Inaugural Balls

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 20, 2005, 11:53 am

The various parties going on over the next few days cost in excess of $40 million. The money is, largely, donated and it is certainly a tradition. However, there are some 200,000 soldiers overseas with a worse life insurance policy than my fucking credit card gives me and nobody can even make a frikken phone call home. Do you think this sends a good message?

Fash · Post by **Fash** » January 20, 2005, 11:58 am

I voted yes....

but, I don't think a second term president should even have a second inauguration.

this is a bad comparison, parties to soldiers life insurance policies... it's not your money being spent, so who cares on what?... the super bowl next week is going to have 30 second spots that cost almost 2 million dollars, and lots of them... does this send a good message?... see one has nothing to do with the other.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 20, 2005, 12:04 pm

Your example has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm talking about. Companies pay for advertising in order to market their products to be sold.

If the money donated for these balls were, in turn, able to be used to sponsor telephone cards for the soldiers, wouldn't that be a better use of the money?

Kargyle · Post by **Kargyle** » January 20, 2005, 12:09 pm

Personally I wouldn't hold them, but I don't really have a problem with them being held. What I do have a problem with is the amount of money that is being spent on the whole fiasco. I read some where that the majority of the money is coming from corporate donations, but I still think it reflects poorly on the government and our nation to be wasting this kind of money while we having rising deficits, we are at war, and there's so many people in Indonesia trying to put their lives back together. This is the most expensive Inaugural Celebration in American history, and I just don't think this is the right time for record spending on things that aren't important.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » January 20, 2005, 12:16 pm

nothing to do with it? if coke/pepsi sponsored phone cards, wouldn't that be a better use of the money?...

yer walkin a fine line here, to touch on the tsunami issue, of being unappreciative of charity.

and.... we're sending 350+ million dollars over in tsunami aid, but can't provide our own soldiers with phone access?.. talk about sacrifice...

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 20, 2005, 12:22 pm

The money gets donated to the president. The president in turn, as a good will gesture and moral boost to our troops, turns it over for phone cards. That's the order of events. If coke and pepsi want to donate directly, that's their prerogative but not what I'm referring to.

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » January 20, 2005, 1:05 pm

I wouldn't.
Maybe I'm a bit too old fashioned, but given the state the country is in, I'll waste time throwing a party when there's something done worth throwing a party about.

Get a job. Go do the job. Relax when the job is over. Pat yourself on the back when everything is done right. In the meantime, shut up, show up, and work hard.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » January 20, 2005, 1:33 pm

There may be a lot of donations but there is still a huge cost to teh taxpayers. I don't think donations are going to cover teh several million dollars in security costs for this event. 10,000 cops working overtime is pretty expensive.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 20, 2005, 1:35 pm

I'd still have the ball but would only invite members of the illuminati and masons for the sacrificial part of the evening.

Drolgin Steingrinder · January 20, 2005, 1:35 pm

Am I the only one disappointed with this thread? Such a promising title...

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » January 20, 2005, 1:46 pm

I wouldn't in a time of war... I especially wouldn't if we were at war AND the country was in the shape it's in... but this president dosen't care about the average American anyway so why should it matter to him. He and his neoevangelical cronies tricked the average American into believing that the last election was a values vote... and it worked, he won and can't run again so what does he care. This is going to be a very difficult next four years.

Marb

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » January 20, 2005, 1:52 pm

I don't like the rediculous amount of money that gets spent on such frivoluos things, but that has nothing to do with GWB, this particular inauguration, or the myriad of issues around the world that might be more deserving of our dollars.

If you believe for a second that the Kerry inauguration wouldn't have been just as big of a spectacle, you're delusional.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » January 20, 2005, 1:57 pm

Clinton's was a pretty big shabang and I'm sure Kerry's would have been, especially since it would have been his first term. However this is GWB second and many of the problems in this country are IMHO partially his fault... NO not ALL his fault but he played a role. Send that money as a bonus to all the people getting shot at right now.

