I know that I fully supported him at first and was looking forward to all this "change"... I didn't know that the change was going to be for the worse.. I would love for things to turn around, and if they do, I would gladly vote for him if he did make a difference for the positive, but as it stands right now, I'd love to see him out of office right now, and him replaced by someone who might actually accomplish something.

Why did another thread need to be dedicated to this? It's clear that there's not going to be a civilized conversation about it, I don't think a new thread will help that..

Anonymous wrote:

aprilmayjune wrote:Well now there was a perfectly appropriate and civilized response. That's exactly the point though.. Whether you like to realize it or not, it costs thousands, if not millions anytime they travel, not including the cost of whatever their trip actually is. Don't you think it's a tad rediculous to compare that amount with what brand of ketchup they use?

Well, comparing the amount spent on trips to the amount spend on countless other illsighted programs is ridiculous. Our deficit is in the TRILLIONS. You are fretting over less than a million dollars.

My point is that the President could cut infinite corners in the interest of saving money. He could use only store brand products. Eat only rice and beans. Never take a vacation. Where do we stop? Given that Michelle paid for the accommodations herself and probably was required to fly on US Air Force jet, I just don't see why you have so much animus about this. You are talking about not even a drop in the bucket as if it is the most egregious use of funds ever. It's not. By your logic, Michelle should never go anywhere unless it is official state business. Is that really fair?

Just to clarify first of all, I'm only partly talking about this particular vacation. But the frequent weekends in Martha's Vinyard, at least a few trips to Chicago, Hawaii vacations etc etc...

And here's what CNN had to say:
According to CBS News, the tax dollar part of the vacation include an estimated $146,000 round-trip cost for the U.S. Air Force 757 aircraft, not counting ground time; about $95,000 in hotel costs for an estimated 70 security personnel -- Secret Service and military -- who get a $273-a-day government per diem, plus costs for the dozen or so cars in her motorcade. I'm told that three shifts of agents are needed for a trip of this magnitude.




And yo unotice I haven't said anything about her tirp to Mexico city, because she went there to accomplish something. If they were getting ANYTHING done I would have no problem, but you pointing out our trillions in defecit is really part of my point, they should be focusing on how to fix the problems our country is facing right now, but they are constantly making decisions that are only worsening our problems.

4pm and 7am. Yeah he leaves early to beat traffic, and he carpools with another guy at work, and brings him home and than comes straight here. He does have very long days and barely has time to sleep before he goes back.

I only have one, but my husband is out working a lot. Our situations are completely different, but I imagine that single parents, and parents with situations similar to yours they develop a routine and I'm sure it takes time to get into the swing of it.. Hang in there I'm sure you're doing great and that it'll get better.

Well now there was a perfectly appropriate and civilized response. That's exactly the point though.. Whether you like to realize it or not, it costs thousands, if not millions anytime they travel, not including the cost of whatever their trip actually is. Don't you think it's a tad rediculous to compare that amount with what brand of ketchup they use?

LOL did you even read my original post? I am thinking you must not have, because 1.) I really wasn't complaining, just looking to compare daily routines with someone dealing with a similar schedule, and 2.) my husband works overnight. He is already long gone for the night before the baby is getting ready for bed. The quotes that you put up there weren't even posted by me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See the newest article on the Associated press. the other people paid their own expenses and the hotel that she stayed in was booked by the Secret service so they could guard the hotel. she was visiting a dear friend who's father just died. people need to get all the facts before passing judgement. she deserves to visit close friends during their time of need for a few days. this is not as lavish as one would think. GW Bush who was our president spent 1020 days on vacation during his term. don't forget about that. we paid for all his vacations.

Why did it take the White Hose a week to come out with the "truth,\."? Also, her friend's father died a while back and MO did not attend funeral. I don't care if she and her other "guests" paid for their hotel and personal needs, did they chip ina nd pay for the use of a US air force plane?

They probably didn't think it was anyone's business why Michelle Obama took one daughter on a trip for 4 days, spending her own money, and only after a week of ridiculous outrage over this trip realized more information would probably be a good idea.

Yes she took an Air Force plane and had necessary Secret Service protection with her. That goes with the territory.

And this is how WE ARE PAYING FOR HER VACATION. This is what people are failing to realize, understand, or care about. Do you have any idea how expensive that is? Far more money was spent by taxpayers on payroll, gas and accomodations for the Secret Service/air force plane than she would have paid out of pocket for this trip, and this is the case for every trip anyone in their family makes. One vacation probably costs more than most of us make in a year.

My husband plays diablo. He played call of duty before that. He enjoys it and it helps him to destress and relax, and it's a hobby with him. It takes away a little bit from quality time, but he is more relaxed because I don't give him a hard time for doing something that he enjoys. You say that he'd do it every night late into the night if he didn't think that it bothered you, so it sounds (and I may be wrong but I'm just reading into what you wrote) that he's already considering your feelings, or feels that he is. How much exactly does he play? If I see my husband getting ready to play, and I need or want him for something else, I just let him know ahead of time that I'd like it if he waited a little while because... This works for us.. But how much does he actually play?

This is just rediculous. The hardcore supporters are telling us to look at the facts. We throw facts back at you (like the fact that whether or not we paid for their actual vacation, gassing those airforce one planes costs a lot, and secret service members make bank, all that we ARE paying for, whether you choose to realize this or not.) and insults (spewing hatred and something about someone being undersexed and jealous or something) are thrown back. When you're wrong you're wrong. trying to hurt feelings, isn't going to help make your point any stronger. The fact is, that we are looking at facts. The fact that this makes me angry is indeed one of the reasons I don't like Obama, the fact that NONE of the things that he said he would accomplish have been accomplished is another reason. He is a great speaker, but he is all bark and absolutely no bite. I can't wait until 2012, and I pray that someone competant is running then, and that we as the people have the common sense to vote for him/her. (And just for the record, I was originally an Obama supporter, because, as a PP stated, he was the lesser of two evils.

Sounds like a wonderful success story!!!! Yay for your little one!

I still think that despite the fact that curiousity is normal, you need to just respect your friend's wishes and let her tell you in her own time.

lmao I sound like someone who would swipe one? Well, I assure you that I subscribe to my own. I actually also have a subscription to the Washington post, and the Sunday one is the ONLY one that gets swiped.. I, however only get mine for the coupons so I just call them, they replace it for me, and I get my coupons.

And you know it's just as easy to drink your cappucino and browse the headlines on washington post's website, or watch the news online... So again.. Not that serious.


I understand that it's inconvenient, and I understand that taking someone else's newspaper is not the right thing to do. And like I said, I am coonstantly on the receiving end of this inconvenience just like you are.

You seem to bea bit uptight.

How does this have nothing to do with him or what's happening? How do you figure? first of all, He's on vacation, not accomplishing anything while our economy sucks, oil is taking over the gulf coast, soldiers are constantly dying in Afghanistan etc etc etc.. Now where it's important to spend time with family and what not, you don't see every Tom, Dick and Harry on vacation or long weekend constantly because they all HAVE JOBS TO DO..

Secondly, I despise the fact that we are working hard to provide those vacations for them, while all of the above problems are still not being taken care of.

I have been considering trying this too, so I would love feedback as well...