I have had trouble caring much about the fuss over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of a Pentagon plane. I didn’t realize before all this that it has been standard security procedure for House speakers, who are second in line to the presidency, to use a military plane when they fly back to their home districts. Seems a bit much to me, but OK. The uproar — incited by the GOP — is over Pelosi’s request for a bigger plane that wouldn’t have to stop for fuel when flying between Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. Pelosi has now said that she will fly commercial if she can’t get a bigger plane. But given all the serious problems facing our country, I agree with White House spokesman Tony Snow, who said the controversy was "silly" and "much ado about not a whole lot."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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66 Comments
Finally I agree with Tony Snow, this is a non-issue. If anyone is still curious if our media is liberal this should be more proof that it isn’t. With all the Republican scandals the conservative media has been trying to create one for the Democrats. The fake story about Obama being trained at six years old to be a terrorist didn’t work out, so they tried creating another phony one for Pelosi.
Keep on lying conservatives, it’s not like anyone actually believes you.
Did the GOP make a fuss when Dennis Hastert was using this plane? Hastert was from Illinois, so of course the same plane would need more fuel to get Pelosi to her native California.
I think the Republicans are making a fuss about nothing, which makes them look good to their core base but it is not going to look good to the other voters. Americans are tired of the bickering and the corruption that was displayed by the Republicans, especially during the last 6 years of unchecked power with Bush in the White House.
Okay you stubborn wingers.Your turn to giggle!
In all fairness,I’ve been posting these things about GOP members for some time now (and well deserved),so now I’m goana give Grandma, er, I mean Madam speaker her 15 seconds of reading too:
Nancy Pelosi
Charges: Well before breaking the metaphorically clunky marble ceiling on the House floor, this Botox Bolshevik was betraying her supposed San Francisco values by sweeping the prospect of a well-deserved impeachment “off the table” and preemptively castrating the investigations she simultaneously promised. Anyone who thinks this brittle fundraising machine with the safest seat this side of North Korea is going to implement any ethics reform beyond the paltriest possible cosmetic gesture needs to lay off the medicinal marijuana. Pelosi’s reign in the House will be better than Republican golem Denny Hastert’s in the same way that gonorrhea is better than syphilis.
Exhibit A: Hasn’t debated an opponent in twenty years. A true Democrat, Pelosi literally has no balls.
Sentence: Crushed by falling chunks of broken marble ceiling.
I don’t see anything here and as Snow said, “Much ado about nothing.”
It’s a non-issue and the Sergeant at Arms in the House was looking after the Speakers security as that is his job to do so regardless of the Speaker’s Political Party.
Personally I wouldn’t care if Pelosi would have been allowed the use of the biggest plane in the AF inventory. The Speaker of the House carries a lot of responsibility and I’m sure there are times when a whole cast of assistants or whatever are needed to get things done.
Bright and shiney object alert.
We cant have the house and senate holding more hearings, or, better yet, a VOTE about the iraq mess bush and his repuke congressional enablers created.
Gotta lie about pelosi instead.
Get over it pukes. She is the speaker. The “SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI” you tried to scare american voters with.
The one THEY put in power by giving the house to democrats.
So, since you couldnt scare voters with the dreaded SPEAKER PELOSI label, I bet I can scare you.
PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON!
Damn, I just love the sound of chickens coming home to roost.
… and JM STILL gets it wrong!
She didnt ask for a bigger plane so she could carry more people with her.
SHE didnt ask for a bigger plane at all.
Merely the same treatment that hastert got. A trip home, on military aircraft, that didnt stop for refueling along the way.
All this talk about how many people the plane would carry is a bright and shiney object again.
The house sarge at arms asked for the bigger plane. In keeping with the guidelines established, by the REPUBLICAN house, for hastert.
Dont repeat lies.
OFF TOPIC~You know, I bet that wingnut astronaut lady is damned glad Ol’ Anna Nicole kicked the bucket.Didn’t take em’ long at all to swing that spotlight around, did it?Personally, I’m already sick of hearing about Anna too.
