Posted on 03/04/2009 7:27:17 AM PST by Graybeard58
Let's be fair. The president needs a safe, lavishly equipped aircraft with unique capabilities. Americans recall how frightened they were on Sept. 11, 2001, and how reassuring it was to know the president was aboard Air Force One. But does the president need to behave like a 9-year-old with a new toy?
"Hey, guys," President Obama told reporters accompanying him on one of several flights he has taken during his eventful first month in office, "what do you think of my — this spiffy ride here?" Since the inaugural Jan. 20, he's flown to Virginia, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Canada. It is estimated the Boeing 747 costs $68,000 every hour it's in the air.
To be sure, the president should travel, and when he does, he should use Air Force One. He should go to foreign countries, and to U.S. states when disaster strikes. It's mostly image — the president can perform nearly every aspect of his job without leaving the White House — but image is important.
Nevertheless, flying Air Force One to Williamsburg, Va., a trip that takes two and a half hours by car and less than an hour by Marine One helicopter, was an extravagance. So was flying to Denver to sign the stimulus bill. He not only wasted taxpayers' money, he forced his own party to defend the eco-insensitivity of flying a jumbo jet thousands of miles unnecessarily.
Call it a rookie mistake, but it often was said of George W. Bush that many of his blunders resulted from a habit of surrounding himself with yes-men. Was there nobody in President Obama's inner circle with the courage and common sense to say no, don't fly today?
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this list, let me know.
“Act like you’ve been there before”- Tom Landry
The Stupid Dancing in the End Zone Syndrome that afflicts those who lack class.
Obama was on one jet.
However I am told there is a back-up Air Force One that goes with it, and a Cargo plane to carry Presidential Helicopters and armored cars and probably another with staff.
We arent looking at just one aircraft here.
Hey dude. We talking about the Prez, here. Anything he does is cool, man. This cat has to have his ride. The gigs ain’t worth doin’, if he can’t do ‘em with class. Dig it?
Since the inaugural Jan. 20, he’s flown to Virginia, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Canada. It is estimated the Boeing 747 costs $68,000 every hour it’s in the air.
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Partial list.
I recall on Valentines Day he and the family left DC and flew to Chicago.
But hey. I think all this is good.
Anytime Zerobama is away from office he is doing the country a favor.
Even if he spends $68,000 an hour doing it.
I don’t know about a backup AF1, but typically, there’s at least one C-17 Globemaster III that carries the Presidential limo(s) and other equipment. On an international flight, I think there may be two C-17s involved, and possibly another passenger aircraft for staff if it’s a really big trip like a summit or an exceptionally long visit.
}:-)4
on the National Geographic special about AF1 and Bush’s trip to Africa they took 2 747s and 5 cargo planes
ha, you beat me to it. 68k an hour to keep him away seems like a bargain
What is the mighty 0’s carbon footprint?
Who let Sammy Davis Jr. in here?
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