60 rooms!!!!!
LLS
I like your posts. You say exactly what's on your mind.....
60 rooms??? Do you remember the Clintons grand visitation to Africa towards the end of his presidency? A totally useless trip since he was leaving office soon. He took along an entourage of 1000 or so. Some may have paid their own way but----
Reflecting On Clinton's Africa Safari
By: F. Wafula Okumu
During the trip, Clinton traveled in a true safari-version. His entourage of 981, according to the New York Times, comprised of advance people, security specialists, stenographers, telephone operators, pilots, diplomats, coordinators, facilitators, cooks, assistants to the president, deputy assistants to the president, special assistants to the president, reporters and technicians, 10 spin doctors, 16 members of Congress (12 of whom were African Americans and were 2 Republicans), 3 Cabinet members, business executives (one of them Nigerian-born), labor leaders, mayors, church leaders, Clinton pals, and his special envoy for democratizing Africa, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
He not only traveled in style but also in comfort. He brought four Boeing 747s, four helicopters, and four armored limousines. In Kampala, the President and his entourage stayed at the Sheraton in a $210 per night room. This is more than what a Ugandan makes in a year! According to the Daily Mail, his security detail had eight goons armed to the teeth with M4 assault rifles, Heckler and Koch MP5 machine pistols and 5.56mm belt-fed Mini machine gun; and 12 chaps whose job was "basically to take a bullet for him."
Today, probably Clinton's recent African safari has faded from the memories of many. Some of us have even forgotten why Clinton made this safari. Clinton stated, in his own words, that America is seeking a new friendship and partnership with an Africa that is committed to democracy and economic development. And, he said, he was visiting Africa in order that the American people may see Africans with new eyes.
This trip was well-timed and executed to sell American image. It was laced with apologies, humility, respect, and other things Americans have never given Africans. Clinton's destinations were carefully selected: he visited two countries (Ghana and Senegal) in West Africa, two (South Africa and Botswana) in Southern Africa, one (Uganda) in East Africa, and one (Rwanda) in Central Africa. There is no doubt these countries were carefully picked for their potential usefulness to American interests. Probably Clinton's most memorable stop was in Accra, Ghana. In Accra, an exuberant city, Clinton was caught on camera with a scrunched-up face, screaming "Back up!" at hordes of ecstatic Ghanaians.