Farewell, George.

[primsong]

In the middle of all the crazy, expensive hype for our new President, may I just say:

"George Bush, darnit, I'm going to miss you. Given what you had to deal with and the sea of hostility you had to face, you did well. Admirably well."

Talk about someone who's earned a rest. God be with him and his family.

That's all...

Comments

[livii.livejournal.com]

Not that much more expensive than Bush's last inauguration, and more than half the money came from private donations, not government money.

Sorry, you may not have intended to sound partisan, but it comes across that way, and every inauguration is crazy and expensive (even, like I said, Bush's last inauguration - which wasn't even a first inauguration like Obama's is). It just hurts me to see folks potentially being partisan on a day the new President stood up and asked us to all work together. :/

[primsong.livejournal.com]

No, not intended as a partisan comment - I dislike the big hooplah for governmental events in general, no matter who it is doing them or where the money came from. Can't help but think of all the good that same money could be doing for our infrastructure, etc. - that's just me... I just don't enjoy all the folks who are rejoicing at Bush stepping down the way they do, sometimes even more than they are noting the new President coming in. I find it disrepectful of the position and the work he faithfully carried through on.

[livii.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. Was just being sensitive to potential divisiveness.

I thought the crowd on the Mall was wonderful; they cheered when Obama mentioned Bush. It wasn't all-out enthusiastic, but it was there. People generally, otherwise? I think are just letting out emotion: for a lot of people, Bush wasn't faithful or respectful to the position, as they see it. What can I say, I think he was the most polarizing President in recent history.

[piplover.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I may not like the man, or everything that he did, but he was our President and derserved to be treated with a lot more respect than has been shown him.

[iorhael94.livejournal.com]

I do wish Bush and his family well.

As for expense, Obama actually scaled the balls and celebrations way down so as not to come off as extravagant in these tough economic times. I imagine that any extra expense had to be put into security, which was absolutely needed...a sad commentary on today's times. ;(

Oh and as Livil said above, they funded this through grassroots donations...I know cause I got a ton of emails asking for donations for the Inauguration ;) I couldn't do anything on that but I'm so very glad they did it that way.