Saturday, January 22, 2005
Thoughts on the inauguration
What a strange, surreal event it was.
A. Rehnquist's trach tube ... time to hang up the robes Kemosabi. Just because you serve for life doesn't mean that you can't retire until you die.
C. Everybody likes pomp and circumstance -- it's a basic human emotion to want to be part of something great. When the president is sworn in on the steps of the Capitol, with all the soldiers standing at attention in their shiny crisp uniforms, stealth bomber flying overhead, it says to each of us, "The United States of America is the greatest, most powerful nation in the history of the world. Therefore, by extension, I'm pretty good." There is definitely a place for this kind of display, even in a democracy. It's not that big a deal, probably even healthy.
All hail King George II !! May the noble and wise House of Bush rule us until the end of the world !!
2. The armored convoy travelling down Pennsylvania Ave. This is the United States, not the USSR -- if you can't have a proper presidential procession without such an overt display of force, then don't do it. It's very nice that the Secret Service men wear suits instead of military uniforms, but make no mistake, they're soldiers, and if the president can't lead his inaugural parade without 10,000 members of his preatorian guard, then don't have the president lead the parade.
iv. Jenna and Babs -- Call me.
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