150 million big ones...

[DanMa1156]

While I do think the cost is absurd, I think it should be noted Obama has raised $41 M of the money through private donations to defray that cost and the TV coverage will cover an additional $5-$15 M. And let's be honest, given the circumstances, I'd say he deserves the security protection that is going into this inauguration. It's a choice the American voters made.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Heard it is up to 170 now... Last Bush, I also heard, was a little under 50... Now show ME the money!

 

[FLYTPAY]

I just want one of those Jumbotrons for my backyard when we are finished with all the hooplah.

 

[Mumbles]

The cavalcade of celebutards that came out for the inaugural dry run reminded me of the Golden Globes last week. I think George Bush had Wayne Newton come out the last time. Welcome to the Access Hollywood/American Idol presidency... Not an indictment on the Man, per se, but this hooplah is really being manufactured by the media, (black people's justifiable excitement, notwithstanding.)

 

[FLYTPAY]

, (black people's justifiable excitement, notwithstanding.)

Although I did not vote for the man but will gladly serve under him, I think it is a great acheivement for anyone to be elected President. His election proved that the "underpriveleged" can make something great of themselves with hard work. His election proved that people will vote for someone because of the color of their skin just as some will not vote for someone because of the color of their skin. He needs to be supported and scrutinized at all times, just like every President. He needs to grasp this opportunity to fix the economy, continue to win the War on Terror, and make people embrace a can-do attitude to be successful. Now that the inevitable change of office is upon us, let's see fruition of the promises that were made, because God save us if the wrong person was elected, there will be social setbacks that this country cannot afford.

 

[exhelodrvr]

Yep, the cost of the inaugural celebration for our soon-to-be Commander in Chief. The salary of nearly 4,000 of the already 1 million plus who have lost their jobs in the last year due to the media imposed fanatic Capitalist financial 'crisis', caused by abundant greed and the continued outsourcing of manufacturing coupled with the general demise of 'ownership' in America through overseas production. But, behind closed doors, it's the empathy that WE hold and our pseudo-moral foundation as a country that has led us to this point. For us being the altruistic caring people we are, we have had to sacrifice our own strength to bring others into the fold. The symbiotic nihilistic economic relationship we have with China is an example. May the Great Spirit truly quell the little voice inside that says "America will never be what it once was, and I hope those that have guided us on this path know it's true course", because I truly feel nothing Messianic about this man that the media, T-shirts, Hollywood's cult songs and inner-city children school choirs have tried to make me believe. I took the Oath, God bless America....., and my full support begins January 20th, 2009.

Of course, the media was extremely critical of the cost of the second Bush inaugural, which was about half what this one will be. Just another example of how what was horrible when Pres Bush did it is now fine and dandy when Pres Obama does it.

 

[MasterBates]

FLYTPAY-

If you get one of those Jumbotrons, angle it so I can see it from the PUMA. My cable service leaves much to be desired here.

 

[Mumbles]

Although I did not vote for the man but will gladly serve under him, I think it is a great acheivement for anyone to be elected President. His election proved that the "underpriveleged" can make something great of themselves with hard work. His election proved that people will vote for someone because of the color of their skin just as some will not vote for someone because of the color of their skin. He needs to be supported and scrutinized at all times, just like every President. He needs to grasp this opportunity to fix the economy, continue to win the War on Terror, and make people embrace a can-do attitude to be successful. Now that the inevitable change of office is upon us, let's see fruition of the promises that were made, because God save us if the wrong person was elected, there will be social setbacks that this country cannot afford.

I'm pretty much in total agreement with you. However, I'd like to think that if I were the President elect that I would be the first one to pooh-pooh any comparison of myself to Lincoln (especially if I wasn't really from Illinois and the gravity of any crisis this country is facing pales in comparison to the secession crisis), Roosevelt (because his stimulus plan actually prolonged the Great Depression for several years), or even JFK (Camelot?? Whatever the hell that farce of a romantic notion was) or Truman (who transcended the corrupt Prendergrast machine of Missourri...kind of like slimey Illinois)....when I hadn't even been inaugurated yet...unless I was a total narcissist.

