Park-gate: Biden vacation at National Park cabin prompts investigation

Washington Post ^ | October 28, 2014 | Colby Itkowitz

[Second Amendment First]

Vice President Biden and several top White House officials have vacationed with their families at the same log cabin in Grand Teton National Park. Located on Jackson Lake, the rustic getaway is the perfect escape from the fast-paced Washington grind.

The cabin also happens to be owned by the federal government, and was banned 20-some years ago by the National Park Service for anything other than “official use.”

Some great reporting by Time’s Zeke Miller has prompted the Interior Department to ask for an investigation into Biden’s stay, as well as uses of the cabin by several Obama cabinet secretaries, such as Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former transportation secretary Ray LaHood.

Government officials, including Biden, who use the Brinkerhoff lodge are often given briefings and tours that satisfy the “official use” requirement, Jackie Skaggs, a Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman, told Miller. At issue is whether those officials should reimburse the government for extended stays, and for bringing friends and family along.

[Second Amendment First]

But some animals are more equal than others.

[bgill]

claim they will pay whatever they owe if the parks department sends them a bill

No worries. The bill was taken care of by us taxpayers.

[Hoffer Rand]

After being asked about their free family vacations, Biden, LaHood and Duncan each claim they will pay whatever they owe if the parks department sends them a bill. Biden is readying a check for $1,200, his office told Miller.

For 12 people for 4 nights? Gee, that's mighty generous of him. What a stand up guy.

[Second Amendment First]

Interior Department launches investigation after TIME inquiries

Vice President Joe Biden, his wife and 11 other family members spent four nights on vacation this August at a lakeside log cabin overlooking the snowcapped peaks of Mount Moran in Grand Teton National Park.

The four-bedroom Brinkerhoff Lodge, where they stayed, is owned and operated by the National Park Service. Under a policy adopted in 1992, after controversy over VIPs using the cabin for vacations, the National Park Service banned purely recreational activities by federal employees at the property, restricting its use to “official purposes.” But in recent years, the park service has interpreted that same rule so broadly as to again allow senior officials to take cheap vacations in Grand Teton with friends and family.

While visiting the park, Biden held no events, kept no public schedule, and his staff initially declined to answer a reporter’s question about where he spent the night. Last week, after TIME uncovered documents confirming his stay at the lodge, Biden’s office said the Vice President planned to personally reimburse the park $1,200 for “renting the Brinkerhoff” for his family’s vacation.

http://time.com/3544052/brinkerhoff-biden-cheap-vacations-log-cabin/

[GOPJ]

Liberal elites feather their own nests... the bull about their ‘caring’ is one more democrat lie.

[T-Bird45]

Classic answer but there’s too much truth in it to let it go unsaid.

[rbg81]

Yeah, this “scandal” is a real political time bomb. [/s]

I’m thinking this drivel is what the MSM will offer up to show that they are not biased.

[nascarnation]

1200 bucks? That probably wouldn’t even cover Hunter’s coke bill for the week....

[Busko]

Correct, there will be no out cry and it will never be discussed by any politician.

[Mastador1]

Obviously there was some serious confusion between official and offal!

[Paine in the Neck]

But some animals are more equal than others.

Indeed. These are the parks that We the People were banned from

[Resettozero]

Good thing that’s not illegal or anything. After all, Joe is part of royalty!

[pierrem15]

Dacha for only Top Party Members, Comrades!

[oh8eleven]

Government officials in a log cabin? No way ...

[Second Amendment First]

It will cost us that much for a room in the old wing of Old Faithful Lodge next year for two for a week.

[eyeamok]

The moral of this story is simple:
If you STEAL Something and get caught, just promise to repay what you STOLE and all is ok.

[Christie at the beach]

Hey, get a job with the government and break the law (no problem), for those at the top of the ladder. To you little workers below, follow the agenda or no promotions nor cover for you.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Some animals are more equal than others, and besides, it’s none of our business, so STFU or you may be getting a visit from the IRS.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I hate to defend Biden on anything but wouldn’t housing the Vice President count as an “official use,” the same as staying at the Naval Observatory or Camp David (or riding on Marine 1)?

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Irrespective of this article, and the privileged lives led by politicians, I love the Tetons. If I knew I had only six months to live, I would spend a good amount of that time - with those I love, in places like Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. I would spend another part of it eating the best food I could find in Italy, and swimming in the sun in the Mediterranean on the Amalfi coast or the Tuscan coast (probably both). Hopefully I'll have the time left in life to do these things without the pressure of an imminent demise.