Posted by
Dash42 on Thursday, February 08, 2007 10:13:00 AM
Tsarina Pelosikya is at it again. This time she is blaming the DoD and Administration for leaks about her demand, yes it is a demand, that she be provided with USAF transport large enough to reach Her District from SF in one stop without refueling. Setting aside possible nepotism reasons (family and supporters to fly with her as well), the aircraft are not available. Of course, they could make a C130 or C17 available along with tanker support to get her there in one hop. DoD has also flatly denied her demand that her supporters or family fly free. Her family can fly if they pay the Government coach fare but her supporters may not fly with her at all. And her itinerary is fixed: Andrews AFB, MD to San Francisco and return. No other destinations permitted. The leaks by the way are from Congressional staffers not DoD or the Administration.
Speaker Hastert was provided access to a C20 (A Gulfstream Executive equivalent with 10-12 comfortable seats) for his hops to/from his Illinois district following 9/11. This, while expensive, is not nearly as costly as the larger transport the Tsarina wishes to use. Nor does it have the same communications suite installed as a standard package. Secure communications can be maintained, so that should be a non-starter for anyone.
No, this is just another ploy to exercise her power as Speaker and rub it into everyone that the Tsarina is special. There are daily non-stops from DC to San Francisco, therefore if it is that important that she take her entourage with her they can buy up the First/Business class cabin and fly commercial.