Are you going to be watching Obama?

[Jacob]

I couldn't get myself to watch the inaguration after I heard it cost $170million. I'm looking forward to some of the changes that Obama will bring, but that's just sickening. There are kids starving to death in this country and they spent more on ice cream then my dad did for his house. That just puts thing in perspective for me.

It's Obama's mini-stimulus package...he gave people work to do!

Also, around $50 million of that was from private donations for the inauguration. Let the guy have a 1 day party before he faces a 4 year road as commander in chief...

[Renaldo Moon]

It may have cost $170 Million, but that $170 Million doesn't disappear into thin air when it's spent. Someone had to supply that ice cream.

[DeniseKRam]

I'm from the US of A baby. My man is in Iraq fighting for our freedom as I type. I volunteered in a battered woman's shelter and have seen some terrible things, starving little kids not being the worst of them.
True enough that it gave peeps work. I'll concede that. But I can't really justify people like Beyonce needing the money for the work. Or the designer that did Michelles dress.
Even if it was donations, there are some awesome charities that could of done amazing things with $50million. Loaded people can spend their money the way they like I guess, I'd just do it different if it were me.

[msufan]

I'm from the US of A baby. My man is in Iraq fighting for our freedom as I type. I volunteered in a battered woman's shelter and have seen some terrible things, starving little kids not being the worst of them.
True enough that it gave peeps work. I'll concede that. But I can't really justify people like Beyonce needing the money for the work. Or the designer that did Michelles dress.
Even if it was donations, there are some awesome charities that could of done amazing things with $50million. Loaded people can spend their money the way they like I guess, I'd just do it different if it were me.

I think that inauguration was worth it... brought hope to virtually everyone I've heard from or read about.

As far as starving children, all people have to do (here in the USA) is take advantage of the many programs available from the gov and that shouldn't happen. Food stamps, welfare, WIC, free breakfast and lunch at school, etc., should prevent that. Were the parents of these children you saw drug addicts that kept their kids locked up in the basement or something?

[DeniseKRam]

Could quite possibly be. These women were so messed up from abuse, they couldn't take care of themselves much less their children. Plus, sometimes, abused women don't know better and end up being abusers in one way or another.

By the way - sorry I got this all going. I'm generally a quiet person and hate starting things. I just really felt strongly about this for some reason. I'm much better at lurking I think.

[Renaldo Moon]

Could quite possibly be. These women were so messed up from abuse, they couldn't take care of themselves much less their children. Plus, sometimes, abused women don't know better and end up being abusers in one way or another.

By the way - sorry I got this all going. I'm generally a quiet person and hate starting things. I just really felt strongly about this for some reason. I'm much better at lurking I think.

Sorry for what?

You brought up a valid point. Dissent is vital for a healthy conversation-- "Stirring things up" isn't always bad, and certainly nobody's feelings are getting hurt over this material.