$2 Million wedding?

[The Straight Story]

Chelsea Clinton Wedding Price Tag: $2 Million

When Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky tie the knot on July 31 they will be surrounded by friends, family and an A-list of celebrities that is likely to include more than one world leader. Hey, Dad's a former president and Mom's the current Secretary of State, after all.

Details of the wedding are slowly leaking out -- it's presumed to be in the small upstate New York village of Rhinebeck -- and it doesn't appear to disappoint. While nobody but the Clintons knows the exact price, it's shaping up to be a costly affair: the total price tag could easily reach $2 million.

When Jenna Bush got married two years ago at the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas, planners estimated it only cost $100,000 for the "down-home" celebration.

To get a better sense of exactly how much it will cost, ABC News reached out to one of the nation's top wedding planners, Claudia Hanlin, founder and partner in The Wedding Library. Hanlin, whose firm is the largest in New York, is the person the CEOs of major companies and the heads of hedge funds call when they get married.

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/chelsea-clinton-marc-mezvinsky-rhinebeck-wedding-price-tag/story?id=11210739

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Do you ever get the impression that some people just have too much fucking money?

[JuniperLea]

3. Read my post below...

Then tell me again... ugh...

[gateley]

4. Yeah. But it's their money and it's not as though if they don't spend it on this

then they'll donate it or build a homeless shelter. She's their only child, and she's been through some rough times, so if they've got it (and boy, they do!) then what's the harm?

[demosincebirth]

133. Ditto!

[demosincebirth]

136. Self delete

[KurtNYC]

141. why buy ABC's bullshit? "$2mil" - it hasn't even happened yet

I agree with your defense but I think it is totally premature. No one knows what the wedding costs and no one will until it happens.

The MSM + a Clinton story = total bullshit. When will we ever learn?

[philly_bob]

159. Exactly! Thanks Kurt. (nt)

[Orsino]

169. Does harm to whatever's left of our party's reputation for supporting the little guy.

I don't know how accurate the $2M figure is, though.

[Warren DeMontague]

197. Yeah, JFK, FDR... they were real minimum wage, hardscrabble types.

Um, no. They were rich.

[Orsino]

215. Hence, "whatever's left." n/t

[dionysus]

246. FDR and the Kennedies were filthy rich and they supported the little guy just fine.

do dems have to all wear sackcloth to be sufficiently pure?

[Orsino]

253. Hence, "whatever's left." n/t

[okieinpain]

5. no kidding.

[Abq_Sarah]

9. I look at it this way

That money is exiting their bank account and entering the economy. It's going to be good for whoever gets the contracts for services.

[handmade34]

18. oh... of course

trickle down economics...

[Abq_Sarah]

29. Yep

I own a business. I depend on people with $$$ to buy my services. If they don't spend, my employees don't get paid. My landlord doesn't receive money from my rent payments. My town, county and state loses the revenue from gross receipts taxes and the fed doesn't get their FICA to support Grandma's Social Security payments.

That's the reality.

[Warren DeMontague]

209. How do you think that people make money, other than when people spend it?

:shrug:

[Saturday]

31. My thoughts exactly. nt

[ChazII]

56. Agree with you 100%. n/t

[Hosnon]

97. That's a good way to look at it. I wish our economic system didn't create the enormous

collections of wealth that it does, but, as it does, it's better for the holders of that wealth to spend, spend, spend.

[Oregone]

132. While its great when capital is injected into the economy...

Their willingness to blow such an enormous amount--considered as mere peanuts--because they will have so much remaining wealth hints of a much larger problem with the entire society.

[Marr]

146. The problem is, if you can just blow $2 million dollars, you have a hell of a lot more than that

elsewhere.

[naaman fletcher]

164. doesn't work that way.

What do you think it is doing in a bank account? It's being loaned out for purchases.

[Abq_Sarah]

165. Of course it works that way

When someone contracts me for services and pays the invoice from their accounts, it's putting money into the economy. If it's in a bank account today, it's most likely adding to the additional assets banks are now required to keep on hand which lowers the amount available for loans to... businesses like mine. Fewer loans = less economic growth.

[Name removed]

168. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Chan790]

184. It's worse than that...

we're not only well over the on-hand deposits threshold (the minimum funds required by law to have on hand), we're well over the internally-set cap (the maximum amount determined by our board of directors we're allowed to keep on hand.) because we can't find qualified borrowers.

Every bank I know of is in the same boat. Too much in deposit, not enough lending.

[Chan790]

180. Except that it's not...

I mean it's supposed to be, supposed to work that way, but currently...it's not.

I work for a bank as a branch FSR...loan processing is rejecting more than 50% of business loan applications we send in, for credit unworthiness or excessive risk or insufficient collateral...and I'm in DC where there is no recession. And they're right to reject them...we have an obligation to our clients to be responsible with their money. Making bad loans is bad for the financial health of a bank and the people that bank there.

In the meanwhile, we're more than 130% over our internally-set maximum for on-hand deposits because we can't find opportunities to get that cash out the door and working to generate profits.

Taking off my "bank-employee" hat and putting on my "knowledgeable member of the public" hat, The only way we're getting out of this mess is it people start spending rather than hoarding...we've blown through every industry-side measure to re-initiate fund-cycling and no effect...it's dis-proven Say's Law but that's about it.

[valerief]

14. Two million is nothing to them. nt

[aquart]

92. Yes, but they so desperately tried to ruin Bill that his current wealth makes me giggle.

[dionysus]

230. they're pumping 2 million dollars into the economy. how awful...

[FiveGoodMen]

234. They have two mil for a wedding when others can't eat -- broken system.

[dionysus]

241. it's not the clinton's fault poverty exists.

:shrug:

[FiveGoodMen]

243. And that isn't what I said.

[JuniperLea]

2. Chicken feed...

That's how much my former boss's dress cost... it was encrusted in diamonds and pearls. I kid you not. The petticoat was worth more than the year's salary she paid me. No exaggeration.

If Chelsea and her parents are paying 2 mil... I say good on them for being frugal.

[Oregone]

7. "I say good on them for being frugal"

My Gawd...the lengths some people go.....

[JuniperLea]

15. They could afford to triple that sum...

And they didn't. They run in different circles than you do... that you don't get it is more telling of you than it is of me. I stand by what I said.

[Oregone]

21. "They run in different circles than you do"

:rofl:

"that you don't get it is more telling of you than it is of me"

Oh I get it. And its appalling nonetheless. Cheers to the money for re-entering circulation, but as for their willingness to piss it away because of their remaining egregious wealth, it stands as a clear sign of how sick the society is. Lauding their frugality is purely mind-numbing

[JuniperLea]

27. What would you have them do?

What would make you happy?

Not that it matters to anyone... I'm just curious.

[Oregone]

"Not that it matters to anyone"

It really doesn't, and Im sure Im open to be attacked.

Firstly, I would secure a home with 1 acre walking distance to town. Total investment would be under $500K. I would then calculate the expected cost of putting 2 children through college, late-term care for myself, and living expenses, and put it in the bank for safe keeping. That is "our" money, and surely will be less than the entire cost of the wedding. With that investment, I would "cultivate our garden", and the rest of the money really is immaterial to me.

