The concept of an inauguration is certainly acceptable, but isn't once enough ? Was the president recently deinaugurated and I missed it ? Even the Brits, with all the warts of royalty in full view, only had one coronation for the charming and stoic Elizabeth.
The costs are shallow and transparent, in lieu of the painful difficulty of losing five of our young people every day, another fifty that will be permanently disfigured, and probably another five hundred who will be cerebral silly putty the rest of their lives in a difficult war that we may never win. When juxtaposed to the recent tsunami tragedy, the loss of two million people in the Sudan over the past twenty years, and a world living in the long shadow of international terrorism, wouldn't a small private party for the political cognoscenti been adequate and more thoughtful ? Is it any wonder that that majority of the world views us with disdain, as effete elitists ?
Would I be the only one who observed the parade and found it ludicrous to watch an armor plated Cadillac Escalade with mirror tinted windows up, escorted by a legion of armed men, buses, military commando vehicles, sniper swat teams on every building roof, and a 150 mi perimeter no-fly zone protected by jet fighters and blackhawk helicopters, so that the loyalists could watch from the sidelines at $125 a head in the sub-freezing cold ?
I can't dismiss the feeling that under a large circus tent, I am watching circles of sawdust rings, brightly costumed trapeze artists overhead, eagerly awaiting the entrance of the clowns.
Although I've never met George Bush personally, I have no doubt that he would be both fun and clever and likable, either across a poker table, pheasant hunting or on the links. He's a man's man.
Before many of you eagerly rip into my observation and the evocative, friendly, but often eviscerative replies that are sure to follow, allow me the following disclaimer;
1) I voted for President Bush, with a minor, but thoughtful and tortured reluctance in both 2000 and 2004 (as I suppose many in the forum did).
2) I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996.
3) and believe this, voted for Richard Nixon, not once, not twice, but three times (1960, 1968, and 1972). In 1960, one of the few under the age of 25 not to vote for JFK, and I'm still ashamed.
4) my wife and I were invited to this inauguration (not at the white house level, however), but chose to decline. And not just because it's 73 F in southern Arizona either.
So, please understand, no one is perfect. And like most airstreamers, regardless of political persuasion, hardly any of us need an excuse to get together and have a party. But overall, the activities today were more than discomforting, they created some despondency and sadness, and as a country, I think we could have done much better.
Dr. C.
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Patagonia, Az
South Bend, In
DeTour Village, Mi
Dr Charles,
You are missing the celebration of Freedom and Democracy on a world stage....other than that, a few other things...like the respect of the Office of President, the Constitution, and the Nation.
Things tend to be worked out in the grand plans of the creator of the universe. Bush was defeated by another friend of mine, Kent Hance, for Congress in the 19th District of Texas in 1978. Had Bush won that race for Congress, he might be Chairman of the House Agriculture committee today in Congress, instead of President of the United States.
Sometimes, the plan God has in mind is not apparent until years later.
The idea that Bush is president, because it is part of God's master
plan, is disturbing. Does God plan holy wars too. I think God is crying.
Maybe we should keep religion and politics apart. ( and off this forum )
I don't like war, I don't like seeing our kids shot up and left cribble for the rest of their lives. I also don't like the fact that there are people in the world who want us dead. I don't get very concerned about what others think of us when they are the first to ask us for help in need and we are the ones who are always lending a helping hand. In our history we have paid a price for the freedom we enjoy to do what we do in this country - I suspect as long as there is an earth and people on it, we will have to continue to fight for the freedoms we enjoy - for as one very wise man said when you give up freedom for security, you have neither. History has taught us that sitting around talking about it does not work. I sure wish it were different, buts it's just not.
KenJ- I don't like war either. I know no one that does. I wish we could all do the "Rodney King thing" and "just get along". That isn't giong to happen. It is not realistic in a world that has fanatics promoting the "killing of the infidels" in their radical interpretation of the Muslim religion so that they can go to heaven and be met by virgins.
