Inauguration a spectacle, but is it too much?

By Joe McAdory

Published: January 20, 2009

Watched the inauguration today. Sure was cold up in DC. To tell you the truth, I’m glad I wasn’t there. I don’t like crowds and I don’t like cold.

Anyway, it was obviously a spectacular event and a beautiful showcase of democracy. For a day, it seemed that Americans were one. Too bad that isn’t always the case.

One thing that bothers me about the inauguration is the ton of concerts and made-for-TV events that surround it. The sight of Garth Brooks in his 10-gallon cowboy hat and tight jeans singing and guitaring around the National Mall kind of distorts the holy ground that place is to me.

It’s certainly a time for celebration, but if it’s going to be a celebration in 2009, then I would assume it would be an equal celebration for the next president.