 20

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

41. A half day won't make a difference.

Cash from having that job will.

[RB TexLa]

42. If those were the only people in the country, but they aren't. He should send a clear message, the

party is over and it's time to work.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

46. "Sending a message" doesn't help the people who are depending on those jobs.

The message can wait until the next day. Let's take a day to celebrate the wonderful thing that has happened instead of wallowing in our usual liberal guilt. I think it would be a huge mistake to cancel the party. It doesn't have to be extremely lavish, but there damn well better be a party.

[mondo joe]

83. He's already at work. But that doesn't mean no one ever gets any celebration. NT

[mondo joe]

82. Nothing classy about denying the people some celebration. NT

[malaise]

36. I agree

It would be an amazing message.

[Muttocracy]

38. well, I think there's a middle ground between zero and 14 balls

Maybe have one or two? :shrug:

http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/daysevents/inauguralball.cfm

President Harry Truman revived the official ball in 1949. Organizers for Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1953 Inaugural ball added a second event due to the great demand for tickets. Four years later, Eisenhower's second Inauguration featured four balls. Kennedy attended five in 1961. President Carter attempted to strip the balls of their glitz and glamour in 1977, calling them parties and charging no more than $25 each, but by the 2nd inaugural of President William Jefferson Clinton in 1997, the number of balls reached an all-time high of fourteen. George W. Bush's inaugural in 2001 saw the number of official balls decline to eight, and his 2nd inaugural in 2005 was celebrated with nine official balls.

Today, the official Inaugural balls are planned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

[ColbertWatcher]

44. There are some who may disagree ...

[cottonseed]

39. He should also replace the Secret Service with mall security.

That should also save a ton of money.

[Disturbed]

43. Looks like most want these parties. We shall see how many

Pres. Obama shall have. Shouldn't one be enough?

[gollygee]

45. Tradition is still important

He doesn't have to overdo it, but we should still have an inaugural ball.

[earth mom]

47. The U.S. is at War in case anyone forgot-so yes, the party should be canceled for that reason alone

How many times did we all rail against * & Co for their parties & bullshit because of the War?

The horrific economy we all are facing only adds to the reason why Obama should behave in a more reserved fashion and not behave frivolously.

People have lost their homes and are living in the fucking park in tents ya'll!

To not hold Obama to the same standards is hypocrisy to the nth degree.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

48. So does Obama have to live in the fucking park in a tent

in order to uphold our standards of liberal purity?

[earth mom]

49. That's a stupid question and you know it.

:eyes:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

50. Indeed.

And stupid comments necessarily generate "stupid" questions.

[earth mom]

51. My comment was valid but you can't handle the truth.

Betcha you ripped into * for all his parties and shit. But now it's different because you worship Obama.

What total bullshit. :puke:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. You are wrong on both assumptions.

My point is simply that there's nothing wrong with celebrating this wonderful event. There don't have to be fourteen lavish balls like Bush had, but to just turn off the lights and go home would be demoralizing and would trivialize the importance of what we have just done as a country. And as a practical matter, I care very much about the thousands of low-wage service workers who are counting on the badly-needed income these events will bring them. Canceling the inaugural events would be an empty, useless gesture that would help no one in particular and would hurt a lot of people.

[earth mom]

53. No, it would make a statement as to the seriousness of the situation this country is in.

You can have an inauguration without an expensive gala party you know.

Also, it was just reported that your guy is probably going to "delay" high wage tax cuts-a campaign promise that millions of people expected Obama to keep. It is why they voted for him.

Same shit different day and Obama is proving it with every step he's made in the past month. :puke:

FYI:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3614754&mesg_id=3614754

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

56. "My guy"?

If you're on DU isn't he "your guy," too?

Anyhow, I'm sorry if "my guy" hasn't achieved the requisite level of progressive correctness prior to his inauguration. Guess we should have all voted for McCain/Palin.

Do what you want; on Jan. 20 I'm gonna party.

[earth mom]

57. No, I don't march in lock step. I want to see results and it's not looking good. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

58. Whatever.

[cali]

61. sure you do. you absolutely march in lockstep

with all the ideological purists. You fit in perfectly.

[girl gone mad]

64. How dare anyone have ideals? n/t

[mondo joe]

85. If your ideals call for sackcloth and ashes you should live up to your ideals.

Cancel birthdays and holidays.

Don't ever watch or read anything humorous.

And by all means, ditch any online accounts.

[malaise]

54. Bingo n/t

[uppityperson]

60. I agree, would like it to be scaled way back.

Still hold it, but not have an ostentatious ball since our country, a lot of our people, and us, are in a world of hurt.

[cali]

63. There's actually always several balls.

and frankly, I'm all for them.

[uppityperson]

66. Cut the ostentatious conspicuous consuption aspects though.

That I would like to see.

[cali]

68. I'm not sure how you do that,

but if it's possible, sure.

