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

[ASTalumna06]

Damn. So this is what happens when you don’t read a thread for 24 hours.

First of all, this isn’t the first time that deepimpact has said something that was “misconstrued.” If, when she said “visit,” she meant that to mean, “We all can't eat with the china,” then that’s all she had to say. “Hey, I’m sorry everyone, but what I meant was...” Simple enough.

Anyway, the fact that people are getting all crazy about this kind of baffles me. There are 132 rooms in the White House. I’ve visited there 5 times; 3 times on the general tour, and twice in the West Wing (and yes, it’s pretty easy to visit. Hell, I’ve played with the President’s dog in the rose garden!). Still, I’ve only seen a fraction of the house. I don’t get mad because I can’t use the glassware, or because I can’t sleep in the Lincoln bedroom, or because I can’t throw a strike in the bowling alley. The entire house belongs to the country, but we, as the general public, don’t have access to about 95% of it. Why don’t we all get mad that we can’t use the presidential toilet paper?!

Any way you look at it, this wasn’t paid for with taxpayer’s money. So what’s the problem? If I went out and bought a speed boat right now, would you come knocking down my door saying, “Hey, we’re in a recession!”

[agzg]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

If I went out and bought a speed boat right now, would you come knocking down my door saying, “Hey, we’re in a recession!”

No, but you can bet I'd be knocking down your door come summer, asking if you can take me waterskiing.

But seriously, I have my own skis!

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

No, but you can bet I'd be knocking down your door come summer, asking if you can take me waterskiing.

But seriously, I have my own skis!

It's a date.

[agzg]

Lake Erie or Lake Michigan?

To be honest, I don't know yet if Lake Michigan smells like dead fish in the spring, like Lake Erie does.

Let's wait until spring to make the decision.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Lake Erie or Lake Michigan?

To be honest, I don't know yet if Lake Michigan smells like dead fish in the spring, like Lake Erie does.

Let's wait until spring to make the decision.

Lake Michigan doesn't smell like Lake Erie. NOTHING smells like Lake Erie...

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Lake Erie or Lake Michigan?

To be honest, I don't know yet if Lake Michigan smells like dead fish in the spring, like Lake Erie does.

Let's wait until spring to make the decision.

Price of gas may be up to 5 bucks a gal by then so save your money.

[agzg]

Yeah but waterskiing behind a paddleboat isn't as fun!

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Yeah but waterskiing behind a paddleboat isn't as fun!

Hook your skiis up behind the car....save some money.

Hard times are when people get creative...get some rollerblades and hang off of a bike...

[AlphaDeltaDelta]

Can I haz poops in the White Houses pleas?

[Army Wife'79]

Only Presidents who serve TWO terms are allowed to order new china. So the first Bush didn't get to. Only time will tell if Obama will.
On a sad note, I heard that some of the Lenox outlets are closing which is too bad b/c I always love shopping there. One of them had samples in the entryway of all the Presidential place settings (Destin FL maybe?) and it was so fun to look at them all.
Obama will easily spend that much money to redecorate the Oval office when he moves in.
Didn't I just read that some guy had a $250,000 bathroom put in his office (at taxpayers expense, not donations) and he's the only one allowed to pee in that toilet. At least the dishes are used by many.

[honeychile]

Thanks, SWTXBelle! I picked up something lethal on a flight full of people who couldn't control their coughing children.

I can't wait to see all the fuss once people realize that the President-Elect will be refurnishing the Oval Office to suit his taste. Oh, the outcry! Oh, the waste!

I haven't been there yet, but there's a First Ladies Hall of Fame which sells replicas of the various White House China. The Smithsonian also has some. There are literally thousands of people who volunteer for the White House Preservation Association (started by Jackie Kennedy), so we will be able to keep the White House in shape for foreign dignitaries and such. I understand that the Lincoln Bedroom had to be refurbished in the past eight years, too, but I won't comment further on that. These volunteers are the very people who want to make sure that White House is a symbol of the home of President of the United States. They are to be applauded, not scolded.

[RaggedyAnn]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I can't wait to see all the fuss once people realize that the President-Elect will be refurnishing the Oval Office to suit his taste. Oh, the outcry! Oh, the waste!

Are they still planning on building the basketball court?

Also, if the china was ordered several years ago, were we actually in a recession when they were ordered?

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Lake Erie or Lake Michigan?

To be honest, I don't know yet if Lake Michigan smells like dead fish in the spring, like Lake Erie does.

Let's wait until spring to make the decision.

Yes, let's wait.

But if Lake Michigan smells even a little bit better than Lake Erie, we're going there!

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

I agree with DeepImpact. Eventhough the China is not paid for by the taxpayers it was still a senseless purchase. It makes no sense to purchase China for 1/2 a mil. when in two weeks the new first lady will be making another china purchase (because unless I'm misinformed each first lady gets to purchase china for the white house). I know it wont be in the first days that Mrs. Obama will make her china purchase, but it could be relatively soon and it will appear that our US leaders are just blowing money for no reason. In an economic crisis the Bush family is buying china? Really? Thats a great way to spark our economy. Is this china American made? (just wondering)

To hell with the historical legacy crap. Buying china is not the best way to enhance the historical legacy of the white house. I would have been more understanding if the Bushes purchased art of some kind. That is something that I would consider a legacy, but dinnerware? Nope. Its not like they dont already have china for dignitaries to eat from so what is the need for more? What dignitaries are they hosting over the next 14 days that they'll need china for?

1. Once again, what does using private, donated funds to purchase China have to do with our national economy? Please, enlighten me. How do you figure they are "blowing funds"? THE MONEY WAS DONATED AND SAVED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BUYING IT!!!! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills for Christ's sake.

2. Fine China is most certainly considered an art form you dolt.

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

Paris Hilton is not a member of the first family. If Bush's daughter did this would I be concerned? Probably.

I thought I covered that in my post when I said that the use of private $$ to buy China seems to be senseless and unnecessary. Since it was a purchase made by the first fam. for the white house (one that they are leaving in two weeks) it has to do with Bush. This use of $$ makes me (and others) question Bush's credibility (on the issue of the bailout). It also makes people feel that this 7 billion dollar bailout was total crap because if there's 1/2 a mil for china there should be $$ (non TP $$) to bail-out these corporate losers.

And FTR I think this bail-out was total crap. Mofo's just getting billions for no reason.

Are you an idiot? I'm as serious as a heart attack.

So because someone spent 500,000$ worth of DONATED money that was given for the SOLE PURPOSE of buying a White House gift........that means the bailout was "total crap" and Bush has lost "credibility"?

You serious Clark?