'Bush inauguration too lavish for wartime'

[emad]

IOL

`January 17 2005 at 02:53PM

By Caren Bohan

Washington - President George Bush is drawing heat over a $40-million (R242-million) splurge on inaugural balls, concerts and candlelight dinners while the country is in a somber mood because of the Iraq war and Asian tsunami.

As Bush prepares for his second-term inauguration on Thursday, his supporters plan to celebrate with fireworks and three days of parties, including a "Black Tie and Boots" ball and nine other balls.

Critics say the lavish celebrations are unseemly when United States (US) troops face daily violence in Iraq and Americans are being urged to donate money to alleviate the suffering in Asia, where the December 26 tsunami killed 163 000 people.

"I just think that the sobriety of the times dictate that we be mindful of the imagery of these things," said Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner of New York. In a letter, Weiner urged Bush to ask donors to re-direct their inaugural contributions to equipment for troops in Iraq, some of whom have complained of having to scrounge for scrap metal to protect their vehicles.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1105961401288B212

[chicagojoe]

1. Crash The Party. Be Very Rude.

[ProudVet]

15. Wrong

That would be stupid.

[SmokingJacket]

2. "Unseemly" is a nice way to put it.

I have a few other choice words.

[StClone]

3. If ever there was a chance to make hay.

It is now! How lavishly out of touch is BushCo?

- If Bush is so mandated and his war on terror so successful why the extreme security? Make light of it!

- Record debt, yet record money spent on an inaugural bash.

- We are at war, all other war-time inaugurations were subtle.

- We are at war with no end in sight and Bush seeks to reaffirm a narrow victory over a divided nation with a bash so excessive it carries the stench of privilege and Royalty.

- Shouldn't this be more a compassionate and religious event rather than a display of Royalty?

[TwilightZone]

4. As if they care.

They've shown no signs of being capable of any type of human compassion, so I doubt that they'll start now.

I'm surprised that Bush hasn't claimed that his "mandate" entitles him to spend $50 million on the inauguration.

[HereSince1628]

5. Well, a different view,though I may be deluding myself

The inaugural merriment is both only unseemly and expensive.

Every dollar that Bush supporters spend on this is a dollar not available for their other schemes.

If they want the image problem I say let them have it.

Although they control the American press, I expect The Mirror, Le Monde, or some other less friendly paper to have interesting side by side photo comparisons of a laughing Bush dancing and burning wreckage/casualties in Iraq.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[aden_nak]

7. Actually, it's our party.

Since I do believe we end up paying for it.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[aden_nak]

9. D.C. is not being reimbursed for their expense.

Which I have seen range from $5-11 million, relative to the security. It comes directly out of their Homeland Security fund, which in turn is doled out at the federal level.

[Rose Siding]

10. He needs a lesson from someone with some class

...Several sites draw unflattering contrasts between Bush and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who for his 1945 inauguration eschewed a parade and had a few people over for a buffet of chicken salad and pound cake.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12487-2005Jan15.html?nav=hcmodule

[Cell Whitman]

11. Moon Funnels $250,000 To Bush Inauguration

They gots plenty of cash even True Pappy Moon has ponied up the max 250 g's for this one. You think Moon will fly into town and take Pickles for twirl around the old dance floor?

Larry Zilliox ran down the fronts used by Moon to pony up the max donation to the child king's inaugural. Larry's the one who keeps the list of Moon fronts you can find HERE.


John Gorenfeld has the details.

Moon Funnels $250,000 To Bush Inauguration

http://www.iapprovethismessiah.com/

____

hey, if you want to read where billions to build the Moon "empire," finance Bush inaugural and the theofascist's takeover of our government came from - read the sections and end notes starting at #45 here:

http://cellwhitman.blogspot.com/

[newyawker99]

17. Hi Cell Whitman!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Cell Whitman]

18. thanks newyawker99

It's nice to be here.

So far, everywhere I go someone says hell-o and starts drinking. heh

Makes me feel right at home as THIS is one of my favorite sites. And THIS
a favorite article from same.

[fooj]

12. These people don't give a rat's ass for anyone but themselves!

Self-serving heathens...they make me ill!:puke:

[FrenchieCat]

13. Since the twins' dresses have already been designed.....

they have to go through with it!

They really just don't give a damn! Never have, and never will.

[ProudVet]

14. No True Leader

You lead by example. Bush is not setting a good example allowing this amount of money to be wasted on something so meaningless.

[Vinca]

16. Poor taste at its worst.

What's more embarrassing than having George W. Bush as president? Having him flaunt it while soldiers and innocent civilians are dying in Iraq and millions in southeast Asia are suffering. This must be the "tackiest" act by any president and that includes a certain Dem. with a certain intern wearing a certain blue dress.