With the rest of my cash, I would pursue three ideas in tandem initially...

Firstly, start a business development company offering 0% interest loans to local eco-friendly co-op enterprises. This type of private industry model would focus directly on spreading wealth to workers and combating disparity/poverty in the area.

Secondly, I would offer grants, financing, and assistance to certain intentional communities, and try and promote sustainability and this model of living to the mainstream

Thirdly, I would create a fund offering scholarships for impoverished members of the community to go to college, as well as funding alternative trade programs and apprenticeships. That would be most of the "free" money Id give out.

Once I really secured my continued existence and put it in a lockbox, the rest is for pure play, and Id play hard with it by promoting economical and living models that I feel may improve the human condition.


See...Im talking about what I would do with that money (as in, all their wealth)....secure my existence, and then use the rest of my wealth to improve the human condition. My wedding was cheap, my standard of living is cheap, and my desire to change the world is high...So, you know, it has nothing to do with them

[JuniperLea]

53. Very noble... and I say that with all sincerity...

Very noble indeed. I've had very similar thoughts. The problem is, you and I have never been that level of filthy stinking nasty rich... it does something to people. That's why the vast majority of lotto winners end up broke and in debt... the love of money truly is the root of all evil. People change when they acquire it... and people born into it are a whole 'nuther Oprah.

I know you believe you would do those things... and that's nice. Let's just leave it at that.

[Oregone]

70. And thats all incredibly condenscending....probably sounds fine from the circle you run in

But I have a pretty good idea about where I stand in life. Ive grown up in the gutters and rubbed elbows with the socialites and elites. I know what I need and what makes me content. A joint, a fishing pole, a sun setting behind the north island, and coming home to my family--that is living life. Cultivate your garden.

[JuniperLea]

78. Clearly you missed the part where I lumped myself in with you...

All I need is a joint, my dogs, and a beach to walk on.

Your garden is full of fucked up weeds if you think I was condescending to you...

I hereby extricate myself from being lumped with you. I was wrong. Happily, I'm clearly nothing like you at all. I don't mistake compliments for insults.

[Oregone]

83. "I'm clearly nothing like you at all"

No. You are clearly better. Im a lowly "serf" that you can be comfortably talking down too. Isn't it just so sweet and naive how noble my ideas are. Its fucking hilarious because Im just a poor idiot with no chance of being rich!

I get it. You don't have to be coy.

[JuniperLea]

86. You missed the entire point...

I was saying I was the serf... no wonder you're perspective is so fucked up... you can't even read right.

[Oregone]

90. "no wonder you're perspective is so fucked up... you can't even read right."

Nor can you write properly.

Ad hominems aside, I know when I am being talked down to.

[JuniperLea]

108. A lot you know...

I'm paid for my communications skills. I think you're just paranoid and suffer from feelings inferiority. I did nothing of the sort... until now. But thanks for elevating me! I can now say unequivocally that I am far, far better than you. I guess I got your missing share of empathy for your fellow human beings.

[Oregone]

117. "I'm paid for my communications skills"

As a free career tip, its "your", not "you're" ("no wonder you're perspective is so fucked up... you can't even read right.")

You're welcome.


"and suffer from feelings inferiority"

I think that evidence left on an internet message board is not sufficient to draw these types of conclusions. I work in an environment of my choosing (my home), for the amount I need, in the location of my choosing. What more could I desire of myself? This comment just seems like more subtle condescension.


"I am far, far better than you"

To think you are "better" than someone implies you do not see individuals in an egalitarian manner. This is a sad way to look upon fellow man.

[JuniperLea]

120. Nor are quick hit and run posts evidence of one's writing prowess...

I don't put ...

fuck it... YOU'RE not worth it...

[Oregone]

121. Hit and run? Im still here.

"YOU'RE not worth it"

Of course. I am among the "lesser" ones.

[dionysus]

250. well, you're proving it, actually.

:rofl:

[JuniperLea]

152. Will someone please tell ignore I've had enough of his fertilizer...

Thank you.

[Oregone]

153. Oh. The slam. Subtlely telling someone they are on your precious ignore list

I will cry for hours tonight.

:rofl:

[Hannah Bell]

178. that was a revealing exchange.

[niyad]

228. and a free little tip for you--the word is "subtly", NOT "subtlely"

[Oregone]

236. Thank you

I don't communicate for a living. Its never been my forte

[boppers]

185. The above exchange was enough of a reason to update my list.

So, thank you for that.

[JuniperLea]

247. That's why I never really worry about assholery...

Or really putrid threads. It lines the asshats up nicely and you can just go down the list...

[Oregone]

255. Isn't the inability to show higher ground indicative of one's own assholery?

Or when you are "better" than someone, do you get a free pass on any venom spewed forth?

[JuniperLea]

257. Someone please tell ignored...

I don't give a flying rat's ass what they have to say.

[dionysus]

249. +1

[blindpig]

229. Then perhaps we should strive for a society...

in which that kind of accumulation of wealth is impossible.

[Rabrrrrrr]

74. So you would be totally selfish first as well.

The only difference is that your bar of what's okay is a bit lower than others.

You want a house with 1 acre for $500K? Then i could just as easily call you a rich piece of shit for not getting a small condo for $200K and giving $300K to the homeless.

Why do you keep more than twice you need for yourself?

hell, why don't you just buy a room at a flophouse for $20K, and give $480K away. You can't ever be in more than one room at a time anyway, why do you need more than one?

And don't forget that your scholarship foundation is going to be investing that money so that you always money in it to give away - those investments will be in, God forbid, Wall Street.

And why are you only helping people who have the skills and intelligence to go to college? Why not help the truly unfortunate and impoverished?










See how fucking stupid this game gets?

Not to speak ill of anything you say - but I do want you to see that you are doing nothing that the rich don't do: provide for themselves first, give the leftovers away. There isn't anything inherently wrong in that, but there is something inherently wrong for saying it's wrong when the "rich" do it and not when "normal people" do it.

If a person has $100 million, then why not buy outright a $10 million house? How is that any different than your $500K house? The former person still has 90% of his/her assets to give away. How much of your assets do you have left in your scenario? 20%? 40%?

[Oregone]

81. Yes, I would be

My primary concern is securing the existence of my family. Once that bar is met, I have no further concerns, nor personal use for the money. The rest I would use it to develop my community, focusing primarily on eliminating poverty (guess you missed that)

[Rabrrrrrr]

82. LOL. Very obviously I *didn't* miss that part.

You should have read the whole post first.

[JuniperLea]

88. Touche!

It's too easy to battle wits with the unarmed, isn't it?

[Oregone]

89. I did, and it made no sense

I'm sorry...no, most of the rich do not use 100% of their reserved wealth (that not set aside for comfortable sustenance) to promote the human condition (most often, that wealth is ownership in private enterprise, and they skim the wealth up generated from the labor of other men). They do not seek comfortable levels of sustenance, but lavish existence. While its only a small fraction of their egregious wealth, it is lavish nonetheless by any sane standard.