Marb

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » January 20, 2005, 2:18 pm

The cost of Clinton's last inauguration was roughly $30 million, and these things get bigger and crazier every year without regard for which party's drone is occupying the office. My point is that neither party is above the wanton excess that we're talking about here. To try use this as an example of of what a shit bag Bush is (especially when there are so many easier examples) just strikes me as hypocritical since both parties gleefully engage in this shit when it's their man that wins.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » January 20, 2005, 2:28 pm

What's this about calling cards?

When I was deployed in overseas areas without decent commercial phone service we usually had satelite phones available that'd drop you onto phone exchange of the nearest base to where you lived.. You had to wait in line sometimes but it worked very well most of the time.

A second term president should be placed in office in the same manner as a first termer, the ball's a bit silly the second time around though.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » January 20, 2005, 2:39 pm

I think it's something we should downplay soon. it's siply unnecessary to go to the lengths that they go to. Really, what is the importance of spending so much money on this event? I think people understand(with displeasure) that we are a wealthy nation. What we could have done is be humble, make this a small ceremony to bring in the new president, and give what money we did spend, to a greater cause...there are PLENTY of greater causes out there we can spend our money on than a fat pat on the back for our own royal family.

Niffoni · Post by **Niffoni** » January 20, 2005, 2:40 pm

I say go for it. The war in Iraq is over, and you caught Saddam, so he can never plan another 9/11 again. The world is safe at last! Time to run up a bar tab that could have put the american education system back on the map!

Seriously, I wouldn't say it's a bad time for it. I'd say it's never a good time to waste that kind of money. They've been way too bloated since at LEAST Clinton. As for the war, gimme a break. Like you guys have never partied while people were dying far enough away that we couldn't hear the screams.

nobody · Post by **nobody** » January 20, 2005, 2:51 pm

Aabidano wrote:What's this about calling cards?

When I was deployed in overseas areas without decent commercial phone service we usually had satelite phones available that'd drop you onto phone exchange of the nearest base to where you lived.. You had to wait in line sometimes but it worked very well most of the time.

A second term president should be placed in office in the same manner as a first termer, the ball's a bit silly the second time around though.

aye, been there and called home at least once a week even when i was out in the sticks. and have friends over there who call me up ever couple months to say hello.

and aside from security and maybe a small celebration, i don't think ANY inaguration should cost or be as extravegent(sp) as 30 or 40 million.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » January 20, 2005, 3:45 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:Am I the only one disappointed with this thread? Such a promising title...

Inaugural Cocks might have proven more promising.

Brotha · Post by **Brotha** » January 20, 2005, 4:17 pm

LMAO saw this on CNN. The invisible man giving Bush a blowjob:

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » January 20, 2005, 4:26 pm

I think the losing party should pay for them.... ^_^

Rekaar. · Post by **Rekaar.** » January 20, 2005, 4:30 pm

Chidoro wrote:Your example has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm talking about. Companies pay for advertising in order to market their products to be sold.

If the money donated for these balls were, in turn, able to be used to sponsor telephone cards for the soldiers, wouldn't that be a better use of the money?

And you think these balls don't have anything to do with business development? Interesting.

And where do you think this money goes guys? It doesn't exactly vanish, it goes to the businesses that put the party together from caterers to limo drivers. The money goes back into earned incomes, as it should be.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » January 20, 2005, 4:34 pm

All money that is spent goes into earned incomes at some point. That's a stupid argument.

I think that inaugural balls are a waste of time and money, period. I don't feel that they should be held for any president under any circumstances. The business of government is not to fellate itself.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 20, 2005, 4:46 pm

Just a day earlier, Kerry was one of only two members on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to vote against confirming Condoleezza Rice, Bush's nominee to be secretary of state.

On Tuesday, Kerry called for the ouster of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

The defeated Democratic nominee took his place on the platform with other senators to watch as Bush was sworn in for a second term. The four-term senator and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, had no plans to join in any other inaugural festivities.

Sore loser! It looks like no balls for Kerry tonight.

