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Is anyone else tired of hearing about Obama and the Inauguration? - Page 3

post #61 of 239
1/18/09 at 7:32pm
Yes i am sick of it. Know why? Because i am not American, nor do i live in America, and i have to see this EVERY day on our local news, on the radio, in the paper. Ugh!
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post #62 of 239
1/18/09 at 7:34pm
Only $45 million of the $150 million expected cost is paid by "the fund." The taxpayers pick up the tab for the security, among other things.
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post #63 of 239
1/18/09 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by calico2222 View Post
Wow...$1200 for a sweet 16 party? I think mine cost maybe $100 and that included the pizza and tip for the delivery person. But, to each his own. If your family wants to spend that much on one party that is entirely your decision.

But I happen to agree with Cindy. Obama is all about helping people and "sharing the wealth", so why spend all this money on one day? Take the donations, and share the wealth. I would respect him more if he would take some of those donations and gave them to a soup kitchen or bought $1000 worth of blankets and gave them to the salvation army.
Because it's come up time and time again on this forum that people do not want to be taxed for this, for that, to support "those people" and don't want "their money" to be used for something other than what they wish to support.

But now, we see posts bashing Obama for not taking people's money donated specifically for the inauguration and spending it on something they had no intention of supporting.

Is that not a bit of a double standard?
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post #64 of 239
1/18/09 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippymjp View Post
Because it's come up time and time again on this forum that people do not want to be taxed for this, for that, to support "those people" and don't want "their money" to be used for something other than what they wish to support.

But now, we see posts bashing Obama for not taking people's money donated specifically for the inauguration and spending it on something they had no intention of supporting.

Is that not a bit of a double standard?
Yes, it is...Well said, Skippymjp
IMO, I'd rather pay for lots of security for the event than risk having an assasination & all the commotion and chaos (on oh-so-many levels) that would cause
Just from seeing all the "OBummer" and "Why must I hide my white pride?" stickers in my neck of the woods, I can only imagine how heightened the inaugral security needs to be
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post #65 of 239
1/18/09 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
It sends the message that excess is okay for politicians, just not for the masses. The money could be donated to a much better cause than a party.

Reminds me of, "let them eat cake"
If the money is donated by people for the purpose of the inauguration it become a restricted asset and Barack Obama can't use it for something else. That is our laws. Aside from which the money was given for the inauguration he shouldn't just arbitrarily decide that it should go somewhere else. If Bush had as many people interested in going to his inauguration as Obama, he would have had to spend more than he did also. These people are coming to Washington to see Obama sworn in. You can't not have security and logistics. What are they going to do? Not have a plan tell the millions they are on their own.

It is your right to think it is excessive but the American people have spoken. They are coming and there had better be accomadations made. I don't think Obama could scale it down or keep these people from coming even if he wanted to. And I don't think he wants to. But to say Obama could scale it back I think is unrealistic.
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post #66 of 239
1/19/09 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by neetanddave View Post
Only $45 million of the $150 million expected cost is paid by "the fund." The taxpayers pick up the tab for the security, among other things.
That's only one third Neet.
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post #67 of 239
1/19/09 at 9:02am
I don't believe that for a second that the money is a "restricted asset" but I 'm sure many people believe that. They weren't supposed to use our Social Security withholding for anything else either but we know how that worked out don't we. Make all the excuses you want for Barack, it doesn't change the facts, the dude does NOT walk the walk. But then, he never has and people elected him anyway.

Quote:
Originally Posted by peachytoday View Post
If the money is donated by people for the purpose of the inauguration it become a restricted asset and Barack Obama can't use it for something else. That is our laws. Aside from which the money was given for the inauguration he shouldn't just arbitrarily decide that it should go somewhere else. If Bush had as many people interested in going to his inauguration as Obama, he would have had to spend more than he did also. These people are coming to Washington to see Obama sworn in. You can't not have security and logistics. What are they going to do? Not have a plan tell the millions they are on their own.

It is your right to think it is excessive but the American people have spoken. They are coming and there had better be accomadations made. I don't think Obama could scale it down or keep these people from coming even if he wanted to. And I don't think he wants to. But to say Obama could scale it back I think is unrealistic.
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post #68 of 239
1/19/09 at 9:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
I don't believe that for a second that the money is a "restricted asset" but I 'm sure many people believe that. They weren't supposed to use our Social Security withholding for anything else either but we know how that worked out don't we. Make all the excuses you want for Barack, it doesn't change the facts, the dude does NOT walk the walk. But then, he never has and people elected him anyway.
You may not believe but you don't know for a fact either. Like I said you can have your opinion but it does not make it necessarilary true or what a majority believe in. I don't need to make excuses for Barack and I am not trying to. I have no emotional investment in Barack and try to look at things rationally. The fact of the matter is there is more interest in his inauguration and more people want to be a part of it than ever before and the amount of money spent on security and logistics reflect that interest. If people cannot understand the historical importance of this inauguration and appreciate it no matter what thier views there is really nothing more to say. While I am on the fence about Obama and will wait to see what happens before making an opinion I do recognize the historical aspect of him.
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post #69 of 239
1/19/09 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
That's only one third Neet.
And that was my point.