It’s a typical GOP attack, that distracts from more important issues, Iraq, etc..
There’s been no decision on what plane would be used.
‘GOP makes much ado about the size of Pelosi’s plane’http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/08/MNGN5O11UT1.DTL&type=politics “Among the models in the Air Force fleet that Pelosi could use to fly nonstop to San Francisco is the C-37, a 16-seat business jet made by Gulfstream with a range of 5,600 miles….But Republicans charged that Pelosi would use the biggest aircraft available — a C-32, which is a configuration of the Boeing 757 with a four-section passenger area. Daly also slammed GOP critics for the plane story, which has circulated on conservative talk radio and Internet blogs.”
And as usual, the “liberal”(sic) MSM helps the GOP.http://mediamatters.org/
Sorry for the interruption there KFG.Carry on…….
“Fat Bastard” Denny Hastert has been doing it for years and Tom “Felon” DeLay before him, and all of a sudden, it’s news.
Unbelievable.
????? No interruption Tracy. I was finished… for now….
heheheheheheheehehheehhehehehehe
When CF says that Repubicans LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING, and that individual Repubicans participate in these same lies, this non-story is precisely the sort of thing he has in mind.
I’ve been paying little attention to this since yesterday afternoon, as it seemed “silly” to me. I heard part of a Q&A with the Speaker last night, who intimated the problem first arose from the Pentagon. Anyone have anything on this?
Otherwise, sounds like not too much to do with anything, given that: 1) SOP since 9/11 to have a military aircraft used to transport the Speaker ‘home’; 2) The House Sergeant at Arms is the one in negotiations with the Pentagon; and 3) there appears to be a smaller a/c capable of flying to the West Coast as opposed to the 757 which yesterday, if the claims are to be believed, was the only one.
A good overview of the issue…
‘Pelosi, Planes and Partisan Propaganda’http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20070209/cm_thenation/1164718
Looks as KSfarmgrll has reading comprehension issues.
I wrote about the Sergeant at Arms in the house taking the task at hand and KSfarmgrll somehow in her failure to read inserted Pelosi in what I wrote.
I suppose that paranoia does strange things to people like KSfarmgrll.
JM, real slow for ya now.
You said this was about HOW MANY PEOPLE THE DAMN PLANE WOULD CARRY!
That is the fux news line you are parroting, not a fact.
I merely pointed out that this was about equity, not who had the biggest plane. It was about refueling, not how many people the plane would carry.
Are you sure you are not gee sherri with that searing insight of yours?
Real slow for you KSfarmgrll, here is an extraction of what I wrote:
Try and pay attention:
“I don’t see anything here and as Snow said, “Much ado about nothing.”
It’s a non-issue and the Sergeant at Arms in the House was looking after the Speakers security as that is his job to do so regardless of the Speaker’s Political Party.
Personally I wouldn’t care if Pelosi would have been allowed the use of the biggest plane in the AF inventory. ”
Check your blood pressure real quick, your eye level blood pressure is probably preventing you from seeing text properly and interfering with your brain’s ability to interpret.
Speaking of Anna…and her (soon to inherit mega-millions) baby…
On this blog, today, February 9 in the year of our Lord 2007, I, KSGolfnut (aka: golf, goofnut, nutty, nutless and {affectionately} balls) do solemnly swear that I am the father of that child.
JM, please.
You conveniently left off the END of your post.
“The Speaker of the House carries a lot of responsibility and I’m sure there are times when a whole cast of assistants or whatever are needed to get things done”
Uh, that would be the “how many people the plane carries” part….
Careful KSGolfnut, some attorney will come along court order in hand with a nurse and be collecting sperm samples with a “bull pump.”
nutz, given the size of your gut, and the size of your, um, little soldier, I dont think you could get close enough to a woman with your, um, little equipment to impregnate anyone.
And… who would want you?
I mean with that misogynist attitude, your “dog off the shitwagon” breath and your perpetual “chasing” of young women.
