[Osx-nutters] Pelosi 1

[David Cake]

At 8:58 AM -0500 9/2/07, Chuck Bennett wrote:
>On Feb 9, 2007, at 2:19 AM, David Cake wrote:
>
>>	Note also that the objection to the plane is not that it 
>>would be wasteful etc - its that the plane is in high demand by 
>>other members of the House. The plane will be in the flying around 
>>no matter what - what is at issue is not whether the plane is 
>>flying, but who it is flying and who gets to decide when.
>>
>
>Actually it's in high demand by the military.  Troop transport and 
>cargo to Iraq, so I agree it will be in the air anyway, but being 
>put to better use than hauling her around.

	To quote directly from the article you posted
>  Such VIP planes are in high demand.
>     "She's effectively taking a bird out of the fleet," said a 
>defense source. "It will most directly impact the House, because 
>they're the heavy users of the large aircraft. Congress looks at 
>that Andrews fleet as their Hertz rent-a-car."

	Chuck, sending us partison articles is one thing - but 
sending the partisan article, then explaining how the partison 
articles are not partisan enough, because you know better, does your 
credibility no good at all. If you have some inside information about 
the operation of the 89th Airlift wing, please share, but I don't 
think a VIp passenger jets normally used for Congress get used to fly 
cargo to Iraq that often - for a start, the complete internal refit 
required would seem a bit odd, no?


>
>Like I mentioned before, I think that the threat of a major attack 
>against the government changes the normal attitude you have to take.
>
>Before 9/11 I'd have argued that the speaker should fly commercial, period.
>Now, I think the speak does need transport. just to assure 
>continuity of government, but not on a routine basis.   She could 
>still fly commercial when the threat level is low and have access to 
>MAC[1] if an emergency arises.

	Well, it appears that Pelosi agrees with you, but the 
seargeant at arms feels differently.

>
>I do not think she rates in the same tier with the VP or any of the 
>Secretary Positions.

	You don't think the Speaker of the House is as important as 
the Secretary of Agriculture? OK, I think your idea of the political 
system of the US is very odd. We may just have to disagree there.

>The gulfstream seats 8.  Like Roger mentioned, I don't know how many 
>people 'have' to travel with her.  I'd think a couple of staffers or 
>so.

	I think everyone except you (and in that 'everyone' I include 
not just the list members but pretty much everyone with direct 
involvement) agrees that 8 people is probably pushing it if she is 
allowed to bring close family, important staff, has to bring her 
security detail. FAR too small if, as she says, she intends to fly 
with other members of the congressional delegation. Sure, 200 seats 
seems like a lot too me, but 8 seats way too small.

	Cheers
		David