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View Full Version : Does this Michelle Obama European vactaion bother anyone?



Okla-homey
7/27/2010, 02:35 PM
Seems a bit Marie Antoinette-y to me. The Sleeveless One and one of the girls jetting to Spain to hang-out. At your expense. Along with some "close family friends" which necessitate thirty hotel rooms overseas.

yermom
7/27/2010, 02:37 PM
i'm sure Laura Bush never left Texas

SicEmBaylor
7/27/2010, 02:37 PM
Agreed.

SicEmBaylor
7/27/2010, 02:38 PM
i'm sure Laura Bush never left Texas

I don't recall her taking vacations quite to this scale. And when she did go overseas alone on vacation it was at least, ostensibly, a work trip. For example, when she went on vacation to Africa with the twins she was there to promote the Administration's African Aids program.

C&CDean
7/27/2010, 02:39 PM
I couldn't give a **** what the yainch does. The media will glorify her trip and all the POS lemming liberals will gobble it up and think it's grand. Meh. What's another mil or so in the giant bucket of cash Olbama is drinking from anyhow? Chump change. Besides, a bitch gotta party, yo.

TheHumanAlphabet
7/27/2010, 02:45 PM
Plus we'll get a blow by blow about the ugly dresses she wears...

Serge Ibaka
7/27/2010, 02:51 PM
I don't recall her taking vacations quite to this scale. And when she did go overseas alone on vacation it was at least, ostensibly, a work trip. For example, when she went on vacation to Africa with the twins she was there to promote the Administration's African Aids program.

Yeah, that means it didn't happen.

C&CDean
7/27/2010, 02:55 PM
No **** serglock. Problem is, the same thing didn't happen.

Serge Ibaka
7/27/2010, 03:00 PM
No **** serglock. Problem is, the same thing didn't happen.

lol! That was (sincerely) very good, Dean. I like it.

But seriously: I don't want to implicate Homey because I think he's generally fair-minded and has a point here. But this just feeds into Dean and Sick em's blah blah Obama-grumbling blah propensities: If LB had done this in 2004, neither of you would have bashed an eye.

texaspokieokie
7/27/2010, 03:02 PM
jet will burn about as much in a round trip as i'll burn in my lifetime.

of course they'll have to take several planes.

Veritas
7/27/2010, 03:02 PM
I'm bothered, but never surprised, by the Obama's penchant for spending other people's money.

soonerscuba
7/27/2010, 03:12 PM
Don't worry, 5 months from now Republicans will be in office and all of this wasteful discresionary spending by gov't employees and families will be aaaaalllllllllllllll better.

sooner_born_1960
7/27/2010, 03:18 PM
One can only hope.

C&CDean
7/27/2010, 03:19 PM
lol! That was (sincerely) very good, Dean. I like it.

But seriously: I don't want to implicate Homey because I think he's generally fair-minded and has a point here. But this just feeds into Dean and Sick em's blah blah Obama-grumbling blah propensities: If LB had done this in 2004, neither of you would have bashed an eye.

Please tell me you did not just lump me into the sicem stack.

KABOOKIE
7/27/2010, 03:24 PM
Who gives a **** about that ugly yainch anyway. Wonder if she's proud to be an American now? ****.

texaspokieokie
7/27/2010, 03:28 PM
she's proud to spend plenty of other people's money,doesn't care if it's American or not.

bet she just laffs her *** off.

Sooner04
7/27/2010, 03:46 PM
I wouldn't worry about it. There are bigger fish to fry.

The money spent on this deal amounts to precisely dick in the grand scheme.

KABOOKIE
7/27/2010, 04:35 PM
Well, I don't know about you 04 but my dick is very important to me.

SicEmBaylor
7/27/2010, 05:02 PM
lol! That was (sincerely) very good, Dean. I like it.

But seriously: I don't want to implicate Homey because I think he's generally fair-minded and has a point here. But this just feeds into Dean and Sick em's blah blah Obama-grumbling blah propensities: If LB had done this in 2004, neither of you would have bashed an eye.

Serge, you haven't been around these parts very long. If you think I'm a constant Obama basher then maybe you should read through all the political threads over the last few years.

picasso
7/27/2010, 05:10 PM
Don't worry, 5 months from now Republicans will be in office and all of this wasteful discresionary spending by gov't employees and families will be aaaaalllllllllllllll better.