Are you saying you actually caught one, you dog you?
’cause I cant believe she went with you willingly.
Bull pump? hehehehehehe
I bet you could collect golfnutz’ seed in a “dime” bag just by waving a picture of himself in front of him…..
KSfarmgrll, get over yourself. I know what I wrote and know what I meant it to say. If in your own delusional mind you think it means other than what I wrote feel free to live in fantasy land of paranoid schizophrenic interpretation of reality.
As I said at the beginning of the point it is a non-issue and much ado about nothing.
A pathetic attempt to provoke an argument where there was none.
Go home and lay down take care of yourself, you are on the edge of having a delusional episode that may be irreversible.
JM,YIKES! You’re right. I don’t need ANY interaction with a Farmie-esque bull-nurse with a semen extractor.
I respectfully un-submit my previous claim.
[whew]
Truth be told, many of you speak of the issue being one of Speaker Pelosi’s travel. The issue is not the Speakers travel, but the request of that for her San Francisco entourage receiving the same privledges, with or without her aboard.
JM,
“and I’m sure there are times when a whole cast of assistants or whatever are needed to get things done.”
“a whole cast…” = a bigger plane.That IS the GOP’s talking point.
Move over, bastard.
That baby is mine!
“We cant have the house and senate holding more hearings, or, better yet, a VOTE about the iraq mess bush and his repuke congressional enablers created.”-KSfarmgrrl
Truth be told, why are we the citizenry of the United States not concerned with valuable Congressional time being spent on “non binding” issues when there are plenty of “binding” issues that need to be addressed?
What say you WE bloggers?
So truth, care to back that up with a link or something? Where her staff wanted to use the plane with or without her on board?
Care to post a link that this is about how many people, not equal treatment and non-stop flights?
’cause my take is only the pentagon and fux news are howling about the staff aspect of this.
Point taken “The Truth.” I don’t know exactly what a San Fransisco entourage would entail.
If it has nothing to do with the business of the House of Representatives, then of course I would have raised eyebrows about the matter.
“Binding” issues like carbon standards?
Like stopping a war in iraq and preventing a war in iran?
Like fixing a health care system handed over to big pharma by bushco?
Like the exponentially exploding national debt that fleetie thinks is just fine?
Like gay marriage?
Yeah, like THOSE binding issues?
I couldnt agree more.
Truth be told, reference attached with specifics from the The Truth, cut and paste below.Truth be told “California Delegation” loosely translated as “entourage” by yours truly.http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070201-122225-1157r.htm
The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation. A knowledgeable source called the request “carte blanche for an aircraft any time.”
Sources said Mrs. Pelosi’s request goes beyond what Mr. Hastert received. The speaker’s legal counsel is spearheading the talks.
Truth be told, within 5 reply’s The Washington Times will be shouted down as a right-wing hit piece by liberal WE Bloggers.
“The Truth,” I agree with your prediction and acknowledge your description of said entourage as described as the “California Delegation.”
heh
Well, I could bring up that the times is a moonie publication… but I wont.
I will say that “unnamed sources” in EVERY paragraph is pretty funny.
What, the shoe shine guy?
If it was credible and from a credible source, the times would say so.
But unnamed close sources?
Pul-eeeeez!
Yes, please do check out truthiness’ link.
“The rules for congressional travel on military aircraft are contained in Defense Department Directive 4515.12.Congressional access to military passenger jets is generally restricted to official trips abroad, or for domestic flights to military bases or events to which the Pentagon invited the lawmaker. Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S. changed the procedure in the case of the speaker.” MY NOTE: BOTH speakers hastert and pelosi.
“U.S. Air Force travel for VIPs such as members of Congress is first-rate. The planes are staffed with stewards who serve meals and tend an open bar. Communications suites allow members to conduct business while traveling.”
MY NOTE: Presumably, that holds true for congress members of BOTH parties.
And another note. Not ONE verifiable source is quoted in the article. And that is rumor mongering, not news, no matter WHO publishes the times.
