$50m spent on Bush inauguration

[zulu9812]

which is 'my' side, again?

 

[stratego]

That angers many anti-war protesters who say the lavish celebration is inappropriate during conflict. Some conservative commentators have even joined the fray, contrasting the spending with a recent scandal over a shortage of armour for American soldiers and their vehicles

To be fair, not all the money spent on the party would be wasted. The spoons could be used for armor. And the ice carvings could be used for decoys.

Observe. I'm not a very good artist.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I can see this comming back to haunt Bush like the "Mission accomplished" stage show.
I think Bush should have asked for this to NOT happen considering how serious the situataion is in Iraq.
___

America has never spent so much on such a bittlerly contest presidental election. The Millions spent on the election was astronomical.

 

[h4ppy]

This isn't about the election, it is about his confirmation. I don't see how this could come back to hurt him, the funds were private and if this does get borught up by the left all the right needs to do is point that out.

 

[downtown]

I kinda like Mark Cuban's suggestion. didnt he say bush ought to take all the party money, and throw it into deficit reduction as a genture that he's serious about it? If Bush wants to have tax reform, he's going to have to get serious about cleaning that mess up anyways

 

[carlosMM]

The $50m bill is mostly being paid by private donations from people and firms currying political favour.

Read your own articles, zulu.

ehm, don't you think he is entitled to the opinion that it is disgusting when people sepnd so much money for political favors instead of fighting AIDS, terrorism and hunger?


this is one of your cheapest ad hominem attacks. and one of the dumbest. I fully agree with zulu that this sum of money spent for such an unecessary show is disgusting - whoever the person inaugurated is. A short TV statment: 'I want this money used for something more important' is what I would have applauded.

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[Scuffer]

But there wouldn't be any money forthcoming if it weren't for the inauguration. A big party like this is a reward to all the party memebers who stood around waving those riduclous flags and posted letter and the rest. No president would risk alienating all those loyal workers like that.

 

[joacqin]

Even if the parties are paid by private sponsors I reckon the security is paid with tax dollars. If it is included in the 50m$ then it is probably by far the largest post and if it isnt there are another couple of millions going to that beyond the 50m.

 

[IglooDame]

Even if the parties are paid by private sponsors I reckon the security is paid with tax dollars. If it is included in the 50m$ then it is probably by far the largest post and if it isnt there are another couple of millions going to that beyond the 50m.

Yep: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=sto...050111/ts_washpost/a63896_2005jan10&printer=1

Inauguration officials said they plan to spend $40 million on the four-day celebration, which will include fireworks, the swearing-in, a parade and nine balls. Those expenses -- which do not include security and other public services -- are being funded by private donors.
...
The $17.3 million the city expects to spend on this inauguration marks a sharp increase from the $8 million it incurred for Bush's first.

According to Williams's letter, the District anticipates spending $8.8 million in overtime pay for about 2,000 D.C. police officers; $2.7 million to pay 1,000-plus officers being sent by other jurisdictions across the country; $3 million to construct reviewing stands; and $2.5 million to place public works, health, transportation, fire, emergency management and business services on emergency footing.

Congressional aides said the District sought unsuccessfully last year to boost the annual security reimbursement fund from $15 million to $25 million to pay for inauguration expenses. In contrast, New York City and Boston-area lawmakers were able to obtain $50 million from Congress for each of those two jurisdictions to cover local security costs for the national political conventions.

Inauguration officials said they plan to spend $40 million on the four-day celebration, which will include fireworks, the swearing-in, a parade and nine balls. Those expenses -- which do not include security and other public services -- are being funded by private donors.

 

[Falcon02]

Inauguration officials said they plan to spend $40 million on the four-day celebration, which will include fireworks, the swearing-in, a parade and nine balls. Those expenses -- which do not include security and other public services -- are being funded by private donor

NINE Balls? okay that is a bit much, they holding some sort of dance endurance competition in celebration or something?

But, it is good that it's 50m private not public money (their choice). And I imagine a few (2 out of 200 donators) don't expect "favors" in return. The whole "favor" system (I forgot it's formal name) has been around since Adams and Jefferson (our second and third Presidents for those not familiar with US History), and will likely stick around for a while. Might have even been some during Washington's administration as well. Sad, unfortunate, and sometimes infuriating, but true.

 

[amadeus]

For the record: in 1993, Bill Clinton attended 11 inaugural balls. In 1997, he attended 14.

I don't see why everyone is making such a huge deal out of this. The U.S. federal government takes in 2 trillion dollars annually. That's enough to hold 40,000 inaugural celebrations.

 

[Mise]

For the record: in 1993, Bill Clinton attended 11 inaugural balls. In 1997, he attended 14.

I thought you didn't like Clinton? "He started it" stopped working as a valid excuse for misbehavior when I reached a certain age.

 

[Scuffer]

But Clinton had good reason to attend more - better chance of meeting cute girls to take home.

 

[amadeus]

I thought you didn't like Clinton? "He started it" stopped working as a valid excuse for misbehavior when I reached a certain age.

Mise, since when was I attacking Bill Clinton about this? I was simply stating a fact. Presidents attend ceremonies.

 

[carlosMM]

For the record: in 1993, Bill Clinton attended 11 inaugural balls. In 1997, he attended 14.

I don't see why everyone is making such a huge deal out of this. The U.S. federal government takes in 2 trillion dollars annually. That's enough to hold 40,000 inaugural celebrations.

I got worked up over Clinton's balls a lot less because his policies broguht more money into average people's pockets.

Still, as I said before - it is a shamefull waste. Especially how they blew the entire thing to an even larger size than last time.

 

[Mise]

I got worked up over Clinton's balls

(sorry I'm seven years old really)

 

[Bronx Warlord]

I have no problem with him having a party, could you imagine the party if Kerry and his nurse wrachet wife won?

Who cares!

Four more years! Four more years!

 

[FriendlyFire]

Who cares!

Four more years! Four more years!

Yay iam looking forward to the Daily show.
We've already had the medal award debarcale

 

[Yom]

I got worked up over Clinton's balls

(sorry I'm seven years old really)

I was thinking the same thing. I thought it was a double entendre also referring to the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

I guess the saying should be revised to "Never attribute to intelligence that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."

Just kidding, Carlos, but you have to admit, it was pretty funny.

 

[newfangle]

Holy titties people. ITS PRIVATE MONEY. Get lives.