Yes, because none of us were bitching about Bushie. :rolleyes:

Okla-homey
7/27/2010, 06:42 PM
i'm sure Laura Bush never left Texas

I don't care if she did. If she had gone on a junket like this, which I'm reasonably certain she didn't, she would have been wrong too.

"Tighten your belt America! Suck it up! Pay higher taxes folks, and keep me posted on how that's working out while my kid, 60 of my closest friends and I fly military aircraft and, protected by the Secret Service, hang out with the King and Queen of Spain for a week at the great expense of the chump taxpayers.<fist bump>"

TUSooner
7/27/2010, 07:34 PM
i'm sure Laura Bush never left Texas

What's the point of being First Lady if you can't have some fun.
I am whatever is the opposite of indignant about this.

RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!
7/27/2010, 07:54 PM
I couldn't give a **** what the yainch does. The media will glorify her trip and all the POS lemming liberals will gobble it up and think it's grand. Meh. What's another mil or so in the giant bucket of cash Olbama is drinking from anyhow? Chump change. Besides, a bitch gotta party, yo.Pretty much the correct asnswer.

KABOOKIE
7/27/2010, 07:58 PM
Don't forget to set your tire pressure cuz that's gots to save you a ton of dollah bills on you's energy. Shiiiiiii

KC//CRIMSON
7/27/2010, 08:02 PM
Your blaccent needs work.

KABOOKIE
7/27/2010, 08:05 PM
I had English to Jive set on Google Translator. Weird.

Turd_Ferguson
7/27/2010, 08:20 PM
yo foo's!

RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!
7/27/2010, 08:26 PM
Wonder if she's proud to be an American now? ****.Wouldn't you love to hear/see Oprah or Katie Couric, or some other similarly maladjusted media type ask her that?

RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!
7/27/2010, 08:28 PM
Yes, because none of us were bitching about Bushie. :rolleyes:The Left have VERY selective memories.

Bourbon St Sooner
7/27/2010, 08:44 PM
No problem here. Bernanke fired up his magic printing press and this is all paid for.

SicEmBaylor
7/27/2010, 08:45 PM
No problem here. Bernanke fired up his magic printing press and this is all paid for.

The sad thing is that at the end of the day there's probably a lot of truth in that statement.

Shakadoodoo
7/28/2010, 08:39 AM
Every time I come over to the non-sports message boards - I have to keep looking up to make sure I did not accidentally hit a fox news link.

Inductive reasoning is rampant over here in these parts!

Lout
7/28/2010, 11:43 AM
The only thing we got the bill for was the gas for the plane. All other expenses are paid for personally. Doesn't seem that frivolous to me. All politicians use taxpayer money for things like this to a degree, and I think Obama's use seems pretty consistent with other politicians--right and left. I think you're just noticing this more because "Obama is spending so much" is in the news right now.

soonerhubs
7/28/2010, 11:49 AM
... Or perhaps it's the hypocrisy of demanding those who are rich to tighten their belts while he continues to be a spendthrift *********.

Lout
7/28/2010, 12:05 PM
I suppose the belt-tightening to which you refer is the paying of more taxes? As long as he's paying his, I'm not really seeing the hypocrisy there. 'splain Lucy.

Obama has made plenty of mistakes and disappointed people on both sides of the aisle, but I think calling him a hypocrite on this issue is pretty much the same as lefties calling Bush out for everything he did.

GottaHavePride
7/28/2010, 01:31 PM
The only thing we got the bill for was the gas for the plane. All other expenses are paid for personally. Doesn't seem that frivolous to me. All politicians use taxpayer money for things like this to a degree, and I think Obama's use seems pretty consistent with other politicians--right and left. I think you're just noticing this more because "Obama is spending so much" is in the news right now.


Yeah, I'm more likely to complain about Sam ****ing Brownback flying to Europe all the time. In a "You're a goddamn Senator, and an idiot Senator at that. At least stay in DC and do Senate-y things and minimize the damage you do" way.

soonerhubs
7/28/2010, 03:30 PM
I suppose if he used HIS money to fund all if these trips then I wouldn't take issue with his actions. It would just be refreshing to see a politician of any affiliation treat the tax revenue with respect and not as a buffet of which they feel entitled.

Alas... it's merely a pipe dream.

Tulsa_Fireman
7/28/2010, 05:20 PM
Brobama goan eatcho bebbies!

soonerhubs
7/28/2010, 05:34 PM
Brobama goan eatcho bebbies!

