The liberals are out for political blood, trying to maintain the image of President Bush as an unfeeling, uncaring Republican because he wants to enjoy his inauguration. Doesn't he know that FDR for all intents and purposes canceled the inaugural festivities in 1945 during WWII?

Here's where I'm going to propose by own conspiracy theory as to why this happened. We can even ignore the fact that the US had already suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties in a world that had seen the death of tens of millions, cities destroyed, and incredible privation the likes of which the world had never seen. We can even ignore the fact that this would have been his fourth inauguration which would have been a bit redundant.

In January 1945, FDR was months away from death having battled polio and been consigned to a wheelchair which was hidden from the public at all costs. I have to imagine that the inaugural restraint was due in part to his illness and/or the fear of his aides of showing his handicap in public - something they would be reluctant to do in a time of war. 60 years ago people didn't have the same tolerance for the disabled as we do today and I'm sure there would have been concerns about his ability to lead.

Oh, and by the way, FDR gave a very short inaugural speech that year. In fact it was only 26 sentences long. In those 26 sentences, the Presdient used the terms "our God", "Almighty God", "He" (twice), "Him" and "His". Even George Bush in his "worst" moments never sounded like such a preacher.

So we pray to Him now for the vision to see our way clearly—to see the way that leads to a better life for ourselves and for all our fellow men—to the achievement of His will to peace on earth. - FDR

He has given our people stout hearts and strong arms with which to strike mighty blows for freedom and truth. - FDR

"Freedom is not America's gift to the world, it is the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world." - GWB

Not too far off. God Bless America and the men who lead her.