Posted on 08/06/2010 8:59:11 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Obama takes chopper for 6-mile trip By: Abby Phillip August 6, 2010 06:39 PM EDT
President Barack Obama left the White House this morning for a six-mile trip to a sign factory on the Maryland-D.C. border. But instead of taking the presidential motorcade, he took Marine One – the presidential helicopter.
A quick search on Google maps shows the drive would have taken at least 20 minutes, but the helicopter trip took just eight. And, according to one unofficial estimate, it was the 300th trip Obama has taken in Marine One since taking office 20 months ago.
The Secret Service declined to discuss any details about the President’s travel plans, which they say fall under “ways and means”—information that, if made public, could threaten the President’s safety. Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said that Obama decided to fly instead of drive to the sign factory “probably because it's easier than [taking] a motorcade through the city in the middle of the day.”
Tom Schatz, President of Citizens Against Government Waste, says that it is impossible to calculate how much presidential travel costs or even how much energy is consumed.
Schatz says that whether by motorcade or flight, the cost of transporting the President includes factors such as the use of local police details, military staff, fuel and even the cost of inconveniencing travelers on the road.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Would not Obama occasionally stumble upon the right thing if he were just guessing?
I think it’s more like his needle has the south end painted as north, and vice versa.
Wouldn’t Washington have devised some sort of subway network to avert this problem, before helicopters came on the scene.
They use decoys all the time....And they seldom tell the truth about them after the fact.
He could have rolled up out back in an white suburban, while all eyes were looking for a motorcade or chopper....
And many times they will use aircraft for short hops, due to security reasons, threats etc, etc.
You make a good point. He does appear to be following a tour book provided by miscreants.
He is not personally able to articulate a world view devoid of dissonant thought but the map he is following has nothing but wrong directions.
“Can’t wait for the Star Trek transporter.”
“Aye, we transported the whole kit and kaboodle into *their* engine room, where they’ll be no tribble at all.”
Scotty, “The Trouble with Tribbles”
“Can’t wait for the Star Trek transporter.”
For this Mutt, we need a stun gun ... set on ... whatever vaporize is.
I would have taken the chopper too.
I sister working in Washington and would be glad to see him off the street. Really messes up traffic.
I can’t fault on this either. However, I do believe that he is really the “Boy President” and it is cool to have helicopter rides on the south lawn.
It *is* cool. ;^)
That is a legitimate beef.
Was this sign factory the one making the signs for the Arizona desert to warn people about the dangers?
Meh I bet anyone who had to drive in the area was happy he took Marine one...
He does this all the time. I personally have witnessed him taking the chopper for flights to Alexandria and McLean, about that distance.
Yeah, but the chopper closes down a good chunk of real estate, too.
He must like the ride. And, as President, they salute you when you get into and out of the plane. In the motorcade, they just open the door.
It costs about $500,000 to spin up Marine One. About $1,000,000 to get him to and spin up AF1.
When you’re the dictator, you can do anything. I swear, ever article I read makes me hate this disgusting people more. They’re absolute trash and make the Clintons actually look normal!
After I just saw his motorcade here in Chicago...it was RIDICULOUSLY HUGE and STOPPED traffic for BLOCKS and BLOCKS and BLOCKS! Better to take the Heli.
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