Vigilance is the eternal price of liberty. Sticking your head in the samd and pretending it will all go away if we leave them alone is no answer. That is pretty much what we were doing until 9-11. Isolationism and appeasement of despots is not a viable option in the world we live in today. Thorough study of history, religions, and theology is necessary for proper understanding of the mindset of the peoples we are confronted with having to engage despite preferring not having to do so.
--just my 2 cents--
I am glad it is the American people picking up the 40 million dollar tab rather than us here in Canada.
no problem, ....37 million private money and 3 mil on security.....
I hope his plan of freedon and liberty don't involve telling Canadian's what to do.
no problem, .....it's not like you guys would listen...
Thanks for letting that bomber with the trunk full of explosives get to our border last year...if it was not for that American Customs agent paying attention, alot of people could have been hurt....Thanks for the help....
Thanks for taking in those cowards from our military ranks...military guys that run for your border so they wont have to go to Iraq, ....and thanks for treating them like HERO's,....just keep them up there....
He should be more concerned at what other people around the world think of Americans.
Rich, ....just to be honest....Americans dont care what the world thinks...
this week we had a young family in New Jersey (husband, wife and kids) duct taped to chairs and had their throats cut, even the children.....Muslims......
The idea that Bush is president, because it is part of God's masterplan, is disturbing.
Don't be afraid....God raises up principalites and powers and tears them down. God's list of the worlds rulers is as old as time itself...Don't be disturbed...put your heart at peace, with the knowledge that God is in control....has been, is, and will be forever...
Does God plan holy wars too.
Yes,...just that simple...Christians and Satan have been at war since the Garden...every soul saved is a victory for the Christian side....every soul that dies without faith in the blood of Christ is lost for eternity....
I think God is crying.
I think he is too, ....because of your last sentence.....
Maybe we should keep religion and politics apart. ( and off this forum )
Maybe that is the problem.....they have been seperated too long...
I can't believe the moderators think this if cool...
"Welcome to the greatest f***ing country in the world," Fuel singer Brett Scallions at Tuesday's inaugural youth concert ... were Republican-approved and purportedly PG-rated.
I'm not sure I agree with the comparison to the current admin to royalty, but to each their own.
Bottom line is that no doubt, this is a hot subject. Unlike the past, I'm not gonna get into the political aspect, for a large number of reasons, the biggest being that I like you all and don't want to get into a political pi$$sing match over it (again).
I will simply say that we could do better, but we could be doing worse. Those that disagree, that's one of the perks of living in this country. I won't try to change your mind and know that you won't change mine. In the end, we still have one big thing in common and that's going campin' in our Airstreams (no matter what side of the aisle you find yourself on or what place on this rock you rest upon)!
As for the rest, most of you already know what side of the aisle I'm on this lap on the track.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
This is funny, ....I hear it often....then when I tell them that my wife happens to be the most beautiful African woman ever....and I dont mean an import....I mean a true african lady from Ethiopia....oooooooo the jaw usually hits the floor..... oooooo the simple minds....
What version of the bible are you misinterpreting?
King James Version, ....and just what "be exact" was wrong with my reply to your post....?
I didn't think God judged us on our knowledge of Christ.
You are correct, ...yes you are.....God does not judge us on our knowledge of Christ...but, ....God does judge us on Christ's knowledge of us...on "your" judgement day, ....you will stand in front of God with Christ sitting at his right hand...God will turn to Christ and ask only one question, ..."Did Dave trust in Your blood to cover his life of sins?" Christ will either say Yes or No....then you will either stay in Heaven or you will be sent to Hell......forever....
Ghandi and a whole lot of really good people that believe in something else, deserve Gods love, as you do.
This is where your wrong...We don't deserve God's love, God has pity for our souls, ...God is not willing that any should perish (without love),...that is why He sent His Son to die on the cross, ...the choice belongs to each and everyone...you accept His offer of love through is Son,....or you don't...Christ said "No man comes to the Father except thru Me....."
The pits of Hell are filled with "GOOD People"
Here is the offer "Christ offers eternal life in Heaven for those who have faith in Him to cover the sins of their lives in front of God....You dont go to Heaven because of what "you" do.....You "can" go to Heaven because of what Christ did for you.
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