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

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

I am well aware of that! Just like the new China was not paid for by the American people.
The point is about the way the spending appears and the impression it gives. The point is that even though it is not TP dollars, in a recession this type of spending is senseless and it makes it seem like the impression the president is giving the American people about this being hard economic times that call for drastic (700 billion dollar) measures is a lie since his wife is buying 1/2 a million dollar china.
The point in saying that there was a surplus when the Clintons left is that the economy and American people were not suffering. There was "extra money" so a purchase like this would not be considered offensive. This situation to me is about setting an example.

If your next door neighbor just got a new expensive couch (to add to the many he already has and you know that the person who is moving in after he leaves in 2 weeks is going to buy another) after he turned to you and asked you to sacrifice to help his friend pay for a huge mistake she made would you not question why he let someone buy him a Couch when he knew his friend needed help? Personally, he'd have to sell the Couch or make some type of personal sacrifice before he could step to me and ask for my dollars. I would question his discretion.

So, I disagree with the purchase and think it was a very bad idea and I also think it came at a bad time. It wasn't my money and there isn't anything that I can do about it (not that I would if I could). I also don't buy the "Its all American's china" idea. Its just my opinion on the matter.

What the hell does private money used from a private foundation have to do with what Bush has said about the economy? Our economy is in the dumps. We are in fairly desperate times that have called for desperate measures. None of that means that someone can't spend their OWN PRIVATE money on a gift. Paris Hilton bought a 320,000$ pink Bentley with her own private money.....is she a threat to our national well being? No.

Personally, I'm a lot more pissed off that shitty companies with shitty business models have gotten billions of dollars of OUR own money through bailouts. Those were bad ideas.......certainly in a bad time....

....but that's just me.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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??????

I think I would be kind of embarrassed if other world leaders were invited to the White House and were served food on China that any one of us could afford to buy. I know it's not the equivalent, but I couldn't imagine having dinner on a holiday like Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving on paper plates. But I lol'ed when I read the "Presidential styrofoam plates" comment.

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

What the hell does private money used from a private foundation have to do with what Bush has said about the economy? Our economy is in the dumps. We are in fairly desperate times that have called for desperate measures. None of that means that someone can't spend their OWN PRIVATE money on a gift. Paris Hilton bought a 320,000$ pink Bentley with her own private money.....is she a threat to our national well being? No.

Personally, I'm a lot more pissed off that shitty companies with shitty business models have gotten billions of dollars of OUR own money through bailouts. Those were bad ideas.......certainly in a bad time....

....but that's just me.

I'm not a Bush supporter, but this is the best post so far on this thread. I agree, especially since it's not being paid for by tax payers.

[I.A.S.K.]

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

What the hell does private money used from a private foundation have to do with what Bush has said about the economy? Our economy is in the dumps. We are in fairly desperate times that have called for desperate measures. None of that means that someone can't spend their OWN PRIVATE money on a gift. Paris Hilton bought a 320,000$ pink Bentley with her own private money.....is she a threat to our national well being? No.

Personally, I'm a lot more pissed off that shitty companies with shitty business models have gotten billions of dollars of OUR own money through bailouts. Those were bad ideas.......certainly in a bad time....

....but that's just me.

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.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

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.

The Bush family is NOT paying for the china. If you even read the article, you'd know that the White House Historical Association is paying for the china (as they did for the Reagans and the Clintons).

The only thing the Bush family has to do with this china is that they picked the design.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

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

I'll agree with you on that one - unfortunately, it looks like both sides of the aisle are more than happy to make that mistake.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Ok...so now that we are back talking china...here is my question...if there is a question of replacing it so often, then how often are they using the china that it needs replacing? LOL

Are foreign dignitaries just dropping in weekly or something?

I mean it's not like they eat off the fine china daily....heck if that's the case, then donate some of that stuff to me so I can throw out my old plates I have been using the past 2 terms....heheheheh!!!

I'm not an expert on this by any stretch, but is it used just for foreign dignitaries? I would imagine the china is also used for formal dinners with members of Congress, Governors, etc.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I'm not sure what the environmental impact would be, but I'm sure the leaking juices from the meat and veggies would be a very messy impact on Daemon's $10,000.00 table cloth. lol (DS I'm kidding)

Hence styrofoam plates and they have to take their shoes off at the door, not for fear of them being thrown but I will be damned if they mess up the White House carpet.....and put plastic on the White House couches too:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I'm not an expert on this by any stretch, but is it used just for foreign dignitaries? I would imagine the china is also used for formal dinners with members of Congress, Governors, etc.

Serve bag and box dinners to them...it's more eco friendly.

Heh!

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Hence styrofoam plates and they have to take their shoes off at the door, not for fear of them being thrown but I will be damned if they mess up the White House carpet.....and put plastic on the White House couches too:

lol lol lol (o.k. that's it...you owe me two cups of Starbucks, and possibly a new computer)

[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?

[I.A.S.K.]

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

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.

The dolt comment was unnecessary. You must be a dolt if you're trying to miss my point. I am talking about my opinion. In my opinion China was not the best purchase.

Clearly you're having a problem with terminology. When I said art what I meant was something along the lines of paintings, drawings, sculptures (and things of this like). Though I am well aware that China is considered by some to be an art form I do not count China as an art form. If you went to school to study art you probably wouldnt use China as a medium. Paints, clay, charcol, and photography, but not China.

