‘Emergency’ Declared for Inauguration

[ThoughtCriminal]

‘Emergency’ Declared for Inauguration

WASHINGTON — It is true, President Bush sounded alarms about Barack Obama during the campaign season. On Tuesday, Mr. Bush went one step further: He declared Mr. Obama’s inauguration an actual emergency.

The declaration, though, was not a political statement about Republicans being run out of town. Rather, it was a bureaucratic move intended to provide additional federal money to help Washington cope with the huge crowds that are expected to turn out for the ceremony next Tuesday that will make Mr. Obama the nation’s first black president.

The government has set aside $15 million to help pay for security and medical personnel. But Mayor Adrian M. Fenty asked for more money, citing possible crowds of 1.5 million to 2 million and “the associated stresses that it would place on the city’s capabilities, particularly the medical community,” said Scott Stanzel, a spokesman for Mr. Bush.

Mr. Bush granted the request as “a precaution,” Mr. Stanzel said; if Washington needs the money, it can apply for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The declaration will also allow federal public health workers to join in the public safety effort.

The president’s power to declare a state of emergency is typically used after natural disasters, although Mr. Stanzel said presidents had occasionally declared emergencies before an anticipated event. But never before, he said, has an advance declaration been used for a “non-disaster.”

[Stooperzero]

mETHINKS tHEY KNOW SOMETHIN WE DON'T.....

[MichaelJ]

Actually I find this declaration appropriate because this inauguration is indeed a disaster.

And really, do you think the people willing to be at the feet of the Messiah are going to just hop on their cars and go home without some mess happening?

[PisnNapalm]

I heard on the radio today that Obama is spending $150 million on his inaguration ball. Didn't Bush get ripped for spending $40 million a few years back?

I wonder how many kids could receive health care for that $150 million.... etc. Obama has spared no expense in his campaign at all.

[ThoughtCriminal]

I heard on the radio today that Obama is spending $150 million on his inaguration ball. Didn't Bush get ripped for spending $40 million a few years back?

I wonder how many kids could receive health care for that $150 million.... etc. Obama has spared no expense in his campaign at all.

Easy to do when it ain't your money....

[sjohn26]

I heard on the radio today that Obama is spending $150 million on his inaguration ball............................
I wonder how many kids could receive health care for that $150 million.... etc. Obama has spared no expense in his campaign at all.

Now, now........historically all Coronations have been expensive - why should this one be any different.



Oh......you said inauguration................

[RandomTask]

I heard on the radio today that Obama is spending $150 million on his inaguration ball.

He should call Monica and have her hold his inaugural balls for free.

[pacodelahoya]

Sjohn26, that cartoon you posted is quite appropriate. I deliver to DC twice a week, as a matter of fact, I should be leaving for work instead of bsing here. It is a friggin nightmare down there. Cops everywhere, jersey barriers, k9's, security checkpoints etc.

[SW357]

Sounds like when I work in Manhattan, right on Wall Street every couple of months. Holy crap. The blockade crew initially checks you out, lets you pass. The road then opens up like a drawbridge, the K-9s come out and sniff your car, the officers in BDUs use the bomb mirrors under your vehicle, check your cargo (and I go in with a ton of crap so it takes forever), then when you finally get the go-ahead, you pull up twenty feet and go thru the entire process a second time with a new crew. Interesting thing is, they don't check any pedestrian at all, and I've seen some huge duffel bags going in there on foot.

You certainly lose all preconceptions about liberty of travel in that situation, and the intimidation factor certainly makes one think that if confrontation occurs in the future, it's going to take some serious mental prep that what you do is totally right and necessary.

[DaveM55]

I heard on the radio today that Obama is spending $150 million on his inaguration ball. Didn't Bush get ripped for spending $40 million a few years back?

I wonder how many kids could receive health care for that $150 million.... etc. Obama has spared no expense in his campaign at all.

The people who protested Bush's inauguration are the same one's celebrating odama's.