Burke · Post by **Burke** » January 20, 2005, 5:51 pm

This thread made this song come to mind:
-----------------------
Well I'm upper upper class high society
God's gift to ballroom notoriety
And I always fill my ballroom
The event is never small
The social pages say I've got
The biggest balls of all

I've got big balls
I've got big balls
They're such big balls
And they're dirty big balls
And he's got big balls
And she's got big balls
(But we've got the biggest balls of them all)

And my balls are always bouncing
My ballroom always full
And everybody cums and cums again
If your name is on the guest list
No one can take you higher
Everybody says I've got
Great balls of fire

I've got big balls
Oh I've got big balls
And they're such big balls
Dirty big balls
And he's got big balls
And she's got big balls
(But we've got the biggest balls of them all)

Some balls are held for charity
And some for fancy dress
But when they're held for pleasure
They're the balls that I like best
My balls are always bouncing
To the left and to the right
It's my belief that my big ball
Should be held every night

We've got big balls
We've got big balls
We've got big balls
Dirty big balls
He's got big balls
She's got big balls
(But we've got the biggest balls of them all)

(We've got big balls)
(We've got big balls)

And I'm just itching to tell you about them
Oh we had such wonderful fun
Seafood cocktail, crabs, crayfish
(But we've got the biggest balls of them all)

(Ball sucker)
(Ball sucker)
(Ball sucker)
(Ball sucker)
----------------------------

Big Bushy Balls are a Mandate from teh Lord!!!

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » January 20, 2005, 5:58 pm

Well how else can the government reward the people it serves?

Our government serves the elite, the corporate interests, and a select few others who wield political power. So in that respect, this is the most honest night of the 4 years of any president's term in office.

Babilon · Post by **Babilon** » January 20, 2005, 7:57 pm

Having a husband in the US NAvy, and stationed overseas I see the positive side of the military. Please do not think that our soldiers and sailors are not taken care of because this is simply not true.

Why shouldnt we celebrate this day? I see everyday the pride our military has in this country, otherwise they would not have volunteered for duty. When I went back home this past summer to the states, all I saw on the news was negative coverage of the War on Terror. The news doesnt care about all the positive things going on everyday.

About the calling cards....our Military Exchanges provide discount cards up to 300 minutes for $10...you would pay 3x without this. And the life insurance is great as well. 300k I would say isnt so bad!!!

I cant belive Im actually posting here after 3 years. Jackass away. And Hi Xag and Nneena=)

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » January 20, 2005, 8:56 pm

Hi Jackass!!

I miss you guys!

Adelrune Argenti · Post by **Adelrune Argenti** » January 20, 2005, 9:33 pm

Winnow wrote:I'd still have the ball but would only invite members of the illuminati and masons for the sacrificial part of the evening.

Don't forget to invite the Bildebergers, the current reigning head of the Knights Templar and all the members of the Tri-lateral commission as well.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » January 21, 2005, 8:51 am

I have no problem with the balls at all, as long as taxpayers arnt paying a cent towards that bullshit

Burke · Post by **Burke** » January 21, 2005, 10:14 am

I'd still have the ball but would only invite members of the illuminati and masons for the sacrificial part of the evening.

Don't forget the Stonecutters!!

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » January 21, 2005, 12:44 pm

This is going to sound bad to those who never were in the service but those who were might agree. When did we start Pampering our soldiers? Not going into battle with the proper gear is one thing (something that really needs to be addressed) but making sure they can call home to their families is just silly. The military provides for that as mentioned above. What will be next? Do we make sure they have enough deoderant and hand lotion for those really tough days of killing the enemy when you absolutly need to have dry pits and soft hands?

I think it is just digging for something to bitch about.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » January 21, 2005, 1:04 pm

Tell us how great the 300k is if you find yourself suddenly 300k richer.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » January 21, 2005, 1:12 pm

Dregor Thule wrote:Tell us how great the 300k is if you find yourself suddenly 300k richer.

I shouldn't laugh, but ROFL!

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » January 21, 2005, 2:05 pm

What a bunch of fucking sad sacks.

Lets all just stay home and light a candle in front of our Susan Saradon posters.

