Seriously, just saw this story on tv... retarded.

I voted for Obama and this kind of irks me too.

I realize that 50 million isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of 700 billion dollar bailouts, but I would think that in these incredibly tough economic times he would try to scale back the celebration just a little so that it appears he's in tune with America.

I realize every time something like that is done, it's purely for show, but I think he should do it nonetheless.

I find it hard to blame Obama for this. Large crowds in cities are costly.

Fenty predicted costs for the city would near $50 million, the same amount Congress provided to both Denver, Colorado, and St. Paul, Minnesota, to host the Republican and Democratic conventions earlier this year.

Record-breaking numbers of people, he said, mean more services: "More buses, more federal cooperation, more emergency medical service workers, more police officers needed, more hotel rooms needed, more streets that are going to have to be closed, more water in case it's hot and more places to stay if it gets particularly cold and people need some type of hypothermia relief."

Well, the usual excuse is "if rich fat cats didn't continue buying yachts, where would all the yacht builders be without jobs????" so I suppose it can be used for the Democratic guy too, eh?

It's all about appearances, sure.

Still, what is the breakdown of spending? I imagine even trying to look "thrifty" these things cost a bundle just in road/transit control and extra police, and a look at TFA seems I'm right - they're talking about the costs the city has to bear, not how much Obama is spending on balloons or fancy bunting or anything like that. Just the port-a-pots for the Mall are going to be insane.

Similarly all the articles screaming about how people are getting the day off of work - it's all about the traffic from HELL that is going to happen on that day. Traffic in DC is crazy on normal days, if I lived there I'd take the day off for the inauguration myself, and stay home.

How much would be considered reasonable ?

Mordant: How much would be considered reasonable ?

Tree-fiddy.

So now you're going to try this?
Keep on flailing and failing, freepers.

Dread Pirate Slasher: Mordant: How much would be considered reasonable ?

Tree-fiddy.

Git outta here, you got' damned Loch Ness Monstah!

CougarJeff: So now you're going to try this?
Keep on flailing and failing, freepers.

I'm not trying to piss anyone off, but I'd like to ask a question.

How come anytime there is a thread with something negative about the right or left, it turns into a "oh great, the other team is up to their old tricks". Isn't it possible that there might be a legitimate criticism posted? It just seems a little odd that it's a "my team versus your team" mentality when the two parties are more alike than different.

If nobody spends any money, the economy tanks that much faster, retards.

PacersJAM3s: How come anytime there is a thread with something negative about the right or left, it turns into a "oh great, the other team is up to their old tricks". Isn't it possible that there might be a legitimate criticism posted? It just seems a little odd that it's a "my team versus your team" mentality when the two parties are more alike than different.

Well, this article is pretty much "both parties do it," yeah, but looking at the actual content, seems it's for charges that are just unavoidable for having events that WILL draw hordes from all over the country to pack the city. I.e. it shouldn't really be such a criticism for either side. It's just the headline that seems to try and spin this into "oh look the Democratic guy is spending tons of money, what a hypocrite."

I suppose if they didn't have ANY event at all they could save money, but I wonder if people would still pack the capital hoping to see a glimpse of it.

When you get right down to it, both Democrats and Republicans (and all people) are full of shiat, and that means they need lots of port-a-pots on the Mall, and those cost $$$.

PacersJAM3s: How come anytime there is a thread with something negative about the right or left, it turns into a "oh great, the other team is up to their old tricks". Isn't it possible that there might be a legitimate criticism posted? It just seems a little odd that it's a "my team versus your team" mentality when the two parties are more alike than different.

Possible? Yes.
Probable? No.

I live in downtown DC and I don't think America truly gets the picture here. The number of people inside the DC city limits is going to DOUBLE. Not only that, it will double for two days in the middle of the week in the middle of January. The government isn't even sure cell phones will be working. There are over 500,000 hotel rooms in the DC area and they are all booked.

50 million dollars isn't even close to enough. DC public services is going to go bankrupt for the year by January 21.

In all honesty, where is that $50 million going?

To the economy.

floor9 - In all honesty, where is that $50 million going?

I think

itazurakko 's post might help answer that question.

When you get right down to it, both Democrats and Republicans (and all people) are full of shiat, and that means they need lots of port-a-pots on the Mall, and those cost $$$.

Down the toilet.

/good luck DC residents
//glad I won't be there

Why can't he just cancel the entire thing? Some people would pout but he would certainly send a message. Are there rules against such an action?

angryjd: I live in downtown DC and I don't think America truly gets the picture here. The number of people inside the DC city limits is going to DOUBLE. Not only that, it will double for two days in the middle of the week in the middle of January. The government isn't even sure cell phones will be working. There are over 500,000 hotel rooms in the DC area and they are all booked.

50 million dollars isn't even close to enough. DC public services is going to go bankrupt for the year by January 21.

