The Bush girls wrote a mostly nice letter for the Obama sisters. To me the four years line is innocent enough. No one can assume a new president will be re-elected. There is wonderful advice throughout the letter for the girls about to move into the White House.

It is just the ending that seems out of place. The past two weeks we have been hearing excuses for Bush's dismal performance and the harm his administration has done from so many people including Bush himself. And lots of stories of what a nice guy he is.

To me, who a man or woman really is, isn't just how they appear to their family. They aren't a good person because they are kind to family and friends and co-workers. Who a person really is, is how they act when there are no consequences personally but their own conscience.
If I am alone and find a wallet with lots of cash, turning it over to the police and contacting the owner shows my integrity much more than if I buy my children a treat with the money.

If a CEO is a swell guy to those he loves but decides to cut workers and work the remaining ones too hard to get extra profits so he can get a huge bonus, is he really a good guy?

Same goes for the president. If he appoints a clearly unqualified person to head an organization, say FEMA, taking the risk that people will suffer from the agency's unpreparedness, is he a nice guy? I won't even go into starting a war with weak intelligence while ignoring many nations opinions and intel, as well as the U.N. inspectors. And having most mid-east experts saying it would start a civil war. Knowing the huge cost of a war in human deaths and suffering, can anyone be a nice person to start a war with so much data against it?
Who a person really is has to be the sum total of the decisions they make that affect others, not just the nice self they show their family.
That's who they really are.

Personally, I'm sick of the media and the hype - it's just another President and I'm not interested in history. I'm interested in how and when he's going to start taking action instead of just talking. We've been hearing him for the entire year of 2008. Time to shut up and get to work fixing this economy and the messed up immigration allowing foreigners to come here to work and take American jobs. Legal or illegal, they are not wanted.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO NOT BUY THINGS (CONTRIBUTE TO MOVE THIS ECONOMY FORWARD). THEY WANT TO CUT TAXES OR ISSUE GOVERNMENT CHECKS. WELL, EITHER ONE WILL LAST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WHY NOT CUT PROPERTY TAXES. WHY NOT GET RID OF CAR TAXES. I AM SURE THAT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY. THE REASON THIS ECONOMY IS STUCK IS BECAUSE EVERYTHING HERE IS SO EXPENSIVE: PROPERTY TAXES, CAR TAXES, IF YOU OWN A CONDO, YOUR CONDO FEE GOES UP EVERY YEAR, COLLEGE TUITION IS SO EXPENSIVE, HEALTH INSURANCE IS SO EXPENSIVE, RENT IS SO EXPENSIVE, IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, HIRING A BABYSITTER IS SO EXPENSIVE. SO HOW, I ASK GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, YOU WANT US TO SPEND OUR DOLLARS (TO MOVE THIS ECONOMY) WHEN FIRST WE HAVE TO PAY THE EXPENSIVE BILLS (READ ABOVE). AFTER WE PAY OUR EXPENSIVE BILLS, WE HAVE NOTHING LEFT ($$$$$$).

SO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MUST FOCUS IN REDUCING THE ABOVE EXPENSES. CUTTING TAXES OR ISSUING GOVERNMENT CHECKS WILL NOT SOLVE THE ECONOMIC PROBLEM WE ARE IN.

Wonder how much this overblown inauguration is costing the taxpayers --security, cleanup, sanitary facilities, extra police, etc. etc. Whatever the price tag, it's not worth it.

Amazing how the government always has taxpayer money to spend even when the average American is down to nickels and dimes.

Wha

Events that seem to be missing from the inauguration this time around are demonstrations. Every inauguration I have ever witnessed, the media mentions a lot about the demonstrators and their causes. Are there any demonstrations this time around?

Yes, the price tag for the inauguration is worth it. The fact that there is so much enthusiasm for this new president means there will be many new people volunteering to help their communities. Can you put a price tag on that?
(Funny how the very same people who complain about this relative small amount of money didn't bat an eye when the Bush administration gave out no-bid contracts. Or out-sourced military jobs at a much higher price and lower quality.)
I am especially proud of my country today and look at the huge numbers in Washington as a good sign for our future. It takes an involved public to keep government honest and working for the people. I think many people see the difference a little bit of their time and money can make in a better future for us all. Hurrah for the United States!

LYDIA:

The reason there are "huge numbers in Washington" is because most of them don't have jobs. Yeah, they are going to be just great for our economy --looking for their handouts and freebies.

God, I hope Jenna and Barbara Bush's prediction is right.

NBC said they would leave the girls alone. Nice to know at least one network has some honor.

Just from reading most of these posts I see that haters are raging all over the place! Yeah, by the way, exactly how quickly could you get us out of this mess that Bush spent the last 8 years getting us into? And some of you must have been under the biggest rocks that exist since you don't know that Obama has been making moves already since having been CHOSEN as President of this nation. And guess what? The MAJORITY are thrilled about this historic event. So, just sit back, and enjoy the ride - HATERS!!!

NBC has honor? joking, right?

I know Chris Matthews is on MSNBC - but calling Sarah Palin the most stupid woman in politics....show me some more chivalry. Didn't seem like he was that hard on Caroline Kennedy for her interview errors.

