Should Obama have an austere, understated inauguration bash?

[Atman]

I was pretty disgusted at the extensive, lavish balls and parties the Bush's threw, and the world wasn't even in the toilet then. I heard Obama already called for the cancellation of the fireworks on inauguration night, but what about the overall theme? Is it right to have the President attending lavish, multi-million-dollar black tie parties while so many millions of Americans are suffering? I admit, I'm going to be bummed if I see a massive king-ly coronation. This is a time to lead by example, imho.

Celebration is a good thing, and a certain amount of it is warranted/needed after the last eight years of hell America has been through. But does it have to be obscenely lavish?

.

[Lumpsum]

1. Having a huge bash would send the wrong message, I think that's why he cancelled the fireworks.

He'll have a nice inauguration party, no doubt, but it will be reserved.

[stray cat]

2. Respectful but understated - absolutely

[blm]

3. I think most Dems would prefer a toned down celebration for a country with many citizens on the edge

of poverty or in poverty already.

[OneBlueSky]

4. have everyone bring canned goods for food banks . . .

okay, it's a bit hokey for an inauguration . . . but it sure as hell would send a message . . .

[CTyankee]

7. We can all encourage that right now. It's a good xmas time activity for an office

or a company to do as well.

My granddaughter's Girl Scout troop planted and cared for a plot of land donated by a local organic farmer for the express purpose of donating the food to a food bank. I was proud of her...

[bunkerbuster1]

10. Not hokey at all.

If anyone could pull it off and make such an enterprise productive and self-sufficient, I'd think it would be team Obama.

Hell, put a team of bicyclists on generators that would power the damn thing. Works for me.

(only partly kidding about that last thing.)

[Glorfindel]

5. No, and I'm sorry he cancelled the fireworks

It should be an immense, joyous celebration that FINALLY our long nightmare of Repuke domination is at an end. The bigger the better, as far as I'm concerned.

[Not the Only One]

14. I agree with you.

Stupid symbolism doesn't do much for me. If they wanted to raise the money and use it for something else like food banks and shelters for abused women and kids, that might be different. But just telling people not to raise money and spend money on the inauguration doesn't really help anyone, does it?

[Lorien]

6. It should neither be decadent nor austere

it should reflect the joy the world has about this election, and, of course, HOPE-but that doesn't mean that it has to be lavish in terms of cost. There's a happy medium there somewhere. I think fireworks would have been appropriate if the display wasn't over the top. Hell, there are massive fireworks displays every night around my town (Orlando).

[gorbal]

8. He can cancel the fireworks and still hold a real bash

Something tells me the performers won't ask for a commission, and he can take his picks of celebrities to make appearances.

[gollygee]

9. Austere? No.

It should be a reasonable celebration, which can certainly be black tie. But it doesn't have to be over the top and an attempt to outdo anyone else's inauguration.

[Orsino]

11. Yes. By the time Inauguration Day comes...

...the economic crisis be be hurting a majority of Americans. Obama's celebration should be austere.

[TygrBright]

12. I think he should go for ordinary. Celebratory without going overboard.

People need a chance to kick up their heels a bit. I'm guessing the schedule will be heavier on "public"-type appearances and parties, and very light on "exclusive" swanky do-s.

A general tone of hope and optimism and rolling up the sleeves for a big job ahead.

Whatever. What I think isn't a patch on the team he's got working with him.

We finally have a leader who's way smarter than I am. I don't have to second-guess him, worry about what decisions he's going to make or how he's going to carry them out. I can chill out, he's got it.

Not to mean I won't kibbitz with enthusiasm, complain loudly when I don't like the direction he's going in, etc.

But whatever they do, it will be, above all, well-thought-out and COMPETENT.

Such bliss.

happily,
Bright

[MiniMe]

13. I was most disgusted at the fact that it was Bush's 2nd inaugeration

and for that it was totally overdone. Barack and Michelle will choose the tasteful route. But it should definitely be a formal occasion and not austere at all.