[Rabrrrrrr]

123. By any "sane" standard, you mean YOUR standard, then?

not by the standard of an amputee in rural India, which IMO, seems like the most sane standard to go by, since we're randomly pulling "objective" standards out of our ass.

Your $500K air-conditioned home with two cars in a wood- and plastic-wasting covered garage, sewage, running water, electricity wasting refrigerator, on a 1 acre lot that you likely wouldn't farm but would cover with expensive-to-maintain grass (or maybe a water-wasting pool or lawn ornaments) is an inexcusable, immoral grotesquery to billions around the world who are using a standard that is, to them, ludicrously sane.

[Oregone]

130. I don't need air conditioning where I live

Itd be close to town so we can walk everywhere (thats currently the plan). So I wouldn't need to buy another car (single garage is fine, though a lot of older homes don't have garages here. 1200 SQFT ol beater is all I'd want for my family)...


"plastic-wasting"

We have a hell of a recycling plan here


"electricity wasting"

Our power is over 90% hydro. With that land I could throw up a panel or two


"on a 1 acre lot that you likely wouldn't farm but would cover with expensive-to-maintain grass"

That is precisely what the land is for...sustenance. Any surplus goes to the farmers market or donated the foodbanks. I grew up on a farm, and I know a thing or two about farming.


"immoral grotesquery to billions around the world who are using a standard that is, to them, ludicrously sane."

Well, I can't make everyone happy in the world, thats for sure. But with that said, Id try to appeal to a standard that isn't merely acceptable to .01% of the world's population.


Thanks.

[Rabrrrrrr]

137. So you've decided to just go for being bumptious?

Okay.

Everything just appears into existence by magic with no energy cost and you're perfect.

Got it.

[Oregone]

140. Is that all?

Any further questions?

[Rabrrrrrr]

144. No, you cleared up your position perfectly.

:thumbsup:

More perfectly than any of us insane people could ever hope to do. Impeccable communication skills, sure; but what's most impressive is the purity of your conviction and utterly unassailable moral perfection.

I've never encountered a moral stance so perfectly lock-tight, so brilliantly inarguable, so rhetorically incontrovertible, so uncritiquable by any heretofore existing ethical rubric, and so gutwrenchingly selflessly gee-whiz Hallmark feel-goodish.

You, most excellent person, win.

[Oregone]

150. Funny

But ultimately pointless. Thanks for playing.

[Rabrrrrrr]

175. You may judge yourself however you want.

I, however, chose to compliment you for achieving a kind of progressive purity that no mere human has ever managed.

That's not to be laughed at, but applauded and awarded, except, of course, that the type of perfection you offer would never accept applause or awards.

:thumbsup:

:yourock:

[dionysus]

252. pwnage.

(i guess you weren't fooled by all the santimonious self-puffery...)
"but, but, he's just a simple man with his joint and his fishing pole..."

:thumbsup:

[Oregone]

256. Seriously, are you going to bump every slight against me?

I get it. You've made it clear you don't like me, and rather have grand feelings towards capitalism & wealth. Have you nothing better to do with your day?

[dionysus]

251. how saintly. you are perfect.

:rofl:

[Rabrrrrrr]

258. I know, right?! It's fucking INSPIRING!

Really showed me what a fucking awful human being I am.

[onecent]

219. Well Said!!!! n/t

[DevonRex]

47. Bowls of peanuts for all the dignitaries who will attend out of respect for Pres and SoS Clinton. nt

[JuniperLea]

58. Indeed!

I'd like to get just the money spent on nuts! :rofl:

The guest list will probably be massive... spreading a scant two mil over all those people... just wait... we'll be reading about how garish and cheap the wedding was.

[DevonRex]

64. I don't doubt it.

Folks are already making fun of Arkansas down thread. :eyes:

[LanternWaste]

244. What is the precise and relevant amount of money that should be spent...

What is the precise and relevant amount of money that should be spent on a wedding? On what objective basis is that figure derived from? Does that figure apply only to Americans or worldwide, and why?

Is there a precise and relevant moral difference between a multi-million dollar wedding in the same vicinity as the unemployed, sick and homeless as there is between someone who spends a few hundred dollars a year on dates, movies and video games as when people in Rwanda are actually starving to death? If so, what precisely is the difference (other than mere degrees)?

[FiveGoodMen]

36. "They run in different circles than you do"

And that's very bad for what was supposed to be a classless society.

[JuniperLea]

43. Class warfare is alive and well!

Oh, yes it is.

Communism is the only truly classless society... no thanks. I think a hybrid of socialism and capitalism can and should be the way we all live.

[alarimer]

91. We could use a little more class warfare actually.

One world in which the wealthy are afraid to display their obscene wealth, or one in which fancy Wall Street jobs are not just handed over to the offspring of the rich and famous, or those connected through politics. Our system is of, by and for the wealthy and well-connected. It is why Washington is so completely out of touch. Those people never have to work; they keep cycling back and forth between Wall Street and the cabinet and other political positions.

The real problem with our system is that rich assholes never have to actually work for the obscene amounts of money they get. For this reason alone I am in favor of the highest possible inheritance tax. Let those rich fuckers actually have to earn a living doing something worthwhile.

[JuniperLea]

100. Amen! eom

[Ignis]

161. +1 for "highest possible inheritance tax"

I'll allow myself to be painted as a horrible, terrible Class Warrior any day of the week, if it stops this aristocratic throwback in the USA.

:patriot:

[keroro gunsou]

226. i'd settle for

capitalism if people were more altruistic, rather than the small, selfish gits they usually are. :grr:

[proteus_lives]

200. "classless society."

Might as well ask for magic beans.

There is no classless society and won't be.

Humanity needs to go through several more evolutionary levels before that happens.

[FiveGoodMen]

227. Ah, but when I was young, that was presented as the American ideal.

Everyone knew that we had a long way to go, but that's what we were supposed to be after.

Now, privilege and the worship of those who've attained it have become the new American ideal.

No amount of time will correct that if we keep moving the wrong way.

[dionysus]

231. i love just how jealous you are of people who have money. it burns you up inside.

that's probably why you're one of teh comrades...

:rofl:

[Oregone]

237. Injustice and inequality should have an effect one with a heart

[dionysus]

239. are you implying that everyone that ends up with money got it unfairly

[Oregone]

242. "Fairness" is arbitrary, and in an unfair system, any such measurement is really moot

My main implication is that the entire economic system is unfair to the very people who are most instrumental in wealth creation. Events like this only illustrate the manifestations of this system; it isn't so much that we should put them on trial, but rather, the system that makes them possible.

With that, Id imagine we should agree to disagree.

[Lightning Count]

8. Were you working for a pimp?

?

[JuniperLea]

12. Nope... an heiress to a massive fortune...

That her grandfather started. I'm still bound by the NDA so I can't tell you who it is.

Not even the same universe as a lowly pimp... not even close.

[gateley]

10. I think that's the most expensive wedding dress I ever heard of. Was her

family wealthy, or did she earn it herself? God. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.

