CNN

I will be so glad not to be in this madness.

norma> I would imagine most of the cost is going toward security for Obama and for the attendees. I don't see anything wrong w. that. The man's had more death threats than any other Presidental Elect, sadly.
And if the public wants to donate money for that, that's their perogative, right?

I'll watch the soap-opera from my warm, secure, traffic-free home while the obots freeze off their obutts.

When was Washington DC not a traffic nightmare?

I would love to go, and I hoped to take my 16-year old son with me, but I don't want to try to battle those crowds.

The obots will keep him in his celebrity status, that's all he is good for. All show in an empty suit.

Traffic a nightmare but new administation a dream come true.

12 more days and it's party in the streets all over America.

ya think?!?!a Large % of Americans would like to be there and those who can still afford it are heading there!

For those worried about the cost of the inauguration it comes from Private sources (donations etc) and not out of our budget. it also gives work to many MANY people and business helping to keep the economy flowing (at least in DC).

me I wish I could afford it but this old retired Navy guy cannot quite make it happen, although I tried!

i hope everything goes well !!!!

SSSOOOOO worth it!!

God is goning to be withe us all who will be attending. You will see me there because i cant think of anything better to do and i think all the hoopla is about history being made and as a black american i am thankful that the lord has blessed me to not only to be alive to see it but has also blessed. me to be able to travel all the way frome california to see this once in a life time inauguration and i also well be bringing along my 17 year old daughter to attend this great event along with me so reather you voted for him or not please pray that every thing will just go well. And may god blessed us all and see all americans through this tough time because no matter what we are all in this TOGETHER!!!

People are losing homes because of job losses, and this much money is being spent on an inauguration for a "man"???? An ordinary man who puts his pants on the same way every other man in this country puts them on! Why all the spending? Why can't there be a simple inauguration? After all, he's not GOD!!!!!!!????????

I dont care how bad traffic and security or anything else is going to be thaty day. I plann on being there with bells on and I plan on enjoying every bit of the festivities.

History in the making. I wouldnt miss it for the world!

economic crisis?
limit swearing in to FIVE minutes.
no parties.

Are they going to make a national holiday too? yeash!

Dear Old Citizen,

You're old enough to remember other inaugurations. Some of us have never been to one. I lived in Washington, D.C. all my life and I never really wanted to attend one, really. Now that I've moved to Arizona, I can't wait to get back to view this historical inauguration. Go figure.

The color of the month is not black, but red, white and blue. I can't wait to join in the celebration.

God bless America.

Whatever it takes to keep this man safe. A free country does not come without responsibilites. We can protect him, we must and we will.

Yes We Can.

I have been counting down to this day for months now. My car sports a 1-20-09 sticker. Can't wait.

Well, they won't see me there! Got better things to do!!

Got my invite in the mail today! Whooo-Hoo!

Stay safe, folks.

Just stay home ! What do any of you really think that all this hoopla will really accomplish ? I have seen many inaugurations ! Politicians ,humbug !!!

Seeing how the whole process took..from campaign on- to get to the point of being confirmed as the next President of the United States of America...I would think that if anyone disrupted this event the wrath of God would be on them.

Obama warns of belt-tightening is the captioned story. My previous comment addressed this very thing – what about the squandering on the inauguration I just spoke of. Is this an oxymoron or is it a hyprocasy? I'm all for celebrating and honoring this man, but my gosh – aren't there simpler ways to keep something grand. I thought Barack would have thought of how this looks to the citizens – its a little flaunting to say the least. Were it in different times – I wouldn't have cared, but my family is suffering and jobless. Tighting the belt is not illustrated in the upcoming events.

Everybody have fun freezing! My hubby and I will be lounging on the beach in Honolulu. Celebrating in the president-elect's hometown will be great! And warm!

I'm sure I speak for most Americans it will be well worth it.

I love you Barack family, but no thanks. I'll be watching from a distance,
like on tv!!! Have a wonderful inauguration celebration and may God keep you all safe and sound as you take on your new role as president of this great country.

I think this was Tina Fey posing as Sarah Palin criticizing Tina Fey to boost her own popularity. Too bad nobody can tell the difference...

NO WAY! You mean to tell us that an extra 2 million people milling about Washington D.C. is a problem? Shocking....truly and utterly shocking. Next thing you know, you'll be blowing my mind with crazy news nobody would have thought of like "peanut butter goes great with jelly."

Of course it will be a traffic, security nightmare - isn't it always?

This is specifically the reason why I will be catching the D.C. Metro into the city from Springfield, VA.