Thanks Everybody
Thanks to everyone who signed the petition to Cancel the Inaugural Festivities. Here is how it read:
To: Inaugural Committee
We feel that in light of the sacrifices being made by the members of the armed services it would be inappropriate to celebrate the Presidential Inauguration in the usual fashion that involves parties and dinners and drinking and dancing.
At this time in our nation's history, with many of our service men and women being killed and wounded overseas, it is not a time for celebration but rather for sober reflection.
The planners of the inauguration are proposing a theme that would honor the men and women in uniform. We feel that removing the festive elements from this tradition would be the best way to honor our troops.
Furthermore, we feel that at least some of the $40 million earmarked for the parties and parades could be better spent providing for the protection and safety of those at war.
We present this petition in a non-partisan spirit and hope that the celebrations could be replaced by a day of respectful observance of the many sacrifices that are made by our fellow citizens in uniform and their families.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
The petition was posted on two different online petition websites and we got decent response, despite having only a month to circulate it. Signatures came from all across the U.S
I e-mailed the petition to a number of sites that were organized by military vets opposing the current war in Iraq (to my amazement there are actually several), and got some positive response there. I also e-mailed it to bloggers and activists like Michael Moore, and anywhere else I thought it might be received.
After the December 26 tsunami in Indonesia there was additional motivation to reduce the inaugural expenses and divert the money to the truly needy.
Nevertheless, the parties went on as planned and the money was spent in the usual brash and reckless style of this ("conservative"?) administration. The champagne is gone ,the caviar consumed, the inaugural gowns left in tatters, but the shame on this White House remains.
To: Inaugural Committee
We feel that in light of the sacrifices being made by the members of the armed services it would be inappropriate to celebrate the Presidential Inauguration in the usual fashion that involves parties and dinners and drinking and dancing.
At this time in our nation's history, with many of our service men and women being killed and wounded overseas, it is not a time for celebration but rather for sober reflection.
The planners of the inauguration are proposing a theme that would honor the men and women in uniform. We feel that removing the festive elements from this tradition would be the best way to honor our troops.
Furthermore, we feel that at least some of the $40 million earmarked for the parties and parades could be better spent providing for the protection and safety of those at war.
We present this petition in a non-partisan spirit and hope that the celebrations could be replaced by a day of respectful observance of the many sacrifices that are made by our fellow citizens in uniform and their families.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
The petition was posted on two different online petition websites and we got decent response, despite having only a month to circulate it. Signatures came from all across the U.S
I e-mailed the petition to a number of sites that were organized by military vets opposing the current war in Iraq (to my amazement there are actually several), and got some positive response there. I also e-mailed it to bloggers and activists like Michael Moore, and anywhere else I thought it might be received.
After the December 26 tsunami in Indonesia there was additional motivation to reduce the inaugural expenses and divert the money to the truly needy.
Nevertheless, the parties went on as planned and the money was spent in the usual brash and reckless style of this ("conservative"?) administration. The champagne is gone ,the caviar consumed, the inaugural gowns left in tatters, but the shame on this White House remains.
posted by Steve Trumbull | 1/21/2005
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