Report: Most ethical Speaker evah “treats the Air Force like her personal airline”
posted at 7:11 pm on March 10, 2009 by Allahpundit
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I’m as surprised as you are.
The following are a few highlights from the documents, which are linked in full below:
* In response to a series of requests for military aircraft, one Defense Department official wrote, “Any chance of politely querying [Pelosi's team] if they really intend to do all of these or are they just picking every weekend?…[T]here’s no need to block every weekend ‘just in case’…” The email also notes that Pelosi’s office had, “a history of canceling many of their past requests.”
* One DOD official complained about the “hidden costs” associated with the speaker’s last minute changes and cancellations. “We have…folks prepping the jets and crews driving in (not a short drive for some), cooking meals and preflighting the jets etc.”…
* The documents also detail correspondence from intermediaries for Speaker Pelosi issuing demands for certain aircraft and expressing outrage when requested military planes were not available. “It is my understanding there are no G5s available for the House during the Memorial Day recess. This is totally unacceptable…The speaker will want to know where the planes are…” wrote Kay King, Director of the House Office of Interparliamentary Affairs. In a separate email, when told a certain type of aircraft would not be available, King writes, “This is not good news, and we will have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset [s]peaker.”
DrewM at Ace’s place thinks this’ll make for a dandy campaign commercial. Could be; leeching off taxpayers in the middle of a depression certainly is tasty red meat, as the sporadic outrage over TARP recipients paying their brokers exorbitant bonuses proves. The problem is, Pelosi’s been doing this for years — and getting criticized for it in major media organs — and it hasn’t stuck yet. How likely is it that it’s going to get traction while the country’s still high on Hopenchange?
In fairness to Madam Speaker, she may be the worst abuser of the privilege but she’s hardly the only one. Remember this oldie but goodie?
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It doesn’t matter how much attention Pelosi’s travel “arrangements” get in the MSM….the idiots in her district will just keep on re-electing her. Sigh…..
GEC on March 10, 2009 at 8:02 PM
You forgot Slobama. Hispandering his way to the bottom. Nothing like hanging on by your fingernails and inviting the enemy to take a shot.
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Look, idiot, McCain lost, thanks to people like you. I really do hope you’re happy….
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:05 PM
The Republicans in the House should sponsor a resolution declaring that the Speaker of the House is not a Queen or King.
PercyB on March 10, 2009 at 8:06 PM
You know, I kind of miss wiseman. He was a daydream believer AND a homecoming queen.
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 8:07 PM
AH…the first scent of personal acrimony tonight. I am going to start the pop corn now.
JonRoss on March 10, 2009 at 8:07 PM
And his shaving razor stung and it was cold. Just ask PercyB.
JonRoss on March 10, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I don’t understand why the Speaker of the House has any special privileges other than on the floor of House according to House rules. This is abuse of power above and beyond. How the members of this body have let things get so out of hand speaks to reasons for term limits. They all get corrupt with power and years served. Another thing is visiting heads of state I don’t see where this comes from other than arrogant power grabbing.
rsl775 on March 10, 2009 at 8:10 PM
You know, now that Obama’s helped boost Limbaugh’s audience, it would be great if he would jump on this story HARD. Forget what insects like Frum et al say about him, just get to work on Pelosi.
This story is pure gold. The attitude, the arrogance, the waste of money, all of it.
She books USAF jets every single weekend, and waits until the last second to cancel when she changes her mind?
Who the hell are all of these “many disappointed people” who have been catching free rides in military jets?
Anybody here have a Rush 24/7 membership?
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Please don’t offer advice to my teenager daughter.
That’s funny.
Spirit of 1776 on March 10, 2009 at 8:11 PM
To answer your question I must borrow a recent phrase from a well known NY Congressman..”None of your goddamn business”.
JonRoss on March 10, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Split, Madame Speaker, just a bit
Give our Queen of Justice more to bite, ours is a hungry queen
Sing, savour the sting
As she severs you
Slice, come paradise
Hail our new Majesty!