I've explained your first question at least three times. Its not about the actual China (or purchase) it is about the perception of said purchase.

In respect to the underlined sentence I think you might want to talk to your doctor because I think your meds are supposed to do the opposite. Maybe you need a stronger dose.

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

Are you an idiot?
No, but if you look in the mirror and ask this question I think you'll get the opposite answer.
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"?

The bail-out was total crap.

It isn't because someone spent .5mil on CHINA (it applies to the China purchase because as I stated other purchases wouldn't have been a problem). It is because Mrs. Bush spent the money on china that Mr. Bush can seem less credible to some people. These people will most likely be the ones who do not value China as an art form and who consider the purchase money (whether donated or not) wasted in a time where the country is facing economic hardship and cannot afford to waste (that much) money.

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

The dolt comment was unnecessary. You must be a dolt if you're trying to miss my point. I am talking about my opinion. In my opinion China was not the best purchase.

Clearly you're having a problem with terminology. When I said art what I meant was something along the lines of paintings, drawings, sculptures (and things of this like). Though I am well aware that China is considered by some to be an art form I do not count China as an art form. If you went to school to study art you probably wouldnt use China as a medium. Paints, clay, charcol, and photography, but not China.

Really? Really?? I don't have a problem with terminology at all. I'm not the one claiming that the 11,000 year old practice of taking Chinese CLAY (kaolin) and SCULPTING it into porcelain dishes isn't an art form.

...and for the record, I took three art history courses at Texas and all three spent significant time detailing Chinese art forms, specifically their perfection of plate making, bowls, platters, jugs, etc. etc. etc.

I've explained your first question at least three times. Its not about the actual China (or purchase) it is about the perception of said purchase.

In respect to the underlined sentence I think you might want to talk to your doctor because I think your meds are supposed to do the opposite. Maybe you need a stronger dose.


The bail-out was total crap.

It isn't because someone spent .5mil on CHINA (it applies to the China purchase because as I stated other purchases wouldn't have been a problem). It is because Mrs. Bush spent the money on china that Mr. Bush can seem less credible to some people. These people will most likely be the ones who do not value China as an art form and who consider the purchase money (whether donated or not) wasted in a time where the country is facing economic hardship and cannot afford to waste (that much) money.

Again, please tell me how Bush is "less credible" because private money was spent buying a gift for the White House.

Anyone who thinks that way is a moron. Plain and simple. How was the money "wasted"? It was given for a specific purpose. If they didn't use the private funds to buy china don't you think the money would revert back to the bank accounts of the people/organizations who donated it?

I mean sweet Jesus.......the country can't afford to waste "that much" money? "The country" isn't spending half a million dollars on China. A collection of wealthy individuals and private organizations are.

Isn't Black Jesus' inauguration running upwards of 150 million dollars?......and we're worried about plates? If memory serves me.....I remember there being an uproar when it was announced that W's 04' inauguration tabbed out at 40$ million.

[I.A.S.K.]

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

Again, please tell me how Bush is "less credible" because private money was spent buying a gift for the White House.

Anyone who thinks that way is a moron. Plain and simple. How was the money "wasted"? It was given for a specific purpose. If they didn't use the private funds to buy china don't you think the money would revert back to the bank accounts of the people/organizations who donated it?

I mean sweet Jesus.......the country can't afford to waste "that much" money? "The country" isn't spending half a million dollars on China. A collection of wealthy individuals and private organizations are.

Isn't Black Jesus' inauguration running upwards of 150 million dollars?......and we're worried about plates? If memory serves me.....I remember there being an uproar when it was announced that W's 04' inauguration tabbed out at 40$ million.

Your inner AWP is comming out. You might want to reel that in a bit. Thanks.

ETA: SWTXBelle, Agreed.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by I.A.S.K.

Your inner AWP is comming out. You might want to reel that in a bit. Thanks.

ETA: SWTXBelle, Agreed.

AWP = Angry White Person?

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

Isn't Black Jesus' inauguration running upwards of 150 million dollars?......

The last time I checked it's a presidential inauguration and why do you always make stupid comments in regards to race and color? Seriously.

I don't disagree with you about the china, but why is race ALWAYS an issue with you? Grow up.

[SWTXBelle]

As of today, that china will be used by the Obamas. I am glad Michelle doesn't have to worry about having enough place settings for her larger dinner parties.

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

The last time I checked it's a presidential inauguration and why do you always make stupid comments in regards to race and color? Seriously.

I don't disagree with you about the china, but why is race ALWAYS an issue with you? Grow up.

Race/color isn't an issue with me squirt....nor has it ever been with Barack Obama. It's a joke. Kind of like Barack the Magic Negro, Obama the Messiah, etc. etc. etc. If it offends you......don't read it. Please though, point me to all the posts that have led you to the conclusion that "race is always an issue" with me. Frankly, I don't know what you're talking about and I don't really care to look myself.

Just because I think he is a hack job politician who got elected because he told everyone exactly what they wanted to hear in no way means that I am not more than proud of my country for electing it's first African American president. It is a monumental day in our history...one that we should all be proud of. I will respect the office of the President, pray for him, and support him while in office.

Get off your high horse and go bug a tour guide. Maybe make fun of a fast food worker or something.......