 

[Flash]

Getting back to the original subject, the cost of the Inauguration tomorrow, this one is different than any I have seen before. As someone who grew up in the DC area and have lived here for a long time, I have never seen the security preparations or the amount of people expected before. I believe it is projected to have more people attend than any other since 1964, and I believe it with all of the tourists around here the past few days.

They have never shut down all the bridges going into DC along with several of the interstates and a huge block of downtown before either. With all of the attendant security and logistics involved, some of which I have seen and know about, I am not at all surprised at the cost.

 

[HercDriver]

I'm pretty much in total agreement with you. However, I'd like to think that if I were the President elect that I would be the first one to pooh-pooh any comparison of myself to Lincoln (especially if I wasn't really from Illinois and the gravity of any crisis this country is facing pales in comparison to the secession crisis), Roosevelt (because his stimulus plan actually prolonged the Great Depression for several years), or even JFK (Camelot?? Whatever the hell that farce of a romantic notion was) or Truman (who transcended the corrupt Prendergrast machine of Missourri...kind of like slimey Illinois)....when I hadn't even been inaugurated yet...unless I was a total narcissist.

Sure. He should forget trying to meet with advisors to handle the pressing issues of the day and refute, line by line, anything he reads in the press about himself and comparisons being made. 'Cuz that really his the first job of a president.

Instead of getting hysterical before he makes any real decisions, I may wait a bit... sure getting worked up over conjecture feels great, but I have better things to worry 'bout right now.

 

[Mumbles]

Getting back to the original subject, the cost of the Inauguration tomorrow, this one is different than any I have seen before. As someone who grew up in the DC area and have lived here for a long time, I have never seen the security preparations or the amount of people expected before. I believe it is projected to have more people attend than any other since 1964, and I believe it with all of the tourists around here the past few days.

They have never shut down all the bridges going into DC along with several of the interstates and a huge block of downtown before either. With all of the attendant security and logistics involved, some of which I have seen and know about, I am not at all surprised at the cost.

I'd love to see what 395 looks like right now. It's supposed to be the staging area for Nat'l Guard troopers, NBC teams, heavy rescue, SWAT, etc... I also heard that the Wilson bridge might be closing as well tonight???? Maybe you won't be able to go to work after all Flash! Instead of going to the Immaculation... I think I might just rent a port-o-pot and put it in my living room, use it every 20 minutes, while I watch it on my HD plasma.

 

[PropAddict]

But the $150M ZOMG!!!!!111!!!!

You know? All this stuff sounds like big $$$$ to one person, but it's about $0.30 for each American, after you account for all the privately funded portions. That's not even a pack of gum. We couldn't have saved the auto industry (or even the porn industry) for that $$.

Flip it over: Obama has a small inauguration without all the pomp and publicity, just friends, family, and the requisite officials. Total cost? About $50 in cabs, metro fees, and KFC catering.

What would we say then? Something about secret shadow government, lack of transparency, cheapskate CINC, make us look like the poor cousins to the world, etc.

I'm sure there's excess somewhere. I'll leave the paperclip counting to someone else. For the size of this event? Seems about right. Costs add up quickly, especially with scale.

 

[Mumbles]

Sure. He should forget trying to meet with advisors to handle the pressing issues of the day and refute, line by line, anything he reads in the press about himself and comparisons being made. 'Cuz that really his the first job of a president.

Instead of getting hysterical before he makes any real decisions, I may wait a bit... sure getting worked up over conjecture feels great, but I have better things to worry 'bout right now.

Didn't mean to infer that it was his first order of bizness...
just that I would think that as a mere mortal I would feel uncomfortable with those incessant comparisons.:icon_wink

 

[picklesuit]

All that effort, time, and money...and I get stuck watching it on a CSPAN2 rerun because I'm in another Systems Trainer...not even the good one...now THAT'S sacrifice ladies and gentlemen

 

[zoomie08]

Now that the inevitable change of office is upon us, let's see fruition of the promises that were made, because God save us if the wrong person was elected, there will be social setbacks that this country cannot afford.

What type of "social setbacks" do you think will arise, specifically?