updated 4:39 a.m. CT, Wed., Jan. 14, 2009

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush on Tuesday declared an emergency in the District of Columbia that will let the nation's capital tap deeper into federal coffers for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Bush said that an emergency exists and ordered federal aid to supplement the $15 million in federal funds already appropriated for the event.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty requested the emergency declaration on Jan. 7 because he decided that the crowds expected for the nation's 56th presidential inauguration would exceed the city's ability to protect the public.

If the extra money is needed, it will come from the Federal Emergency and Management Agency budget, Stanzel said.

In a statement, the White House said the assistance is available to the district for emergency measures to protect public health and safety.

Fenty and others have said millions could descend on Washington for the inauguratio

Think of all the money that has been wasted through the years for these.

"Wasted" is subjective.

If they didn't bother to spend any money on it, and just held an inauguration without planning for crowd control, the entire city would be a huge cluster fuck for days (not to mention the major security issues). And when there are crowds that large with no control, fights break out, people panic, and riots ensue. At the very least, the traffic system would be completely useless.

If you want to discuss funds wasted by the government, we could go on and on with many government agencies. I used to do asset management for two different Florida state agencies, including inventory of all assets, and would see the most ridiculous shit that our tax dollars pay for.

I think they should just not have it....use the money for something useful. Not that it was wasted for safety, just the fact that millions are spent, for what? I understand the city and surrounding cities will make money off of it, but will it amount to what was put into the event?

agreed, make it a closed-door, press-only affair.