HEH!

Okla-homey
7/28/2010, 08:21 PM
I just think it demonstrates a profound lack of judgement and empathy for the little people who put them there for Mrs. BHO and kiddo to fly off on a dream Euro vacay on the taxpayers dime. And if you don't think so too, you're so deep in the tank for these clowns your opinion doesn't matter. So there.:mad:

royalfan5
7/28/2010, 09:12 PM
I just think it demonstrates a profound lack of judgement and empathy for the little people who put them there for Mrs. BHO and kiddo to fly off on a dream Euro vacay on the taxpayers dime. And if you don't think so too, you're so deep in the tank for these clowns your opinion doesn't matter. So there.:mad:

Would the Secret Service actually allow the Flotus to travel commerical?

Curly Bill
7/28/2010, 10:20 PM
It's mostly just gonna bother me if they show her ugly *** face on TV while she's vacationing, and I happen to be watching said TV.

Crucifax Autumn
7/29/2010, 12:12 AM
I'm sure all the focus will be on whether she has sleeves or not.

47straight
7/29/2010, 12:55 AM
No.


But Chelsea Clinton dropping $5m on a wedding does, to the extent that conspicuous consumerism just kinda irks me.

Chuck Bao
7/29/2010, 01:24 AM
Yes it does bother me a bit. I would prefer the first family's holidays to be in the good ole US of A. I did a google search to find out the iteniary. I got nothing but the meeting with the King and Queen of Spain. And, I find the idea of royalty to be offensive, as we should all be born the same. Unlike Curley Bill, I find the First Lady to be very attractive. I would be much more impressed if she spent at least some of her holiday visiting the US air force base in Spain and offering support for our overseas troops.

Lout
7/29/2010, 02:14 AM
I'd really like to hear an explanation about why Obama's use of taxpayer money for transportation and security is any worse than when President Bush spent the entire month before 9/11 on vacation in Whornland. Or how about the 77 trips he took there over the entire 8 years he was in office? That's pretty significant spending.

What about when Mrs. Bush went to Europe in '01 and '02? Or hiking in Washington? All these trips utilized tax dollars the same way the Obama trip is using them. Did these trips bother you? If so, where was the outrage? I wasn't on the board here obviously, but Bush took very little flak in the media for these uses of taxpayer money. What, precisely, is the difference now, other than party affiliation?

The point is NOT that Bush was a tax wasting scum bag. The point is BOTH parties do this to about the same degree. You can certainly have the opinion that this is wasteful spending--I don't feel that way, but its a position with plenty of merit. However, the reason we are hearing about this is because T.V. news pundits are saying it to generate viewers, which in turn generates advertising revenue.

soonerhubs
7/29/2010, 07:40 AM
Well unless you've had your head in the sand maybe you've noticed that the economy collapsed and hasn't really recovered. Also, the "Bush was a dumbass too" excuse is lame at best. It's simple. These people in the government are wasteful spendthrifts who love to use money that is not theirs. This is not a dem thing it's a government thing that is getting out of hand.

But by all means, continue the circle jerk of partisanship if it makes you, Rachel Madcow and Sean Has-been-tee all happy and warm inside. The rest of us would like to transcend the petty political bitchfest and actually discuss solutions to the problems such as leading by example. Maybe even saying as POTUS that perhaps the first family should respect the tax-payers' money a little bit more.

So explain to me why all these trips, including W's to Texas were so necessary. They aren't! This is of particular importance considering all the economic upheaval of the past two years.

XingTheRubicon
7/29/2010, 08:27 AM
^^^^

SCOUT
7/29/2010, 09:01 AM
I wasn't on the board here obviously, but Bush took very little flak in the media for these uses of taxpayer money.

Surely this is meant as irony, right?

1890MilesToNorman
7/29/2010, 09:43 AM
Is this a National Lampoon production?

OUMallen
7/29/2010, 10:45 AM
I wouldn't worry about it. There are bigger fish to fry.

The money spent on this deal amounts to precisely dick in the grand scheme.

When worry is free, we should fry all the fish.

Lout
7/29/2010, 12:23 PM
I think you need to re-read what I posted. You never really answered my question--where was your rage when Bush was doing those things? My point, as I stated in the last paragraph, is NOT that Bush did it too, thereby justifying Obama's actions. That's a tu quoque fallacy.

