Yeah, it's a spoof.
I wouldn't mind so much the privately raised $40 million for 9 - count 'em - 9 balls except they're sticking ALL the security costs to the District of Columbia (estimated to be more than $17 million.) This includes more than 6000 military and civilian security personnel trained in crisis response, according to Homeland Security czar Tom Ridge - with thousands more on standby.
Excerpt from the New York Times:
"In part, the officials said, the extraordinary security arrangements at this year's swearing-in, parade and related events represent a chance for the nearly 50 federal agencies involved to show newly bought exotic equipment, specially trained antiterror units and communications networks put into place after the September 2001 attacks.
"The military will play a more visible role in this inauguration, with 2,500 troops involved in security, said Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, commander of the Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which coordinates military operations for the inauguration.
"We believe we are ready to deter any type of attack," General Jackman said before Mr. Ridge's news conference.
The general wore camouflage gear as he spoke with reporters in front a group of battle-dressed soldiers who carried automatic weapons."
Full article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/12/po...tml?oref=login
(You may have to register to read it. I'm not sure if it'll come up without registration but it's free.)
Somebody only half-jokingly suggested the residents of D.C. block off the district and charge five bucks per head admission to every out-of-district car/bus coming there in the 48 hours preceding the festivities to offset the huge cost.
And did anybody else get a deja vu flash when reading the above description of those May Day parades the Soviets used to put on, showing off the latest missiles as the tanks rolled towards Red Square? Guess I'm showing my age again.
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