With all the things we have to worry about today...the economy, unemployment, the increase in cancer, the growing autism epidemic, the restart of the war between Israel and the Palestinians...now the intrusion of Hezbollah into the fray ... we can all take a deep breath and and relax. Mrs. Bush has just spent over FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars for new china for the White House. Doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Here's the actual report from USA Today's site:
The White House Historical Association Acquisition Trust, a nonprofit group, paid $492,798 for 320 14-piece place settings, according to a fact sheet officials distributed to reporters.
I'm insulted! Firstly, I don't care if the money was presented to her by some organization and didn't come personally from the treasury or her own pocket, HOW DARE HER be so frivolous at a time when people are living in their cars, fighting to find food, or worried about the rising cost of fuel. How about those ducking for cover from incoming rockets? I guess the discord is what's caused the rise in gas prices again. It's climbed 20 cents in the past week. I see the respite was short-lived. I would have been more impressed if she'd suggested to her husband that the FEMA trailers that sit unoccupied around the nation be used to house some of the homeless, but then that's just me.
Secondly, the woman has one foot out the door. What happens if Michelle Obama doesn't like her choice? God, if I totaled everything in my home, it wouldn't amount to four hundred thousand dollars. Who's so friggin' important they need that quality of china to eat off of. What makes it so expensive? Does it feed you? Wash itself? Hold conversations? Does anyone who eats at the White House really care? Is the pattern a topic of discussion among the dignitaries who visit?
I just finished watching the Patrick Swayze special about his battle with cancer, and I was reminded of my best friend, Pat, who died several years back from the same ailment. I think it would have been a much more generous gesture on the part of Mrs. Bush to make a statement that she'd much rather buy one plate to represent her stay in the White House, then donate the rest to something worthwhile. Maybe it's just me, but I think making a purchase of this magnitude at a time when the country is quivering, is a slap in the face to us all. Doesn't she read the news?
I guess I'll go celebrate the good news and have a sandwich on a paper plate. :)
