God Bless Our Troops!!!
Most expensive inauguration EVER!!! So much for Fiscal restraint!!!!!!!!!
Obama hosting pricey party in a dicey economy
By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer Matt Apuzzo, Associated Press Writer Sat Jan 17, 1:23 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let's party.
The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration gala is expected to break records, with some estimates reaching as high as $150 million. Despite the bleak economy, however, Democrats who called on President George W. Bush to be frugal four years ago are issuing no such demands now that an inaugural weekend of rock concerts and star-studded parties has begun.
Obama's inaugural committee has raised more than $41 million to cover events ranging from a Philadelphia-to-Washington train ride to a megastar concert with Beyonce, U2 and Bruce Springsteen to 10 official inaugural balls. Add to that the massive costs of security and transportation — costs absorbed by U.S. taxpayers — and the historic inauguration will produce an equally historic bill.
In 2005, Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., and Jim McDermott, D-Wash., asked Bush to show a little less pomp and be a little more circumspect at his party.
"President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake," the two lawmakers wrote in a letter. "During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified."
The thinking was that, with the nation at war, excessive celebration was inappropriate. Four years later, the nation is still at war. Unemployment has risen sharply. And Obama pressed Congress to release the second half of a $700 billion bailout package in hopes of rescuing a faltering banking industry.
Obama's inauguration committee says it is mindful of the times and is not worried people will see the four days of festivities as excessive.
"That is probably not the way the country is going to be looking at it," said committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass. "It is not a celebration of an election. It is a celebration of our common values."
Douglass said the campaign sought to keep costs down by having the same decorations at each of the 10 balls, eliminating floral arrangements and negotiating prices on food.
"Those at the Obama administration are trying to be reflective of the climate," McDermott's spokesman, Mike DeCeasar, said Saturday.
The festivities began Saturday with a speech at Philadelphia's historic 30th Street train as Obama's trip began.
Sunday's concert at the Lincoln Memorial includes performances by Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and others. Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah will read historic passages. HBO paid $2.5 million for the exclusive rights to broadcast the concert.
Monday, the inaugural committee is hosting a national day of service, followed by three "bipartisan dinners" and a concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. The Disney Channel will broadcast the concert, which includes performances by teen stars Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, as part of a $2 million deal that also gave ABC the exclusive rights to broadcast one inaugural ball.
The television deals allowed the committee to recoup about $5 million of the $15 million production costs for the televised events, Douglass said.
Security and transportation costs are being paid by taxpayers. And with millions of tourists expected to descend on Washington for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony, Bush declared a state of emergency, allowing the district to recover some costs for the event.
The inauguration committee is paying for 10 stadium-style screens to broadcast the inauguration ceremony on the National Mall. It is also hiring garbage and recycling services and renting thousands of portable toilets for what one supplier called "the largest temporary restroom event in the history of the United States."
Obama has pledged transparency in his inauguration fundraising. He has disclosed inaugural donors as the fundraising continued, though he is not required to do so until after the ceremony.
Many of the fundraisers are well-known moneymen and women in Democratic circles. Those leading the list raised at least $300,000. They include two of Obama's top campaign fundraisers: Louis Susman, who retired this month as vice chairman of banking giant and government bailout recipient Citigroup, and billionaire Hyatt hotel heiress Penny Pritzker.
FESTUS
IN OMNIA PARATUS
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Former Military Police
DC is also declaring the area a natural disaster area in order to divert federal emergency funds to pay for part of his inauguration. So much for helping people stricken from the floods and actual natural disasters that have happened this winter. This was reported on Fox news 3 days ago.
"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
VA State CCW Holder!
^
D.C. is a Natural disaster under normal circumstances. This will be a damn catastrophe.
This should serve as yet another indicator of which sector of the population will be doing the sacrificing for the betterment of our economy. But, then again, when you can play with numbers in the billions and trillions, 150 million dollars looks like pocket change..
They never say a tax dollar they could not squander. More fleecing of the sheep.
By faith Noah,being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear,prepared an ark to the saving of his house;by the which he condemned the world,and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith Heb.11:7
fuzeme
Obamanation Inauguration I voted for Obama, but not for this kind of inaugural stupidity. He claims to be all about change, but this is just more of the same wasteful spending and misguided priorities.
We have countless millions struggling in poverty, without adequate housing, food, or healthcare.
The inauguration should be quick, simple, private, and cheap, not just another excuse to party while those less-fortunate continue to suffer.
Don't you hate it when the Kool-Aid leaves a bad aftertaste?Originally Posted by fuzeme
Not Negotiable, A Right
I voted libertarian. My first I told you so, saved for posterity
MOST of the funds Obama is using for this event are saved funds (left over). Most entertainers have donated thier services for the lavishness, and importance of the event. Not only is it a celebration to bring in the new president. This is also a party to celebrate the worst president in US history leaving office, and showing that america can still unite without division and that race is finally a dwendling area in the us. This is the party of all partys, no different the the last two ho downs from the past.
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