Hopefully Obama will be good for this country, hopefully he will bring us together, hopefully he will be a great leader. But...there are so many unemployed Americans, so many Americans losing their homes to foreclosure, so many American children going to bed hungry, so many American elderly that can't buy the medicines they need, or get the medical attention they need...I have to wonder at the price tag on the hoopla going on in DC....couldn't that money have been better spent helping out so many Americans that are suffering and don't have the basic needs in their lives, let alone NO glitz and glamour in their lives...I think less money spent on the inaguration and more spent trying to help the America people would have been a great message!

I think people need to research before they start bashing. The funds are not coming from the taxpayers pockets. This was mentioned not only on t.v. but also, on the internet. And Washington is not packed because of people not having jobs, but because people care. It's about the people, as a whole. Not just republican or democrat but both. Just tune in and find out before mouthing off. And I hope that the people who is waiting for him to make the change don't expect it overnight. Because it's not going to happen. It's the president has just turned over his seat that has us where we are now. Since when have anyone seen ONE man mess up the WORLD!!!! And now you decide to critize the one that's trying to make a change. I gets it's true you can NEVER satisfy everyone.

On this day of unknown promise and hope for a better future, I intend to look to MYSELF and determine what I can do to make my financial situation better, decrease my carbon footprint, be a better neighbor and employee and friend; I think Obama's presidency is about being together, united in the process to make the world safe, free, and with a mutual regard for beliefs and perspectives. I call on everyone who is so critical, so jaded, and so judgmental to remember that, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Oh please!:

Of course, that said, there is this curious line from the Bush girls:

"Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!"

Are Jenna and Barbara already predicting that Obama will not be re-elected?

Does everything that everybody does have to have snidely political undertones to it? This is outrageous. The Bush girls were simply trying to help the Obama girls with the transition. Did Chelsea Clinton extend such a heartfelt greeting to Jenna and Barbara? Probably not.

But, in either case, just lay off. The did a very sweet and caring thing. You don't have to celebrate that if you are so politically one-sided that someone not of your affiliation can ever do anything good, but "if you can't say something nice" about a gracious gesture then do us all a favor and say nothing.

He was not my candidate, but he is now my Commander in Chief. I will support him as I expected others to support President Bush. Let's stop bashing each other, President Obama and former President Bush. Let's look to ourselves to see what we as Americans can do to make this a better place once again. Give him a chance....he just officially got the job!!! None of us are ever expected to make changes and better our companies on day one...neither should he be. Be resonable folks.

IN RESPONSE TO "WHO CARES" AND ALL THE OTHER HATIN ASS MOTHERFLUCKERS, GO TO TEXES.

"NBC said they would leave the girls alone. Nice to know at least one network has some honor."

Honor? Please!

It's a shame that Jenna and Barbara never got this courtesy as the Obama girls will and Chelsea Clinton did. The media... all of the media... reported on the Bush girls like they were paparazzi stalking a Hollywood starlet.

They leave the Obama girls alone? Well, never too late I guess.

Yes many, many people are in DC (and I know at least 100) and ALL of them are employed. Many have taken the day off WITHOUT pay to participate.

Tax dollars are not involved in these celebratory events as far as I know and have researched. Now be quiet and do like my mom says: "If you can't say anything nice-don't say anything at all..."

I am behooved by the haters. Leave Barack alone. He just started his Presidency today and I have a lot of hope for him. bush was here for 8 years and did nothing. the Bush girls were freaking alcoholics. anyways all the haters can go to hell. I bet the haters are WHITE!!!!

Pamela... talk about a "hater".

Why don't you swallow some of your own advice.

Sorry Pamela...

I just relized that my last comments should have been directed to Ms. B. Ms. B is clearly the "hater" here.

Ms. B...those are some harsh words..I'm a middle class white woman have had said nothing hateful about President Obama...but there you go...throwing out the race card...not what he stands for at all..very sad.

Also, you used behooved in the wrong connotation here's teh official definition and usage for the word. be·hoove Pronunciation: \bi-hüv, bē-\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): be·hooved; be·hoov·ing
Etymology: Middle English behoven, from Old English behōfian, from behōf
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb: to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for
intransitive verb : to be necessary, fit, or proper

I am just eager like everyone else, yes a person can talk the talk but it is the walk that matters. Race has nothing to do with it. The man is President and he is a celebrity. Change will come in time, give him a chance. We, no YOU ALL, gave Bush a chance and he did nothing, but yet you voted him back in another 4 years. How dumb can you be, you all brought this on yourselves.

You folks are sad and pitiful especially Lydia. We all feel the HARD pinch which I lost my home due to. I work very hard but attending a historical event is awesome and just a little faith in the cause for ALL americans rather than complaining about went wrong during the Bush yeards will not solve anything. The folks cleaning and working in Washington behind the parades and other activities thank God they have jobs to do the work! Presidents are human and the make mistakes like we do. How about rather than complaining you volunteer somewhere or correspond with the politicians such as legislatures in your state, your congressman, and senators and see what you can do to make the economy better. "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country!" God Bless You All!