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I feel that I’m in an alternative universe. For eight years some people called anyone who disagreed with the President’s foreign policy or war in Iraq unpatriotic. Then in the course of two weeks, those same people cheer when the United States does not get selected for the Olympics and boo when our President is the unanimous choice for the Nobel Peace Prize. Go figure.
Congratulations Mr. President for standing up to the scorn and derision of your opponents in the election when you firmly stood for the proposition that strength meant being willing to talk to your enemies, not just your allies. Thank you for the confidence and wisdom to say that a hand will be extended when their fist is unclenched. And thank you for understanding that our national security rests on our principles, the example we set for the world, and our alliances along with the excellence and strength of our military, rather than exclusively the latter. God Bless America.
Important timely new official photo. Glad @SenBenNelson has finally come around.
Ok, I was there. I know what happened. There were NO signs allowed in our townhall yesterday. There were large signs informing people that there were no signs allowed. In spite of the rules, several women walked down the aisle of the event, near the end of the townhall proudly displaying their signs. Hundreds of people had been told they could not bring their signs in and were forced to go back to their cars to store them before the event. Honestly it did appear the women were spoiling for a fight. Obviously, when people saw them with their signs they got upset. I called the women out on it from the podium and they sat down and put their signs away and one of them said they were sorry. But there was some jawing that continued even after they sat down. The rest you see on the tape. No way that the man should have ever taken it upon himself to grab her sign. Very wrong. When he did there was a brief dust up, and law enforcement( the great Sheriff Boyer’s Department) quickly removed both the man, and the women. He was arrested. I have no idea whether the women intended to cause a problem, or what was in the man’s heart. I just know that I’m sad that way too much time has been spent on those 3 minutes and not enough time on the other 117minutes.
I can’t fathom why anyone would think now is the time to update the executive jet fleet in our military. Right now the last thing we should be putting at the top of our priority list: fancy new jets for government executives , including members of Congress. http://bit.ly/7FOpg I’m really disappointed that some in Congress don’t understand that the last thing we need to be doing right now is funding jets for government bigwigs that the military did not ask for. http://bit.ly/jGHMq
Ok, now the good news. I think the opposition has made a difference. Looks like we won…no new executive jets! Yay!http://bit.ly/Hhqdl
McCaskill Says No to Gulf Stream Jet Funding
Three planes included in House Defense Bill for Membersof Congress, Senior Military and Cabinet use
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following last year’s criticism that Wall Street executives and the CEOs of automobile manufacturers were cavalierly using private jets while their employees suffered, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today criticized the House Appropriations Committee for adding money to buy additional replacement jets that will be dedicated to travel for government executive-level personnel, including Members of Congress. The planes will belong to the U.S. Air Force. The Committee approved almost $200 million dollars for three Gulfstream 550 jets used by the Air Force to carry Members of Congress, military leaders and top government officials.
“This just makes no sense. Talk about the wrong message at the wrong time,” McCaskill said. “While American families are tightening their belts there is no way we should be buying extra executive jets. No wonder so many people think we don’t get it.”
The Air Force had only requested funding for one plane to replace part of their aging fleet. The House Appropriations Committee, however, added two additional jets therefore funding three jet purchases. The two additional jets will be designated as part of the D.C. based Air Force fleet, which is frequently used by Members of Congress and top government officials for international travel. They are a slightly-less luxurious version of the Gulfstream G550 and are designed for military use.
The money was included in the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Appropriations bill, which provides funding for the Department of Defense for FY2010. The Senate does not yet have a similar bill for consideration. McCaskill will work to block funding for the extra jets added by the House.
Of course the cash for clunkers program is popular, we’re giving away money. My concerns are first, that we are just moving demand around, and that the sales in this program are robbing sales from 2, 3, or 12 months from now when we are going to still need sustained growth in our economy. Remember, around 60,000 to 70,000 people are trading their cars in for new ones every month without this program. Second, I haven’t yet gotten clear answers on how many deals are currently in the pipeline and how they will wind this program down in a way that will give certainty to buyers and dealers. Third, I’m worried that an extension right now will penalize the two companies that we just made huge taxpayer invesments in. I’m trying to verify, but I believe, based on my conversations with dealers and other research, that Chrylser and GM both have inventory issues with the cars that qualify for this program. Seems weird we would invest billions of taxpayer dollars in two American companies in an effort to save them, and then extend a program that could penalize them. I realize all car sales, both foreign and domestic, are good for the economy, but I hate the idea that there may not be a level playing field for the next few weeks because of inventory issues.
This is a tough call, but at least wanted to let eveyone know that I’m studying all of it and trying to make a decision that is not rushed, but thoughtful.
OK OK I know that this is completely personal, and not about work, but son Austin did such a great job cooking me dinner last night I have to brag. It was a great birthday present. He made grilled chicken;pasta with shallots,spinach and 4 kinds of mushrooms; and a fantastic salad with avacado and feta cheese. yum. And…drum roll please….he cleaned up the kitchen after dinner. A wonderful parenting moment. Thank you son, it was very sweet.
For the record, today I was able to figure out the allegation about my staff flipping off protestors at my St Louis office on Friday. There was only one male staffer at the office on Friday, and I knew he wouldn’t do that. He is an Iraq veteran, who handles almost all of our case work for our veterans. He is soft spoken and hard working and just not the type to lose his cool.
Mystery solved. Our office only occupies the first floor, and a marketing and advertising firm has the office space above us on the second floor. They acknowledged that one of the men that works in their offices made the gesture and they closed their blinds.(On the first floor our blinds are always closed). It’ s confusing because the signage makes it look like we occupy both floors.
I still regret the way we handled the protest, and hope that all those that want to express themselves feel free to protest peacefully at our office anytime. We will make every effort to meet with your representatives and hear your concerns. While we did talk to 7 folks on Friday, I wish we could have greeted everyone at the beginning and brought part of the group in for a meeting right away.
I think we learned from Friday and will do better in the future. In return I hope those that are protesting refrain from banging on the windows and doors continuously. Thanks so much.
We welcome protesters. Our policy is to meet with representatives of any protesting group, at whatever office they are protesting. On Friday, our office was short staffed(four were attending community events and meeting with people in the St Louis area), and the protestors were frustrated with our inability to meet with them when they arrived. They began banging on windows and doors and ringing the buzzer, so that the two staffers in the office could not focus on the phones, that were ringing constantly. They asked the police to help calm the situation, and when one of our staff got back to the office at around noon she met with representatives of the group, and we have scheduled another meeting with the group. My apologies if anyone was offended. We have protesters often (both from the left and right!) and we try to be welcoming. I’m very sorry that we were not able to handle this better on Friday.