Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 5:50 PM:
But Rick,
She has worked so very hard for the American people... we owe it to her.
Replies (47)
You guys are racist!
-- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 6:17 PM
There is something about spending like something on payday, but you know how it is when you get old you cannot remember exactly what it was.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 6:26 PM
Theorist,
Her money... surely you jest!
Oh, and I'm still waiting for the answers to my questions on that other thread.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 6:49 PM
I guess if your a one termer you have to get all you can as fast as you can.
When I am king, congress will have to ok all overseas travel of presidents and their family and each other.
-- Posted by Old John on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 6:55 PM
Regret
i have nothing against Arabs .
-- Posted by ...Rick on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 6:21 PM
I have family that lives over at Arab. I have nothing against them either.
-- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 7:12 PM
Don't care.
-- Posted by Red_Rhino on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 6:17 AM
OK who would like a refund on that $97,000?
I will PERSONALLY foot the bill for you.
$97,000 divided by 135,000,000 taxpayers means each share is .0007 cents for each of you.
Just respond with whether you would like a refund or not, and I'll send you a check for your 7 ten-thousandths of a penny.
-- Posted by FriendO on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 2:05 PM
Get over your selfs! Democrat and Republicans wifes have always taken vacations.
-- Posted by Service1 on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 2:10 PM
Its not the cost but rather the looks of the thing.
-- Posted by voyager on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 2:14 PM
Some of you are just plain whiners, or retarded, or I don't know but get over yourselves.
-- Posted by futile_rant on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 2:23 PM
Friendo,
I think you better be prepared to shell out a full penny. The 97 grand I think was for the secret service. No way the whole bill.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 4:49 PM
Hey, rant, why should we want to "get over ourselves?" We're having so much fun sticking pins in your little inflated egos and watching them go POP! Haven't felt this good for some time now, contemplating the coming liberal/socialist debacle come November. Soprt of like the time years ago when we dropped balloon water bombs from the second floor of Halloween Trick and Treaters. Man, we were mean little devils!
-- Posted by voyager on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 7:20 PM
My question - is she proud of her country yet?
-- Posted by fxpwt on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 8:29 PM
Wait! You mean Mrs. Obama paid for her own trip to Spain? She didn't use government transportation, and she paid for her security team's lodging and meals and ... ? Wow, I'm impressed! I didn't realize she and her husband were so independently wealthy. Just shows what I know, huh?
When I am king, congress will have to ok all overseas travel of presidents and their family and each other. -- Posted by Old John
If you add to that a ban on any president using our tax dollars to campaign for political candidates, you have my vote, Old J.!
Doesn't matter what the cost-per is, Friend ... and realizing $97,000 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to what our government spends ... But can we suggest that, like in the Good Old Days, when debt becomes burdensome, it's time to tighten up all the way around? $97,000 here, $200,000 there ... Pretty soon we're talking about some big money, huh?
Good one, fxpwt. Never liked the woman, and like her less after having read all the employees she hired after becoming Mrs. President. Just me, but seems she has a superiority complex or something ... maybe just a genuine need for self-importance?
-- Posted by gurusmom on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 1:46 AM
As the week winds down, maybe we can start thinking about next week already.
Golly, I hope the Dems on here aren's so touchey next week. Most of them are acting like they have a burr under their saddle.
Couldn't have been the elections I wouldn't think, because as someone pointed out... they were meaningless.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 11:58 AM
voyager,
no you are making yourself look like idiots to the other 80% of the population that isn't far right and further seperating your party. No one wants to be on the same side as you tools who get worked up about this crap.
Go back to readying your SUN magazine and US weekly... I am sure you can find some other non-sense to wrap yourself in since your life doesn't seem to provide you with the drama you crave.
-- Posted by futile_rant on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 12:02 PM
"This is important stuff"
-- Posted by Spaniard on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 10:53 AM
Eh, what's important to some is trivial to others. I get the sarcasm.
Here, still doubting the pride part - given the sheer number of vacations taken recently, as well as the deplanings from a Presidential-duty aircraft dressed more for a grab-n-go shopping trip than in the traditional decorum expected.
If she can't be proud of her country, would it be too much to ask for her to at least look proud of her country?
-- Posted by fxpwt on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 12:22 PM
fxpwt,
Something I remember hearing once.... you cannot make a silk purse out of something or other. You know, when you get older your memory starts giving you trouble. Maybe somebody remembers the rest.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 12:29 PM
Reagan took 349 vacation days during 8 years
"w" spent 487 days at camp david AND 490 days at his own ranch
including 96 days during the first 18 months, Obama has taken 36 days in 18 months
36 days is pretty much what a decent career would give you per year, not even a 24/7 stressful job like being a President.