Madame Guillotine!
PercyB on March 10, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Does anybody have a Rush 24/7 membership? This story is where he should focus.
She books USAF jets every single weekend, and doesn’t cancel until they are in pre-flight?
She has USAF personnel cooking her meals and entertaining her family and other hangers-on?
Who are the “many disappointed people” who are accustomed to free military transport and entertainment while travelling across the country?
This story has weeks worth of potential, and is a whole lot more important than Frum, Gingrich, and the rest of the insects.
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Politicians should be reimbursed for required business travel ONLY.
If you’re flying in to speak at a conference or make an appearance somewhere, it’s not business travel.
If you could have stayed in your home district and had a video conference instead, it’s not business travel.
Here’s a thought, they get a flight in for the opening of the congressional session and one flight out at the close. Travel that’s required as part of a committee that they are on is reimbursed. If your district/state has an emergency you can fly in to do what needs to be done (which should involve actual WORK and not just photo ops). EVERYTHING else comes out of their pockets.
JadeNYU on March 10, 2009 at 8:16 PM
I can’t wait until she is out of office and isn’t in the limelight anymore!!! Her and Obama think they are rockstars and not the elected officials that were sent to take care of the business of the PEOPLE. They are addicted to power and nothing, I mean nothing, good comes from this. It will come back to bite them in the *** sooner or latter!
sweet92169 on March 10, 2009 at 8:16 PM
sorry I mean later.^^
sweet92169 on March 10, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Nothing surprises me in this state anymore Keemo. The editors at the Sacramento Bee have threatened to ban me for being too divisive even when I stay on topic.
Rovin on March 10, 2009 at 8:17 PM
How old is this Hagula, anyway? She looks to be late seventyish…
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 8:18 PM
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:15 PM
I do (as do many others here)..
Need not worry though, tomorrow is open line Friday on Wednesday; this will come up.
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Obama & Pelosi are punishing corporate bosses for having lavish parties on tax payers dime. What about this crap? What about Obama throwing lavish parties at the WH every week, with hall of fame bands and 100 dollar a pound steaks?
Any reporters willing to point out the hypocrisy? Of coarse not, as they are waiting for their invitations.
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:24 PM
8 GOP senators voted for cloture on porkulus.
Remember Thad Cochran is the guy who said the thought of a President McCain scared him? Here’s why….Cochran is a Porkmeister extraordinaire.
Shelby used to be a democrat and is a pork king. Kit Bond is a religious conservative but not a fiscal one. Alexander…former Sec Ed, and he votes to kill DC school choice.
But John McCain is the worst guy ever, and even in threads that have nothing to do with him, some genius here brings him up and bashes him for no reason.
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Probably about right – but, through the wonders of modern chemistry, she’s so well preserved she’ll probably be around forever.
uncivilized on March 10, 2009 at 8:26 PM
If you guys want some horror stories about abuse of military aircraft by elected officials, I could start a whole web-site with just the crap units I’ve been in have had to put up with.
Best Congressman I’ve ever carried? Robin Hayes. Came early. Didn’t mind that because he was there early we still needed to start the aircraft. Shook every one of my crews hands and said thanks for the ride. Real nice guy.
Worst Abuse? Toss up between Tipper Gore and Hill-da-beast in Nicaragua while we were trying to conduct Hurricane Mitch relief. Each of their visits tied up the majority of our Blawkhawks for days at a time. While villagers were needing supplies to take care of the human remains and the survivors were needing food and water, Tipper and Hills PSDs were using the aircraft like their personal taxis. We had to fly to every village those idiots thought the ladies might like to see before the days of actually flying them. I personally put my foot down one day and said one of the spots was on the list to receive a load. Tipper PSD said nope and I was over ridden by the Major in charge of us.
You’ll never hear about crap like that in the news.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Because morons like you gave us your RINO, Mavericky, old codger sure loser!
