Laura Bush insists the inauguration must go on

[emad]

Laura Bush insists the inauguration must go on
Though some call the event too extravagant for a troubled time, she upholds tradition
By JULIE MASON

Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
Reuters, AP

WASHINGTON - First lady Laura Bush on Friday defended next week's extravagant, $40 million presidential inauguration, saying even in times of war and devastation, the nation's symbols and ceremonies should be honored.

"They're a ceremony of our history. They're a ritual of our government. And I think it's really important to have the inauguration every time," the first lady said. "I think it's also good for Washington's economy, for people to come in from around the country, for the hotels to be full, and the restaurants to be full, and the caterers to be busy. I think that's important."

Critics, including some lawmakers and prominent Bush supporters such as billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, have questioned throwing a big party for a second-term president, particularly during wartime and so soon after the devastating South Asia tsunami.

"Could there be anything more confusing and shocking than to read that our country was offering $35 million in aid to the areas affected by the tsunamis, but that the cost of inauguration parties would be about $40 million?" Cuban said on his Web log. "Does anyone else think that this is wrong?"

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2993189

[3days]

1. What a tool

"I think it's also good for Washington's economy, for people to come in from around the country, for the hotels to be full, and the restaurants to be full, and the caterers to be busy. I think that's important."

It's also good to stick DC with the entire bill for security.

[Sal Minella]

7. Trickle-down Economics 101

When Reagan's brain-trust came up with T-D Economics I wrote a poem, to wit:

Today the sparrows have oats to eat.
The reason for that of course is
Yesterday the Emperor's men
Were feeding oats to the horses.

[No Exit]

17. Love your poem! n/t

[Warpy]

18. Karma would be

a massive attack in DC that could have been prevented had their homeland security fund not been looted to protect a bunch of overfed Repuglicans patting themselves on the back for stealing another election.

Hey, we saw Karmic retribution with St Reagan's Alzheimer's. We could see it again.

[Neanderthal]

31. For the record.....

would that be Good Karma or Bad Karma?

[nostamj]

2. "good for Washington's economy"? oh really pickles???

how about the MILLIONS in DC's Homeland Security funds that are being diverted to protect the the most hated man on earth from his own citizens?

[DawnneOBTS]

3. It should come out of their pocket!

Isn't that nice? W and co. give 10K to the Tsunami relief effort, even though they have like a gazillion dollars, and can write it off as a donation on their tax return, and taxpayers pay the whole 40M tab for the coronation. So, all-in-all, life is just a big freebie for them, and they say that they have it coming to them, that this is tradition. I thought this country wasn't a monarchy. Wasn't that what George Washington wanted to end-rule of the monarchy? How are these people getting away with this? I don't understand it anymore.

[LibDemAlways]

8. Does have kind of a "let them eat cake"

vibe, doesn't it? The rich, powerful, and connected deserve their party, paid for at our expense. Anyone who doesn't like it, tough shit.

[fortyfeetunder]

26. The last person who allegedly said "let them eat cake"

had a date with the guillotine.

Guess Bush's America are too stupid to challenge this ostentatious and pompous affair.

[nostamj]

9. the 40M (for the big parties)

is being donated by the corporate fascists who benefit from bushco, not taxpayers.

we DO pay for 'security' since * is so hated he's not safe anywhere on the planet.

[Ironpost]

4. Wrong, hell have the bushis done anything right.

When they start doing something right thats when I'll get worried. Real worried.

[Malva Zebrina]

5. what people?

"I think it's also good for Washington's economy, for people to come in from around the country, for the hotels to be full, and the restaurants to be full, and the caterers to be busy. I think that's important."

those who can afford to fly, those who can afford to eat in the posh restaurants, and pay for posh food spread on tables and for those who can afford to stay in posh hotels, one of which is offering ridiculous extravagance, such as a lear jet, such as rides to the parties in a humvee, such as a butler, and only $250,000 for four nights. Don 't forget those women who can afford designer clothes, furs, and jewels, like you, dear frump.

Enjoy your parties--I heard that you will wear a gown with awning pink stripes tot he Texas ball--first you wear upholstry, then you wear drapery, then you wear tablecloths, and now you have outdone yourself in the fashion department--you are going to wear an awning! and a very expensive one at that--even if you will have to rent a special room to retreat to every twenty minutes to smoke your cigarette.

[3days]

10. An awning, how classic

To provide shade for the shrub

[gypsy11]

6. Laura Bush is an asshole. n/t

[madrchsod]

13. she`s the other word in my way of speaking

which i only reserve for those who are in her lofty posistion of whoredom.

[bipolarity1]

23. Why in the world are her

approval ratings so high??? It's incredible. Last poll I saw even Democrats give he high marks. What's up with that?

[Skittles]

28. we are no fans of hers here

we see right through her act

[hiley]

11. The Media always

says Oh Laura everyone likes her and admires her...
Bull Shit !
She is greedy and as self-centered as her fucking husband.

[Clark2008]

16. I called her a doormat once at work and everyone looked at me

with abject shock!

Like, "OMG! There's someone on this planet who doesn't like Laura Bush?! How is that possible!"

:eyes:

[hiley]

32. You are right she is a

doormat ! I am surprized that they did not plan your demise, though.
Most of the "followers" are pretty uptight.:hi:

[LibDemAlways]

33. I once made a disparaging remark about her

in front of friends I thought were like-minded and they, too, were shocked that I would speak ill of "the first lady." Can't imagine why people don't notice that she makes Stepford wives look human.

[bkcc]

12. Translation:

"Let them eat cake."

Thanks, Laura. Keep on smiling.
:eyes:

[lavenderdiva]

19. my thoughts exactly...

what's the deal with the 'caterers must keep busy' comment? (sic)

[Justpat]

14. She is as much of an empty suit as her dimwitted husband.

What an arrogant bitch. Our little librarian certainly has big ideas
concerning her place in the universe.

[TomClash]

15. It's good for DC?

"I think it's also good for Washington's economy, for people to come in from around the country, for the hotels to be full, and the restaurants to be full, and the caterers to be busy. I think that's important."

Translation: The darkies and poor white trash who serve us will be able to get a few scraps off the table.

[neebob]

20. Well, of course she does.

It's also important for stupid wives to continue to allow themselves to be used as tools. It's tradition.

The sad thing is all the stupid Bush-worshippers who will never see a caterer being busy will think her comments are perfectly reasonable.

[leesa]

21. Well, she's bought her dress already...sheesh!

What does anyone find to be admirable about this empty headed flake.

[bipolarity1]

22. It was never going to be canceled!

[Proud2BAmurkin]

24. Stepford bitch

.

[grasswire]

25. her Oscar de la Renta...

...ball gown surely cost more than the $10,000 they gave to tsunami relief.

A beaded gown and satin coat for the inaugural ball

A "winter white" beaded dress and coat for the parade

A green gown for another ball

A striped gown for the Texas ball

Dresses for the "girls" -- according to the Post, one set of earrings the girls will be wearing cost $5,000.

I guess we should feel lucky they aren't "big hair" Republicans.

[passy]

27. WTF is up with that smile...

... did she get dropped in a vat of acid and have her face reconstructed by a dodgy surgeon in Gotham.
Anyway didn't 90% of the people in DC vote against *. Talk about rubbing it in.

[NVMojo]

29. the mimic wife speaks!!!

[SmokingJacket]

30. What a load of horseshit.

I loathe these people.