I am just as excited as the next person about today's history-making event.

However - why is it newsworthy (or even of interest) to hear what Obama becoming president means to Justin Timberlake?

Why does every event that is exciting and monumental in and of itself have to become a celebrity frenzy?

Why are celebrities treated like such royalty here? I don't want to see the Jonas brothers and Michelle Obama on the same stage. I don't care if Selena Gomez wants to baby sit the Obama girls. To me, this celebration is becoming more a part of pop culture than a part of our nation's true history.

Am I the only one sick of the ever-presence of celebrities?

(Taking a deep breath and going on with my happy day now...)

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

No, and you know, I was trying to figure out what about this whole inauguration (sp) wasn't sitting right with me. I mean, yes, I'm glad to watch the inauguration, and I like a celebration, but, I just think this has gotten out of hand, and honestly, I feel a bit bad for PE Obama.......he's got some big expectations to fill.

I'm ready for it to be June already.....LOL. Have alll this behind us, and knee deep in the business at hand.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Reminds me a LOT of JFK's time in office.. .....

It reminds me of JFK's inauguration as well. Let's face it, people are jazzed about his taking office and an end to the nightmare that was the last 8 years. People feel like celebrating again and more power to them.

Like JFK, Obama has fans.

I just feel like $175 million dollars in this economy is absurd to be spending on an inauguration. The most ever spent. Not justified at this time to be spending this excuburant amount of cash. I think it's great that the Bush admin is over but this is way overboard. Just my opinion.

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Without Health you have no Wealth!

I'm as thrilled as anyone else that Obama was elected, but the whole rockstar president thing has me mystified. T-shirts & hats and posters....etc.....weird.

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I was over it on 11/4.

But, I agree, it's insane. I hope it fades quickly as soon as he's in office and the mundane, everyday-to-day part begins.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I wonder which, if any, of the "stars" are just hitching their wagon to President Obama's popularity?

I have a hard time accepting that someone like Miley Cyrus truly understands and comprehends world events and President Obama's position on said events! Maybe that's just the cynical jaded side of me....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

You have to remember we live in a country that was following Paris Hilton's car on the evening news when we are involved in two high profile wars and numerous other things going on in the world.

People have always been fascinated by what royalty, actors, billionaires, sports figures do and say and it is also a distraction from daily life.

It is only worse than the Photoplay days because of the internet and instant news.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Well, the war is costing over $700 million a day so make a better point. If $175 million (donated by private donors, NOT tax dollars) is what this day costs, then so be it. Maybe it's something that will finally make our country feel good again.

Kinda off the subject, but what did everyone think of "My Country Tis Of Thee" by Aretha?

IMO, I think they should have gotten somebody healthier to sing this. Yes, she is an icon, but I think her health issues really have diminished her breathing and vocal abilities.

While private donors have made up a significant figure towards the inauguration, our tax dollars will still be at work (to the tune of millions too). As I said in a previous post, let's hope the "trickle down" effect makes it back to us at home.

Good point.

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Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, if you do criticize them, you're a mile away and have their shoes.

Who is Paying for the Inauguration? - Baltimore News, Weather, Channel 2 - WMAR-TV


Who is Paying for the Inauguration?

Last Update: 8:41 am
WHO’S FOOTING THE BILL FOR THE INAUGURATION?
Lawan Williams
EW Scripps

The countdown to the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama is underway. The clock is ticking and the donations are pouring in for this historic event. Donors range from average citizens and celebrities, to bank executives that have asked for government bail outs.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is organizing 10 official inaugural balls, the official parade and other related events. To date, there have been $27 million raised by the committee from private donors. Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, and Stephen Spielberg have contributed the maximum donation of $50,000.

Inaugurations come with a hefty price tag. The cost of the 2005 Bush inauguration was $42.8 million. Bill Clinton’s first inauguration cost a mere $25 million, but the price tag increased to $29 million for his second inauguration.

To help pay for next week’s historic inauguration, donations are coming in from all over the country, but there are a few surprise donors. The Presidential Inaugural Committee released information about donors who have contributed more than $200.

Click here to see the complete list of bundled donations.

Bundled donations include a $185,000 from Mark Gilbert with Lehman Brothers, the financial giant that declared bankruptcy last fall. We found bundled donations totaling $150,000 from Jennifer Scully and Bruce Heyman from Goldman Sachs, the global investment firm that recently got a government bail out to stay afloat.

The cost of this historic inauguration is still being tallied, but there are plenty of donors willing to help foot the bill.

Use the search tool below to find out who’s contributing to the inaugural celebration in your neighborhood.
Search the Data Here!

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I posted another link earlier that also took what the federal government (taxpayers) will be responsible for. This article doesn't even mention taxpayers; just a brief overview of donations.

FAR from the only one!

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Am I the only one sick of the ever-presence of celebrities?

No, you're not the only one. Why should I care what any celebrity thinks about the issues? Not to be unkind, but IMHO, just because someone gets paid to act or sing and be out there in the public eye doesn't mean they know what they're talking about when it comes to the issues. To me, their opinions mean nothing more than those of any other person and often times, their opinions mean nothing at all to me.

