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Let's Not Have a Ball
I know, I know, and what if unicorns, puppies, and kittens jumped over rainbows together?
If showing some restraint on inaugural festivities is too much to ask, perhaps we can make excess a virtue. As a friend of mine suggested, why not double the contributions so that half goes toward paying for security and wine bars, and the other half goes toward the needs of the country? After all, if you can write a check for $50,000 chances are the next $50,000 is there too.
In no way will these donations fix our mess, but the Declaration of Independence started with a word, the Lewis and Clark Expedition with a step, the Erie Canal with a shovel filled with dirt—great accomplishments often start small.
Imagine a president who finally stands up on the day when everyone is listening and gives us not just words about sacrifice and renewal, but backs them up with deeds.
That would bring dignity to the families holding steady around the graves, honor and hope to the service members and their families trying to rebuild their lives, and humility to us all in our remembrance that those who struggle are with us every step of every day. And for the first time in years, these remarkable Americans might actually turn from their hometowns and toward the Capitol in astonishment that someone finally hears them not because of the words they say, but in the actions they take by asking the country to do what is right for the work to come.
Wendy Button is a writer in Washington, DC. She has written for Senators John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Mayor Tom Menino of Boston as well as other national and international leaders.
Look Who's Irish!
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Wendy Button is a writer in Washington, DC. She has written for Senators John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Mayor Tom Menino of Boston as well as other national and international leaders.
So Long, Democrats
Wendy Button is a writer in Washington, DC. She has written for Senators John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Mayor Tom Menino of Boston as well as other national and international leaders.
like-mind
I would be far more sympathetic to even consider your thesis, were it not so couched in hyperbolic attempts at heart-tugging.
"Lincoln...who is reported to have danced during the Civil War."
Are you insane? The President ought not to have danced during the five years' duration of that war? The "charred bodies" voicelessly crying out for us to never have fun again - the Veteran wheeling himself into a cardboard box O'grief. So, are you going to personally not ever celebrate the Winter Holidays or your birthday because "life is so miserable"? People are starving in China, so don't eat?
Good Lord, your bathos-instead-of-pathos is repellent because it is overboard in the direction opposite of what you decry. Excess, true, is not appropriate for the upcoming innauguration. But this weepy knee-jerk ultra-liberal guilt-jerking is so off-putting to the rest of us regular liberals who comprehend the wisdom of the concept of "appropriate".
Moderation is clearly not part of your emotional make-up. I really love the ridiculous notion, hey, if you donate $50 large, then surely there must be yet another $50,000 in your mattress for charity. (!!!)
A subdues celebration without the glitter of, say, the Reagan celebrations is in order. But, if you suppress the Nation's desire for celebration, then a dampening of national mood ensues, which, hello, is not so good an idea when we need to brace ourselves for rough times ahead.
like-mind
A dampening of National mood will ensue if too-drastic measures are applied which will not help citizens to face the hard times ahead.
Your bathos-inducing examples of why nobody ought ever to have fun again in this life, are knee-jerk guilt-ladening and insulting to those of us who contribute to good causes, help the needy, but who are still able to take a breather with moderate good times.
Iamadog
I laugh everytime I read a post by Wendy Button (after I ask myself why I am reading it in the first place.) For anyone who might know Boston Mayor Menino--on Ms Buttons resume--you will know why I laugh. He can't speak and she can't write. We love Tom but not for anything he has ever said!
larry278
As the late Jack Benny said, "I'm thinking.". Some people have a right to express their joy. They have been waiting since 1619. These people have also felt the lash of want & need. There may be a compromse which allows most, if not all, people express their joy on the night of 1/20/09.
PeorgieTirebiter
Maybe it will help if you think of it as a Wake? Why wouldn't we we celebrate the passing of those who were responsible for so many of the miseries you now lament? I don't think throwing 50 million crumbs at the mess you worked to perpetuate with John McCain is significant in the light of 100 billion for AIG?
HitTheBid
I love watching you knee-jerk liberals disguise your "Nobody criticizes Obama" ethos in the form of self-rightous musings and non-substantive critiques.
The woman has a point. Deal with it. Oh and before you start attacking me, I voted for Obama.
Nice to see the lemmings have had their Latee's this moring.
HitTheBid
Ms. Button is talking about the Balls by the way...the formal balls, not celebrations or a ceremony.
Jesus
HitTheBid
Wow. I guess I'm not allowed to comment on this blog...very cool daily beast.
HitTheBid
"I don't think throwing 50 million crumbs at the mess you worked to perpetuate with John McCain is significant in the light of 100 billion for AIG?"
You're right symbols are useless things and should never be used in any form.
Thank you.
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