My point is: where was your rage when Bush was doing it? See? It's really funny that you're saying I'm the one embracing partisanship when you are clearly holding one side accountable for the action that ALL presidents have done. I'm the one saying that these are actions of both parties. I'm not really sure how I could make this much clearer. And I'm sorry if this sounds condescending because I'm truly not trying to be. I'm just very, very confused by your post.

Tulsa_Fireman
7/29/2010, 03:56 PM
That's a tu quoque fallacy

And this is pronounced "two cack".

I win the thread with a weiner joke.

StoopTroup
7/29/2010, 05:12 PM
Is there a Watchdog site that can verify the Tax Payer travel expenses for All Public Officials?

I dont like any of it unless it serves the Publics Interest however I think that's the real problem...defining what is in our best interest.

I think the role of 1st Lady has changed with the times and continues to be defined by each one still. Is putting limits on spending to much to ask? I think not but on the otherhand...if say John Kerry had been elected...Would his Wealthy Wife have used the Executve Branch differently than say Mr's Obama? I think the consensus here would be that we are getting a pretty good deal when you consider what the personal spending habits are in comparing the two Women.

I know from time to time you see a Wealthy Politicians say they won't take a Salary but then once in office they spend our dough like a drunken sailor on shore leave in the Country of Viagra.

How much dough did the two Bush 1st Ladies spend say versus Mrs. Clinton and Mrs Carter?

It's a valid question that's been posed....I'd just like to see the documented comparisons before I cast Mrs. Obama to the Political Pit of Damnation.

I do seem to remember Mrs. Clinton flew all over Europe quite a bit during her time. Did that slow down after Ron Brown and the others died in that air crash or did it increase? Did she look Death in the eye and blow a puff of pot smoke into it? :D

SCOUT
7/29/2010, 09:16 PM
I am not casting aspersions on anyone. I just find it shocking that someone would, in good conscience, be able to say that nobody complained about Bush's vacations.

It is almost like saying that no media outlet is willing to cover the trials and tribulations of Tiger Woods.

SicEmBaylor
7/29/2010, 09:20 PM
I'd really like to hear an explanation about why Obama's use of taxpayer money for transportation and security is any worse than when President Bush spent the entire month before 9/11 on vacation in Whornland.

Bush's ranch is in Crawford just outside of Waco. That's Bear country, son -- not Whornland!

StoopTroup
7/29/2010, 09:21 PM
Close enough

Soonrboy
7/29/2010, 09:58 PM
She has two kids. They are going on vacation. Those girls are going to be different people in a couple of years. If they could fly commercial, I'm sure they would. They can't. If I could take mine, I would. She's a parent taking her kids through out Europe. What an experience for the kids!

Lout
7/29/2010, 10:42 PM
Bush's ranch is in Crawford just outside of Waco. That's Bear country, son -- not Whornland!

No hate for the Bears. Waco is beautiful and I have good memories of the Baylor campus from a trip in college. Alas, the stench that flows out of Austin stains your fair city and campus like a fish packer's clothes reek of dead mackerel.

Lout
7/29/2010, 10:53 PM
Scout, I was more addressing soonerhubler's attempt to be condescending by referring to my head in the sand and wasn't addressing you in my post.

As for your remarks re: media flak and bush, I can see some ambiguity in my above post that I think explains why you're not getting me. I fully agree that Bush definitely took flak about his vacations, but most of these were comments about the amount of time he spent away form work, rather than his use of taxpayer money. I wasn't as clear there as I could have been. Mea maxima culpa.

However, my real point was that Bush didn't get flak for his use of taxpayer money during this time. And my question was, why weren't conservatives upset by the use of taxpayer money for transportation and security for his and family's vacations? This is a good question that gets to the heart of the issue: The reason that some conservatives are angry, ostensibly, is b/c this is wasteful big government excess--striking at a core conservative value. I'm just curious why there wasn't a similar feeling of annoyance when Bush violated this principle as well.

SCOUT
7/29/2010, 11:02 PM
Scout, I was more addressing soonerhubler's attempt to be condescending by referring to my head in the sand and wasn't addressing you in my post.

As for your remarks re: media flak and bush, I can see some ambiguity in my above post that I think explains why you're not getting me. I fully agree that Bush definitely took flak about his vacations, but most of these were comments about the amount of time he spent away form work, rather than his use of taxpayer money. I wasn't as clear there as I could have been. Mea maxima culpa.

