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2011-01-05 Home Front: Politix

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Posted by Beavis 2011-01-05 09:48|| || Front Page|| [11135 views ] Top

#1 Put it in the wood stove and at least we can get some heat out of it.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2011-01-05 11:07|| 2011-01-05 11:07|| Front Page Top

Posted by ryuge 2011-01-05 12:31|| 2011-01-05 12:31|| Front Page Top

#3 Turn it into a paddle with Boehner's name on it and hang it back over the door as a reminder.

Both to Donks and to Trunks.

Posted by gorb 2011-01-05 13:26|| 2011-01-05 13:26|| Front Page Top

#4 BY MALIA ZIMMERMAN The Hawaii Reporter Nancy Pelosis final days as Speaker of the House were spent at the exotic Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu in Kona on the island of Hawaii.

Escorted throughout her trip by a mini security motorcade that included Secret Service and Hawaii County Police officers, Pelosi was seen at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Kailua-Kona, where she received Communion. Parishioners greeted her warmly, Hawaii Reporter was told. Two police SUVs were on guard outside the hotel during her week long stay.

Pelosi, who traveled to Hawaii by private plane, spent the holidays in Kona last year at the same hotel in an elaborate suite that reportedly rents for $10,000 a night.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalais details its luxurious setting and amenities on its web site: Gloriously revitalised, this natural tropical paradise offers more than ever to explore with a newly expanded Spa, beachfront dining, fashion boutiques and new Deluxe Suites, in addition to Jack Nicklaus signature golf. Set on the Big Islands exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast, this showpiece resort captures the essence of Hawaiian design, culture and tradition.

Pelosi has her share of allies in Hawaii, including Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who she defended during his successful campaign for governor in 2010. Pelosi, a Democrat who will be replaced as House Speaker by GOP Congressman John Boehner in a matter of days, served in Congress with Abercrombie. When Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Mufi Hannemann claimed during the primary that Abercrombie was not effective in Congress, Pelosi issued a statement calling Abercrombie outstanding, effective and courageous.

Hawaii Reporter has requested information from the Police on taxpayers costs to guard her. Last year, Hawaii county taxpayers paid more than $21,000.

This year, the county estimates have not yet been provided to Hawaii Reporter; the request is pending. However, the Hawaii Police Department does not release the number of police officers escorting Pelosi, how many hours they dedicated to Pelosis security detail, or whether they were being pulled from other duties. No figures could be obtained for her Secret Service escorts.

Her trip coincides with President Barack Obamas nearly two-week family vacation in Hawaii.

Obamas trip to Oahu has proved much pricier to state and federal taxpayers.

In a Hawaii Reporter story published last week, some of the cost estimates included:

Obamas round trip flight to Hawaii via Air Force One: $1 million (GAO estimates)
Mrs. Obamas early flight to Hawaii: $63,000 (White House Dossier)
Housing in beachfront homes for Secret Service and Seals in Kailua ($1,200 a day for 14 days): $16,800
Costs for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel: $134,400 ($400 per day for 24 staff) excluding meals and other room costs
Local police overtime: $250,000 (2009 costs reported by Honolulu Police Department)
Ambulance: $10,000 (City Spokesperson)
TOTAL COST: $1,474,200
UNKNOWN COSTS

Rental of office building in Kailua on canal
Security upgrades and additional phone lines to private homes where Obama and friends are staying
Costs for car rentals and fuel for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel
Surveillance before the President arrives
Travel costs for Secret Service and White House staff traveling ahead of the President
Since the Obama holiday story appeared in Hawaii Reporter, readers on the island of Hawaii point to another plane similar to Air Force One (except with a communications dome atop it) that accompanied the President to Hawaii, is at the Hilo Airport.

In addition, costs should have been added for the USAF C-17 cargo aircraft that transported the Presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment. The flight time between Andrews Air Force Base and Hawaii is at about 20 hours roundtrip, with estimated operating cost of $7,000 per hour (GAO report) for a total of $140,000 per roundtrip. Sources say the United States Marine Corps provides a presidential helicopter, along with pilots and support crews for the test flights, which travel on another C-17 flight at $140,000 for a total of $280,000.

Hawaii Reporter has requested details on the cost of the Presidents trip, but the White House will not release any figures, citing security concerns. A spokesperson maintains the costs are in line with other presidential vacations.

Hawaii Reporter has sought to determine the cost of vacations for the current president and last two presidents but it has not received any reply from four emails sent over the last week to the U.S. General Services Administration, the agency that tracks these costs.

Posted by Besoeker 2011-01-05 13:37|| 2011-01-05 13:37|| Front Page Top

#5 Isn't the Hawaii Reporter one of the forbidden sites?

Posted by Angie Schultz 2011-01-05 16:02|| 2011-01-05 16:02|| Front Page Top

#6 Wow Ryuge,
Never knew Klaus Nomi did that cover. While I thought him most bizarre, he is an excellent complement to the weirdness of the retiring Speaker of the House- sort of the same way a "nice Chianti goes with Fava Beans".
BTW, Nomi was quite the sensation in Deutchland before his death, one of the first AIDS victims.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Nomi

I bet many Rantburgers would remember his Saturday Night Live appearence as a back up to David Bowie in 1979, where Bowie basically "lifted" Nomi's trademark style.

Posted by Capsu78 2011-01-05 18:34|| 2011-01-05 18:34|| Front Page Top

#7 Isn't the Hawaii Reporter one of the forbidden sites?

A good question, Angie. There are a couple of Hawaiian newspapers on the list I've been using, but not that one.

Posted by trailing wife 2011-01-05 20:32|| 2011-01-05 20:32|| Front Page Top

#8 Yes, Capsu -
I definitely remember the SNL Bowie performance (a rare SNL with 3 - rather than 2 - songs from the musical guest). Nomi's performance clip from Urgh! A Music War is one of the highlights of the movie too. And, as mentioned in the Wikipedia article, Nomi, David Bowie and Iggy Pop belong to the Guild of Calamitous Intent in the Venture Brothers (great) cartoon series.
Thanks for the link.

Posted by ryuge 2011-01-05 21:41|| 2011-01-05 21:41|| Front Page Top

23:37 Sgt. D.T.
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