Here's irony (I will try not to get too much up on my Soap Box): With the 2 million people expected to flood into the nation's capitol next week for the 56th Presidential Inauguaration, departing President George W. Bush on Tuesday took quick action to declare Washington, D.C. a federal emergency area.
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2009/01/20090113-9.html
I'll let this one stand and you can comment yourself on this decisive action from the Lame Duck Decider-in-Chief. Though I do remember flooding in New Orleans that waited for an executive call to action.
But there are many points for discussion for the coming week's history.
First, with the nation in a financial crisis, will this all be worth it?
The Guardian (UK) reports:
"President Barack Obama's inauguration next week is set to be the most expensive ever, predicted to reach over $150m (£102m). This dwarfs the $42.3m spent on George Bush's inauguration in 2005 and the $33m spent on Bill Clinton's in 1993.
Part of the spending includes emergency funding announced by the White House on Tuesday to help with the soaring costs. Most of this new federal funding will be to deal with the huge influx of people, estimated 1.5 million to 2 million."
www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/14/barack-obama-inauguration-cost
At the Obama/Biden inaugural blog, there is some cool stuff including a personal message from the President-elect, urging all of us to get involved, thoughout the country. Here's a map marking sites of events throughout the country.
www.pic2009.org/blog/P0/
www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/01/13/springsteen-beyonce-bono-to-headline-obama-inaugural-celebration/
They don't have this in Great Britian, where the Prime Minister will be determined by the institutional parlimentary elections, where the party will pick the leader. Here the people pick the leader (well, sort of) and then we party every four years......We will in class on Tuesday.
The question is: In troubled times, should we party like Rock Stars over an inauguration? Or does W finally have a point. See the next post, if you didn't know, there is some real serious stuff going on in the world.
Hopefully, B-Rock won't have too big a hangover Wednesday morning.
4 comments:
That was the worst concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial I've ever seen!
In all seriousness, it started out nice but got too over the top by the time Bono pretended to be Obama in the middle of "City of Blinding lights".
Mr. Obama, I have all the respect in the world for you, but please don't let crazy celebrities taint your image...
I'm wondering how many concerts you've seen on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Kevin?
I would respectfully disagree with your critique, but maybe that's because the acts were more geared for people of my generation.
With respect to Bono, and U2, did anyone think the lead singer went over the top by mentioning Palestinians as holders of a freedom dream:
"Let freedom ring," announced Bono as U2 arrived on stage and struck up the opening bars of Pride (In The Name of Love). “This is not just an American dream,' he said. "Also an Irish dream, a European dream, an African dream … an Israeli dream ... and also a Palestinian dream."
'Let freedom ring, let freedom ring....' he continued, as Edge played the opening chords to City of Blinding Lights. "What a thrill for four Irish boys from the north side of Dublin to honour you sir, the next president of the United States, Barack Obama...'
And it looked beautiful again tonight, in this city of blinding lights where as the song went tonight. 'America is getting ready to leave the ground....'
Catch the video highlights and photo's on HBO
I agreed with Bono's sentiments, but I am not sure Obama was comfortable with that lyric.
Here's the HBO "We Are One" Site:
http://www.hbo.com/weareone/
i think the concert was pretty cool. I think it is very significant and touching the fact that it was done on the lincoln memorial and that it was for a new president which shares a message of change- in a time where america has 2 wars to deal with and a recession.
I think the entire program was pretty good- from the readings to the never seen short Joe Biden speech. The songs were amazing, such as a personal favorite "the rising" by Bruce Springsteen.
I recall a CNN contributor stating "this is not coming from me just because im a democrat, but it seems like democrats know how to party more".. i seem to find this true.
I wish our president the best of luck. And Mr. Wolak- I cant wait to take this class next year!
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