all the pieces of my heart ...: Obama, the Art of the Lie .... All Comfy and Cozy at the Inaugural While Staten Island Freezes !

In the middle of the worst economic downturn since the 30's Obama's Inaugural is likely to exceed previous estimates and is projected to cost a record setting $170 million tax dollars even though The White House had promised events would be trimmed and toned down to reflect the austerity of the times. Aw, golly gee, we had the best of intentions, it just sorta' got away from us!

In contrast Bush's first inauguration ran $42 million and his second about $30 million. Clinton’s first inaugural was roughly the same as his successor's at $33 million for the first and his second inauguration was $31 million.

As explanation a White House Press Secretary said, “Those Presidents didn’t know how to party. We do!” - Obviously, and with great zeal while using other people's money !!!

Inaugural Committee spokeswoman, Linda Douglass tried to justify the amount of money being spent, "The money is going toward providing events which we hope are going to connect people, make them feel like we are all in this together and reinforce the notion that when we pull together, we’re stronger. And we need to pull together to face the challenges that are before us today.”

And you just had to throw tons of treasury at the wistful "hope" of this "pull together kumbayah" moment producing anything tangible in overcoming our problems ? What a load of typical Administration BS ! You wanted a big damn blowout party, and so you had one regardless of the impropriety and cost, which as far as making people "feel like we are all in this together" you've only succeeded in pissing off more of them who believe Obama should be leading by example.

United Press International (UPI) says security measures make it difficult to accurately determine the final cost to taxpayers, but the combined total is likely to exceed the $170 million dollar estimate which is more than what was spent on Obama's first Inauguration.

But Hey .... Sunday's private swearing in of Obama /jarrett as president was a bargain at a mere $1.25 million. Hooray for sensibility in the face of austerity !

Looking positively all comfy and cozy in a nice custom built and heated parade review stand to ward off those, brrrrr, chilly January Washington DC winds. While just five days ago ....this photo .... in Staten Island, the struggle against winter weather and community wide devastation continues to exact its toll. Today's forecast - bitter cold, with wind chill to 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Obama speech BEFORE the election for the newsmedia after reviewing Superstorm Sandy damage on ground, in person...

".... I promised to everybody that I was speaking on behalf of the Country when I said we're gonna' be here until the rebuilding is complete - and I meant it - so I'm gonna' come back today but I'm also gonna' be coming back in the future to make sure that we have followed through on that commitment." - Barrack Obama /jarrett