'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
The whole post wasn't about the ceremony, which is why I referred to the parties. The whole point of the second term President's inauguration (imo) is a ego trip and a schmooze party to thank all the ultrawealthy people who put him into office and start talking to his administration and other luminaries about those favors they were promised.
It's not really an ego trip. You don't really need a huge ceremony like that to stroke your ego when you're already the most powerful individual in the world. It's more to give Americans a sense of ceremony/ritual, to announce an agenda for the next term, and to placate the donors so they don't get pissed and start actively working against your agenda.
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
You would have to change the procedure generally.
It's an oath, and therefore it is common practice to swear by the bible. It's taken from the court rooms, where the same applies.
As for the inauguration. I've watched it too yesterday.. What - as a foreigner I guess I'm excused - I learned during the broadcast is, that it's a tradition that goes back to George Washington, who mustered his militia around him, and then marched into town with them. Over time it turned into what it is today. What I truly found funny was, how there have been 2 inaugurations. One happened in a rather private atmosphere on the 20th, like the constitution commands, and then the one yesterday with all the mambo jambo around it.
In overall however, I noticed that it was a nice feeling to see at least for a couple days the partisanship of congress at rest. How great could the country actually be, if they could do and act so even on a daily basis.
---------- Post added 2013-01-22 at 10:36 AM ----------
People who stood and sat there on both sides of the streets paid to see it.. There were tickets sold.
There weren't just blockades raised and everyone could just walk up. I'm sure that money contributes to cover some expenses.
On top, for security.. Apparently all states contributed to that.. I know, since I seen it last night in the local news, that the Police dept. from Omaha, NE sent 8 cops to volunteer.
That's your opinion, and I don't agree with it.
Tickets are given away free of charge via members of Congress, selling them is fraudulent.
You don't need tickets to see the swearing in or the parade, I live in the DC/metro area and have been to several, unless you want to sit in certain areas, you can just walk up to it at the majority of areas.
The tickets cost 40 bucks a piece.... Should have paid attention to the broadcast..
They said it there...
They were bound to a fund raiser.. I dunno, gotta check deeper. but they said the tickets were 40 bucks.
For the ball where public attendance was permitted, they were 60 bucks.
Last edited by Wildtree; 2013-01-22 at 04:48 PM.
Who the hells knows why this site is carrying the story, but it's the first google link and I'm too lazy to spend anymore time on it because I know you're wrong:
http://hiphopwired.com/2013/01/21/sc...ickets-photos/
I found this:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/...et-prices.html
you don't have to spend more times, since the official website states what you stated.. However, they did sell tickets as well to get the fundraiser goal. Unless Wolf Blitzer lied during the broadcast. the seated tickets at the parade were 40 bucks a piece lol
Last edited by Wildtree; 2013-01-22 at 04:55 PM.
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
So there was a second Inauguration ceremony. That was followed by a luncheon and church service. Then we had a parade and at least two "ceremonial balls."
I wonder how much of a bill the tax-payers were handed for what, in essence, was totally unnecessary. Especially considering the real Inauguration happened on Sunday during a small, private, ceremony.
Why they didn't just have the ceremony on Sunday is beyond me, probably something to do with alcohol sales on a Sunday in the district or something asinine like that.
Would have also made driving on Monday not be a nightmare.
1. The most powerful individual in the world? I think you'll find a LOT of countries that don't agree with that. Sort of reminds me of something George Carlin said, that we're one of the most obnoxious countries in the world because we're the only one running around screaming how great we are.
2. I was under the impression that the "State of the Union" speech was designed for the President to set out his plans?
Pretty sure Monday was a lot of wasted money for someone who isn't happy unless he's on TV every other day or so.
I certainly wasn't claiming American superiority or anything, but the President of the US is objectively the head of the most powerful military in the world, and has veto power in the government that controls the largest single economy in the world. That's more power than any other single individual I can think of. It has nothing to do with ego or nationalism. It's simply a fact.
The state of the union is a review session and plan for the coming year. The inauguration gives the president a chance to set agenda for the full term.2. I was under the impression that the "State of the Union" speech was designed for the President to set out his plans?
Pretty sure Monday was a lot of wasted money for someone who isn't happy unless he's on TV every other day or so.
And pretty sure Monday was a tradition we've had in this country for a long long time now, and has nothing to do with this particular president's ego.
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Yes, I get that too. And all the money from those tickets were to cover the entire bill, which - as you said, didn't cost the tax payer. No tax money has been wasted.
There have been events already on Sunday night with concerts. Those - I assume - weren't free either. But the artists performed for no charge, if I remember correctly what I read in the weeks before the events.
All in all, I think it's fine to have such event. The only thing I disliked - but I understand that this is a totally personal thing - have been the military parades. I hate that kind of celebration. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.. Totalitarian regimes resort to such parades to celebrate their own power ego.
* so long as the Congress doesn't overrule himhas veto power in the government that controls the largest single economy in the world
I'm just wondering how much of it he actually meant, and whether he is already planning his compromise deal for April when the deferred debt ceiling negotiations are to take place.
Eh, I think in a relatively free country like the US, it's nice to celebrate the service of our military men and women. I have no problem with military parades.
---------- Post added 2013-01-22 at 05:17 PM ----------
Probably has something to do with MLK day, and MLK being famous for his Washington Mall address (on the opposite side of the Washington Memorial, but still). Marketing.
'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!