[JuniperLea]

25. Her grandfather started the family fortune...

They have billions and billions and billions. I personally touched 5-6 million a month... yes, a month. I'm very trustworthy:) I had a vivid fantasy life. I used to call the bank to make transfers... pretending to be her because that saved her a pain, and transfered up to $4 million at a time. I used to think about giving them the wrong account number... but that's the difference between a trustworthy person and a crook. I'm human, I thought about it, but would never, ever do it.

She votes wisely, however. Working for her (10 people in a small office... our sole reason for being there was to manage her money) gave me an entirely different perspective on wealth, and the world.

She voted wisely. Kudos for that.

[gateley]

30. What? You didn't gently guide a few mill to the DNC? But if she voted wisely,

I'm assuming she contributed wisely as well.

I remember a DUer saying he worked for a guy who was rich rich rich, and said he'd never thought he'd feel that way, but he realized he didn't WANT that much money -- it was a hassle!

[JuniperLea]

39. Oh man... that's one for sure sign that the guy was telling you the absolute truth!

I don't have to look over my shoulder... I don't have to worry that people are after my money (outside the norm, that is), I don't have to worry about my employees ripping me off... my mansion being invaded (million dollar safe room w/audio video communication capability... food, wine... you know) or my children being kidnapped for ransom... I never have to worry if my friends are my friends because they like me, or if it's my wallet they like.

Yeah. I don't ever want to be filthy stinking dirty rotten rich for generations. It wears a person out. Hell, it wears a person out watching the wealthy being worn out! Not. Worth. The hassle!

[gateley]

51. I was doing an exit poll for Saving Private Ryan and Bill Gates and his wife came,

just walked in like any other couple going to the movies -- didn't see any bodyguards. During the film, she went to the bathroom -- alone. I remember being stunned.

Yeah, I think being that wealthy would be almost suffocating.

[Oregone]

55. "I don't ever want to be filthy stinking dirty rotten rich for generations."

Oh wow. You make it sound so tough. And I thought worrying about where the next mortgage payment will come from is rough.

Well, move aside poor hungry Americans...there is a sadder creature in town!

[JuniperLea]

63. You know... I was being very nice to you..

Far nicer than you deserved. And this is how you behave. What fertilizer. Clearly you are clueless in this area... the area of psychological anomalies of the wealthy, as well as etiquette for their serfs.

[Oregone]

75. "the area of psychological anomalies of the wealthy, as well as etiquette for their serfs."

For their "serfs"?

:rofl:

You want to talk about etiquette? It takes a whole lot of it for a starving "serf" not to torch their fucking castles.

Oh, apologies that my heart doesn't bleed for the rich as your does. They are the one's with the power to shape their existence, so fuck them if it didn't turn out to be rainbows and daisies.

A rich person merely needs to piss their money away on cocaine and hookers if they are that miserable. A poor person often has to sell crack and sex to avoid misery.

But since spending is tougher than earning...Ill tip my hat to the fat cats

[DevonRex]

71. That was totally uncalled for.

[JuniperLea]

84. I thought so too...

That's what I get for trying to be nice, I guess. :shrug:

He missed the part where I said her petticoat was worth more than my year's salary... or that he and I were alike... I have since changed my mind about that last bit.

[DevonRex]

99. I guess it's not possible for us to

have some empathy for other people. I've often thought about movie stars, for example. There are things I love to do that they can't. I love to hike the canyons here. They're always fairly busy since this is an athletic state. I couldn't do that if I weren't just an ordinary person.

[JuniperLea]

105. There's a heavy price for wealth...

I watched American Masters last night... Merle Haggard was the subject. It was very sad.

Sometimes I think I'm just to empathetic... and sometimes I think it's necessarily so in order to balance all the asshats in the world.

[Oregone]

107. Sometimes empathy only goes so far

Do you lose sleep at night crying for the pain a murderer must feel for having to think about the people they've killed?

Ok, now thats extreme and a little hyperbolic...but when the rich people's accumulation and hording of disgusting amounts of wealth causes vast pain to others, it makes it very difficult to focus specifically on their pain. And considering they have an immediate ability to end the pain of being rich (by merely being poor), and the pain it may propagate to others...well, its a tough sell.

[Oregone]

93. Crying for the *tough* life of the rich is a bit uncalled for

If its so rough, give the money away. At least they have options.

[Hannah Bell]

176. the broad family?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

6. I don;t have a problem when rich people spend money... even on stupid shit.

In the most basic sense, the money is enters into circulation and going to working people.
Why should i care whom spent it, or what they bought so long as working americans are get paid.

[valerief]

16. That's true. Better they spend it than squirrel it away offshore. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

148. There is probably some of that going on too.

"Better they spend it than squirrel it away offshore."

[JuniperLea]

155. Exactly right... eom

[RB TexLa]

149. And if working non-Americans got paid? Is that something you would care about?

[proteus_lives]

202. What if they wore seat-belts? Is that something you would care about?

:rofl:

[RB TexLa]

221. No

[valerief]

222. Are you saying working non-Americans should NOT get paid? nt

[RB TexLa]

I just want to see if the poster cares about non American workers too

[Contrary1]

254. It would not matter to me at all...

who gets paid. If the payee lives here, they would be spending here.

[Book Lover]

232. Well said

I mean, who are we going to get money out of - the poor? I say let the rich spend, spend, spend. Get it out of their hands and into ours.

[Beaverhausen]

11. doing their part to stimulate the economy?

and who say's it's really $2M?

and it's not like father of the bride isn't spending most of his time doing philanthropic work.

[Hannah Bell]

177. "philanthropic work" = lol.

[dtexdem]

13. Elope.

It would be cheaper.

[JVS]

17. She's rich, what do you expect. Her work at a hedge fund wasn't the peace corps.

[Jennicut]

28. Is Chelsea rich? She makes good money but I think her parents are the rich ones paying for this.

Eh...most of the money they made was through writing books and speaking engagements, wasn't it? Ex-Presidents (and First Ladies) usually make a lot of money when they get out of office.

[Citizen Worker]

19. I would expect nothing less of royalty

[JVS]

20. I'm seeing a lot of the preachings of supply side Jesus in this thread.

[LAGC]

139. LOL, you noticed that too?

Trickle-down economics at its finest.

[Abq_Sarah]

170. Where do you think

The money to pay employees who work for luxury car dealers, yacht makers, hotels, restaurants, etc.. comes from?

[LAGC]

179. I wouldn't mind seeing a few luxury dealers, etc. go out of business.

If it meant saving many, many more middle-class jobs, if that upper-crust wealth were redistributed instead.

[Rabrrrrrr]

190. Holy fucking goddamn shit - what a hateful post!

So, for the sake of some of kind myopic "progressive" purity, you'd rejoice and dance at the loss of thousands of jobs for the sole reason that they have the audacity, the evil intent, the totally moral-less willingness to provide services to some segment of society that exceeds some randomly, pulled-out-of-your ass bar line of income/wealth/education/whatever?

Your attitude (that is, an attitude that is so utterly devoid of any critical understanding of economic systems and especially of the US's economic system) is one of the major fucking problems of our party.