Here's an article about the overindulgence of it all.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Inaug...6665946&page=1

Among the expenses: a Bruce Springsteen concert, the parade, large-screen TV rentals for all-free viewing on the national Mall, $700,000 to the Smithsonian Institution to stay open and, of course, the balls, including three that are being pitched as free or low cost for the public.

But there are plenty of rich donors willing to pick up the tab.

"They are not the $20 and $50 donors who helped propel Obama through Election Day," said Massie Ritsch, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics. "These are people giving mostly $50,000 apiece. They tend to be corporate executives, celebrities, the elite of the elite."

The biggest group of donors were none other than the recently bailed-out Wall Street executives and employees.

"The finance sector is well represented, despite its recent troubles," Ritsch said. "Those who worked in finance still managed to pull together nearly $7 million for the inauguration."

The donors will get some of the best seats in the house for the inauguration, as well as admittance to some of the best balls and other events.



Every American should be appalled at this. Our tax dollars going to a bailout of these companies, and they have the unmitigated GALL to "sponsor" this?
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post #70 of 239
1/19/09 at 1:31pm
I am so over it I can not explain, without getting banned from TCS....

Every single word out of every single persons mouth today was Barak Obama..... It got to the point where I was reminded of a parrot... constantly repeating the same thing... I think that is why I am in such a foul mood... I wanted to rip my hair out.... Thankfully I am at work now, and have a little bit of a reprieve from it!

I am not going to argue who spent what money, although I do think the expenditure for this inaguration is REDICULOUS............... All I have to say is; is this an inaguration of a US president, or the second comming??????????????


It really has me quite terrified how much these people are so ardently devoted to this person.... Their faith is so BLIND............

I am not saying he is going to do something atrocious, but anyone can, and I fear that people would just brush it under the rug because He did it.......

This whole thing is truly silly......
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post #71 of 239
1/19/09 at 2:14pm
It's just like the old song says,

"It's our party, and we'll cry if we want to..."
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post #72 of 239
1/19/09 at 2:23pm
I live in Saint Paul, where the RNC was held. Local businesses were bombarded for months on end to donate to fund the convention. And the security was paid for by the tax payers. Same old stuff, different day.


I for one am thrilled I was working yesterday and sang along at the top of my lungs (doors closed) with Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger. I've got my radio all set to listen to NPR all day tomorrow.
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post #73 of 239
1/19/09 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by peachytoday View Post
There are always going to be people that have never liked Obama and never will like Obama no matter what. There will always be something that they do not like about him.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Something we've seen for the last 8 years...the only difference is who is doing the defending.

What I really want to know is if we're going to have to listen to the whole "the first African American President" for the entire 4 years. I get it right now. A) It is MLK Day. B) It is historic. But seriously...can we look at the man for more than the color of his skin? Or will any disparaging remark about his policies be labeled as "racist"?
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post #74 of 239
1/19/09 at 2:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by valanhb View Post
Or will any disparaging remark about his policies be labeled as "racist"?
I don't think that will be the general consensus, but I'm absolutely sure there will be those few that insist that it is.
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post #75 of 239
1/19/09 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neetanddave View Post
And that was my point.

Here's an article about the overindulgence of it all.
It's only overindulgence because it's not McCain's party
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post #76 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:01pm
No, because McCain would not have overindulged IMO.
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post #77 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
No, because McCain would not have overindulged IMO.
And IMO, he would have
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post #78 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by valanhb View Post
What I really want to know is if we're going to have to listen to the whole "the first African American President" for the entire 4 years. I get it right now. A) It is MLK Day. B) It is historic. But seriously...can we look at the man for more than the color of his skin? Or will any disparaging remark about his policies be labeled as "racist"?
I hope not. I get the significance and willing to let everyone to have their celebrations but I am much more interested in his intellect and how he is going to run the country. If we are truly going to get past the race issue we have to treat him as any other man. I am willing to give him a chance and I think he has started fairly well so far. A few hiccups but nothing I am going to get up in arms about. Wednesday though the game changes and then we can really see what is what.

And I hope the comedians get over their lament there is not much to make fun of him about. The bubble has to burst sometime. I think the SNL writers need to get on the ball. I can give them a couple of ideas if they need it.
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post #79 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:06pm
Ill just be glad when its over so we can get back to normal stuff on TV. TV is bad enough without having to watch this stuf all the time.
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post #80 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caleeko View Post
Ill just be glad when its over so we can get back to normal stuff on TV. TV is bad enough without having to watch this stuf all the time.
New House and 24 tonight. Woohoo!!
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post #81 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:30pm
In answer to the question in the title of this thread....

