The important, unasked question in the Pelosi plane issue

[maxrandb]

Barring someone grabbing Lou Dobbs by the throat and jamming the House Sargent-at-Arms statement down his throat during live TV, it appears that no amount of debunking will stop the "fun" our press seems to be having with this issue. It's hard to stop the clowns when they start getting out of the Volkswagen. That's what it is. The press realizes that if they somberly come out and tell the truth, their news programs will lose that "All in the Family", "Sanford and Son" situation comedy appeal. Much easier to spew as many double entrende's, tongue-in-cheek, "non-stop Nancy" lines as you can. If they come out and tell the truth, they'll never be able to compete with "American Idol".

Still, there is one angle I would love to see them pursue. Apparently, the plane that Speaker Pelosi did not request (read demand if you're a Freeper) - The plane that Speaker Pelosi does not want to use for lavish political parties and wild lesbian sex with Brittany Spears is...from reports...

"one of the most luxurious planes in the Air Force's fleet -- the C-40 -- which boasts a private bed, an entertainment center, and a crew of 16."

I'm just wondering if, in between pratfalls and belly-laughs, and laugh-tracks - can someone in our media ask; "Why the hell does the Air Force need several luxury planes with private beds, entertainment centers and 16 crew member's at someones beck and call?". and "Can we see a list of who has flown in these planes, where they went, and what they were doing there?".

I understand Air Force 1 and Air Force 2. I understand that the four star may not want to fly coach, but just who else is the Air Force ferrying around in luxury on your's and my dime.

I would also add, that as a Navy man, I'm a little upset that we don't have a few 100 foot luxury yacht's that we can use to to do a little pond-jumping ourselves.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. Bush Sr?

For his litte rendevouz with Terri Hatcher and others?

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/2382392

[maxrandb]

4. Maybe the twins

on a "Blow Run" to South America?

[snappyturtle]

2. I think you hit the nail on the head!

Watch to see what comes out of Murtha's investigations into previous plane usage..I bet your question will be answered. Great question!

edit--spelling

[maxrandb]

7. Not to brag

but I think this line in describing the media was awesome as well:

"It's hard to stop the clowns when they start coming out of the Volkswagen".

[snappyturtle]

14. Yeah--it DOES paint a picture, doesn't it? n/t

[sandnsea]

28. Writing for radio, painting pictures

Which appeals to males because they're visual. That's exactly what the Dem Party needs to do much much much more of.

[ellenfl]

19. murtha's investigating? great! eom

[atreides1]

3. The Answer

It's probably reserved for generals from 2-stars and up, you know that generals/admirals have staff, and the number of staff is determined by the position held.

Also the planes are used by cabinet secretaries to travel.

[snappyturtle]

5. You've answered, "Who" but the other question is

"Why" does any government employee need all the luxury of the C-40 type plane? Aren't these employees on official business or are they on vacation?

[originalpckelly]

10. That I have to question as well...

I don't have a problem with them flying on these planes, but why aren't they just normal everyday planes? Even if they have to put beds and bathrooms on these things, why do they have to be so fancy?

[snappyturtle]

15. Exactly. n/t

[maxrandb]

24. It was Republican President Eisenhower

who warned us about the "military industrial complex".

Who knew he was so psychic?

This is a piece of that IMHO. Wonder how many Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Electric big-wigs have been "wined, dined, and blown" on these planes.

If Dems don't hit this out of the ballpark, they've got no business being in power. The committee ought to demand all records of these flights over the past 10 years. Let's see who has been using these luxury planes, and why. The beauty is that since the Repukes stirred this pot, they can't complain about the soup getting spilled. Subpoena all the damn flight records and manifests.

[maxrandb]

6. I know that some of the General and Admirals

would occassionally use one of these, but for the most part, our flag officers and their staff usually fly commercial. Believe it or not, it's cheaper. I can kind of buy some of the cabinet members, but I'm really interested in seeing the list of folks who flew around in these planes.

Interesting side-note and neat military factoid:

Sideboys: the number of Sideboy is determined by rank. This tradition was handed down over the years. The more rank an officer had usually resulted in a more extravagant life-style and therefore, more weight. It took more hands (sideboys) to hoist them aboard. Therefore, the higher your rank, the more side-boys you had to hoist ye' aboard. Kind of a back-handed compliment.

[EST]

8. Be careful, you may get a verbal kicking around that would

make cassandra blush.
People don't like to be asked uncomfortable questions-even edifying ones.

There is a currently popular saying to the effect of, "everyone is entitled to his own opinion but not to his own facts."
On the surface, that appears to be true but, in fact, it isn't. An uninformed, willfully ignorant idiot, even one who lives on camera, is NOT entitled to an opinion and should be sued right into the ground for venturing one, unless backed up by facts and non-spurious reasoning.
Ill considered and ill informed opinions can cause enormous damage, especially when tendered by someone who has somehow attained center stage and people whom others pay attention to.

You can bet nobody will ask such a careful, thoughtful question as you propose.

[maxrandb]

12. Can Lou Dobbs, Faux News, Limpballs and Insanity

as well as the idiot Repukes in the well of the House yesterday be sued based on your criteria?

It seems to me that once the facts are out there, if they continue this attack against the speaker, they should get the "Be-Jeebus" sued out of them.

It's a lie
They know it's a lie
It's a lie specifically intended to cause harm to a specific person
They have facts that prove it's lie
They have documents to prove everything they said about this issue for the past 5 days is a lie
They continue to lie

Isn't there a law against this?