However, my real point was that Bush didn't get flak for his use of taxpayer money during this time. And my question was, why weren't conservatives upset by the use of taxpayer money for transportation and security for his and family's vacations? This is a good question that gets to the heart of the issue: The reason that some conservatives are angry, ostensibly, is b/c this is wasteful big government excess--striking at a core conservative value. I'm just curious why there wasn't a similar feeling of annoyance when Bush violated this principle as well.

I appreciate the clarification but still think that your post is inaccurate. There was most certainly criticism of the cost of his vacations. Keep in kind that I am not comparing the cost to travel to Crawford to the cost to travel to Spain. Let's also not forget that GWB had common folk like Vladamir Putin "vacation" with him there.

I will conclude by saying that a majority of conservatives were very upset with GWB on his spending and on immigration.

SicEmBaylor
7/29/2010, 11:03 PM
However, my real point was that Bush didn't get flak for his use of taxpayer money during this time. And my question was, why weren't conservatives upset by the use of taxpayer money for transportation and security for his and family's vacations? This is a good question that gets to the heart of the issue: The reason that some conservatives are angry, ostensibly, is b/c this is wasteful big government excess--striking at a core conservative value. I'm just curious why there wasn't a similar feeling of annoyance when Bush violated this principle as well.

I for one did call Bush out for that ****. A lot of conservatives didn't because they were wholly and fully swindled by the neo-cons, but this proud Paleo-Con called Bush out for what he was...an incompetent, irresponsible, big-government/imperialist President.

StoopTroup
7/29/2010, 11:12 PM
I for one did call Bush out for that ****. A lot of conservatives didn't because they were wholly and fully swindled by the neo-cons, but this proud Paleo-Con called Bush out for what he was...an incompetent, irresponsible, big-government/imperialist President.

Agreed

soonerhubs
7/30/2010, 01:34 AM
Assuming that I don't condemn past presidents particularly Bush II is incorrect. The more I research about his atrocious fiscal policy the angrier I get. However I apologize for the condescending tone.

RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!
7/30/2010, 02:01 AM
I am not casting aspersions on anyone. I just find it shocking that someone would, in good conscience, be able to say that nobody complained about Bush's vacations.

It is almost like saying that no media outlet is willing to cover the trials and tribulations of Tiger Woods.Well said!

StoopTroup
7/30/2010, 06:37 AM
I don't really complain about the President's "Vacations" as I really don't think they are much of a vacation when they take them. As when Bush went to Crawford to do some Bush and Shrub removal...I think that was more of a Photo Op than a vacation. I truly believe that was to get the American Public to get behind him and hopefully make a plea that he wasn't beyond hard work....much to the chagrin of the facts in his National Guard days. No different was that than say a few "Hoop Shooting Sessions" or a "Let's have a talk and a couple of beers with Big Daddy" in this current Administration.

Presidents are supposed to be 24/7 guys and making sure they stay true the time limits of office is even more important today than it was when FDR stretched-out his Presidency to 3 terms.

2 terms is enough of any of them. There's a reason our Founding Fathers made that rule and a reason it's never happened again since FDR's 3rd term. It's not good for our Country to depend on one man or even one woman. We are a Country of Patriots. It should always remain that way IMO.

Crucifax Autumn
7/30/2010, 02:16 PM
Heh...Vacations to prove you aren't above work. Only in Amuhrica.

tommieharris91
7/30/2010, 02:45 PM
2 terms is enough of any of them. There's a reason our Founding Fathers made that rule and a reason it's never happened again since FDR's 3rd term. It's not good for our Country to depend on one man or even one woman. We are a Country of Patriots. It should always remain that way IMO.

the founders didn't set term limits

Tulsa_Fireman
7/30/2010, 04:07 PM
YOUR MOM DID OH BURN

texaspokieokie
7/30/2010, 05:09 PM
altho it was short, FDR had 4 terms.

stoopified
7/30/2010, 06:13 PM
I think it is ridiculous BUT I worry more about what her husband has done,is doing,and will do while he is on the job.

Crucifax Autumn
7/30/2010, 06:21 PM
Golf?

Okla-homey
7/30/2010, 07:07 PM
IT'S NOT A PRESIDENTIAL "VACATION." Its a mommy-daughter trip to Europe on your dime.

Okla-homey
7/30/2010, 07:09 PM
the founders didn't set term limits

No, but Geo. Washington, "The Greatest American" went home after two.