Balls and woody,I wouldn’t touch Anna with your shrinkie dinks!
It’s obvious that woman was damaged goods.Koo-koo.Don’t know how she got that way,but a celebrity nutball with huge boobs is way more than I care to get outa life!
The rules for congressional travel on military aircraft are contained in Defense Department Directive 4515.12.Congressional access to military passenger jets is generally restricted to official trips abroad, or for domestic flights to military bases or events to which the Pentagon invited the lawmaker. Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S. changed the procedure in the case of the speaker.” MY NOTE: BOTH speakers hastert and pelosi.
Truth be told, refer to my post of 1:53pm (13:53pm) for the true issue of the request. Truth is, you are correct in your above research, but again, the Truth is at issue is family members and entourage, which your above handywork does not account for.
Truth be told, “not one verifiable source” used only when convenient for ones own opinions on WE blog.
Awwwwww Tracy. You said you were a lesbian too.
And ya know, we might turn up our noses at the celebrity nutball part, but the huge boobs?
Gimme back yer lesbo card!
No truthiness, “no verifiable source” means it is complete rumor. NOT verification that this is about transporting family and others.
For anyone who gives a damn, go to the link truthiness posted and see for yourself.
Nice try on shilling the fux news line. We are amused, and we do encourage you to try again!
I am a lesbo.My wife has huge boobs.Boobies are great fun.It’s the insane part of Anna that scares me.
Furthermore, truth be told, The Truth is ALL politicians are glorified welfare cases.The Truth is not here for a right or left wing spin, but to point out the Truth, which is the hypocrisy of both sides.
big eye roll
ya truthiness. no shilling from you….
Opening sentence of the Washington Times:
“The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights,…”
TOTAL BS. After 9/11, the Speaker of the House has been provided military “shuttle” flights, for security reasons. The House Sarge does NOT need to be “pressing” for it.
There is an industry, vis-a-vis, the Internet, filling empty seats on aircraft. It costs the same to fly a 737, half-full, half empty, etc. I don’t give a damn how the bitch flies, as long as it is the cheapest way. So, perhaps, Tony Snow’s comment, “Much ado about nothing” is appropriate. If she she can hop a jet that’s going for another reason, why the hell not? As far as her “staff”, that’s her problem. If she can find another “going anyway” deal, more power to her. If not, it comes out of her budget. Seems pretty simple to me!
dubbed: Pelosi One
I heard it would cost the taxpayers $600,000 to fly a Boeing 757 Business Jet round trip ($300,000 one-way) from Washington DC to her home town of San Fran.
I don’t know how many trips she would take a week, but lets say two. That’s $1.2 Million a week for her and her entrouge.
Wow!
What would net-jet type deal cost? I’m not a big fan of Pelosi (**shocker**), but I’m not sure if I would want to be on the same flight as her. Her being #3 on the list would make her a nice target for the Religion of Peace. Refueling might cost her an hour, so what?
Oh No! Nobody cares about Pelosi and she doesn’t need security. Or very light at best.
She’s just another old white multi-millionair who bought herself a Congressional seat. Well! That’s what the people who even knows who she is believe she is, especially forigners. It happens in their country as a standard norm. It’s happening in ours too.
No more Mr. Smith
She should fly commercial. So should the VP for that matter. Only the President should have his own plane.
Joe Williams,
So how much would it cost to fly a C37 (12-seat Gulfstream V) nonstop from DC to San Fran, as Pelosi reportedly did last night?
And how much does Air Force One (and accompanying equipment) cost?
VP works on diplomatic missions. The Speaker does not.
Airforce One cost $56,800-per-hour. For a six hour flight to DC to San Fran would be $336,000.
The GulfStream 5 is $2,000 an hour. For a six hour flight would be $12,000.
But remember that the GS5 only holds 12 passengers. This is ok with Republicans when they used it as the speaker of the house, but we all know that Democrats have huge entorauges. They pack together like a swam of bees. So Pelosi needs the 100+ seat jet.
