Obama's "Whistle-Stop Tour" does sound quaint and historically nostalgic, but we know the event to end all events will have Washington literally bursting at the seams unlike anything ever witnessed for an inaugural event. Diane Feinstine seems to be a little perplexed in trying to describe to us what to expect. Rep.Eleanor Holmes,(D) Washington,D.C. has requested an extra 15 million from Congress to help cover costs. That's an extra 15 million that Congress has authorized for all of D.C.'s events for the entire year of 2009. Oh well what the heck.
A post-inaugural parade proceeded down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House for a reception. The highlight of the procession was a red, white and blue float drawn by four white horses and sponsored by the local Republican Association, which carried 34 pretty young women in white gowns, representing each of the states of the union. At the White House, French introduced the new president. According to French’s daily journal, a charmed Lincoln asked “to be allowed to kiss them all, and he did so,” to much applause. Several newspapers reported the kisses, but Carl Sandburg, esteemed Lincoln biographer, commented that the story “made interesting reading but was neither true nor important.”
Earlier, we wrote about Roosevelt and his pound-cake. There is more to the story in that Roosevelt really wanted to serve chicken a' la king, but Nesbitt complained there was no way she could keep it hot for 2000 guests. Instead Franklin served a rations-styled feast of cold chicken salad, rolls without butter,pound cake,punch, coffee with no sugar. To make matters worse, most of the chicken salad was spoiled and had to be thrown out. No exaggeration.
We will see the big change in inaugurations this year with Obama. CNN reports the following: On Sunday afternoon, Obama will help launch a star-studded free event at the Lincoln Memorial, which will be broadcast live on HBO and other cable and satellite providers.
Musical performers, according to the inaugural committee, include: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder. End Quote
No doubt this is an historical event,and one that we hope embraces all Americans and that there is no exclusion to any race or class of people. At this moment though, a dominance of star studded celebrity and excess seems to dominate the new order. Maybe Obama and his supporters know something we do not, perhaps it is Obama's Camelot...TRedwine
sources:
Obama's whistle-stop tour chugs on to Washington, Ed Hornick, of CNN
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