Do As Pelosi Says, Not As Pelosi Does?
We have to warn you: the following item probably won't surprise
the more cynical members of our readership in the slightest.
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi often requests high-end
military aircraft to shuttle her from Washington, DC to her home in
California, reports a conservative watchdog group... and what's
more, she often demands the same perks for her family and
friends.
Use of such aircraft, in and of itself, is not the problem;
since the days following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks,
it has been White House policy for the House leader to travel to
his or her congressional district via military aircraft, for
security reasons.
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert used a smaller C-20B (a
variant of the Gulfstream III) to travel to and from his district
in Illinois. In addition to smaller jets, a C-32A, C-40B and C-37A
-- military variants of the Boeing 757-200 and 737-700, and
Gulfstream V respectively -- are available for longer-range flights
by House personnel, or for trips requiring a large entourage.
ANN reported in February 2007 about Pelosi's
insistence she use the largest plane available, the C-32A, to
travel from DC to her California home. Republicans sneered at
"Pelosi One," though in truth most couldn't argue with her
justification: that she often used the long transcontinental flight
to meet with staffers, fellow colleagues, and even her family.
According to information obtained by Judicial Watch under a
Freedom of Information Act request, however, it would seem that
privilege is getting abused. Fox News reports the group accessed
emails and other records between Pelosi staffers and USAF
officials, that show Pelosi often treats the US Air Force as her
"personal airline."
Those documents show numerous requests -- that frequently turned
to demands -- that Defense Department officials provide high-end
planes for use by Pelosi and various associates, often at the last
minute. Pelosi is also reportedly notorious for requesting planes,
only to cancel them at the last minute.
"It is my understanding there are NO G5s available for the House
during the Memorial Day recess," writes Pelosi aide Kay King in an
email to DoD personnel. "This is totally unacceptable ... The
Speaker will want to know where the planes are."
Another email shows the indignant from Pelosi staffers when a
certain plane wasn't available. "This is not good news, and we will
have some very disappointed folks, as well as a very upset
Speaker," King wrote.
Given Pelosi's power to rule on DoD appropriations, that
statement could perceived as a veiled threat; in any case, it's
poor form, said Judicial Watch researcher Jenny Small. "I think
that's above and beyond what other members of Congress are doing
and what is expected of our elected officials," she said.
Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami defended the requests, saying
the JW report was based on but "a few emails," and that asking for
military aircraft for colleagues is a "function of the speaker's
office." Elshami also stressed the Speaker is "extraordinarily
appreciative" of the department's effort to accommodate her, and
other members of Congress.
That may be... but keep in mind Pelosi has also been among the
more vocal critics of
the "abuse" of business aircraft by corporate
executives in the current economic climate. Which
seems just a bit incongruous...
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