The deficit soarerd during Reagan and W but I didn't hear you all complaining then...
So stop being over critical or atleast be more consistant.
-- Posted by futile_rant on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 2:17 PM
Here are a few tidbits of information for you all to work on.
---.Spanish police close public beach for Michelle Obama's £250,000 Spanish holiday
By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 9:49 PM on 6th August 2010
Michelle Obama today faced a fresh wave of attacks over her lavish break in Spain with 40 friends, which could easily cost U.S. taxpayers a staggering £50,000 a day.
The First Lady has been lambasted for her extravagance at a time when the economy is still struggling. One blogger went so far as to brand her a modern-day Marie Antoinette.
And her critics will be further annoyed when they learn that the president's wife had a Spanish beach closed off today so that she, her daughter and their entourage could go for a swim.
Spanish police cleared off a stretch of beach at the Villa Padierna Hotel in Marbella after the Obamas had finished a busy day of sightseeing.
Police used palm trees and police tape to mark off the boundaries of a 100-yard expanse for the American delegation. On either side, onlookers gawked - and police occasionally stopped and searched sun lovers if they strayed too close to the private party.
It is unclear whether the police presence was paid for by Spain - or whether a nasty invoice could be landing in the lap of the American taxpayer.
The exact cost of the trip is unclear as Mrs Obama, 46, and her friends are footing personal expenses themselves - which is just as well.
For a start, they will be paying for the 60 rooms booked at the 129-room Hotel Villa Padierna. With basic rooms starting around £380 each, the nightly bill will be no less than £22,800.
Meals will also be picked up by the Obamas and friends.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo detailed the Obamas' dinner on their first night in Spain. The tapas menu for the delegation included sea bass tartare, strawberry gazpacho and sardines, followed by a main course of lobster with seaweed risotto.
The meal cost about £40 a head, according to El Mundo - which means a bill topping £1,600 would have hit the table if all 40 friends dined together.
Stretched over five nights that's £8,000 for dinner alone.
Whether or not the taxpaying American will be paying for meals, they will definitely be footing the bill for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, her personal staff - and the use of presidential jet Air Force Two.
The per diems for the secret service team runs at around £172 each, which amounts to nearly £60,000 for the length of the summer break.
Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at £91,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground.
Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and who might cost considerably more per day, also have to be taken into account.
The American public will also cover the cost of the only official part of the holiday, a visit to the Spanish royal family on the island of Majorca.
This will involve transport there and back for the entourage - as well as travel, accommodation, food and expenses for all while on the island.
Conservative estimates already put the total cost at £150,000. With Majorca to come, the bill will be more like £250,000.
Back in the U.S., anger was mounting - especially as it has emerged the First Lady will have enjoyed eight holidays by the end of the summer.
These include a trip to Los Angeles in June, a visit to the Florida's oil-hit Gulf Coast next weekend and a ten-day trip to Martha's Vineyard later this month.
White House press secretary Robin Gibbs was asked at a briefing if there were any concerns about how the visit was being viewed by the public.
'The First Lady is on a private trip,' he said. 'She is a private citizen and is the mother of a daughter on a private trip. I think I'd leave it at that.'
Yesterday New York Daily News columnist and blogger Andrea Tantaros likened the President's wife to French queen Marie Antoinette, who was famously extravagant with her spending.
Tantaros wrote: 'To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another. Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny.'
She accused the Obamas of hypocrisy for preaching the values of sacrifice and austerity to Americans while seemingly refusing to heed their own advice.
She said: 'Instead, Michelle Obama seems more like a modern-day Marie Antoinette... than an average mother of two.'
She added: 'I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard. We all need downtime - the First Family included.
'It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonisation of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy and perpetuates a disconnect between the country and its leaders'
Mrs Obama, who has been accompanied by her youngest daughter, Saha, nine, spent yesterday in the historic city of Granada.
She visited the spectacular Alhambra Palace, the 16th century cathedral and the pretty Albaicin neighbourhood, famous for its narrow winding streets and small squares
A crowd of several hundred people shouted 'Obama!' and 'guapa!' (beautiful) as the Obamas entered the cathedral with a large security detail in tow.
The party also had time for ice cream in the main street Gran Via.
Mrs Obama later attended a flamenco performance by Juan Andres Maya where other members of the audience were delighted when she tried out some dance moves at the end.
