Tuesday, January 20, 2009

$150,000,000 party

January 20, 2009 marks the day that all of you who voted for Obama have waited for.

He has promised change....blah blah blah...they all promise that.

He has promised he will make things better....blah blah blah...they all promise that.

He has promised...well, lots of things....but they all do that.

But before he gets started, today you and your tax dollars are having a $150,000,000 party in his honor,

Let me repeat that in case it didn't register: "Today you and your tax dollars are having a $150,000,000 party in his honor." Yes, a party that you probably aren't even attending. Seriously, can't we just get Judge Judy to swear him in at the Oval Office? Followed by a potluck at the White House cafeteria? It would be cheaper. And that money could be put to better use...like helping people who really need it right now...but I digress...

As a 31 year resident of the DC metro area who has lived here for every inuguration since Reagan, I can tell you that we are ready for this spectacle to be over. OVER I tell ya. I have never seen anything like this. EVER. A radio personality that lives in my neighborhood even tried to rent his house for this week on Craigslist. The asking price: $15,000. Hey, he's just trying to earn back his portion of the party bill he's footing. Smart man.

So, for over a month, we have heard every.last.detail of the preparations. And I mean EVERY.LAST.DETAIL. It leads the newscasts, the talk radio shows, and the newspapers.

Roads are closed.

Bridges are closed.

Businesses are closed.

Schools are closed.

And while it's historic and exciting and thrilling and blah blah blah, there is one I thing I'm sure of:

Even at that price tag,

there still won't be enough porta potties.



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40 Comments:

Kathi Roach said...

Soooooo true!! Let it end!!!!
Amen and amen.
I've missed you by the way!!

Lula! said...

You're back!

You're brilliant!

I've missed you.
XOXO

Tracy P. said...

Well, I'm sorry we're all having to foot the bill, but I'm especially sorry you DCans are paying the price! We'll just pee on our own pots and watch on tv. The replay. I won't be home when it's happening. 'Cuz our roads are open.

Unknown said...

bahahaha! Love it! ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow...let's have a million dollar pity party for YOU!

I do agree that the money could be better spent, but it is what it is. Millions of American's are excited to see where our country can go with this presidency. So lets, just try and enjoy it. After tomorrow it will be over and maybe life will get better.

Trish said...

ohhh anonymous is back......and still to afarid to show their face!

it is sooo frustrating that at a time like this in our history, with a man who promises change, that it doesn't start right there.
There is absolutely no reason to be spending that kind of money on anything, except bringing our troops home!

At this point all we can do is get down on our knees and pray for wisdom and direction for our new leadership.

Denyse said...

So that's why Washington is so full of cr@p!

Missed you =)

Jennifer P. said...

Lula took the words right out of my mouth!

I am also dying to know who the radio guy was....in my mind it's totally Glen Beck....because I just love him :).

Gina said...

You're alive!
I have missed you and I wondered if you left without saying goodbye!
Alright, now I'll go read the post....

Gina said...

Oh Puke!
It is wrong for either party.
as is the clothing bill, as are the rest of the expenses. I don't see much in the way of change yet.

I Love Purple More Than You said...

When so many people in the world live on less than $100 salary/year that kind of expense spent on an inauguration makes me sad.

Runner Girl said...

I vote for Judge Judy! I'll bring the "Tangy Wiener Pick-ups", and I'll stay reside in a porta potty rather than pay $15,000!

Thanks for the belly laugh!

veronica said...

I knew you had to say something about this event in Washington! Thanks for the laugh this morning!

Anonymous said...

*sigh* Another reason I'm glad to be Canadian... ;)
(as is having elections both announced and TOTALLY FINISHED in a period of about 40 days...!)

Stephanie said...

awesome post! totally agree! you know W took a lot of heat for the cost of his inaugural last time around (and it was significantly less)! so frustrating!
here's my other beef...his parents are of mixed race, but if his skin color was white, would we still be calling him our first black president? doubt it...

Lauren W said...

As much as I love having a day off of work, I am absolutely ready for all of this to be done with. Today I'll be staying home. Partly because the base is on lock-down and I don't know if they would let me back on...
Anyway... it's almost over :)

Unknown said...

Welcome back !!! I missed you !!!

Oh, well said !!

There is so much media hype surrounding the soon to be 44th American President (which is incidently how I refer to him). I only hope that he lives up to it. Because if he doesn't, it will be a mess on so many different levels.

Melissa said...

Yeah, I have something to add to that. Come read me today....:)

Watching Oprah makes it that much more nauseating.

The Me/ The Wife/ The Mom said...

I'm so happy to read you! Welcome back!

As for the Inaugural hoopla, in the words of Glinda the Good Witch from "WICKED",...."I couldn't be happier!"

I think it's absolutely beautiful to see such optimism and pride...warranted or not! :)

Sign me: Ever hopeful!

Ron said...
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Ron said...

My mom and I have a running disagreement about fireworks. Before she retired, she served some time on my small, rural home town's council as treasurer. She thinks fireworks are a total waste of money -- thousands and thousands of dollars spent for a couple minutes of sparks and booms. I always encourage her to not underestimate the value of these traditions. The way we celebrate the peaceful transition of power in the United States is brilliant, unique, and (unfortunately) rare in this crazy world. It's folly to apply a price tag to the emotional value of this celebration. And to put it in perspective, we're spending $340 million PER DAY in Iraq. In that light, $150 million seems a small price to pay for this historic occasion.

That said, you are SO RIGHT about the porta potties. It would be like Penn State tailgates 25 years ago, only magnitudes worse.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, um...where do I sign up to get my party deposit back? Cause I'm sitting here at work eating tuna fish on top of mac-n-cheese, and this is SO not a 150,000,000 party.