....NOPE!!! Can't get enough of it! I'm in inauguration heaven!!!
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post #82 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by peachytoday View Post
New House and 24 tonight. Woohoo!!
I caught the first four hours of the current season of 24 over the weekend- good stuff!

School all day tomorrow and in the evening, I'm looking forward to it.

I saw part of an interview on one of the talking head cable news channels where they were talking about Lincoln and how they were equating Obama being elected as the culmination of the vision that Lincoln had for the future of the country. The person also said that to be fair, people need to remember that Lincoln and Obama aren't interchangeable because Lincoln inherited a country that was on the brink of succession and civil war. The wars we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan pale in comparison to the climate the country was in during the early 1860s. I didn't listen to the rest if it, I stumbled on it during a commercial break while I was watching The Universe on the History Channel. It was about Einstein and his theory of relativity. I can't help it, I'm a geek.
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post #83 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by valanhb View Post

What I really want to know is if we're going to have to listen to the whole "the first African American President" for the entire 4 years. I get it right now. A) It is MLK Day. B) It is historic. But seriously...can we look at the man for more than the color of his skin? Or will any disparaging remark about his policies be labeled as "racist"?
I expect we will, Heidi. Apparently anything said in contradiction of "the One" is subject to being criticized as "racist."

MLK's dream has not come true, in fact it's quite the opposite.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippymjp View Post
It's only overindulgence because it's not McCain's party
I personally don't find much humor in the fact that millions of our tax dollars are going to be spent while the bigwigs "party down" in DC. Shoulda woulda coulda, but I'd wager what little money I've got that McCain wouldn't be having concerts and selling the rights to tv broadcasts.
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post #84 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neetanddave View Post
I personally don't find much humor in the fact that millions of our tax dollars are going to be spent while the bigwigs "party down" in DC. Shoulda woulda coulda, but I'd wager what little money I've got that McCain wouldn't be having concerts and selling the rights to tv broadcasts.
Oh poo, "overindulgence" is a word completely defined by each person's perception, except in the case where the excess becomes illegal. Just because it's Obama's inauguration, there are people that would consider pizza and beer and a dance at the local community center as "overindulgence".
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post #85 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:56pm
Sure, it's all about perception. And while ordinary citizens in this Country are struggling to pay their heating bills and buy groceries, there's $700,000 being spent for the Smithsonian Institution to stay open extra hours.

I call that overindulgence. You can disagree, but I'm fairly certain American families wondering where they will get the money to pay their rent with would agree it's excessive.
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post #86 of 239
1/19/09 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neetanddave View Post
Sure, it's all about perception. And while ordinary citizens in this Country are struggling to pay their heating bills and buy groceries, there's $700,000 being spent for the Smithsonian Institution to stay open extra hours.

I call that overindulgence. You can disagree, but I'm fairly certain American families wondering where they will get the money to pay their rent with would agree it's excessive.
So are you saying that none of the people that donated for this celebration are having financial difficulties?
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post #87 of 239
1/19/09 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by peachytoday View Post
New House and 24 tonight. Woohoo!!
Now, here is something we can agree on Peachy. 24!!!! The best show on TV.
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post #88 of 239
1/19/09 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippymjp View Post
So are you saying that none of the people that donated for this celebration are having financial difficulties?
Nope. Didn't say that at all. I'm discussing the taxpayer funds that are being used, not the private donations. What people do with their money isn't my concern: what the Feds do with my tax dollars is.

I think your crystal ball needs recalibrated , you've been guessing what several of us conservatives mean by various statements wrong for awhile now.
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post #89 of 239
1/19/09 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by neetanddave View Post
Nope. Didn't say that at all. I'm discussing the taxpayer funds that are being used, not the private donations. What people do with their money isn't my concern: what the Feds do with my tax dollars is.

I think your crystal ball needs recalibrated , you've been guessing what several of us conservatives mean by various statements wrong for awhile now.
Perhaps some clarity in posting would alleviate that

The military personnel are going to be paid wether they are in a parade, the band, providing security, or back at the barracks sleeping or polishing shoes. The Secret Service personnel will be paid wether they are providing security or back at "H" street counting bullets. Adding that expense into the total is pure propaganda number-crunching. Now overtime, fuel and closed businesses, that is a different story, but a very routine one for Washington. Selling TV rights is actually recouping money, not spending it.
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post #90 of 239
1/19/09 at 6:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippymjp View Post
Perhaps some clarity in posting would alleviate that

The military personnel are going to be paid wether they are in a parade, the band, providing security, or back at the barracks sleeping or polishing shoes. The Secret Service personnel will be paid wether they are providing security or back at "H" street counting bullets. Adding that expense into the total is pure propaganda number-crunching. Now overtime, fuel and closed businesses, that is a different story, but a very routine one for Washington. Selling TV rights is actually recouping money, not spending it.
I posted a link with pretty clear breakdowns of the "extra" expenses. Maybe since they weren't disguised as "tax cuts" you didn't recognize them.
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