I don't live there obviously, but thanks for your perspective. I was going to post something about how people aren't realizing how much accomodating the sheer number of people expected to attend will cost. Even if they decided to hand out fewer tickets or something, people would keep pouring into the area on Inauguration Day. It's that historic and this candidate inspired great enthusiasm from his supporters as well. However they did it, DC would be absolutely packed.

On the plus side for the city, all those people will spend money, so the city will get more tax dollars. They'll probably be alright. Cities usually want to host big events for that reason.

chrisco123: Why can't he just cancel the entire thing? Some people would pout but he would certainly send a message. Are there rules against such an action?

did FDR cancel his in 1929?
Did Lincoln cancel his in 1861 or 1863?
No.
Some of this is about the psychological impact think ind of thing has on the american people. The positive one.

SilentStrider: did FDR cancel his in 1929?

er, 1932, I mean.

/channeling Joe Biden.

Hey look, the Republican economic conservatives are back? Where have you guys been for the last eight years?

floor9: In all honesty, where is that $50 million going?

To the economy.

Exactly. We're not exactly outsourcing the security and other thing for the inauguration. So where is the 50 million going, into the pockets of Americans who are working the event or providing some service for it.

...

It's okay subby, I'm sure you only ever spend money on American made products that support our economy here at home.

Ahhh farkit... who am I kidding? If he wasn't spending anything on it (impossible, but just for example) you would be saying that he is disrespecting the Office of the Presidency. It really doesn't matter what he does or doesn't do, you're going to say you don't like it and you can come up with a hundred excuses as to why. Your false outrage is only eclipsed by your false sense of righteousness.

My favorite part will be when you find yourself in a situation where something Obama has done has directly affected your life for the better. Maybe it is a tax cut or your loved one doesn't end up getting shipped back out to Iraq. What it will be isn't important... the important part is how conflicted you will be when you're conflicted as hell because something good happens to you and the only way you can make it fit into your carelessly crafted world-view is to bite the hand that feeds you. It will be beautiful and I hope I witness that moment when it happens to you.

In the meanwhile, just know that the rest of us are paying attention to how much of a piss poor loser you are being. Good luck with that. I'm sure that is exactly what you were going for. I'm sure Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, the asshat running LGF, and the people who put our country in this position applaud your efforts.

But just to be clear, so there is no error in decoding what I've said here... I think you're pathetic and lack the cognitive capacity to see passed your own bias.

How much did the Idiot Emperor spend on his TWO parties?

Good for him. That should help stimulate the DC economy.

lajimi: How much did the Idiot Emperor spend on his TWO parties?

George Bush would never recklessly spend excess amounts of money because he is a fiscally conservative Republican.

GAT_00: lajimi: How much did the Idiot Emperor spend on his TWO parties?

George Bush would never recklessly spend excess amounts of money because he is a fiscally conservative Republican.

The "conservative Independents" around here certainly rode his ass mercilessly over it. When pressed they would often mumble something about cutting spending before going back to their fiery rhetoric against the Libs.

chrisco123: Why can't he just cancel the entire thing? Some people would pout go completely postal.

ZOMG!! HE WAS SEEKRITLY SWORN IN ON THE KORAN!11!! BY OSAMA BIN LADEN HIMSELF. !1twentyleventy!

PacersJAM3s: I voted for Obama and this kind of irks me too.

because you retarded?
because he should make it TINY?
he is going to get sworn in
he is going to do it in public
many people will want to see it LIVE
this requires security
they are going to throw a party
(which in DC means 5,000 parties)

the idea that we should cancel the party is, is, is insane? irrational?
is NYC canceling the NYE ball drop? no
is anyone canceling their xmas or NYE plans? no (sure you might spend less, but you still are celebrating)

what's left are a bunch of frugal nuts and whiners
HELLLOOOOOOO
we one
get over it

the economy sucks?
get over it

spending money is the ONLY way to recover from a recession/depression

imagine how bad things would be if EVERYONE decided to not spend any money except on rent/morgage and food for the next 2 months

no movies, no clothes, no cars, no books, no going out to dinner, NOTHING

now imagine how screwed the economy would be?

namatad:

the economy sucks?
get over it



/ ain't no kool-aid like Obama kool-aid

Can someone direct me to these so-called intelligent conservative columnists/thinkers?
Almost all the attacks on Obama have been of this extraordinarily lame variety.

I think they're just a myth, like Bigfoot or Tom Brady's talent.

I hate the whole inaugural celebration concept. Our elected officials give themselves what essentially amounts to a victory parade. It's no wonder they don't think they're there to serve us when they start their term with a coronation. We hire them to do a job and on their first day, instead of getting down to business, they throw a party.

Hi guys, is this The Apologists Convention?

Klingon Penis: Can someone direct me to these so-called intelligent conservative columnists/thinkers?

Pajamas Media and National Review Online are a good place to start. Although I'm thinking you probably aren't really interested in intelligent discussions of conservative topics, you just can't stand anyone who doesn't worship the Obamaessiah.