[EST]

17. I think there may be several laws that could be made to fit.

However, with the interlocking incestuous relationships that become apparent when one begins tugging on a thread or two in the Washington culture, there appears to be almost no one who is enough above the corruption to even be able to speak the truth.

I am so glad I am a technical creature rather than one who gets his jollies wallowing in the prurient sea of corruption that surrounds government. Whenever I start doing a bit of research into a single corrosive relationship or criminal enterprise, I find such a complex web of deceit and reeking criminality that I despair of finding even one person-especially a media type whose influence is so valuable in cover ups and crookedness of all kinds-who can deliver a clear statement that quotes unadorned truth.

It is sickening and maddening but, like a persistent itching scab, the fascination of picking at it and trying to figure out who needs to go to prison soonest can prove irresistible.

[tsuki]

26. No. The burden of proof is on the one being lied about. And you

have to show that their was some consequence resulting from the lie. Rupert paid big-time in England because their laws read that the liar bears the burden of proof, and injury to your good name is enough of a consequence.

[originalpckelly]

9. I know Secretary of State Rice has used these planes.

Probably a lot of these people. Actually, it's probably better than having them fly around with CEOs on their private jets.

[originalpckelly]

11. I want to know if Dick Cheney uses these planes to go quail hunting...

I have a feeling that he wasn't on business out there, unless he's inspecting the quail for bid flu.

[maxrandb]

13. Can't you just see Cheney

on one of these planes looking like S.P.E.C.T.R.E's #1 with a trap door under Colin Powell's chair.

[EST]

18. It was an investigating trip-

He was trying to determine if I had shot him a hairy bird...

[maxrandb]

30. He's such an A$$hole

BIGTIME!

[Arkansas Granny]

16. I'm sure that they've grabbed onto this plane thingy because it

will give them some cover for their weekend news dump. It's nothing more than a smokescreen.

[elehhhhna]

20. Now that ENRON isn't providing free flights, somebody has to take care

of Politicians transportation.

Should it be the US Gov or Exxon? I prefer the US.

[Cass]

21. Great question, maxrandb!

I hope we someone asks that question so we can get the answer.

And I really liked your description of the media. It is so fitting:

It's hard to stop the clowns when they start getting out of the Volkswagen.

[underpants]

22. Check out this GD : P thread just started max

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3103209&mesg_id=3103209

[JDPriestly]

23. Thanks. Someone should be asking this question.

[Patsy Stone]

25. The Air Force contracted for them in 2000

and they're leasing them.

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=189

C-40B/C

Mission

The C-40 B/C provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for U.S. leaders to locations around the world. The C-40B's primary customers are the combatant commanders and C-40C customers include members of the Cabinet and Congress. The aircraft also perform other operational support missions.

Features

The C-40 B/C is based upon the commercial Boeing 737-700 Business Jet. The body of the C-40 is identical to that of the Boeing 737-700, but has winglets. Both models have state of the art avionics equipment, integrated Global Positioning System and Flight Management System/Electronic Flight Instrument System and a heads up display. Heading the safety equipment list is the Traffic Collision Avoidance System and enhanced weather radar. The aircraft is a variant of the Boeing next generation 737-700, and combines the 737-700 fuselage with the wings and landing gear from the larger and heavier 737-800. The basic aircraft has auxiliary fuel tanks, missionized interior with self-sustainment features and managed passenger communications.

The cabin area is equipped with a crew rest area, distinguished visitor compartment with sleep accommodations, two galleys and business class seating with worktables.

The C-40B is designed to be an "office in the sky" for senior military and government leaders. Communications are paramount aboard the C-40B which provides broadband data/video transmit and receive capability as well as clear and secure voice and data communication. It gives combatant commanders the ability to conduct business anywhere around the world using on-board Internet and local area network connections, improved telephones, satellites, television monitors, and facsimile and copy machines. The C-40B also has a computer-based passenger data system.

The C-40C is not equipped with the advanced communications capability of the C-40B. Unique to the C-40C is the capability to change its configuration to accommodate from 42 to 111 passengers.

Background

The Air Force selected the C-40B, a military version of the Boeing 737-700 Business Jet, to replace the aging fleet of C-137 aircraft for U.S. combatant commanders. The Air Force awarded the medium lift contract in August 2000. By using commercial off-the-shelf acquisition practices and a new lease program for the C-40C model, the Air Force reached a benchmark for aircraft procurement. The C-40C was the first military aircraft to be acquired in this manner. The 201st Airlift Squadron, Washington, D.C. National Guard, acquired two C-40C aircraft in October 2002. The C-40C is intended to replace the aging C-22. The 89th Airlift Wing acquired its first C-40B aircraft in December 2002. Both units are based at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The 15th Airlift Wing, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, acquired its C-40B for U.S. Pacific Command in February 2003.

[maxrandb]

29. Hmmmm. Who was in charge of all branches of government in 2000?

Could it be...the Republ"ick" Party? How convenient.

I want to see the flight record and manifests.

[sandnsea]

27. Oh, man, have you mailed that around??

That is a delicious LTTE.

:applause:

[maxrandb]

31. Thanks. I'll send a toned down version

to my local rag.

Where are the giants in our media today? It's sad. They really do look at their shows as a sitcom.

[walldude]

32. Freepers still on this story? You'd think when their man Tony Snow

said it was a bullshit story they'd have let it go.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/08/pelosi.plane.ap/index.html