Earlier in the week, Mrs Obama had strolled around the shop's of Marbella's old town with daughter Sasha in tow.
The First Lady was surrounded by burly Secret Service agents as hundreds of locals sought to catch a glimpse of her in the Costa del Sol resort.
Wearing black trousers, a black and white top and dark sunglasses, the 46-year-old walked through Marbella's cobbled streets, nipping into a number of shops before having dinner in an Andalusian restaurant.
Mrs Obama arrived by plane at Malaga airport yesterday/on Wednesday morning and was driven in a 14-car convoy to the five star Hotel Villa Padierna, where her entourage has reserved 60 of the 129 rooms.
She told owner Ricardo Arranz she had come to 'relax and unwind'.
The hotel is nestled in the hills overlooking Marbella, and at 6.30pm she and nine-year-old Sasha were driven to the historic centre for their shopping trip.
Locals and British expats and holidaymakers crammed the streets or leaned out from balconies to get the best shot of the First Lady on their cameras. Some even climbed orange trees to get a better look.
Mrs Obama bought two white Egyptian cotton dresses for 84 euros (70 pounds) from a shop called Blanc du Nil after asking shopkeeper Irene Aivar for advice on styles and sizes.
She then took a business card from another shop called Samira, which sells silverware and crafts, before heading to a restaurant for dinner at 8pm.
They had a reservation for 14 people at the Buenaventura Plaza restaurant, reportedly eating lobster with rice and oysters followed by a Spanish bread pudding called torrijas.
President Barack Obama, who turned 49 on Wednesday, is not expected to join them in Spain, and oldest daughter Malia, 12, is at a summer camp in the US.
Reports in Spain said Mr Obama telephoned his wife at the restaurant, and she sang him Happy Birthday down the phone.
The party enjoyed red wine with the main course and a local sweet white wine with dessert before retiring to the hotel at 10pm.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 5:51 PM
Being an unemployed millionaire wannabe myself... I think I better go cut some grass and skip the wine and lobster fest for this evening.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 5:53 PM
I agree under the economic circumstances in the U.S., this does not play out well. My question is this: Are these SS agents already on the payroll or were they just hired for this trip. If they were already on the payroll that is a little different matter. The basic cost is already there. However, in no way am I condoning this embarkment. Let's just all be fair when passing out the criticism.
-- Posted by howdydoody on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 9:02 PM
Howdy,
I didn't write any of that, it was sent to me by someone and I just thought the posters on here would like to know how out current crop of DC Royalty lives.
Why blame them, blame the American people who tolerat such frivilous use of resources by any of these clowns we elect.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 9:21 PM
Rant,be sure not to forget to take your meds tonight before bedtime.
FYI. I've had more drama in my life than you could ever imagine, let alone have experienced any part similar to it. I'm retired now and enjoy taking life much slower and less dramatic. Hope you don't mind making a little fun of you. It surprisingly easy.
-- Posted by voyager on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 11:18 PM
Reagan and W went to their ranches or Camp David. That's the best comparison you could make?
-- Posted by captainjack on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 12:53 AM
this whinning goes on from both sides whenever a sitting president goes on vacation. bush went,clinton went,nixon went. shut up, this isn't an issue. if you don't like it, move to russia.
-- Posted by workingdude on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 10:50 AM
I hope Mrs Obama comes back with a nice suntan!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 10:59 AM
this whinning goes on from both sides whenever a sitting president goes on vacation. bush went,clinton went,nixon went. shut up, this isn't an issue. if you don't like it, move to russia.
-- Posted by workingdude on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 10:50 AM
+1
-- Posted by futile_rant on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 11:14 AM
I thought the Dems would finally lighten up this week....
Guess not!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 11:26 AM
Apparently, it is an issue, since people are talking about it. It may not be a valid issue, but certainly seems to be one. And, judging by the links, it is not just Americans or Republicans or Conservatives that are talking about it, since it seems to be getting a bit of foreign press.
Democrats, who mad 'issues' out of President Bush's vacations and out Nancy Reagan's extravagance, want to claim it is not an issue. Apparently it will be regardless of their wishes.
-- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 11:28 AM
"omg he started it"
... seriously...
-- Posted by futile_rant on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 3:49 PM
I thought the Dem's would finally lighten up this week....
Guess not!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 11:26 AM
You ain't seen nothing yet. They are on a downhill spiral.
-- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 8:18 PM
I was driving down the road late last night when it happened. Something jumped out in front of me, I couldn't tell what it was. I swerved to miss and it all happpened so fast. Not sure if it was republican or a democrat in consevative garb.