A good example between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to the groupies that follow them: The Chairman’s of the RNC and the DNC came on to C-SPAN to do interviews. The RNC Chairman came alone. The DNC Chairman (not Howard Dean, from what I heard has a bus load), but the Enron like theif stock rapper Terry Mccullough has an almost 20 person entourage.
But from the tone of your post Cosmos, you are fine with Pelosi’s demands. Probably because she’s a Democrat.
Joe you are making a fool of yourself here.
The plane that Pelosi is using is very comparable in amenities to the one Hastert used. The difference is Pelosi has further to go.
And I don’t think the rest of you bashers of Pelosi want to play this game either.
Would someone like to go get a comparison of bush vacations/use of Air Force 1 vs. other Presidents?
Joe Williams,
Yes, I am “fine with Pelosi’s demands”, which was reportedly only to be able to fly non-stop, like Republican Hastert did.
If any family does fly with her, they’re required to pay the equivalent of a commercial flight — except her husband, if it’s a protocol trip.
I think they’re going to have a fit about any Congressperson out west flying into DC to do business.
I guess we could set up video-congress, then nobody would have to leave their own state.
Or we could move the Capitol to Kansas.
I’m so stupid I make “myself” vomit!
JR a good lawyer will tell you you should never ask a question you don’t know the answer to.Check out this website:http://www.ntu.org/main/press.php?PressID=218&org_name=NTU
Interesting facts:Thus, Clinton is clearly the all-time Presidential travel record-holder. Further analysis shows:
Clinton spent a total of 229 days in foreign countries – nearly one full working year (see Table 2).In terms of days out of the country, Clinton’s biggest travel year was 1998 — the same year he was fighting impeachment in the House of Representatives (see Table 4).Poor Clinton had no home of his own so he just spent our money going all over the globe on our dime to escape the pressures of the white house and the ML inquiry.
Clinton also had the most clout with foreign leaders, something we could only hope for again right now.
Compare to Bush hanging out at ‘the ranch’ all the time.
Pmom you are so transparent. Make up whatever ‘facts’ make Bill look good. He had that famous Camp David Accord that never was. He made a pact with North Korea that wasn’t.He traveled more in the year of his impeachment than at any other time.
“Typical of the media’s treatment of Clinton was in 1998 when he jetted off to Africa with 1,302 of his closest friends. He was generally let off the hook for his role in the hideous genocide in Rwanda because, after all, he apologized for slavery, didn’t he?”
Included in these close friends was Betty Currie his secretary and other grand jury testifiers.
No matter – just that blanket statements are hardly ever part of the real story.
Clinton spent time abroad?
bush spends his time at that damn tumbledown ranch!
It was a good TRY germie.
But as Yoda said. “No, try not! DO or do not. There is no try.”
Next
JR I have taken the flu everyone else seems to have and can’t do justice to this argument. Catch up with you on another topic.
But look at who Bill’s closest friends were.
Gotta go. Have a good weekend.
Germie(literally tonight)
“VP works on diplomatic missions.”
Considering the current situation, that comment is a real knee-slapper.
ksgrm, I believe, was posting about the Edwards’ new home. I wonder if everyone missed the news about Cheney’s new home purchase. I don’t know if the family (Dick and Lynne? only?) is moving or just buying a new bungalow to add to the others, but the purchase price was $3 million. On a VP’s salary?
Yes well do get well soon ksgrm.
Politically too.
Hey RD I got Joe’s bit about the VP as diplomat to.
Cheney as a diplomat?
Birdgun diplomacy?
Um thanks no!
The only governmental officials I think should have private aircraft are the President of the USA and the Govorners of each state. Everybody else should be told “Delta is ready when you are”.
Just give the Biatch a broom.
Kev,
“Everybody else should be told “Delta is ready when you are”.”
If you don’t like the policy re military flights for the Speaker of the House, complain to the White House, and the Department of Defense.It was their idea, after 9/11.