Nearly $500K to send Michelle, family to Africa (her two daughters were listed as senior staff)

washingtonexaminer.com ^ | 1-0-4-11 | Mark Tapscott

[Justaham]

How much does it cost taxpayers to fly First Lady Michelle Obama, her two daughters and her mother, a niece and a nephew, a hairstylist and makeup artists to South Africa and Botswana to give a few speeches, meet Nelson Mandela, and enjoy a safari on a private game preserve?

Nearly half a million dollars, according to documents obtained by Judicial Watch via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) concerning Obama's June 21-27 journey.

Judicial Watch said the U.S. Air Force provided a C-32 - a Boeing 757 modified by the military for the purpose of flying big-wigs around the world - to fly the First Lady and her entourage to and from Africa, at a cost of $424,142. Another $928.44 was listed as the cost of providing 192 meals for the 21 people who made the trip

The Obama daughters were listed on the manifest as "senior staff."

“This trip was as much an opportunity for the Obama family to go on a safari as it was a trip to conduct government business,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “This junket wasted tax dollars and the resources of our overextended military. No wonder we had to sue to pry loose this information.”

[tcrlaf]

Michelle Obama enjoys 42 days of vacation in one year at taxpayer expense, to the tune of $10m, and the Liberal Whackjobs are protesting Wall Street????

[Dilbert San Diego]

What about that trip to Spain in summer of 2010, in which Michelle took a whole planeload of hangers on to Spain? And they rented out half of a resort hotel just for Michelle and her entourage? Who paid for that? How much did that one cost?

[TexasFreeper2009]

heck that’s a deal! (if they would just STAY there!)

lol

[ataDude]

I just want to know who authorized a round trip instead of one-way?

[Iron Munro]

I’d be willing to spend another half a billion to send them back there if they promise to stay this time.

[traderrob6]

Great minds...

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2011/10/nearly-500k-to-send-michelle-family-to.html

[mcshot]

All part of the strategy to drive our economy into the ground only now they are involving their “off limits” children. This is way beyond the “other side of the tracks” label.

[Captain Beyond]

If Bush had done this we would have been treated to daily and nightly doses of the MSM constantly showing images of old people having to eat dog food, all the homeless dumpster diving for crumbs, and a constant barrage of those who lost their jobs in this economy but now the MSM has their anointed one to look out for. The main stream media must make daily sacrifices of the truth so their pagan god Barry will be able to carry them into the land of socialism.

[skeeter]

Excellent point. The Obama's 'governing' philosophy can be seen in the First Lady's personal spending habits.

"Smash & grab" mixed in with a little Cloward & Piven.

[chris_bdba]

Can someone tell me...isn’t it a crime to employ minors as senior staffers under US labor laws?

[Pure Country]

The girls’ and the senior staff....same intelligence level, so they do qualify........I guess.

[ridesthemiles]

The RNC should be running such ads-—NOW!!!!

[Texas resident]

baraq and his wookie act as if they are dictators of an African country where they can use the treasury as their personal piggy bank. Maybe they got that belief from hanging out with his buds in Kenya.