I've read, seen, and heard all kinds of moaning and groaning over the 40 million dollar price tag for the inauguration.
Give me a break. Can we really afford, as a nation, to look like we can't celebrate our democracy in a world-class way? In this age of constant and instantaneous media coverage can we afford to have the President and his family seen blowing up balloons and making finger-food for the balls?
I'm sure all the media types are not turning back in their press credentials and skipping any of the events they can cover because of the price tag.
Network Voice Over: Welcome to Hypocritical Version of News with your anchor, Dan Truthstretcher.
Dan (straightening lapels and brushing dandruff off of tux): I'm here at my third Presidential Inaugural Ball and I have to tell you, all of this gourmet food makes me feel really bad for those tsunami victims. I couldn't eat a second dessert because I was so upset.
Dan grabbing champagne glass off of a tray...
Dan: I have to tell you, that as soon as I sober up I'm going to really dig into the President's National Guard records. How can we possibly believe he has nothing to hide after seeing the amount of champagne that is flowing here?
Dan holds hand to ear and listens to hidden ear piece...
Dan: Ladies and gentlemen...this just in...We have word that there is even better champagne reserved for the big donors to his campaign. Obviously, this is a cover-up of astronomical proportions. I won't rest until I find the facts I need to prove my agenda (CUT! Let me try that again). I won't rest until I find the facts I need to prove that the lying SOB (CUT!)....(CUT!)...right-wing agenda (CUT!)...Listen, I don't have time for this, I need to go check out this better champagne angle before they run out!
Posted by bbarton at January 20, 2005 07:41 AMMost of it comes out of private donors' wallets, and if that's how they want to spend it, ok, I guess. Would be nice if maybe they donated some of that to tsunami victims or even to buy some armour for the National Guard, but its their money. What I find truly reprehensible is that the Federal government is sticking the city of DC with a $12M bill for extra security. How would you feel if the President came to celebrate our democracy in your town and as a result your tax bill jumped and you had to cancel the purchase of a new fire truck?
Posted by: David on January 24, 2005 07:46 AMI wonder how much tax revenue was generated in hotels, restaurants, bars, and stores by the democracy celebration...
Posted by: Bob on January 24, 2005 03:19 PM
i *think* it's absolutely ridiculous that 40m is being spent on this party. it's not like it's his first one. i don't know how that man can attend a 40m function in good conscience.
Posted by: heidi on January 20, 2005 09:09 AMsickeningly RIDICULOUS.