The title says it all...

[Fobbon Lazyfoot]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/ ... index.html

[Tholiak Eladamri]

"Most say inauguration festivities should be toned down"

AKA.....Crying Liberals...

they only polled 1007 people..and they say this is the Nations attitude...I can poll more people that that at the unemployement office in downtown

[Relbeek Einre]

The resurgence of anti-intellectualism among the right is fascinating.

[vaulos]

I don't know. After all the black-helicopter stuff which has been popping up on the board since the election, I'm tending to believe that both sides are suffering from a fierce bout of anti-intellectualism.

[Embar Angylwrath]

The resurgence of anti-intellectualism among the right is fascinating.

Who was smart enough to take the Senate, House and Oval Office?

[Fobbon Lazyfoot]

Dont think it has anything to do with the right. I'm seeing it as a trend among all Americans.

[Relbeek Einre]

Anti-intellectualism and anti-intelligence are not the same thing.

[Eidolon Faer]

All the poll proves is that the Democrat talking-points still have some slavish adherents among the weak-minded and ignorant.

Frankly, I would consider the Inauguration a bargain at twice the price, merely as a statement to Al Qaeda that we are not afraid and will not cower before them, despite Kerry's campaign rhetoric.

The Inaugural is a traditional piece of political theater, and it has never been more important than it is today. The War on Terrorism is less about guns and missiles than it is about courage and fear, and the pomp and circumstance and grandeur of the inauguration make an important statement to both our own citizens and our enemies: we are still strong, and we are not afraid.

[Ddrak]

Eid clearly never listened to Kerry's campaign rhetoric, but that's hardly surprising.

What I find interesting is if we are about not being afraid, why has DC turned into a maze of steel with air patrols and the coast guard on the Potomac? The only message that sends Al Qaeda is that the US still believes that unless extraordinary measures are taken that their President is vulnerable.

Dd

[rajavengerGIA]

ok so heres your options

1. bush is a divider

2. bush is a tyrant

3. you didn't understand my question

[Partha]

The Inaugural is a traditional piece of political theater, and it has never been more important than it is today. The War on Terrorism is less about guns and missiles than it is about courage and fear, and the pomp and circumstance and grandeur of the inauguration make an important statement to both our own citizens and our enemies: we are still strong, and we are not afraid.

Roosevelt's fourth inauguration, he took the oath, gave a little speech from a balcony, and had lunch with his cabinet. THAT'S wartime.

If he played fiddle, I'd call Bush Nero.

[Relbeek Einre]

I think it's funny.

Who could possibly call Bush a uniter? This is the most partisan Congress in a century. Bush's negative-to-postive ratio is higher than Clinton's. (Oh wait, polls are all bunk.) His margin of victory was extremely narrow in the 2004 election, and nonexistant in the 2000 election. He's developed frosty relationships with most of the rest of the world. Heck, when he had an opportunity to regain lost goodwill when the tsunami hit, he was slow to react, and currently is beat out on the generosity front by Japan, Austrialia, and Germany(!). (Well, but he did at least get his two predecessors to spearhead a large private donation effort. That was good.)

The only thing I can think of that he managed to unite with great skill was the Republican Party. And even then, the true fiscal conservatives are screaming.

[Eidolon Faer]

Roosevelt's fourth inauguration, he took the oath, gave a little speech from a balcony, and had lunch with his cabinet. THAT'S wartime.

I was waiting for that particular nonsensical talking point to pop up. Several talking heads have already floated it.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt happened to be terminally ill at the time of his fourth inauguration, and was not physically able to handle the effort required for a larger ceremony. Perhaps you ought to look at FDR's FIRST THREE inaugurals...or for that matter Clinton's second one...or John F. Kennedy's...for a more realistic appreciation of the tradition.

Oh, and Ddrak, just because it's political theater doesn't mean we have to be STUPID. Given Osama's videotaped "Rah Rah Kerry!" piece right before the election in November, it certainly makes sense to raise security to keep Al Qaeda members and disgruntled Democrats from crashing the party. It's just a cost of doing business after Andrew Veal...erm, 9-11.

[Partha]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt happened to be terminally ill at the time of his fourth inauguration, and was not physically able to handle the effort required for a larger ceremony. Perhaps you ought to look at FDR's FIRST THREE inaugurals...or for that matter Clinton's second one...or John F. Kennedy's...for a more realistic appreciation of the tradition.

How about FDR's first inauguration then? Big celebration at a period of time when millions were in financial trouble. He got ripped for it. What gives Bush a free pass to you, other than reflex?

[Ddrak]

Eid,

If it is STUPID to not have $12 million worth of security (actually a lot more, but that's just DC's check) then you are most definitely sending a very strong message to Al Qaeda that America is absolutely terrified of them and will change their fundamental behavior, spending habits and military strategies because of it.

Cost of "Rah rah Kerry" tape - $5.00
Return on Investment - over 1 million to 1.
Splitting a country enough that GOP fanboys see Democrats at the same level as Terrorists - Priceless.

No - this political display isn't about showing America how safe we are. It's about the undertone of showing America how much there is still to fear.

Dd

[Klast Brell]

Who could possibly call Bush a uniter?

His supporters. Bush carried half the votes and half the people said he was a uniter. Is anyone surprised?

[vaulos]

Name 3 Presidents in US History who didn't come to office with the same message?

[Ddrak]

Vaulos has a point. Not many presidents come into office with a speech like "Imma split this big-ass country right smack down the middle".

Dd

[vaulos]

Jefferson, Jackson, and Teddy Roosevelt are the only Presidents who come to mind.

"Why spoil the beauty of a thing, with legality." - Teddy Roosevelt

[Burz]

This is my uniter