I recall that it is largely or entirely privately funded, so what he is doing is convincing people with plenty of extra money to spend it on merchandise and labor. About the best thing that can happen for economic growth.

I'm looking forward to seeing him snap his fingers and make 3 million jobs appear. A real leader would go ahead make 3 billion jobs while he has his magic wand out, what's this guy's problem?

This is a milestone inauguration. fark any of you who think it shouldn't be a big deal or should be canceled.

News flash, mouthbreathers: This isn't Obama tooting his own horn. These people want to show up, and will do damn near anything to get there. He's not out there corralling people, begging them to pretty-please show up at his inauguration.

This money is largely being spent to contain and provide for the people that are going to show up regardless of whatever happens. Weather, economy, or otherwise.

If Obama is going to ask the people to sacrifice their hard earned money to taxes. How about sacrifice some of those millions of donations he raised for his inauguration.

The trickle-down effect is only good when Republicans do it.

Scott Thrust: Klingon Penis: Can someone direct me to these so-called intelligent conservative columnists/thinkers?

Pajamas Media and National Review Online are a good place to start. Although I'm thinking you probably aren't really interested in intelligent discussions of conservative topics, you just can't stand anyone who doesn't worship the Obamaessiah.


Is this the sort of "intelligent discussion" one can expect at PM & NRO?

50 mill is a snip to rid ourselves of the thieving bastard republicans. He can spend another billion on his inauguration with my blessing.

/straws
//keep clutching

Aeonic_Blue: This is a milestone inauguration. fark any of you who think it shouldn't be a big deal or should be canceled.

I'm not saying it should be cancelled. I'm saying he shouldn't be using our taxpayer monies to give his sermon to his followers.

The economy has tanked since Obama's been president. This isn't the kind of leadership he should be showing right now. What is he saying that we need to save money and then spends $50 mil on his inauguration party? He's talking out of two sides of his mouth.

Aeonic_Blue: This is a milestone inauguration. fark any of you who think it shouldn't be a big deal or should be canceled.

Milestone? It's just a new face on the same old policy, or rather allowing an american idol moment to happen during a failed policy as the rats jump ship. fark this puppet.

Scott Thrust: Pajamas Media and National Review Online are a good place to start.

Uh, Pajamas was founded by the guy who runs Little Green Footballs, and carries Michelle Malkin. If that's the sort of columnists you consider "intelligent thinkers"... holy crap.

NRO used to be respectable, but they lost their way this election.

To give you a number (and yes I will also post the link) Bush' 2nd Inaug the security alone cost 20million.

http://www.etalkinghead.com/archives/bush-inauguration-costs-much-ado-about-not h ing-2005-01-22.html

Now, imagine that we were electing a black official (stupid racists aside) I can understand why he might chose to spend a little more, say 20-30million on security, especially with so many more in attendance.

Now the snippet at the end is from the NYT, it suggests Bush's 2nd ran close to total of 40million, which, if you add in the extra 10mil for security, would be equal to that of Obama. But then you factor in more than twice the attendance and I would wager the amount being spent per visitor is far less than what Bush spent.

NYT 'The Presidential Inaugural Committee raised at least $8 million through last week toward a tab that could top $40 million. Most of the money is coming from wealthy individuals and corporations, which can contribute up to $250,000.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/31/politics/31money.html

/Rational thought > knee jerk reactions

spending like this stimulates the economy.
lots of people are making money off this inauguration.
you people act like this money is going overseas somewhere never to be seen again.

Death to America: Aeonic_Blue: This is a milestone inauguration. fark any of you who think it shouldn't be a big deal or should be canceled.

Milestone? It's just a new face on the same old policy, or rather allowing an american idol moment to happen during a failed policy as the rats jump ship. fark this puppet.

Well, I guess you're right.

The election of an african-american to the nation's highest office (and by proxy, one of the most powerful positions in the world), is actually turned into complete bullshiat because you don't agree with his policies. fark this guy! America, you should be ashamed of yourself!

McCain/Palin 2012!!

This argument was retarded 4 years ago when some said Bush should have canceled his 2nd inauguration because.. well, whatever the stupid reason was they blathered about.

At least the Republicans are doing their part to alleviate the crowding by staying away.

ilambiquated: The trickle-down effect is only good when Republicans do it.

Bush spent $40 million on his SECOND inauguration. (new window)

Given inflation, and the fact that Obama is the first president with African American blood in him, and that this is his first inauguration, I think a celebration is in order.

An additional $10 million (20%) is appropriate.

It's funny...When W. had his inauguration bash in 2004, we were in the middle (and still are) of an incredibly expensive war, were growing the size of spending and the government at an unprecedented rate, and the GOP and right were justifying it at every turn. They spent $40 million on the bash and $20 million on security.

Now the shoe is being thrown at the other foot and everyone's outraged.

Nice. Good to see the behavior and thinking of Rove and Newt are still alive and well in the GOP.

Narcissist.