Posted by
on Sunday, February 11, 2007 8:57:38 PM
I am taking a moment out of the day to speak (or type) out on a subject that has been the focal point of a great deal of controversy. That would be the request for a plane for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Let me state from the get go that there is nothing partisan in regard to this post.
We live in a post-9/11 world, and since that attack on this nation it was mandated by the president that the order of succession be protected at all costs. As we know United 93 was likely heading to Washington, DC to either strike the Capitol building or the White House in a blatant attempt to decapitate the United States government. Because of that, the President, Vice President and Speaker of the House have to be protected.
The controversy has arisen over which plane she will get. As of right now, the Pentagon has told her that she can use the same plane that former Speaker, Dennis Hastert, used. The one that Mr. Hastert used was a Gulfstream IV, C-20G which has a maximum range of 4,872 miles; well within the range she needs. But she is asking for a much larger plane. In fact, she is asking for the Boeing C-32 which has the following features:
The forward area has a communications center, galley, lavatory and 10 business-class seats. The second section is a fully enclosed stateroom for the use of the primary passenger. It includes a changing area, private lavatory, separate entertainment system, two first-class swivel seats and a convertible divan that seats three and folds out to a bed. The third section contains the conference and staff facility with eight business-class seats. The rear section of the cabin contains general seating with 32 business-class seats, galley, two lavatories and closets.
It should be noted that this is the same plane that serves as "Air Force Two"--the Vice President's plane. Madam Pelosi may be in the order of succession, but she is not the Vice President, and we believe it to be quite asinine for her to make such a request. (There is also a controversy surrounding who actually made the request, whether it was Nancy Pelosi, or the Congressional Sergeant-at-Arms.) Regardless of who asked for what, it is foolish of her to think that the C-20 Speaker Hastert used will not suit her needs. It can fly from DC to San Francisco without refueling, and would better serve to protect her.
Others, on the Left have lied--point blank--that the plane would have to land to refuel. No it does not. They have also stated that the plane's security, overall, is inadequate. That is also untrue. The Speaker, when she travels, can and has requested a Secret Service detail. They inspect the plane in the same way they inspected Speaker Hastert's plane. And above all, we consider it an affront to charge the taxpayers of this nation over $300,000 a flight for the C-32 she wants.
We would prefer Speaker Pelosi simply accept the plane and say "thank you, America" instead of turning this into a partisan issue when it is not. The order of succession for the presidency must be protected at all costs. That is what the plane is for, and she would be wise to remember that. This is not about status. This is about security.
And for all those on the Left that are going to lambaste either of us, under the false assumption that we dislike Speaker Pelosi and we like Dennis Hastert, that is a fool's argument. It has nothing to do with whether or not we like her. This goes to how much she wants to cost the taxpayers of the nation, and why she is turning this into a partisan game. Before accusations or criticism are tossed in our direction, make sure your argument has merit to it.
Marcie