I read that the Presidential Inaguration and subsequent parties / gatherings will cost the US up to $15 million in security costs. Apparently an expanded no-fly zone will be set up along with anti-aircraft guns, coast guard patrols on the Potomac, combat air patrols above, ground security, chemical sniffers, welded manhole covers ...
While I can understand the political "need" of "being seen", this gross exaggeration of largese strikes me as completely unnecessary, particularly if the US taxpayer is footing the bill. Not to mention of course, that $15 million could be used for a lot of other things, particularly now. (Take your pick of Darfur, tsunami, AIDS ...)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4182385.stm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6543-2005Jan13.html
While I can understand the political "need" of "being seen", this gross exaggeration of largese strikes me as completely unnecessary, particularly if the US taxpayer is footing the bill. Not to mention of course, that $15 million could be used for a lot of other things, particularly now. (Take your pick of Darfur, tsunami, AIDS ...)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4182385.stm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6543-2005Jan13.html