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Cecilia

"We must love them both--those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

I, too, am sick of the celebrities and acting like Obama is a celebrity. However, I noticed today that there hasn't been any celebrities being shown on TV. (At least when I've been watching). I was surprised that the cameras haven't panned down a few of them.

Where did you get the idea that the $175 million needed to fund this event was donated by private donors, and NOT tax dollars? From all that I have read, some of the funds were indeed donated, but most would come from tax dollars. Perhaps, I am misinformed...

I get tired of the way our media gets ahold of something and just won't let it go. Right now it's the inauguration.
A bunch of us were on break today at 8 am or so and the only thing on tv was Obama. Actually, they were waiting for Obama to head to/come out of a church servce(I think) so there was NOTHING going on at that time, just a great view of a dull looking building, some secret service and a bunch of official looking cars.

Of course, a few people started making jokes about the long wait; funny, harmless stuff such like "He's going to come out NOW" and the like. I came in the room and heard the comments and I just couldn't help myself. I said: "So, did he see his shadow? If he did, does that mean we'll have 6 more weeks of recession?" Everybody cracked up.

I like Obama and I voted for him but the "coverage" of non-events this morning was way too much.

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Let's see, I heard that George Bush's inagurations costs were 1/3 of Obamas and he (George) was criticized for being excessive. I guess the expense for Obama is ok during these hard economic times becuase of "hope". Makes a ton of sense.

I was at work all day so I didn't watch this all day. Got home at 5:45 - it's 7pm and I'm completely sick of it already. When will this be over?

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Good lord, were any of you whining when Bush was inaugurated? I guarantee the coverage was just as continuous!

Sheesh, change the channel. After 8 years of misery, I'm reveling in this and I'm clearly not the only one!

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Reading is Fundamental.

No, I'm pretty sure that no one traveled to Kenya to interview people on their feelings about Bush's inaugural.

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Why would they?

Bet they went to Crawford, Texas, though.

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Reading is Fundamental.

Hey people, quit your whining! You're not allowed to have an opinoin or feelings on a subject. Don't want to piss on truble's parade. She's had 8 years of pure misery. Awwwwwwwww.............

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I wish that they would have had some kid sing the anthem. Some nobody that has had a hard life but has been able to pick themselves up. That would have been touching and a proud moment to watch. If the celeb's are always around on the new with him, it won't look good but I don't think he will let that happen. I do think he is a very grounded person and he knows who likes him for who he is and who wants him for who he is.

Hey, you're whining.

I'm laughing.

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Reading is Fundamental.

Hey people, quit your whining! You're not allowed to have an opinoin or feelings on a subject. Don't want to piss on truble's parade. She's had 8 years of pure misery. Awwwwwwwww.............


Oh come on.....It could have been unpure misery.

Okay, yeah, my feeble attempt to subject a little humor in an otherwise serious thread.

That little 13 year old, I think she's Asian, girl who was on Oprah and sang with Celine Dion. She would have been awesome!

LOL!!

Although, in a twisted turn, a lot of young people watch her. If they see her at least seeming like she's involved in the events in our country, it might stir those young people to get involved, too. Not too bad of a thing.

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People are excited, I don't think there's anything wrong with the coverage. There might be too much "extravaganza", but I can understand why people want to watch as much as they can.

I wasn't for Obama, but I did watch the inauguration at work. (The powers that be set up a projector screen in an auditorium from 10:00 until 1:00 for those that could get away to watch.) I'm glad I watched. It was interesting. I didn't feel the same as others, but it was refreshing to see the excitement, joy and hope that they had for this event.

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All the parties all the coverage all the millions and millions of people, all the movie stars all the tears was sooooo worth it all every single moment let the celebrations continue into the night for the Our New President Barack Obama. Btw all the things he promised he would do for this country, take the troops out and bring them home, built more and better jobs for countless millions, create better spending,, better the ecomony, decrease the cost of health care and made it for affordable for us Americans, do you people who are againist him not want the same, why why can you still believe he is so bad. From the outcome of millions and millions of people at the capitol today and looking through the crowds I saw so many people crying and you still want to tell me he is going to be a bad president and that Bush was good. If you think seriously think all the issues he discussed in his speech are bad things and things you do not want to see happen for your country including Better Education then I am shaking my head in disbelief. What do you want from this man other then what he has said he would fix and I know he will.......God BLess HIm and His Family and keep them safe to secure a better future for all us Americans. I am truly truly proud to be a American and all those celebrations and coverage was justified 100 percent. Peace. Catherine

Just to clarify, I'm happy that the country is happy. I'm as hopeful as I can be right now. I'm thrilled if this party wants to continue into 2010 and beyond.

I just don't need to see another celebrity tell me what it means to him or her. Why are we a nation that cares? I'd rather hear what any of you all think than what Billy Rae Cyrus or Hayden Panitierre think.

IMHO, The celebrity omnipresence and the reporters who incessantly interview them for their *exclusive* perspective(s) on the new president is insulting to typical U.S. citizens.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

Well yesterday I heard the first black man has been elected. So I responded,, he is the president. I was told Oh Yeah but he;s black.
Not sure what to say about that