Two can play your stupid little game.
jwp1964 on March 10, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Rovin on March 10, 2009 at 8:17 PM
I feel for you brother! You’re probably stuck there as is the case with so many of my family members. They are in so deep with their properties, they have no choice but to sit it out and hope for a better future. My brother reminds me that Ca. was once a very Conservative State. I remind him that he’s now 60 and time’s a-runnin by quickly.
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:29 PM
O/T
Orielly just had two consevatives supporting Rush’s context of hoping Obama’s policys will fail. Note: No liberal BS was included, with the exception of Billy-boy worrying about how the media will percieve this, and the moderates that the party needs to reach out to.
Rovin on March 10, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Keemo-it would be great for lots of 24/7 members to email Rush to encourage him to cover this story for weeks. I really thing there is enough info to do it.
Can JW get the names of people who flew with Pelosi? How about the names on all the flights that cancelled at the last minute?
How about the cost of having trained USAF personnel kept around to be personal chefs for Nancy Pelosi and friends?
If somebody could combine this story with the AFL-CIO creeps flying down to FL (right to work state) on their members’
involuntary contributionsdues to party in high style, that’s bonus points.funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:30 PM
They are partying like it was
1999Paris in 1789.MB4 on March 10, 2009 at 8:30 PM
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Hypocrites.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:29 PM
If you look at the county by county map, it still is a red state
Rovin on March 10, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Pathetic life you must have.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:32 PM
But even with Stephen Hawking as sperm donor the baby would still be retarded.
darktood on March 10, 2009 at 8:33 PM
But you have to understand that Nasty Nan and imam Barry are doing the PEOPLE’S BUSINESS and are therefore exempt from these rules. You know..the Benedict has to be educated, ancient ruins in Sicily have to be inspected to see if pollution from America is causing damage there. Just of lot of things they are doing for us. And $100 beef helps the ranchers of Argentina which is essential to international relations. Yada yada yada
JonRoss on March 10, 2009 at 8:33 PM
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Finished getting bathed by mommy?
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:33 PM
You know, this is what’s so sad – I’ve only been to California twice, a long time ago, and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. Even San Francisco. But I would never, ever live there – too many freaks and nutcases in charge of things.
uncivilized on March 10, 2009 at 8:33 PM
No, dumbass, I’m a Fredhead. But the Obama vs McCain contest? total no-brainer.
And it’s just idiotic to bring McCain into threads like this to bash him…what on earth does McCain have to do with Nancy Pelosi’s abuses of her position? I guarantee McCain isn’t real big on this kind of crap. Remember, he was a military pilot. I’m married to a military pilot, and the last minute cancellations in particular would just enrage him….
And her bitchy attitude when a particular jet isn’t available for her pleasure travel? Priceless.
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:33 PM
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Gosh. That was pithy. So, in your opinion, is what Madame Speaker doing right or wrong? It’s a easy question. Please answer it.
kingsjester on March 10, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Hope springs eternal.
JonRoss on March 10, 2009 at 8:35 PM
He’s old and in an assisted living center. Nurse Kratchet sponges him down and puts him in his bedtime Depends.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Rovin on March 10, 2009 at 8:32 PM
True enough.. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, & Santa Barbara are enough to tip the scale. How freakin sad.
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Look who’s here.
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 8:38 PM
The Airforce should consider some in-flight training of it’s staff while Pelosi is aboard. Turn off a couple of engines as plane is about to land…emergency landing assuming snipers at airport…throw Pelosi into a chute and chuck her out the back door as part of emergency training for crash landing… They could have big fun if they really wanted to!
sabbott on March 10, 2009 at 8:39 PM
kingsjester on March 10, 2009 at 8:34 PM
I think she offered to fly coach but for security reasons she has to do what they want to protect her.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:39 PM
uncivilized on March 10, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Exactly right. It’s a shame, there are millions of really good people in California getting dwarfed at the voting booth by those in the big cities with hands out, and by young college age students who are being brainwashed by a very well organized Liberal breeding program on every campus. Read Horowitz’s new book “One Party Classroom.”
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Great day on Wall Street today.