Someone was running pretty fast.
-- Posted by Old John on Sun, Aug 8, 2010, at 10:07 PM
"Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear," Wheels ...
Kind of makes me miss the days of Mrs. Kennedy and the first Mrs. Bush, etc. Guess our 'society' really isn't much into decorum or manners or graciousness anymore ... so why should the First Lady pretent to be something other than what she pretty much is ... I kind of hate to say 'common,' mainly because many of the 'youngsters' won't understand what it meant a few decades ago.
Wait! What is our president's salary? Did they sell their house in IL, maybe, that they have so much money to toss around? Nice to know, though, that America can afford such an extravagance as this.
Posted by fxpwt on Sat, Aug 7, 2010, at 12:22 PM
Ah, thank goodness I'm not the only one who feels that way!
-- Posted by gurusmom on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 2:18 AM
gurusmom wrote:
"Wait! What is our president's salary? Did they sell their house in IL, maybe, that they have so much money to toss around?"
He did write a few books that sold well, and she gets speaking fees, I believe. Like all modern Presidents, they have income over and above the presidential salary.
-- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 7:49 AM
Got to think maybe she went in pursuit of the Spanish vote thinking Spain was one of the 57 states of the USA. Han, couldn't be.
-- Posted by voyager on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:23 AM
Got to think maybe she went in pursuit of the Spanish vote thinking Spain was one of the 57 states of the USA. Han, couldn't be.
-- Posted by voyager on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:24 AM
Caddillacman wrote:
"That should be your goal for the week. find something other than the Obamas to talk about....just try it....i bet ya can't do it! who's in on the bet???"
I'm in on the bet. Five dollars says we find something else to talk about.
Last week we talked about Ms. Carnahan, Mr. Blunt, drunk driving, horse-meat recipes, Ms. Emerson, riverboat gambling, Congress, and numerous other topics. My five bucks says we find as many, in addition to Mr. Obama, this week. You in?
Say, we can tie this in to the 'riverboat gambling' topic, can't we...
-- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:27 AM
Mom,
Thanks for finishing that. ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:52 AM
Caddy,
Once again your rant is the one bright spot in what apears to be as dismal morning.
So glad to see you back. LOL
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:54 AM
The image of the United States overseas was a big issue in the Democrats' campaign to replace President Bush. Thus, it would seem that international perspectives on this are relevant, unless you only believe that such perspectives matter when we have a Republican president, or during the campaign season...
-- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 9:34 AM
Got to think maybe she went in pursuit of the Spanish vote thinking Spain was one of the 57 states of the USA. Han, couldn't be.
-- Posted by voyager on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:23 AM
Got to think maybe she went in pursuit of the Spanish vote thinking Spain was one of the 57 states of the USA. Han, couldn't be.
-- Posted by voyager on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 8:24 AM
AND we get this from 'ol IQ 172 who never makes a mistake, mispeaks or double posts.
-- Posted by concerned4all on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 9:39 AM
The Aussies are just now talking about floride in their drinking water and common products. Michelle must be pretty big news to rate such up to date reporting.
Just wondering, Who are all these friends and what are the motives and reason for traveling with the first lady? Prestige and bragging rights maybe? Or was it a deal too good to pass up?
-- Posted by Old John on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 10:07 AM
Old John, Some folks would be happy to see Ms Obama and her husband go on permanent vacation...back to Chicago.
-- Posted by voyager on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 11:43 AM
Fluoride in the water is the single greatest communist threat our nation has ever suffered, polluting our bodies and destroying the purity of our essence.
God forbid that the Aussies should have to suffer the same fate... ;)
-- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 11:52 AM
Isn't this when InfoWarrior steps in to remind us of some history? Some of those old Commie ideas have evolved into normal everyday accepted practice.
Wheels, You now have a reason to support the President. Seafood taster in chief! You are probably ordering gulf seafood as I type.
-- Posted by Old John on Tue, Aug 10, 2010, at 12:45 AM
Wheels, You now have a reason to support the President. Seafood taster in chief! You are probably ordering gulf seafood as I type.
-- Posted by Old John on Tue, Aug 10, 2010, at 12:45 AM
Old John,
I will do my own sniff testing. Don't want anybody out of Washington messing with my seafood.
And I still have some of those Royal Reds (Deepwater Shrimp) vacuum packed and frozen in my freezer.
Ummmmmm, makes me hungry just thinking about it.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Tue, Aug 10, 2010, at 8:06 AM
Menu
But Rick,
She has worked so very hard for the American people... we owe it to her.
Replies (47)