Hypocrital assholes ...

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » January 21, 2005, 2:17 pm

So you don't think FORTY MILLION DOLLARS is a little excessive for some backslapping self-congratulatory parties?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 21, 2005, 2:44 pm

It's time to paah-tee!

non...stop...whining! I'll give liberals this...you are consistantly miserable people.

Try being a conservative. It feels even better than eating a granola bar.

I'm conservative...optimistic about the future...and I FEEL GREAT, YEAH!

Edit: <eep>

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 21, 2005, 2:53 pm

Winnow wrote: I'll give liberals this...you are consistantly miserable people.

Understatement of the year nominee.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » January 21, 2005, 2:56 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:
Winnow wrote: I'll give liberals this...you are consistantly miserable people.

Understatement of the year nominee.

HAHA That coming from someone who cried about MLK Day!

And winnow you getting all worked up over Dregor's avatar size shows you know nothing about misery, except maybe your own.

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » January 21, 2005, 7:21 pm

The 40 mil is private money I understand. Didin't FDR have his bawls during WWII? I mean he didn;t dance the cha-cha, but he did have some parties.

Llaffer · Post by **Llaffer** » January 22, 2005, 2:06 pm

Is this about the money spent? or how it's spent?

If it's about the money spent, most of the money was raised by private donations and selling seats. If it's about the money spent, Clinton spent more money in his party than Bush43 did.

If it's about how it's spent, most of the money spent went to the higher security in the area due to the post-911 era we now live in. That money would still be spent as payroll to the security people had they been spread out amonst the country or concentrated in a small area like they were.

So what are you really mad about - Kerry isn't having the party.

It's over, he lost the election, get over it and lets get on with our lives.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 22, 2005, 2:51 pm

Lalanae wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:
Winnow wrote: I'll give liberals this...you are consistantly miserable people.

Understatement of the year nominee.
HAHA That coming from someone who cried about MLK Day!

And winnow you getting all worked up over Dregor's avatar size shows you know nothing about misery, except maybe your own.

Cried about MLK Day? Haha. You need some reading comprehension classes.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 22, 2005, 4:04 pm

Our reading comprehension is just fine. Not that hard to understand "FUCK MUSLIMS!"

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » January 22, 2005, 5:27 pm

Midnyte, you are the biggest whiney cry baby on this board. Need I create a poll?

Midnyte_Ragebringer · January 22, 2005, 8:07 pm

Lalanae wrote:Midnyte, you are the biggest whiney cry baby on this board. Need I create a poll?

Nope. Unlike you, I don't give a fuck what others think about me.

Aruman · Post by **Aruman** » January 22, 2005, 9:14 pm

Babilon wrote: About the calling cards....our Military Exchanges provide discount cards up to 300 minutes for $10...you would pay 3x without this. And the life insurance is great as well. 300k I would say isnt so bad!!!

Don't confuse people with facts... certain people all riled up when they find out they are wrong!

The Armed Services take very good care of service members. You would be extremely hard pressed to find any civilian organization/business that provides anything close to the support services that are available to a service member.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 22, 2005, 9:37 pm

hum I pay less for my phone calls but that is not true an US company. Got a good deal back home.. not to mention VoIP is as cheap or cheaper as well. My company life insurance is higher as well

And I don't pay any insurance costs for it.

Both are good benefits but not jawdroppingly good. Far from bad though.

Brotha · Post by **Brotha** » January 23, 2005, 2:03 am

This was on the way to the inauguration, it aired live on CNN. Be sure your sound is on and start listening for a guy yelling about halfway through

http://www.notthistimegeorge.org/framer.cfm?liid=1593

Mr Bacon · Post by **Mr Bacon** » January 23, 2005, 2:13 am

Brotha wrote:This was on the way to the inauguration, it aired live on CNN. Be sure your sound is on and start listening for a guy yelling about halfway through

http://www.notthistimegeorge.org/framer.cfm?liid=1593

Very very nice!

VeeshanVault

Inaugural Balls

Would you still hold all of the inaugural balls?

Inaugural Balls