Why the hell is it such a big deal this time round? Has been all I've seen or heard since last night. Are all the news channels in agreement that Dubya will blow up the world, so we're making everything as special as we can, because it'll be the last? I don't remember parades the last time he was inauguated. I also don't all this hoopla when Clinton was re-elected and re-inaugurated.

And, a friend briefly mentioned something about some kind of "police action" against a group of protesters that included billy clubs and tear gas against people. Anyone know the whole story behing that?

Well, you need to think back to 1996 a bit longer then. I think you meant to say that you don't remember all this hoopla, so that's what I'm going to reply to. Clinton had all the same hoopla then, it's just that his only cost 30 million whereas bush's is more along the lines of 40. I don't know if you can argue that the 10 million more is that much out of line since a majority of that is going to increased security. Regardless, I am sickened by the fact that we spend this much on a damn party. Doubly regardless is the fact that most of the money is corporate, but even so, it could have been put to better use. Just a bit more of Washington’s hypocrisy in which they tell us to tighten our belts to pay for their policies all the while they continue to buy gold encrusted toilet seats for the pentagon.

I meant, Clinton didn't have parades (that I can remember), and I also don't remember every other fucking channel showing him every three seconds.

I was 14 in 1996, you were probably 12/13.... I don't remember much about that time, much less paying attention to daytime news TV. That would probably be why you don't remember it, even if it were there.

Now that you mention it, I don't remember JFK EVER being inaugerated... we shouldn't do that anymore.

That is true, I didn't watch much new-esque channels, but you think that if they made as big a deal, it would of been inescapable like this one.

I seem to have escaped this one... I haven't heard much about it... except the guys on PTI were making a hoopla about the cost. Haven't watched much TV as of late.

Ahh. Watch TV quite a bit, and usually flip through all the channels when a commerical is on, so I managed to see a good portion of it just by flipping.

Ok, to answer the original question, the big hoopla is because this is the first inauguration since 9/11. At least that's what I keep hearing over and over again on TV. You can decide for yourself if that's enough of a reason for all of the extra stuff or not.

We're billions in debt, promising millions to help the tsunami people, and the people of California, and yet we find $40million to throw a two-day party, just because it's after 9/11.

Wow, that is insanly stupid. If that's the correct reason, I'm moving to Canada. Well, probably to Ireland instead

yes, its pretty sad


its like they need to throw a party after 9/11....."3000 innocent people died, lets have a huge party!!!!!"

wait, let me get this straight, 40 million dollars for a welcome back party? Sorry, but I don't think is that the typical cost of one of these things? If it is, i'm gonna be thoroughly upset.

If they are throwing this because of all that, then how come it isn't for EVERYONE? I mean, everyone was impacted one way or the other because of it, right? Is our national morale that horrible that we need to spend all this money to welcome back the idiot-son of an asshole?

I'm still ready to vote Clinton in there for another term.

Errrr.... 8 years ago for Clinton's inaugeration (sp) party, they spent $30 million. After 8 years of 3% inflation, that's $38 million. So, ummm... yeah... what's the problem with $40 million if Clinton was so good?

Odd how you want to vote for someone who is hardly owed all of the credit he receives. And exactly why was HW Bush an asshole? From all accounts I've heard, he's a pretty nice guy. And please read my previous post about your precious clinton's second inagural. Perhaps if you could use both sides of your brain you could see how things truly are, instead you only see them how you want them to be, decidedly to the left. Try dealing in facts and not rhetoric.

First off, it's a song by NoFX, that I had a link to but lost during one of my reformats. The chorus just has them chanting, "He's the idiot son of an asshole, he's the idiot son of an asshole...". NoFX really is a college band, so they are democrats, and they make it known.

Secondly, the entire reason I started this thread was because I was ticked off at the all-consuming media coverage. I mean, seriously, what the hell is the big deal about THIS inauguration? And, in theory, would it have of been such a large thing if Kerry had won?