Posted on 02/01/2010 7:22:40 PM PST by Ooh-Ah
Doug Ross has been on this story and broke some news yesterday about the millions of dollars - that's right, millions - that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has rung up in travel using military aircraft.
Now we learn from Doug that it appears Pelosi is using military jets to facilitate the personal travel of her children and grandchildren. No member of congress involved, just the junketing of her kids:
Since Nancy Pelosi took over as Speaker in 2006, she's rung up millions in military travel expensesWorse still, she also appears to have requisitioned entire flights for the personal use of her children and grandchildren. That is, unaccompanied by any member of Congress, her kids, in-laws and grandchildren are utilizing entire military passenger jets for their routine travel needs.
Using the documents obtained by Judicial Watch's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, I have discovered the following manifests and travel requests.
22-Feb-2007: A military jet is requisitioned for the sole travel needs of the Speaker's son, Paul Jr.
13-Apr-2007: A military jet is utilized for the unaccompanied travel of the Speaker's daughter, son-in-law and grandson.
30-Oct-2008: A military jet is requisitioned for the Speaker's daughter and a son-in-law, Peter Kaufman. to commute between San Francisco and Washington.
Military flights cost between $5-$20 thousand dollars per hour to operate. Pelosi only reimburses the government between $120-$400 per flight. You and I pick up the rest of the tab with our tax dollars.
It's all perfectly legal, of course - or is it? Even if it is, perhaps we should start asking why a politician's children and grandchildren should have their travel subsidized at taxpayer expense?
Update and Clarification:
I received an email from Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch whose FOIA request brought these documents to light.
He informed both Doug Ross and me that documents Judicial Watch received last year "seem to show that the Speaker was on most if not all of the flights in question."
That may be true. But as a commenter points out at Doug's site:
":Even if these were scheduled flights, the individuals are not dependents of the Speaker. While they may be her children, they are grown adults, and do not meet the eligibility requirements of DOD 4515.13-R. Her son and daughter should not be flying on military aircraft at all.
The idea that any of her adult children should be subsidized by the taxpayer for anything is ludicrous. Pelosi's husband owns real estate worth as much as $25 million:
The Pelosi family has a net worth of nearly $12.5 million as of 2008, largely from investments. In addition to their large portfolio of jointly owned San Francisco Bay Area real estate, the couple also owns a vineyard in St. Helena, California, valued between $5 million and $25 million. Pelosi's husband also owns stock, including $1 million in Apple Computer, and is the owner of the California Redwoods of the United Football League. Pelosi continues to be among the richest members of Congress.
Nanzi Pelosi: “They are OUR jets now!”
Not only should her kids and grand kids get free flights, but Grandma makes sure that while on board they are lavished with plenty of snacks and libations to make the burden of travel easier to bear. From the All Gov News:
“In March 2008, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and nine other lawmakers traveled to England, India and Spain. Their flight included $438.75 worth of alcohol, including three cases of beer, 15 bottles of wine, three bottles of vodka, Crown Royal, Dewar’s and other liquor, plus another $750 worth of chips, cakes and other snacks—all of which were paid for by the U.S. Air Force.” http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Military_Pays_for_Booze_for_Congressional_Trips_Abroad_100122
Remember when Nanzi was made speaker and she wanted her
own jet, she just took what she decided was hers.
There ya go. You got that right.
Pelosi re-elected in landslide!
-Headline this Nov
I’d love to see some reporter pin down not Nazi Pelosi, (we NOW what she would say, lies as usual) but Steny Hoyer and ask HIM what his position is on such abuse of military aircraft for travel, and ask HIM if his travel expenses are anywhere near that of the Shrieker of the House.
Liberals can abuse any and all conventions of rules and or laws, however any implied single transgression from a Conservative will necessitate severe public pain and punishment.
Liberals are such ugly inconsistent hypocrites, but they ARE for “the little guy” so I guess its OK?
Well , what can we do about it ? We need to make her pay it back or have her arrested . Rotten elitist bastards. She’s a maniac for sure , total wacko.
Any ideas what to do ??????????????????????
The best way to get her off those jets is to VOTE HER OUT! If not that then have the Pubs retake the House and relegate her to the most worthless sub-committee there is on the Hill. And then tell her to sit down and STFU!
Perp walk. Orange suit. Short trial. Conviction. Massive repayment by Pelosi due to the American taxpayers. Then lock her up and throw away the key.
Justice. It’s a beautiful thing.
Why why why why ..We ALL here now know what she did . You canrt tell me not ONE not ONE reporter in the WHOLE COUNTRY cannot or will not call her out on this? Why I dont get it .
The Republican House Leadership needs to call for and Ethics Committee investigation of this misappropriation of tax payer funds.
Back in the day she would have been tarred and feathered and hung in the town square.
Better yet, make her stand in a “security” line like the rest of us, take her shoes off, be scrutinized by a high school dropout piece of garbage, pulled aside for special screening because she is an old woman, then told to have a nice day.
"It's that unwritten code with the democrats, "It's not what we do wrong, it's what are you going to do about it?"
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/Feb06/honest.html
Pelosi and More Than 160 House Democrats Cosponsor Real Lobby Reform
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was joined by more than 160 House Democrats to introduce their Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses and protect the public trust.
The bill enacts sweeping reforms that focus on four key areas: banning travel and gifts from lobbyists and organizations that employ or retain lobbyists; reducing the unprecedented political access Republicans have given to corporations and lobbying firms; ending the “dead of night” special interest provisions and requiring disclosure of earmarks; and stopping the revolving door between government and lobbyist by extending the lobbying ban to two years.
“Democrats are leading the effort to turn the most closed, corrupt Congress in history into the most open and honest Congress in history,” Pelosi said. “The American people have been paying the cost for the Republican culture of corruption with a confusing, special-interest Medicare prescription drug program, higher gas prices at the pump, and skyrocketing home heating bills. Democrats will restore truth and trust to our government, and put the priorities of the American people first.”
On the House floor today, Republicans are debating minor reforms that fail to address the corruption in Washington, D.C. The narrow Republican bill bans former Members who are lobbyists form going on the House floor or to the House gym.
“Republicans’ so-called lobby reform does almost nothing to address the ethical cloud that hangs over the Capitol,” Pelosi said. “Republicans don’t want real reform, because for more than 10 years they have benefited from their culture of corruption. Instead of seizing the opportunity today to enact real reform, Republicans once again put the special interests first, leaving the American people to pay for the Republican culture of corruption.”
Piglosi’s creed. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
BOR quoted her saying she has done no worse than past speakers and BOR bought it hook line and sinker.
John Sununu was forced out of office for using a helicopter to get to his dentist.
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