[Mari333]

94. agreed. n/t

[Vinca]

55. I say we . . . and he . . . should celebrate.

It'll be like purging demons after the past 8 years. In any case, part of the solution to the economic downturn is spending money. The hotels will be making out like bandits, as will restaurants, caterers, cleaning services and people who provide transportation. The message sent will be "America is back."

[Ilsa]

59. Cancel the party for his re-election in 2012. We need this one. nt

[SmileyRose]

67. I don't want Obama under a burka

He shines. Let him.

[TexasObserver]

69. No, let's keep them, but you can stay home and flagellate yourself, Opus Dei style while we party

[Lochloosa]

70. Great Idea. Fuck all the bellhops, bartenders, cab drives, limo drivers etc.

Yeah great fucking idea. This place kills me sometimes.

[Mike Daniels]

75. At 4 nights minimum stay and several hundereds of $ per night per room

plus people asking and getting $20,000+ to rent their homes it's obvious that the economy is not affecting people's ability to attend the inauguration esp. since every hotel room around the city is sold out.

Watch official balls that charge several thousand dollars per ticket sell out as well.

[Recursion]

101. Malaise now... malaise tomorrow... malaise forever

We're bourgeois liberals. We aren't really happy unless we're dour and guilty, repenting for the sins of humankind.

[sellitman]

71. I'd be happy with a huge scale back.

Huge.

[Mike Daniels]

72. The thing makes too much money for them to cancel it

Who in the hell cancels events where the ticket price is in the 5 to 6 figure range?

It isn't the common man who buys tickets to the official balls - it's the high rollers who aren't affected by the economy.

[dysfunctional press]

73. well...at least you've got a proper screen name.

:eyes:

[itsrobert]

74. I'm sure DC and surrounding areas agree with you

NOT!

They can use the income from hotels, food sales, etc.

[mwei924]

80. Yeah, he should also live in a one-bedroom condo instead of the White House too.

[hootinholler]

84. Oh HELL NO!

We're having this party with him or without him.

-Hoot

[wisteria]

86. Good idea. n/t

[Skittles]

87. this crap seems to come up every election

[donco6]

88. Absolutely NOT.

I heard that all over the a.m. shows last week. Typical RW BS.

[KitchenWitch]

90. Absolutely not.

If McCain had won, he would not have canceled the Ball...

[Peacetrain]

91. No No No... what we need is some joy to get people moving..

we do NOT need to get locked down in the doldrums like the Japanese did a few years ago.

[mondo joe]

92. Puritans think malaise is a cure-all. NT

[question everything]

93. No. There are millions of people who never thought they would see such an event

in their lifetime. You cannot take this away from them.

[ecstatic]

96. not just no, but hell no! He is the first black president, first Dem in 8 yrs,

and millions in this country and around the world want to celebrate. Cut back someone else's day, not Obama's! There are people who literally NEED that day to feel alive again.

[oldcoot]

99. Historical significance of this election

There are many people who lived under Jim Crow laws and struggled for Civil Rights. For these individuals and many others, this inauguration has special significance because it demonstrates the progress this country has made and deserves to be celebrated.

[misanthrope]

97. Which one? There are normally more than 10 planned**nm

**

[anonymous171]

98. He should also carry a heavy wooden cross on his back from now until inauguration day

Just to show his solidarity with Americans.

[WhiteTara]

100. we're having one here in our little town

and we hope to use it to spur more participation in politics.

[Hekate]

102. Mamas & Papas say: There'll be swingin' & swayin' & records playin & dancin' in the streets...

Hekate says: Be there or be square.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnziCuprcIg&NR=1

Callin' out around the world--
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Obama's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets.

They're dancin' in Chicago,
Down in New Orleans,
Up in New York City.

All we need is music (sweet music),
Sweet music (sweet music).
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere);
There'll be swingin' and swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the streets.

Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy (come on) grab a girl
Everywhere around the world.
There'll be dancing---
They're dancing in the street

This is an invitation
Across the nation;
A chance for the folks to meet.
There'll be laughin', singin', and music swingin'
And dancin' in the streets.

Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)
Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)
Yeah, don't forget the Motor City.
(Can't forget the Motor City)
All we need is music (sweet music),
Sweet music (sweet music).
There'll be music everywhere (everywhere).
There'll be swingin' and swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the street, yeah.

Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy (come on, come on) grasp a girl
Everywhere around the world...

There'll be dancin',
Be dancin' in the streets
Philadelphia, P.A. (Philadelphia, P.A.)
Baltimore and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)
Can't forget that Motor City.
(Can't forget the Motor City)
Way down in L.A., California
(Way down in L.A., California)


"Not to mention Hafilax, Nova Scotia."
"Not to mention "
"Well, you know?" "Yes, I know."
"Manchester?" "And, oh, Amherst, Amherst."
"Alexandria?" "And Virginia, Virginia."
"Falls Church?" "Where's that?"
"oh, Boyle Heights"
"Boyle heights? Never heard of it..."

Title : Dancing in The Street
Artist : The Mamas & the Papas
By www.absolutelyrics.com