The liberal/progressive side of politics has an understanding of economics that is as ludicrously ignorant and immoral as the rightwing's understanding of science and history.

[LAGC]

204. You forgot the sarcasm tag.

As if any jobs lost in the luxury market wouldn't be replaced by jobs meeting middle-class needs.

[BzaDem]

217. "As if any jobs lost in the luxury market wouldn't be replaced by jobs meeting middle-class needs."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Rabrrrrrr, you are so right. Some people just have NO idea.

[JVS]

210. "Egads, a proletarian!"-- Lizard Music

[Rabrrrrrr]

216. Oh, of course - the magic-based fairy economy

in which people who lose their business automatically get new jobs providing services for the middle class.

[Greyhound]

238. It's like a fucking plague, and once infected, recovery is rare. n/t

[virgogal]

A nouveau riche wedding----very conspicuous consumption.

[tabasco]

104. Is the old rich better?

LOL.

[virgogal]

106. Usually,yes.

[tabasco]

116. Show some examples of an "old rich" family that had a wedding less than

$2 mil or you are a liar.

[Bunny]

22. Their money, their choice.

BFD.

[ourbluenation]

183. +1

thank you. ita

[Toucano]

23. It's ridiculous that this is news and it's ridiculous to squander money like that.

ABC News "reached out" to top wedding planners?

There's nothing more pressing for ABC News to investigate?

[KurtNYC]

147. "ABC News "reached out" to top wedding planners?" and went with the highest number

that any of them put out.

I think their question was "Okay speculate wildly and give me a number that will make lefties cry 'hypocrite'"

And it worked.

[Rabrrrrrr]

24. And when the rich DON'T put their money in the economy, they get shit on for that, too.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

One thing some people on this board need to learn is that a lot of jobs in this country depend on rich people spending their money, especially the jobs of artists and people in the service sector.

The Clintons have the $2 million easily and it won't strain them at all. Go ahead and spend it, I say!

It's still more financially sound than the diva shitheads who earn $25K a year spending $5k on their dresses and another $30K on the wedding.

it's not a matter of raw dollars - it's a matter of expense versus income/holdings.

Sheesh.

[JuniperLea]

33. It's pocket change to them...

There are wedding planners, florists, musicians, chefs, cooks, waiters, pastry chefs, dressmakers for Chelsea and her bridesmaids, wineries... the list could go on and on for days... all these people benefiting on what amounts to a paltry sum for the Clinton's. I stand by what I'm being lambasted for upthread... I think they are acting with great frugality. They could easily spend $50 million. Easy.

[no_hypocrisy]

26. Chelsea's wedding is not for her. It's for her parents.

Most weddings are.

[DevonRex]

38. And for all the dignitaries who will attend. nt

[KamaAina]

76. Maybe that's why Bush* only had to lay out a hundred grand.

No real dignitaries wanted to be seen with him. :P

[DevonRex]

109. *snort*

That was a good one! :thumbsup:

[ixion]

32. Politics pays...

which is a massive part of our problem.

[Carolina]

54. Exactly!

[malaise]

34. That is BS - the RW hacks are guessing

I notice they didn't post anything about the Bush wedding. Fuck them.

[DevonRex]

40. Thank you. The article says "nobody knows the price." nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

35. After All she Worked for Hedge Funds Assholes

after her graduation

Gee..... I remember her just like I did Carter's daughter

NOT!!

[DevonRex]

37. Hillary is the SoS. Bill was Pres. Do you know how many Heads of State will attend?

Good grief. This will be no small affair.

[Ichingcarpenter]

41. American Arkansas ROYALTY!

Now give me a cigar.

[DevonRex]

44. Good lord. Arkansas? That's the best you could do? Lame. nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

49. No you name them as leaders of the people.

She worked in an industry that brought this nation down...... Hedgefunds

Bill is smooth but no marriage ceremony in one day is worth two million
for a person


that is a man of 'people'

[DevonRex]

60. You're not even making sense at this point. Nothing you've said has

anything to do with anything I have said.

My point is that this wedding is an affair that has more to do with a public function, as in entertaining heads of state because Hillary is SoS and Bill was POTUS. Because of those 2 things, there will be many dignitaries there who will expect to be entertained in that style. In addition, the Obamas will likely attend.

This will not be a simple family wedding. That is likely a large part of the cost.

In addition, if you read the referenced article, this is all speculation. It clearly states that nobody knows the price tag. There are no facts in it whatsoever. So, you can get all riled up and start talking about Arkansas Royalty and cigars if you want to.

I'll come down on the side of thinking that IF the wedding is expensive, there just might be a valid reason for that. And since we don't know any facts, there isn't much reason to get all angry to begin with.

[Ichingcarpenter]

87. Forgive me ..... Of course it is all innocence. and dynasty

I'm hedging my bets on it.

[sufrommich]

48. Wow. You got the cigar in there too. nt

[DevonRex]

50. I was trying not to think about that.

:spank:

[sufrommich]

52. Hey I'd be more than happy to forget about the cigar. It

seems to fascinate the puritans though.

[DevonRex]

61. It really does, doesn't it?

I wonder if they actually say the word s-e-x?

[Ichingcarpenter]

69. Why Don't we do it in the Road?

No one will be Watching Us.

Why Don't we do it in the Road?

Never mind ......... I have another place in mind.


Listen ..... I've fucked in graveyard but not at work.

[sufrommich]

73. OK then. Thanks for sharing. nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

46. And let us also remember that heads of state LIKE the Clintons. They didn't like the Bushes.

They would have shown up if they were asked, or at least sent some tertiary adjunct as a token representative.

Plus, to be quite honest - I don't think Jenna had any desire for a large wedding, and actually wanted a small, fairly intimate gathering. And given that she was in college when her dad was president, unlike Chelsea who was a kid, Jenna never traveled with her dad nor was at home at the White House with him to meet dignitaries and others like Chelsea was able to do.

[Ichingcarpenter]

57. George Bush and his father are War Criminals and Clinton

Slept with his father and loved sleeping on the floor next to
him in Indonesia


These people are not your friends.

[Rabrrrrrr]

77. They're not my friends? Really?

Now I know why I haven't gotten an invitation. As you can tell from my post above, clearly I actually thought the Clintons were my Personal Best Friends ForfuckingEver!

:eyes:

Fucking hell.

[sufrommich]

79. Clinton slept with his Dad? What was his Dad doing

in Indonesia. These things I did not know.

[SunnySong]

112. The train went off the rails on that one....

[Rabrrrrrr]

125. I don't think the train even got put together enough to leave the station.

It got half-completed and then just fell over, right there, caught on fire and burnt into nothingness before the station master could even dial 911.

[Ichingcarpenter]

114. Bill slept on the floor and let Bush slept in the bed

So you do'nt think G.. senior is a criminal?

Iran Contra or before? Where do you start?...... the light on the hill?
Or on Bush's boat with Clinton?

[Rabrrrrrr]

42. Bush spent us into depression and kept his own $$; Bill saved the taxpayers $$ and spends his own.

Not surprised!

