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==Cost of the Inauguration==

==Cost of the Inauguration==

According to an article by Gregg Walker, publisher of the Lakeland Times, the cost of Obama's inauguration may have exceeded $160 million dollars; in comparison, the cost for George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration was only $44 million.<ref>Lakeland Times, ''The American people need a leader'', by Gregg Walker (Publisher), 1/30/2009 [http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=10&ArticleID=9029]</ref>  

According to an article by Gregg Walker, publisher of the Lakeland Times, the cost of Obama's inauguration may have exceeded $160 million; in comparison, the cost for George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration was only $44 million.<ref>Lakeland Times, ''The American people need a leader'', by Gregg Walker (Publisher), 1/30/2009 [http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=10&ArticleID=9029]</ref>  

Walker notes the comments from the liberal mainstream media regarding Bush's 2005 inauguration:  

Walker notes the comments from the liberal mainstream media regarding Bush's 2005 inauguration:  

*While inviting a [[Christian]] to give an inaugural prayer is not so controversial, the [[gay]] community is in an uproar over the invite to [[evangelical]] pastor [[Rick Warren]]. Pastor Warren voted for [[Proposition 8]] in his home state of [[California]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4BH7DR20081218 Obama's next pastor controversy - at inauguration] Reuters, December 18, 2008</ref>

*While inviting a [[Christian]] to give an inaugural prayer is not so controversial, the [[gay]] community is in an uproar over the invite to [[evangelical]] pastor [[Rick Warren]]. Pastor Warren voted for [[Proposition 8]] in his home state of [[California]].<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4BH7DR20081218 Obama's next pastor controversy - at inauguration] Reuters, December 18, 2008</ref>

*Rev. Sharon Watkins of [[Protestant]] Christian denomination gave an an opening prayer. She is the first female pastor to give an inaugural prayer.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-obama-prayer-service,0,7764780.story Female minister to deliver sermon at inaugural prayer service, a first] AP, January 11, 2009</ref>

*Rev. Sharon Watkins of [[Protestant]] Christian denomination gave an opening prayer. She is the first female pastor to give an inaugural prayer.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-obama-prayer-service,0,7764780.story Female minister to deliver sermon at inaugural prayer service, a first] AP, January 11, 2009</ref>

*Openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson from [[New Hampshire]] prayed at a concert held two days before the inauguration.  Bishop Robinson was among those responsible for the breakup of the [[American]] [[Episcopal]] Church over the issue of gay pastors.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/13/gay-bishop-to-offer-obama-inaugural-prayers/ Gay bishop to give Inaugural prayer] Washington Times, January 13, 2009</ref>

*Openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson from [[New Hampshire]] prayed at a concert held two days before the inauguration.  Bishop Robinson was among those responsible for the breakup of the [[American]] [[Episcopal]] Church over the issue of gay pastors.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/13/gay-bishop-to-offer-obama-inaugural-prayers/ Gay bishop to give Inaugural prayer] Washington Times, January 13, 2009</ref>