Inauguration Day

Can anyone explain why it is necessary to needlessly spend taxpayer money for the redundant purpose of installing a reelected president? That money could be better used for a multitude of other less pompous displays, such as homeless habitats, parks or schools, to name a few.

RICHARD IMMEL

Chatsworth

* Judging from the inauguration ceremony itself, our second Clinton presidency may well be off to a promising start artistically and educationally. The inaugural poem, in contrast to its 1993 predecessor, came across to the ear as clear and memorable. Even more important, both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” were presented in alto-friendly sing-along keys.

Let’s hope Bill Clinton remains true artistically and educationally to his populist roots. If he does, there’s a good chance that all of us, not just our children, will be singing in tune as we march across his bridge into our next century.

ROBERT OLIPHANT

Cambria

* Please let me speak out as an unabashed liberal, left-of-center Democrat on President Clinton’s inaugural speech. So painfully embarrassing was it for me to listen to it, I turned off my TV and nearly wept. Rarely has humanity had to endure such drivel from a national leader--such pointless wandering and sentimentalizing around a swamp of nothingness. If this is the ship of state leading us to the future, I want to jump ship.

I tried to imagine if any sane, serious person could have said less in as many words. No way! In the arena of bad speechmaking, Clinton has no historical equal.

DAVID FREDERICKS

Huntington Beach

* Is it just me or is there an eerie coincidence in the cost of a president’s inauguration speech per minute equaling the cost of a Super Bowl commercial per minute?

BILL DeBUSSEY

San Diego

* You erred in the placement of Robert Kuttner’s “Clinton Will Leave Legacy of Cynicism” (Column Left, Jan. 19). His vindictive diatribe against the president should have been in the Column Right space.

SHIRLEY PORTER