BUSH Makes DC Pay Inaugural Expenses - Does his arrogance know no bounds?

[liberalpragmatist]

U.S. tells D.C. to pay inaugural expenses
City will divert funds from homeland security projects
By Spencer S. Hsu

The Washington Post

Updated: 12:46 a.m. ET Jan. 11, 2005

D.C. officials said yesterday that the Bush administration is refusing to reimburse the District for most of the costs associated with next week's inauguration, breaking with precedent and forcing the city to divert $11.9 million from homeland security projects.

Federal officials have told the District that it should cover the expenses by using some of the $240 million in federal homeland security grants it has received in the past three years -- money awarded to the city because it is among the places at highest risk of a terrorist attack.

But that grant money is earmarked for other security needs, Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) said in a Dec. 27 letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua B. Bolten and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Williams's office released the letter yesterday.

Williams estimated that the city's costs for the inauguration will total $17.3 million, most of it related to security. City officials said they can use an unspent $5.4 million from an annual federal fund that reimburses the District for costs incurred because of its status as the capital. But that leaves $11.9 million not covered, they said....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6810085/

[leftchick]

1. In a word?

NO! :grr:

[RhodaGrits]

2. The city should deny him a permit to assemble. No problem.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[JerseygirlCT]

10. Seems to me DC has nothing to lose here

politically speaking, they hate this administration. They lack money and adequate representation to boot.

Saying "no" can't hurt, and will of course force Bush to back down. What else can he do? It's a no-win for him and a no-lose for DC.

I hope they push it to the max.

[pnorman]

3. The Mayor should provide enough traffic cops and meter maids

appropriate to a minor rock concert. If Bush feels that to be "inadequate", he can "privatize" it ---- turn it over to those who have invested so heavily in him --- let THEM foot the bill.

pnorman

[Spinzonner]

4. Blue Flu Outbreak

[Todd B]

5. So, essentially...

..he is diverting funds designed to protect the citizens of Washington DC to protect himself and his party goers?

Wow, now THAT is a compassionate "president", eh?

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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[gnofg]

8. everybody else

pays but me. This is a guy who has bankrupted every business he ever started, what makes you think this would be different

[ScaRBama]

9. I think GB....

and all his big oil buddies should pay for it. I'm pretty sure even his Saudi friends would throw in a few million.

[spanone]

11. Bush says to use Homeland Security Funds.

Boy this is ONE arrogant prick. When will people realize that this dickhead doesn't give a shit about them?