You guys who got off work and are now living it up at parties in D.C.? YOU SUCK. Yeah, I said it. :(

Gombojav Tribe said...

I bet if the people at the Travel John set up a booth they'd make a killing today!

http://www.traveljohn.com/

hehehehehehehe

"The Queen in Residence" said...

I too am sick to death of it!!! I heard somewhere that a guy was sueing over the lack of Women's portapotties.....go figure.

I think that it is funny but all the stories even before he came into office had him saying that we are not going to be able to do this and this and it went on and on..... So why did people really think that he was going to be able to do anything?

Welcome back!!

Joy said...

But just think how much better that homeless shelter looks today since President Obama painted it yesterday.
I'm ready for this party to be over too.
I didn't watch this morning either. Went to a stamping class. At least I was productive. (my husband would argue that point)

Joy

This Mom said...

HEY I have missed you. I think your idea for a huge potluck is great.

The thing is though it really doesn't matter which guy won or who the are swearing in the cost would have been the same.

Good thing is it only happens every four years.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

We have been watching all day. Well...it's the background noise. They were talking not too long ago about what everyone did for their luncheons. And they talked about Jimmy Carter doing sandwiches.

And the views of the all the people...I can't even imagine what it must be like to be there. The cold. The potties. And the optimism.

Here's hoping that things return to normal for ya soon!

Melissa B. said...

Glad you're back. I'm ready for the hoopla to be over, too, although I've gotten a lot of mileage out of it the past week or so. And, not to mention, a free vacation day. Sorta makes up for not having a snow day in 2 years, huh?

Nichole said...

Ok, I agree with Anonymous but I'll put my name with it. Well...not so much much with the pity party cuz I'm sure it is a pain the butt having everything closed. And much better said by Ron.

Totally confused by what Steph said.....I doubt we would call a white man our first black president too...because um, he'd be white. Why are people having such a problem with him being called our first black president, that is what he is. Maybe we haven't moved forward as much as we'd like to think?

Ok, I did come in here to leave my own comment and not just to comment on other comments. Yes, the price tag is hefty but it is a great day in America and American history.

Michelle said...

I know I'm over all the ad nauseum details, and I'm nowhere near DC. I don't envy you the hassle! I will say that having seen some of the inauguration today amidst all the running I was doing, it was hugely impressive to see the number of people there and how enthusiastic they were. Me? I don't care who's there, I wouldn't sit in the cold that long with that many people for a 10 second possible flash of someone wayyyy far away.

I'm a cynic, I know. And I don't like crowds :)

Nicki said...

I am saddened to see so many Americans miss out on the historical significance of today's inauguration. Instead of dwelling on the impact today has for us as a country, so many have commented they're ready for it to just be over??!!!??

I'll be the first one to say that I'm glad our nation and press have devoted so much attention to this very historic and important moment. In a time where there is so much negative press, I'm glad to see so many Americans filled with hope and excitement to show up to our nation's Presidential inauguration. No matter your political views or party might be, it is great to see the excitement so many have had in this election.

Again... so astounded that this is the topic someone would choose to write about on such a historic day...

EEEEMommy said...

First, I love your perspective.
Second, some people have no sense of humor.

Grace and Peace,
Angel

Anonymous said...
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Danean said...

To me it is an exciting time and a time for unity. I did enjoy watching history unfold. But as I watched the festivities, I could not help but wonder how the media would crucify McCain/Palin for wasting the taxpayers money, if the outcome of the election had been different. Little has been said about Michelle Obama's meticulous wardrobe and grooming-- but if Sarah Palin showed up well groomed and it a new outfit-- the media made a federal case out of it. It was and is a double standard.

Unknown said...

I'm not POSITIVE, but I'm pretty sure taxpayers don't pay the whole $150 million... some is paid for by donations and private groups.

The part we taxpayers pay for is the security for the most part - extra police & such - and honestly, you can't stop the people from coming, and can you imagine the chaos (riots) that would perhaps ensue without enough security?

If I had been elected, I would have done all I can to keep the cost to the taxpayers at a minimum.. but there's just only so much you can do.

There would, of course, been a Duck Theme.

Unknown said...

Agreeing with lots here. And don't they ALL say that there will be a change, and then, gosh, we just can't make that change? Whatever.

And the race card...yeah...so what? I don't care what color a person's skin is as long as they have honesty and integrity. I don't think this is any more "historic" than, well, nothing. You get a little older and live through all the puffed-up "promises" and then realize, hey, he (or she) is only human, and basically no matter what they promise in the campaigns, it most likely isn't gonna happen. Not being cynical, just truthful.

Stephanie said...

my point about the skin color is that it seems to be more about the actual skin color...my step daughter is half latina and half white but looks more latina, although writes caucasian when she fills out paperwork (not hispanic). if you're a mixture, are you one or the other? or do you pick the one that matches your skin color? am I totally messed up on this? it just seems like a double standard that people tend to pick and choose to what best fits the situation...I don't think obama's mother would say her son is black...or would she?

Gramma 2 Many said...

Steph, I totally agree with you. I have often wondered what happens to the "white" part of him.
I am not celebrating, nor am I telling any of my grands that he is a man of integrity.
Trish, the troops can come home when the job is complete. I am not sure that will be the case now, but that is how it should be done.
Debbie, I am so happy to see you back. I hope we get to read more of your insight and humor soon.

Britt said...

Oh Debbie, you're back .. I missed you. =-)

For that much money, I could buy a whole lot of cheeseburgers and chocolate.

And I'm thinking if more people had cheeseburger and chocolate in their belly, this world would be a happier place.

=-)

Unknown said...

There are some real grumps on here, can't they take a joke?
Are there ever enough porta potties or TP at these things?