Air Diva - so, is this "spare no expense, Pelosi?"
The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified."
-President Barack Obama, 1/20/09
So, is this working yet? Or is this yet another sign that when government gets too big, it can be abused? When big government effectively isolates those that govern from those that pay for it, there is no way for the individual taxpayer to hold the highest accountable?
And, of course, it's the double-barreled hypocrisy. There's the eco-hypocrisy of the Democratic leader who wags her finger at the rest of us for our too-big carbon footprints, and crusades for massive taxes and regulation to reduce global warming. Then there's the Bay Area hypocrisy of the woman who represents one of the most anti-military areas of the country soaking up military resources to shuttle her (and her many family members) across the country almost every weekend...
...Apparently, those anti-war protesters have no problem with evil military jets currying Pelosi and her massive entourages to the funerals of the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Charlie Norwood; foreign junkets to Rome; and politicized stops to Iowa flood sites to bash the Bush administration...
...Three months ago, turmoil erupted over Queen Nancy's demand for the military to reposition her plane to fly out of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., closer to where she had "business," instead of San Francisco Airport/SFO (1.5 hours away). A special air missions official wrote: "We have never done this in the past. The deal is … that the Speaker shuttle is from D.C. to SFO and back. We will not reposition. We do not reposition for convenience even for the SECDEF. It is not (too) far of a drive from Travis to SFO. Did the escort suggest to the speaker that this is OK? If so, I hope you guys correct them immediately. If you agree with me that I am correct, then you need to stay strong and present the facts to the speaker's office."
Another official stated bluntly: "We can't reposition the airplane such a short distance. It is not a judicial use of the asset. It is too expensive to operate the jet when there is truly no need to do so."
A beleaguered colleague responded: "(Y)ou know I understand and feel with you … but this is a battle we are bound to lose if we tell the speaker office. In the end, this is what will happen. … I wish that I could say this is a one-time request, but we know it will probably happen again in the future."
...But rest assured: Air Diva traveled in style, courtesy of your tax dollars and the forbearance of the U.S. military.
Now, set all that against the railing that Congress has done about private corporate jets (which they often use when it fits their needs)...
Speaking of flying and money, given that Barack is still in campaign mode but now flying Air Force 1 (I think that the cost for everything is about $1 million / hour), is the Main Stream Media asking about the price of NBO (Nancy, Barney, and Obama) Airlines?
Any of you hard core investigative reporters out there?
Sorry, this is a case yet again of "Big Government not working"
