dmarc117 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Spanish newspaper El Mundo detailed the Obamas' dinner on their first night in Spain. The tapas menu for the delegation included sea bass tartare, strawberry gazpacho and sardines, followed by a main course of lobster with seaweed risotto. The meal cost about £40 a head, according to El Mundo - which means a bill topping £1,600 would have hit the table if all 40 friends dined together. Stretched over five nights that's £8,000 for dinner alone. Whether or not the taxpaying American will be paying for meals, they will definitely be footing the bill for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, her personal staff - and the use of presidential jet Air Force Two. The per diems for the secret service team runs at around £172 each, which amounts to nearly £60,000 for the length of the summer break. Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at £91,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground. Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and who might cost considerably more per day, also have to be taken into account. The American public will also cover the cost of the only official part of the holiday, a visit to the Spanish royal family on the island of Majorca. This will involve transport there and back for the entourage - as well as travel, accommodation, food and expenses for all while on the island. Conservative estimates already put the total cost at £150,000. With Majorca to come, the bill will be more like £250,000. Back in the U.S., anger was mounting - especially as it has emerged the First Lady will have enjoyed eight holidays by the end of the summer. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/...l#ixzz0vr2EAyVO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/...l#ixzz0vr2EAyVO So what's it mean? How does it compare? I'll admit, it sounds like she thinks that she's arrogant royalty instead of an unpaid adjunct to her husband, but if that's pretty typical first lady behavior, then people should just STPHU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/...l#ixzz0vr2EAyVO A worthless British rag aimed at women and idiots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpwallace49 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 So what's it mean? How does it compare? I'll admit, it sounds like she thinks that she's arrogant royalty instead of an unpaid adjunct to her husband, but if that's pretty typical first lady behavior, then people should just STPHU. Yep. Nothing to see here. I am shocked with all the legitimate things people could say about the current admin, stupi stories like this continue to get posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayItAintSoJoe Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 I know there's a Mastercard "Priceless" joke in here some where, I'm just too lazy to put one together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennykravitz2004 Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 The Huddle should start a specific forum for politics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooty Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 The Huddle should start a specific forum for politics. Now that would be Change that I can believe in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarryTheRock Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 (edited) I don't get it. Hasn't stuff like this always happened? I thought it was part of the game...just more pronounced when the person with the pen is not in favor of who is doing it. Edited for having to type this for myself since my typist is whining about some amputation Edited August 7, 2010 by CarryTheRock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 My only question is this... The "personal" parts of the trip were paid for by the Obama's and FAMILY FRIENDS... If others are paying for any part of this trip does that have to be disclosed under campaign finance rules? Or, can these "friends" just arbitrarily pay for, oh, say a new Cartier watch for Ms. Obama, maybe buy her a new Mercedes, a fur coat, a couple of purses and a few pieces of diamond jewelry without any of this falling under "gifting" rules for politicians? Beyond that, every first lady that has ever taken a trip like this has had just as nice of accommodations, meals, hotel rooms, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 My only question is this... The "personal" parts of the trip were paid for by the Obama's and FAMILY FRIENDS... If others are paying for any part of this trip does that have to be disclosed under campaign finance rules? Or, can these "friends" just arbitrarily pay for, oh, say a new Cartier watch for Ms. Obama, maybe buy her a new Mercedes, a fur coat, a couple of purses and a few pieces of diamond jewelry without any of this falling under "gifting" rules for politicians? Beyond that, every first lady that has ever taken a trip like this has had just as nice of accommodations, meals, hotel rooms, etc... It was my understanding that each friend simply paid their own way just as any Joe Schmoe would have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 You know... I just can't get myself worked up over this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 It was my understanding that each friend simply paid their own way just as any Joe Schmoe would have to. Then I have no issues with it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Maybe we can get Ken Starr to prosecute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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