The bush depression is over and Madoff will spend the rest of his miserable life in prison.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Don’t remember the Republican Speakers acting like this.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=441246
RealDemocrat on March 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM
We weren’t born to walk on water
We weren’t born to sack and slaughter
But on our souls, we weren’t born
To stoop and knuckle under
A man can learn to steal some thunder
A man can learn to work some wonder
And when the gauntlet’s down,
It’s time to rise and climb the sky
And soon the moon will smolder
And the winds will drive
Yes, a man grows older but his soul remains alive
All those tremulous stars still glitter
And we will survive!
Let our hearts grow colder and as bitter as a falcon in the dive
There was a dream, a dying ember
There was a dream, I don’t remember
But we will resurrect that dream
Though rivers stream and hills grow steeper
For here in hell where life gets cheaper
Oh, here in hell the blood runs deeper
And when the final duel is near
We will lift our spears and fly
Piercing into the sky and higher
And the strong will thrive
Yes, the weak will cower while the fittest will survive
If we wait for the darkest hour
Till we spring alive
Then with claws of fire, we will devour like a falcon in the dive
PercyB on March 10, 2009 at 8:44 PM
I’m sorry, but I have to ask…what color is the sky in your world?
jwp1964 on March 10, 2009 at 8:44 PM
So whatever happens after this now id obamas fault right?
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:44 PM
is…
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:44 PM
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Ummmm, did you say something?
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:45 PM
The worst guy I’ve ever had to give a ride too. F*cking John Kerry in Iraq. What a flaming asshol@. Most democrat pax were. It’s obvious they despised the military.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I doubt that.
coldwarrior on March 10, 2009 at 8:47 PM
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 8:39 PM
ABC Local News, Houston, TX
It’s not about security. It’s about convenience.
kingsjester on March 10, 2009 at 8:48 PM
And as Sir Galahad spent the rest of his life searching for the Holy Grail, getalife will spend the rest of his searching for a clue and he probably won’t have any luck either.
MB4 on March 10, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Or how about this – the pilot and copilot and crew could all walk past Pelosi parachutes in hand heding for the rear door and say, “Don’t worry, we have a small problem but we are going for help”.
MB4 on March 10, 2009 at 8:54 PM
O.M.G.
you gotta switch to fixed-wing, preferably a fighter
None of those p*ssies will ask for a ride :-)
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 8:54 PM
MB4 on March 10, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Damn, that’s funny… :)
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Stretch Pelosi and her congressional crooks.
RobCon on March 10, 2009 at 8:56 PM
I’m not that smart.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:56 PM
I think you mean the Pelosi-Reid depresiion and hold on buddy because it is just starting. Oh and your hero the messiah, he is going to let Madoff off the hook.
After his single term he will be giving out hundreds of pardons like old Bubba did after his second term.
I am sure Ayers and Bin Laden will be on Obama’s pardon list too.
ObamatheMessiah on March 10, 2009 at 8:57 PM
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 8:47 PM
Yep, heard the same so many times I lost count. What happened to the party of JFK…
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 8:58 PM
No, McCain lost because he stunk as a candidate and had the charisma of a dead cape buffalos a**. Obama won because people like you blew the nomination on a bum. You moderates took control; congrats, you picked the candidate, he stunk, you lost. Own it. I know you don’t have any principles to stand for; at least take responsibility for picking a sh*t candidate. It couldn’t have been us; after all, we didn’t matter anymore, remember? Conservatism is dead; Rush is irrelevant. Nope, he was all yours. Given the campaign he ran, I think McCain wanted Obama to win. You should be happy.
austinnelly on March 10, 2009 at 8:59 PM
+1
d1carter on March 10, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Out on a daypass again sweetheart?
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Limbaugh On “Economic War”: “If Obama Is Our General, This War Is Lost”
Another one to surrender, wave the white flag, cut and run.
Who are these cowards to destroy the economy then surrender fixing it?
