Posted on 08/13/2009 4:25:22 AM PDT by angkor
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Nick Rahall (D., W.Va.) is island-hopping this week in the Pacific. Rep. Keith Ellison (D., Minn.) is tweeting from Kenya. Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.) is preparing for a three-week trip to Europe with his wife. More
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Journal Community
* Discuss: How much of the official travel by members of Congress is justified?
These are among more than a dozen taxpayer-funded trips by lawmakers during Congress's monthlong summer recess. Financial reports on lawmaker travel expenses aren't due for 30 days. Even then, details on hotels and meals don't have to be disclosed.
Mr. Rahall is leading about a half-dozen lawmakers on a 10-day trip to the Pacific. They are reviewing how immigration laws are applied in the Northern Marianas, a U.S. territory, according to a statement from the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over U.S. territories. Mr. Rahall is the committee chairman.
The delegation flew on military planes and brought along several congressional aides, according to the Saipan Tribune, a daily newspaper in the Northern Mariana Islands. The Islands' delegate to Congress, Gregorio Sablan, treated lawmakers to a barbecue, the paper said.
The congressional delegation stayed at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, according to hotel staff.
The lawmakers plan to visit American Samoa, Hawaii, Palau, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Mr. Rahall couldn't be reached to comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
This story doesn't discuss thr $3,000/day per diems, who's paying for meals and accomodations while abroad, or the expenses incurred by bring spouses. (In a related WSJ story by Brody Mullins, he mentions that Sen. Richard Shelby's recess junket to Europe includes half-a-dozen other Senators *and their wives*.)
The sociopaths on Capitols Hill must be ejected on their ears and term limits put into place.
These people are just unbelievable.
Considering the damage that would be prevented by Congress not being able to meet, I would say even paying for the most extravagant of vacations would be well worth the cash.
>>> In fact, I wouldn’t mind to pay them to stay abroad for their entire terms. <<<<
Ha ha.
You have a good point there.
Time to change the locks on Washington and keep ‘em out for good.
“I wouldn’t mind to pay them to stay abroad for their entire terms.”
Where can I contribute?
It's early and it's been a tough morning already ...
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RESISTOR
Swear allegiance to the flag, whatever flag they offer;
Never hint at what you really feel.
Teach the children quietly for, someday, sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still.
Der Elite Møøsënspåånkængrüppen ØberKømmändø (EMØØK)
Only that travel between home districts and Washington.
They have no reason to fly to the Pacific, or Europe, or Antarctica on MY dime.
If they want to vacation there, then pay for it like the rest of us do. But official travel? Ellison is NOT the Representative from Kenya (although check into the birth certificate while you're there, eh?), he's the rep from Minnesota!
There is NOTHING of public interest gained by these junkets.
“(although check into the birth certificate while you’re there, eh?”
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My thoughts as well.
"Anyway, we had a great morning learning about solutions to gender-based violence in Kenya."
Which is so important to his contituents in Minnesota!
>>>> “Anyway, we had a great morning learning about solutions to gender-based violence in Kenya.” <<<<<
I’ve had a couple friends who’ve lived and worked in various African countries over the years, and in fact one is working in Congo right now.
Contrary to the politically correct blathering and fairytales, I’ve been told that among the locals there are such interesting cultural practices as wife-sharing (not swapping) and brazen infidelity by husbands *and* wives.
There are many more of these insightful multi-cultural stories, but this is a family forum.
And then there are the occasional tribal mass-slaughters, the tendency toward pervasive kleptomania, and the demonstrable inability to elected stable governments.
Yes, “gender-based violence in Kenya” is a real important “issue.” /sarc
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