Poorly equipped soldiers are fighting a $225-billion (U.S.) war while the deficit reaches record highs, the economy staggers and unemployment gets worse by the day. For some Heads of State, all that might be cause for alarm, but George W. Bush has more important things on his mind: he's getting set to spend four days frolicking at the most expensive inauguration party the country has ever seen.

With a current tab of close to $50-million (U.S.) already run up for BushBash 2005, even some right-wingers are saying that the President may have gone too far this time. Critics suggest Bush could have toned things down out of respect for those who actually have to risk their lives in his war, as was done by previous wartime presidents. Instead, organizers counter that the best tribute U.S. servicemen and women could imagine will come in the guise of the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, which 2,000 troops, plus date, have been selected to attend.

» Scott Saxon