Pelosi using military jets for herself and family

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Aegeon

Golden Member
Nov 2, 2004
1,809
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Jhnn - do you condone such behaivor.

While she may be inline, does that excuse her actions.

the US has never has a Speaker of the House become President.
The fact remains the military travel is specifically due to a Presidential order from Bush after 9/11 and also applied to Denis Hastert. If we want to move away from this policy which is a deliberate security measure, it should probably me made as a clear matter of a general policy change rather than putting the House Speaker on the spot.

The Bush White House for the record strongly defending Pelosi flying on military planes as a important security precaution if you look at the Tony Snow quote at the link.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/pelosi/jet.asp
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,686
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So you're okay with corruption, abuse of power, and hypocrisy, is that it?

Not particularly, but I didn't notice the usual wingnuts raving about these things when their idols were doing it. I'm sure Gingrich and Hastert didn't spare any expense, either.

Two Meelyon Dollars! That probably covers about 15 minutes of the occupation of Iraq.

Get a grip, fools.
 

Patranus

Diamond Member
Apr 15, 2007
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with the amount of crazies right wing republican hate mongers out there I am not surprised she takes extra precautions and flies only military aircraft.

Care to give an actual example?

Like the census worker with 'FED' written on his chest?
Or how about those windows that were smashed out of the Democrat offices?

Oh thats right, it wasn't those crazy "tea baggers" one was suicide with an attempt to collect insurance and the other was a "progressive" blogger.
 

Sclamoz

Guest
Sep 9, 2009
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The documents don't show these outlays have secured any favors or favoritism from lawmakers. And the funds spent by military personnel—which ran about $4,300 per trip for the 43 trips examined by the Journal—usually account for only a small portion of the total lawmakers spend on overseas travel.

Instead, the records shed light for the first time on how the military exploits its official escort role on these trips to foster relationships with lawmakers who approve departmental budgets and top appointments. The disclosures also underscore the military's pervasive pursuit of congressional access.

Indeed, the military aides who accompany lawmakers overseas are usually the same people who lobby Congress at home; their offices are in buildings shared with lawmakers.

Joel Johnson, a defense-industry analyst with the TEAL Group Corp. who once worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the situation as the equivalent of companies taking clients golfing. "These trips provide a bonding experience for the military officials and the lawmakers," he said, "and that is helpful for the military when they are seeking particular things in appropriations or authorizations."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...00943067824382.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

Another twist to the story.

Jhhnn said:
Not particularly, but I didn't notice the usual wingnuts raving about these things when their idols were doing it. I'm sure Gingrich and Hastert didn't spare any expense, either.

Two Meelyon Dollars! That probably covers about 15 minutes of the occupation of Iraq.

Get a grip, fools.

So when someone is claiming to be trying to save the world from global warming and wants to freeze federal spending and the country's economy is in the shitter but flys her kids/grandkids and husband around on a jet paid for by the taxpayers that makes sense to you?
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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And the idiots who prefer propganda are fed again.

If they do want to get hot and bothered about Congress' flights, look at the PRIVATE sector lending them the use of their corporate jets (and all the tax benefit scandals for those jets).

The best the right can come up with is that the leader of the House of Representatives had name brand booze on board.

It's a good example of the right's double standard.

If Bush hadn't approved this policy and Obama had started it, we'd hear no end to the screaming - Obama is not allowed the same power.

But they were silent went Bush did.

Cult members.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,877
6,415
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Hasn't this issue been beat to death on this forum before?

Yes it has. Now, like then, the OP will be shown to be barking up the wrong tree. This is a direct result of 9/11 and security protocols initiated by the Great Bushboy himself.
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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You realize that NO speaker of the house has ever become President in our entire history.

No one's ever kidnapped or harmed the first family, so let's get rid of their guards.

So, let's be clear, are you saying Bush was wrong to have the speaker fly on military planes?
 

classy

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
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Hey look, I get it. Pelosi is not a very popular person in any circle these days. But she is the speaker of the house and no she just can't get on any ole plane. She is number 2 inline to be president if god forbid anything happened, she better be getting her old tail on a military jet. Some of you morons think she should flying coach on a commercial plane, which is a..........moronic.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,877
6,415
126
Hey look, I get it. Pelosi is not a very popular person in any circle these days. But she is the speaker of the house and no she just can't get on any ole plane. She is number 2 inline to be president if god forbid anything happened, she better be getting her old tail on a military jet. Some of you morons think she should flying coach on a commercial plane, which is a..........moronic.

Yup. I suspect that even Senators and Members of the House were rather nervous post 9/11. No one knew what was going to happen next and Assassination would certainly seem like possibilities.
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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350
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Jhhnn's point was that she has to fly like this because she is second in line.

I am pointing out that the person second in line has as much a chance of being president as the person 52nd in line.

And that's wrong.

about 10% of our presidents have been killed in office, more have been attacked. The odds of that happening to the President and VP are not the 0% risk you say.

Now we'll see if you answer my question.
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
Hey look, I get it. Pelosi is not a very popular person in any circle these days. But she is the speaker of the house and no she just can't get on any ole plane. She is number 2 inline to be president if god forbid anything happened, she better be getting her old tail on a military jet. Some of you morons think she should flying coach on a commercial plane, which is a..........moronic.

Why should taxpayer money be wasted on a nice coach plane for her? Greyhound is fine.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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No one's ever kidnapped or harmed the first family, so let's get rid of their guards.

So, let's be clear, are you saying Bush was wrong to have the speaker fly on military planes?
I think we have to look at how she travels and see if there is a cheaper way to get her back and forth from San Fran.

Might actually be cheaper to charter flights for her or get her a Jet Card etc etc.
 

classy

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
15,219
1
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Yup. I suspect that even Senators and Members of the House were rather nervous post 9/11. No one knew what was going to happen next and Assassination would certainly seem like possibilities.

Exactly. I thought it was a forgone conclusion she should fly military. Especially given the terrorism and "tea party" folks. LOL I just had to take a shot at them :)