Recession? What recession? The Bushes Buy Fine China for almost 1/2 a mil.

DaemonSeid · #1 01-08-2009, 09:23 AM

Excerpt:

Among the ongoing political theater in Washington, questions swirled in the nation's capital today when first lady Laura Bush introduced the new Bush china -- with a price tag of more than $550,000 -- less than two weeks before she and President Bush move out.

The first lady was careful not to mention the price tag when she introduced the new presidential plates: one, a table set of formal china in white, green and gold; the other for the residence painted with magnolias in honor of the old trees outside the White House windows.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/s...6593323&page=1

The only good news is ... SUPPOSEDLY it's not being paid by our dollars, but I am sure that money could have gone a long way towards something else...

They can't make presidential styrofoam plates or sumn??????

SWTXBelle · #2 01-08-2009, 09:29 AM

I remember when there was the same sort of outcry during the Reagan years - (

) about a set of china. Private donations were used to buy that china too - and while yes, the money could have been used for other things , the fact is that china belongs to all of us. The Obamas will use it to entertain at the White House, and it will be a part of the many beautiful items given or donated over the years which make up the historical legacy of the executive mansion.

I don't think serving foreign dignitaries on paper plates is an option.

And hey, you can think of it as a stimulus package for china manufacturers!

DaemonSeid · #3 01-08-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I remember when there was the same sort of outcry during the Reagan years - (

) about a set of china. Private donations were used to buy that china too - and while yes, the money could have been used for other things , the fact is that china belongs to all of us. The Obamas will use it to entertain at the White House, and it will be a part of the many beautiful items given or donated over the years which make up the historical legacy of the executive mansion.

I don't think serving foreign dignitaries on paper plates is an option.

And hey, you can think of it as a stimulus package for china manufacturers!

That china belongs to all of us huh...?

Hmm...

I also agree with the article...the timing is just wrong on so many levels.

A stimulus package for china manufacturers? Riiiight.

The porn industry asking for a bailout is a far enough stretch.

If the china industry asks for one then that is past going too far.

ThetaPrincess24 · #4 01-08-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

The porn industry asking for a bailout is a far enough stretch.

Are they really?

I havent heard that! It seems to be doing well in Vegas though on and off the strip

KSigkid · #5 01-08-2009, 11:09 AM

I have no problem with this; the china is going to be used for dinners with visiting dignitaries and the like, and as someone said earlier in the thread, it will most likely be used by the incoming administration. I'm sure the Obamas will spend money in trying to make the White House seem more like home when the President-Elect takes office. It's just what happens.

It's not the best timing from a public relations/image perspective, but beyond that I don't see an issue.

DGTess · #6 01-08-2009, 11:59 AM

$.5M china
$9M vacation homes in hawaii.

change we can expect?

ThetaPrincess24 · #7 01-08-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

And hey, you can think of it as a stimulus package for china manufacturers!

haha!

SWTXBelle · #8 01-08-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

haha!

Thank you for getting the fact that it was tongue in cheek!

TexasWSP · #9 01-08-2009, 02:17 PM

People are pissed off that a private foundation has paid for a new set of dinnerware for the White House? Wow. Get a grip you pansies.

I wonder how much it costs to rent out a 9 million dollar beachfront home in Hawaii for 12 days. Actually would like to know.

#10 01-08-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

I wonder how much it costs to rent out a 9 million dollar beachfront home in Hawaii for 12 days. Actually would like to know.

Rentals in the Lanikai neighborhood range anywhere between $450-$1000 a night. Multiply that by 12 nights and it's still nowhere near what the china cost. I've stayed there with my family many times.

Lots of families prefer renting out homes because the Waikiki hotels tend to be twice the cost.

deepimpact2 · #11 01-08-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

I wonder how much it costs to rent out a 9 million dollar beachfront home in Hawaii for 12 days. Actually would like to know.

Certainly not as much as it cost to buy that china.

And if you think people should get over the china, then maybe you shouldn't be so concerned with how much it cost to rent that house.

Munchkin03 · #12 01-08-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

People are pissed off that a private foundation has paid for a new set of dinnerware for the White House? Wow. Get a grip you pansies.

Yeah, I pretty much feel the same way. The recession won't impact everyone, anyway.

agzg · #13 01-08-2009, 02:39 PM

I've been there. I was three.

DaemonSeid · #14 01-08-2009, 02:43 PM

I tell you guys what...I am right around the corner from there...I will walk that way for lunch and let you know what happens...will that help ?

MysticCat · #15 01-08-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

I tell you guys what...I am right around the corner from there...I will walk that way for lunch and let you know what happens...will that help ?

Nah. Being able to visit the White House =/= being able to walk right in unannounced and uninvited. Doesn't at my house either, nor, I bet, at yours.