Bets on the Inauguration

My predictions:

1. Those approaching the parade route will undergo some kind of preliminary screening by police to illegally remove or block as many as possible of those who appear to be protesters. Three months from now there'll be a related ACLU lawsuit that makes page 5 news.

2. The 'peace through freedom' message is going to include a short list of the most likely targets to be 'freed' next using heavy artillery and ground troops.

3. Bush will:

a. Pat himself on the back for the US response to the tsunami disaster.
b. Imply that he was elected by some kind of significant majority.
c. Claim that the situation in Iraq is under control.

So how'd I do?

1. This one was a no-brainer. Details will filter in slowly, but the ACLU should have a report on their Web page soon. In the meantime, here's some info: http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/114913/index.php

2. Yep. Not exactly a list, but a pretty clear message that we're gonna invade someone else, and pretty quickly.

"The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham
Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves;
and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it.""

3. a. Nope. Tossed in a reference to it for good measure, though.

"And we can feel that same unity and pride whenever America acts for good,
and the victims of disaster are given hope, and the unjust encounter justice,
and the captives are set free." (Did they translate that one into Arabic for the prisoners in Guantanamo???)

3. b. Nope. Speechwriters must've figured that was too much of a stretch, even for Dubya.

3. c. Yep.

"From all of you, I have asked patience in the hard task of securing America,
which you have granted in good measure. Our country has accepted obligations
that are difficult to fulfill and would be dishonorable to abandon. Yet because
we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions
have achieved their freedom. "