The upcoming Inauguration Party in Washington feels downright unseemly in the wake of the catastrophe in Asia. From the estimated $40-million price tag to the solid gold hat buckle Bush plans to wear, isn’t it out of place?

Wouldn’t it be cool if Bush decided, “This is the wrong time to be blowing money away like this. We’ll either cancel the party or scale it back, and add the savings to our contribution to disaster relief.”?

No, I’m not holding my breath either.