This is an inauguration...not a superbowl.

[muffincakes]

Some people will seize on any excuse for pomp and circumstance. The only part of it that *really* annoys me is that they're using MY tax money for it. If they want to throw a big flashy party, they could at least have the decency to pay for it out of their own damn pockets.

160 million dollars...as opposed to Bush's 24million and Clinton's 33 million dollars. Oh well, no skin off our backs right? -_-

You have to remember: after Bush's presidency, 160 million us dollars only buys what 24 million used to before Bush got done with the country.

Actually, the inflation during Bush's presidency was less than during the Clinton presidency,

Did I mention the Clinton presidency?

Hmm, seems that when it comes to reading comprehension, we found One Child that got Left Behind!

Was it you? Speaking of comprehension, I was obviously referring to the fact that comparatively, prices grew higher during the previous presidency, which apparently, you, the self-titled 'Child left behind' didn't understand. Don't you know that it isn't a good idea to point out that you lack the basic comprehension skill learned in school? Oh wait, I forgot who I was talking to. Of course you wouldn't comprehend that. Well, now you know...and knowing is half the battle.

 

[John Galt]

Actually, her anger comes from being an Objectivist who thinks there's almost no legitimate reason to spend tax money. She's just telling a half-truth by not making that clear.

*Hears the Objectivist Warning Conch being blown. Rushes into the fray, keyboards a blazing.*

Well, I'm still pissed. Sure it's only a few cents when you split it up between the taxpayers, but it adds up. It's bad enough that our money is wasted in Washington, but to see perfectly good money be put to use for a media circus just awakens the withered seeds of anger Rand planted in me. There's still people who don't believe the hype, and what better way to dissuade your critics than to do something that runs counter to their estimation of you? How about shuffling some of that money into a nice fund for a school district or road construction? It doesn't have to be anything monumental, but anything's better than splurging on a party like this. I find it hard to take him seriously as he espouses his desires to actually solve problems when he starts off with a massive media event like this. It just makes all his rhetoric seem less sincere.

 

[elricik]

I loved it because I got out of morning classes to watch it today.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

Actually, her anger comes from being an Objectivist who thinks there's almost no legitimate reason to spend tax money. She's just telling a half-truth by not making that clear.

*Hears the Objectivist Warning Conch being blown. Rushes into the fray, keyboards a blazing.*

Well, I'm still pissed. Sure it's only a few cents when you split it up between the taxpayers, but it adds up. It's bad enough that our money is wasted in Washington, but to see perfectly good money be put to use for a media circus just awakens the withered seeds of anger Rand planted in me. There's still people who don't believe the hype, and what better way to dissuade your critics than to do something that runs counter to their estimation of you? How about shuffling some of that money into a nice fund for a school district or road construction? It doesn't have to be anything monumental, but anything's better than splurging on a party like this. I find it hard to take him seriously as he espouses his desires to actually solve problems when he starts off with a massive media event like this. It just makes all his rhetoric seem less sincere.

Well said John Galt...well said indeed. You've summed up my entire thoughts on this whole charade.

 

[WolfLordAndy]

In the UK, the news was all about it, and Sky One showed 2 hours of it... I didn't watch.

But hurray for you Americans

Kenya was also partying down, as Obama's dad was born in Kenya. (Which I did not know until today!!)

 

[Liverandbacon]

I found it funny when he forgot what he was supposed to say and had to start over

The judge was actually saying the oath wrong, that is why he stopped.

Even if that hadn't been the case, it would still be understandable. I can only imagine how nervous I'd be if I were being sworn in as president.


As for the festivities, yeah, there's too much, but it doesn't really harm anyone, so it's fine.

And Pedro, though Bush was a terrible president, I would hardly call him a tyrant. Bumbling fool perhaps, tyrant no.

Edit: I guess the amount of stuff does harm people, because it must have cost a horrifying amount of money. They really should have cut it down a bit. Of course, I think the superbowl is an overblown cashwaster too.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

I found it funny when he forgot what he was supposed to say and had to start over

The judge was actually saying the oath wrong, that is why he stopped.

Even if that hadn't been the case, it would still be understandable. I can only imagine how nervous I'd be if I were being sworn in as president.


As for the festivities, yeah, there's too much, but it doesn't really harm anyone, so it's fine.

And Pedro, though Bush was a terrible president, I would hardly call him a tyrant. Bumbling fool perhaps, tyrant no.

Edit: I guess the amount of stuff does harm people, because it must have cost a horrifying amount of money. They really should have cut it down a bit. Of course, I think the superbowl is an overblown cashwaster too.

Yeah, but the superbowl is supposed to be an overblown cashwaster. Oh well, nothing we can do about it now, our taxes have already supported it anyways.

 

[JMeganSnow]

Your money has been used for much, much worse things. Take abstinance based educational funding in the southern states. Funny how those states now have the highest teen pregnancy rates in the US.

So what? This is like saying that if you've been brutally tortured and raped, it's okay to mug you because worse things have happened to you. I reject this idea wholesale. It's not legitimate to take my money for ANYTHING that I don't want, I don't care WHAT it is.

Obscene displays of pomp paid for with loot are characteristic of dictatorships, however, and a sad sign of the state of this country.

 

[JWAN]

Well you guys were just freed from eight years of tyranny. Frankly I don't know why you all aren't happier about the idea.

says the guy who lives in a country run by a bunch of French socialists

 

[Jack_the_Knife]

On the subject of inaugural festivities and how they're paid for, much does come from donations. From private companies, rich guys, etc.

 

[thedirtymex]

I would rather turn my TV on for the Superbowl than to watch the new US president
when is it on anyway. might have to take a day off work to watch it. GOOOO 10HD! yay

 

[John Galt]

You are not one of the critics who don't believe the hype that he's worried about, though.

I never said that I was one of those he should worry about, I just said that there are people who are going to take a cynical look at this. Whether or not he chooses to focus his godlike attention on those who don't approve of this sort of spectacle is his own choice. I just don't approve of it.

 

[Fearzone]

Who is John Galt?

 

[John Galt]

Who is John Galt?

Ooh! Ooh! I know this one!

 

[ZeroMachine]

I've actually avoided it all together, save for this thread. I've been gaming and watching a House marathon all day to enjoy my last day off from school. Class starts tommorow, and its my first time in over a year =X

Didn't feel like spending a day like this with politics.

 

[John Galt]

You are not one of the critics who don't believe the hype that he's worried about, though.

I never said that I was one of those he should worry about, I just said that there are people who are going to take a cynical look at this. Whether or not he chooses to focus his godlike attention on those who don't approve of this sort of spectacle is his own choice. I just don't approve of it.

I don't think he's really worried about cynics, though, either. He didn't get elected by cynics, and if he fails or succeeds in his actual presidency, what people thought of his inauguration isn't going to matter one way or the other.

To me, this hoopla about the cost is the same people who were cynical about him when he was running, so, anyone turned off by this, I think, was already turned off by him long before this.

Still grumpy...Now he's just throwing more fuel for the fires of discontent. GRUMP FOR THE GRUMP GOD! PESSIMISM FOR THE HALF-EMPTY THRONE!