[enough]

45. So fucking gross. (nt)

[global1]

59. I'm Sorry I Don't Believe It - I Think $2 Mil Was Floated Out There To Make It Look Like Dems.....

more specifically - the Clinton's - are going to spend more money than the Bush's did for Jenna's wedding. I think this will be a RW talking point that the Dems are always criticizing the Repugs for being rich and spending money foolishly - but look at how much the Clinton's are spending in comparison to the Bush's. You watch how the O'Liely, Hannity, Rushbo & Beck cover this wedding. You'll hear stories like - we have a recession going on and people are unemployed and not knowing how they are going to feed their family or pay their mortgage - and the Clinton's are spending $2 million on a wedding. For shame on the Clinton's. Watch!!!!!

[Missy Vixen]

85. We have no idea how much money was spent on the Bush wedding

We will never know.

Just the security (paid for by taxpayers,) had to be enormously expensive.

The $100,000? I call bullshit. Jenna wore a designer original, if I remember correctly. Just her dress was most likely over $10K.

If the Clintons can afford to give their only daughter a lavish wedding, it's their business and nobody else's.

Was the President at your wedding? How about the current Secretary of State?

:eyes:

[lynne]

62. Wonder how many children $2 Mil would vaccinate?

Yes, there are certainly two America's. I'm just in the wrong one!

[Oregone]

101. It depends. Would it be "pledged", or actually used to buy and distribute vaccines?

[Beaverhausen]

113. wonder how many companies will benefit from all that money spent

where do you think the money is going?

Putting that much $$$ into the economy helps people for god's sake. Sheesh!

[Rabrrrrrr]

128. And how many hundreds of people get to eat for a couple weeks because of those wages?

Fucking hell.

Stupidity is not a virtue.

[Overseas]

65. I think it is an exaggeration because the plans are secret.

Taking advantage of the confidentiality of the event to smear the Clintons.

[SunnySong]

66. "the total price tag could easily reach $2 million. " is different than saying that is what is being

spent.

I would expect the price tag to be somewhat south of that.

Sounds like a nice wedding... personally I would skip the big party and give the kids the money.

[Auggie]

67. I can understand if it were to buy, say, security or privacy...

and maybe a large part of the budget is just for that.

Otherwise, it's sort of slap in the face considering the plight of so many needy folks.

[handmade34]

68. Lovely area

my son attended CIA nearby and it is a wonderful place... Also FDR's home is nearby. Congratulations to Chelsea!

[another saigon]

72. One Word

OSTENTATIOUS



Reception Space: $125,000 to $200,000 -- Clinton and Mezvinsky are reported to be getting married at the Astor Courts, a sprawling mansion designed by Stanford White in 1902 for John Jacob Astor IV. It's a private home owned by Clinton donors Kathleen Hammer and Arthur Seelbinder. It also happens to be on the market for $12 million.

Hanlin said the owners will need to do post-wedding cleaning and repairs, and had to take the house off the market for at least three days but probably a week or more. That doesn't come cheap. Then again, having the Clinton wedding at your home might add a bit to the value. And since the owners are already big donors, why not let the family use the house for free?

http://www.astorcourts.com/




Make that two words.... Pretentious

[JVS]

95. John Jacob Astor Heimerschmidt, his name is my name too...

[Missy Vixen]

102. Maybe it's a better security venue

than outside in someone's back yard. Hey! Let's get a barbecue, and roast up some weenies and chili for Nelson Mandela, whomever it is that represents the British Royal Family, and President Obama!

Then again, it's much better to buy the RW spin on this story. Isn't it just terrible what spendthrifts the Clintons are? Why, the Bushes didn't even spend $100K on Jenna's wedding. After all, the heads of state and dignitaries that would be invited by Chelsea's parents wanted no part of "clearing brush" at the Bush "ranch".

So, tell me -- what kind of wedding do some of you think is "appropriate" for the daughter of a former POTUS and current SOS?

[SunnySong]

143. Ironically it is in someones backyard... just a bigger backyard than most. nt

[Missy Vixen]

163. How dare they want to entertain their guests with their own money

Of course, I'm sure the Clintons are desperately concerned with what a few people at DU think is "appropriate" and "classy". After all, I'm sure anyone here's resume of public service rivals theirs.

:eyes:

[SunnySong]

166. Well when you go over seven figures for you special day eyebrows will raise. nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

191. Oh, sure, eyebrows will raise- but those eyebrows are without relevance or merit.

Who cares if the eyebrows that are raised are the eyebrows of the ludicrously ignorant?

I sure as fuck don't.

if I based my every decision on the opinions of people who are too goddamn stupid to put on a raincoat in the rain, I'd never get anything done.

I care deeply about the opinions of people who actually have some modicum of understanding of the issue at hand. i don't give a shit about the opinions of people who are too ideologically driven or ignorant to actually look shit up and educate themselves about how the world works, whether it's the listeners of Beck/Dobson/Robertson/Palin/Limbaugh or the the bankrupt ideology of the self-described marxists/leninists/whatever who clearly have read nothing of the people they worship and certainly have no concept of how this country's, let alone this world's, economic systems work.

let's put it this way: if Jeff Gordon decided to drive his car wearing a pink flowery woman's nightgown, I'm sure a lot of eyebrows would be raised - but they'd be the eyebrows of racist homophobic assholes who barely (or didn't) passed seventh grade science, math, social studies, English, and phy. ed.

So, I don't give a shit necessarily about the existence of eyebrow raisers. What I care about is whether those eyebrow raisers are worth my energy to give a shit about.

[Name removed]

213. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

206. Wow. You'll have to let the Clintons know you don't care for their decisions.

Considering the fact the wedding expenses are paid for out of their family budget, frankly, it's none of your business.

You might also want to bear in mind that inviting foreign dignitaries and the leader of the free world over for "party size" lasagna and Bud Light is tacky.

Congratulations to Chelsea and her young man. I hope they will release a few photos of their big day. I'll bet when she takes to the dance floor with her dad for the father-daughter dance, there isn't a dry eye in the place.

[Name removed]

214. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[niyad]

103. again, pure damned speculation. the media knows squat--and the people who do know

have signed NDA's and confidentiality agreements, so. . . .

[Bitwit1234]

80. Have you ever watched Say Yes to the Dress

some of those women pay $5,000 for a dress and if these women who are middle income pay that much lots with money pay more. I see nothing wrong with paying that much for a wedding IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY.

Even if I had the money I wouldn't but if it's your money who is anybody else to tell them what to do with it. Jay Leno has yeah two many cars, McCain has too many cars, too many houses and so on. We can't tell people what to do with their money. But evidently because it is the Clinton's the REPUBLICAN MEDIA IS GOING TO MAKE A BIG DEAL.

There are other things in this country I'm more concerned about than the cost of a wedding, no matter how much.

[niyad]

94. the fascinating thing is, the clintons are doing their best to keep things secret--so ALL of the abc

news story is nothing but pure speculation.

caught a bit last night-- breathless reporter: "we saw trucks with MA license plates--that's where the wedding planner is from, so . ."

and I thought, hmmm, if I were in that position--I would, in fact, have all kinds of little decoys--and then have the damned wedding in vegas or something.