Man up.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Heck, he’ll have to pardon his entire administration at that point…
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 9:03 PM
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 9:01 PM
This thread’s not about Limbaugh. It’s about Pelosi. Nice try at hijacking the thread.
Man up.
Get a clue. Get a life.
kingsjester on March 10, 2009 at 9:03 PM
I’m afraid to even wonder what that term means to something like you!
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 9:04 PM
We could LAPES her in. Check out her Limo drop at 1:10.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Barack Obama is to the economy as Dr. Kevorkian is to medicine. Come on getalife, in your heart of hearts you know it’s true.
MB4 on March 10, 2009 at 9:06 PM
{shudders} Just what you wondered, Keemo.
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Now, THAT would have made for a very long day. Kerry just seems to have “prick” written all over his face.
uncivilized on March 10, 2009 at 9:07 PM
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Awesome!!!
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Thanks. I just spit apple all over my laptop.
jwp1964 on March 10, 2009 at 9:08 PM
I’ve had enough of getalife, the idiot wins when he comes here and ties up the conversation with his inane comments. He’s invisible.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 9:09 PM
jwp1964 on March 10, 2009 at 9:08 PM
I can’t help but to think getalife is a Pee Wee Herman fan.
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 9:10 PM
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 9:09 PM
I’m with you Hawk; I’ll join in the ban… Anybody else?
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I can’t decide whose melon drops first into the basket, Frank’s, Pelosi’s, Reid’s or the Bed Crapper in Chief.
Au revoir.
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Getalife who???
Never heard of him…
uncivilized on March 10, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Nancy Pelosi and the Dems sure haven’t lived up the that most ethical congress evah, huh? Show of hands.
Hawk votes…no.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Nancy Pelosi and the Dems sure have
n’tlived up the that most unethical congress evah, huh? Show of hands.FIFY
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I was hoping after that retarded post, someone would fix it for me Thanks!
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Her self importance is astounding! As far as I’m concerned the best she rates is a bus!
GFW on March 10, 2009 at 9:17 PM
That was the “most ethnical Congress evah”.
Al Capone was more ethical than any Democrat politician currently serving and was far more competent.
If Nancy Pelosi were in charge of Al Capone’s rackets, a Pack of Cub Scouts could have taking that nitwit down, we sure wouldn’t have needed the Untouchables.
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Congress, Obama admin piling on new conditions for financial institutions getting bailout cash… Developing..
Yep Hawk, I vote NO.
Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 9:18 PM
The appropriate vehicle for Pelosi and the Bed Crapper in Chief is a handbasket.
And they won’t need a GPS for where they’re going.
Just point it south, Nancy.
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Ok kids, this is nice juicy nugget. Let’s call the DNC and complain lets harrass her office with complaints. We must not this juicy one go undigested.
All of the smart posters can come up with other congressmen that have been censured for less grievous actions.
Think of her as the mother-in-law that you have been wanting to tell off for years….give the DNC and her many offices an earful, and lots of juicy emails too…..please hang on to this one until every bit of pulp has been chewed and spit out.
nondhimmie on March 10, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Yes, but she doesn’t have to remain as speaker. Make her toxic, and the dems will have to vote to unseat her to try to save Hopenchange Needsanap.
funky chicken on March 10, 2009 at 9:37 PM
you think old stretch is a member of the mile high club? (I just grossed myself out, in more than one way)
Ris4victory on March 10, 2009 at 9:41 PM
McCain: ‘I don’t want him to fail’
Thank you.
The President will meet with Reid and Pelosi regularly to keep them on the same page.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper to move the nation’s capital to San Francisco?
darwin-t on March 10, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Blood, meet Capitol steps.
daesleeper on March 10, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Worth a try…
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 9:51 PM
when are you going to getaclue? obama IS a failure….hope you live in DC or NYC…where you’ll get to learn the hard way…
right4life on March 10, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I still think that getaloaf is really Precedent Dumbo. The reason he is so tired and can’t get anything done is that he spends all day and night posting inane thoughts.
darwin-t on March 10, 2009 at 9:55 PM
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