[niyad]

96. that amount is nothing compared to some shown on a program called "platinum weddings"

[Mopar151]

98. This is a huge networking party

And a couple nice kids are gonna get married as an excuse. They'll need a seperate caterer just for the security, with the # of VIP's and celebs walking around.
We ain't talkin' cash bar and a DJ here....

[jmowreader]

110. Sheriff Buford T. Justice was Jenna's wedding planner

He decorated up the whole town at a cost of twenty dollars, and spent the other $99,980 shoveling shit because getting rent-a-cow shit on your good boots is SOOOOOO declasse...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

111. If you got it, flaunt it. Yuppies on steroids.

[GOPNotForMe]

115. Spending that much on a wedding is immoral. nt

[Oregone]

118. Having so much that you are willing to piss that amount away as peanuts hints of a larger problem

[Missy Vixen]

207. And what "problem" would that be?

Go ahead. I'll wait.

The Clintons have one child. They earned every penny they're spending on her wedding. Why is it any of your business how much of those pennies they're spending?

It's comical to read those here who insist that they got married on $100 or less, they think they can pull off what's amounting to a state occasion for much less money, bla bla bla. The average cost of a wedding is now $30,000. Those weddings are typically not attended by the sitting Secretary of State, at least one former President, and the current President, not to mention the other foreign dignitaries that will be attending. Of course, I'm sure there are those who believe they'd just get a keg and throw a few weenies on the grill for everyone.

Surprisingly enough, most families don't see a wedding as "pissing an amount away". It's an occasion they look forward to for most of their daughter's life.

[Mimosa]

119. I used to hate Madam DeFarge. Not so sure now.

There's a matter of appropriateness. And we can bet no 'poor people will be at that wedding excepting those who pass trays and clean up.

This feels like a dynasty starting.

[DURHAM D]

122. Interesting story - no facts. Just speculation by someone who didn't get the wedding planner job.

How is this news?

More importantly - why has it been posted at the Democratic Underground?

[DevonRex]

129. +1. nt

[zabet]

124. Their money....

they can spend it how ever they please. Anyone who hollers excess....put up your worth and what your most extravagance expenditure was and let it be raked over here before you say anything. Was it too much? Why didn't you give it to the poor? etc. etc.

Anyone here would not want anyone telling them how to spend what they earned.

[slackmaster]

126. Their money, their choice

Best wishes to the bride and groom!

[Fleshdancer]

127. "While nobody but the Clintons knows the exact price..."

Why even write an article on the cost of her wedding if no one knows the actual cost of this freakin' wedding??!?

I expect this kind of crap on the gossip blogs, not on abcnews. Ridiculous.

:banghead:

[DevonRex]

131. +1. nt

[classof56]

134. I recall Joan Rivers' daughter's million dollar wedding.

Joan remarked that Melissa's father would be turning over in his grave if he knew how much they spent. Sorry to hear the Bushies did it on the cheap for Jenna's "down home" celebration. Maybe that's why I just got a letter from Laura asking for a contribution to the Bush Library fund--they're hard up for money. Sad to say, I am unable to help their cause. Okay, not really. Have no idea how I got on their mailing list--perhaps another indicator of how desperate they are.

All that aside, I say let the Clintons spend what they want on their daughter's wedding. After what she went through when she was First Daughter and the insults about her that abounded, I kinda think maybe she deserves it.

Was it Mae West who said, "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better."? Wise lady, her!

Blessings from one of the about-to-be-dismantled middle class.

[piratefish08]

135. my ONE thought on this issue - if the Palins were to spend $2mil up in Mooseknuckle on

Bristol and Levi's God approved union, DU would be 100% outraged.

okay, maybe 99.76% outraged. you get the point.




back to your fighting now.

[Rabrrrrrr]

138. Certainly the ones outraged now would still be outraged,

but the thinking people would be outraged not at the amount specifically, but at the amount because we know that the Palins can't afford a $2 million bash.

The Clintons can.

[LostinVA]

151. I think weddings cost too much, period, but I wouldn't say anything about Bristol's

Unless it was very tacky.

Bill Clinton was our Head of State, and a very popular one internationally. Hillary is the SOS and an Ex Senator also friendly will many US and International bigwigs.

And, I doubt the actual WEDDING is that much. It probably includes security, etc., IF that's even the amount. I am betting it isn't. It sounds like "outrage BS" to me.

People shouldn't go into debt for a wedding, and if that means they can afford $300 or $3 million, it's their business. The Clintons give alto of money to charity, and Chelsea is their only kid, and this is a "Head of State" type wedding.

Who cares.

[Warren DeMontague]

196. No, because that would be 2 Million she couldn't spend on her inevitable Presidential run.

I say, go nuts on the Mooseknuckle nuptials.

[readmoreoften]

142. Whatta you expect? After all, they are the ruling class.

And it ain't like she married a social worker.

[Ichingcarpenter]

145. Or she tried to be a social worker

She WORKED FOR A HEDGE FUND BANK.

[TreasonousBastard]

154. A flame war over Chelsea's wedding? Classic!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

156. Anything can become a flame war on DU.

I hope that after they are married Chelsea and her new husband get a pit bull, and when she has her first child she breastfeeds it at an Olive Garden. *Then* we can have a really rippin' flame war!

[The Straight Story]

160. Like Edwards' house or Steve Irwin dying?

;)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

162. Oh, yeah... Those were classic!

[TreasonousBastard]

167. Don't forget the cornflake chicken at the reception.

[tammywammy]

171. Is the child a boy? And if so, was he circumsized?

[Whisp]

203. actually its a nice change from obama's unstrong weaklingness. ;)

[Contrary1]

$100,000. for Jenna's wedding?

I'm guessing that the limestone altar alone was close to that.

[Rabrrrrrr]

174. I'll say this about the kind of human garbage that is the Shrub family - they do nothing tactfully.

Gotta give 'em credit there.

[SunnySong]

181. I'm pretty sure that is a rental. nt

[Contrary1]

201. No, the altar was not a rental.

It was specially built for the occasion, and it stayed on the "ranch" after the wedding.

"On Monday, the president disclosed that Jenna will say "I do" near a lake at the ranch — in front of a giant cross made of Texas limestone that will serve as an altar. The cross will be a landmark at the ranch for years to come. The president said that was his contribution to the wedding that the Bushes are trying to keep a low-key affair."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24487293/

[Name removed]

212. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Synicus Maximus]

157. It seems excessive to me, but it is their money to spend as they want.

[Synicus Maximus]

158. It seems excessive to me, but then I don't have their money and it

is their money to spend as they wish.

[Doremus]

172. Who donated to HRC's campaign debt?

What a difference 2 years can make, eh?


:evilgrin:

[SunnySong]

182. Ouch thats under the belt...

:evilgrin:

[OmahaBlueDog]

173. So, do you get this bent out of shape about Comic-Con?

Millions of dollars are being spent on frivolous crap there. I don't see a groundswell of howling.

Hillary is Secretary of State. Bill is an ex-Pres who gets very well paid for a speaking engagements, has spent countless hours raising awareness and money for earthquake and tsunami victims, and is also helping fight childhood obesity. He has the money, and it's his only daughter.

As for what Shrub spent on Jenna -- it always costs less to get married in the backyard.

[theophilus]

186. Imo, that's a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a wedding. Until

we get our priorities adjusted and use our money to truly help others have enough then we are pathetic as a culture. I know it is subjective, but that much money would do so much more good invested in our failing country. Just my opinion. When I win the lottery, I'll show you how it's done!

[aikoaiko]

187. meh, that's just 5 - 10 paid speeches by Bill.

[JI7]

188. look at who her parents are, a lot of people being invited are people they know

people have either small or big weddings. it's hard to do something in between because unless it's very small people get upset about not being invited.

they decided to have a big one and in her case when you consider who her parents are there are a lot of people who will be invited.

this is their only child. they have international public figures for almost 20 years now. people knew Chelsea when she was a little girl. i have no problem with them doing this.

Bill had nothing growing up. what's wrong with wanting to spend it on his only kid's wedding ?

in this case simple things like the location will cost a lot.

100 thousand dollars is a lot of money also for Jenna's wedding since it was a "small wedding". in her case nobody liked her dad and those who did she probably didn't want at her wedding.

[misanthrope]

189. Good thing we don't have royalty in America, right?**nm

**

[LibDemAlways]

192. The Clintons are wealthy, powerful people. If they want to

spend 2 million on a wedding for their only daughter, that's their business.

As an aside, I just returned from a 5 day road trip through Northern California and Oregon. Lots of homeless, hungry people out there, and few in a position to do anything about it are even willing to acknowledge the extent of the problem. Sucks to be poor in "the greatest country on earth."

[riderinthestorm]

193. Jenna Bush's wedding dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta and probably cost $100k alone.

She had 14 attendants all in silk! No way her wedding cost just $100k!

These are wealthy families who are putting on a fancy party for fancy people. $2 million is probably par for the course for a big bash.

[Warren DeMontague]

194. That's 2 Million Dollars that will be plugged right back into the US Economy.

2 Million dollars worth of flowers, cake, dresses, jobs for people to keep the press away, what have you.

Look, it's their money. They can do what they want.

The Pope has way more money than Bill Clinton--- Why not save your pitchforks and torches for him? At least Bill Clinton hasn't spent decades helping child abusers escape justice.

[Warren DeMontague]

195. You get do get props for one thing in the OP, though-

at least you didn't try to draw some dubious connection between this story and smoking bans.

[flvegan]

198. I'm sitting here trying to think of something of which I care less.

I got nothing. They're rich. There will be all kinds of super-dooper special folks there. Who cares?

And honestly, here on the DU ranch, the Clintons would be damned no matter what they did. Wedding on the cheap? The shame! Heads of state will attend and we'll look bad! Wedding sponsored by Pepsi? SELLOUTS! Besides, by the time Chelsea collects all her wedding gift envelopes, the damn thing will have paid for itself.

[proteus_lives]

199. I don't have a problem with it.

They have the money and it's their choice.

I wouldn't go that way but I spend money on things other folks would consider silly.

:shrug:

[Rex]

205. Rich people run this country and you are surprised when they

spend what is average for them!? I mean, I agree that is insane but we live in the age of wealth...for very few.

[Lucian]

208. Just more rich people wasting money on whatever they want.

[girl_interrupted]

211. Yeah "wasting" money by employing people

what a nerve! All the people hired to make this wedding happen, should quit in protest!

[Lucian]

233. ...

:eyes:

Argument fail...on your part. It's really annoying how everyone here hates the rich, but supports the Clintons in wasting $2 million on a wedding.

[blindpig]

235. Yeah, we ought to be grateful....

jesus

Enjoy your servitude?

How about a society where one's means of existence is not dictated by the whims of an uber class?

[LanternWaste]

245. I imagine quite a few starving people...

"Just more rich people wasting money on whatever they want..."
I imagine quite a few starving people would say the same thing were they to see you or I spending ten bucks on a DV or thirty on a computer game or a hardcover book.

I also imagine you'll justify your own personal excesses (relative to a field worker in Rwanda), much like the Clinton's will justify their personal excesses (relative to yours)

[Highway61]

218. The people who are bringing

this to light have one, and only , one motive. Why are they not putting "Top Banks Paid $1.6 Billion in Excessive Bonuses" front and center?? Bunch of bull is what it is. Oh, by the way....$100,000 for Jenna's? Yeah right. That was probably George's bar tab.

[MyNameGoesHere]

220. "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."

Fuck I would spend 10 million dollars and invite the little pricks that were mean to her, limpbaughs,mcstain, and the rest of the pigs.

[akbacchus_BC]

259. Nice, I like, and it is not sarcasm. Can you imagine if Chelsea's parents

invited those blowhards, their brains would pop and that would be a wonderful thing to hear, don't want to see!

Chelsea is their only daughter, B. clinton is a former President and HRC is the SOS, they sure not going to have a cash bar and hotdogs at the reception.

India is a poor ass country with lots of poverty, yet its millionaires and billionaires have over US$5 million weddings for their daughters.

I wish the bride and groom all the best and both families will gain a daughter and a son. Best wishes to the Clintons and the parents of the groom.

[paparush]

223. Pfffft..that's nothing. LeBron James just bought a $50 Million dollar house in FL.

I nearly choked on my tea when I read about James' new house. I mean, jeebus farking christ. $50 MILLION?? DOLLARS??

[LaydeeBug]

224. This is bullshit. The people hosting the wedding are not charging

so that expense is bullshit. These people are Clinton donors who have the home on the market. Hosting the wedding is the smartest open house they could EVER hold. I'd go after that, because there's more, but it's bullshit.

[keroro gunsou]

225. for 2mil

there better be one hell of a nice cake.... says the culinary/baking student in me. that said, THIS is what's wrong with society, class envy. so the clinton's want to drop a guestimated 2mil for their ONLY daughter's wedding, let them. it's their money and their kid. so long as money flows back into the economy, that is a good thing. a lot of the commentary i've seen here and elsewhere is just people pissing and moaning about how "the rich" throw their money around like it's nothing. yeah, newsflash, for all the soapboxing and moralizing, i'm willing to bet some of you would do THE EXACT SAME THING. i know i would if had a kid getting married (which i don't but hey).

sure there are better and more "noble" causes to spend the money on by other people's standards, but it's one day, celebrating a happy occasion... there are worse things the money could be spent on.

and one last thing to consider, when has the media EVER given the clinton's a break on ANYTHING they've done?

i'm just a miffed that i'm not invited... but then there is that slight problem of me not knowing the bride or the groom... :evilgrin:

whatever, congrats to chelsea and her husband to be, marc. long life and good years to them, with good friends and good times to follow wherever they go. :toast:

[cwydro]

240. This is what rich people do.

It just is.

They can and so they do.

[Vinca]

248. Personally, I don't care how much the wedding costs, but . . .

how on earth many flowers does $250,000 buy? The event might look like a funeral parlor on steroids.