Dems Junkets on the taxpayer dime?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

Quoted for truth

You guys are funny. Trying to make excuses for this stupid ass politican.

[TGRR]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

You guys are funny. Trying to make excuses for this stupid ass politican.

Yea, really, if she's meeting with foreign heads of state, she should arrive on a piper cub. Or, fuck, even an ancient pusher biplane. Because that always gets things off to a great start.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by TGRR

Yea, really, if she's meeting with foreign heads of state, she should arrive on a piper cub. Or, fuck, even an ancient pusher biplane. Because that always gets things off to a great start.

As I stated earlier, it appears from the reports that this is a minor part of the trip. And she does not set national policy on issues with Italy. So why would she need to meet with anyone?

[TGRR]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

As I stated earlier, it appears from the reports that this is a minor part of the trip. And she does not set national policy on issues with Italy. So why would she need to meet with anyone?

Sure she can influence national policy with respect to Italy. Don't be silly.

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.txt

Article I, Sec 8, Clause 3:

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

Also, the president doesn't set national policy issues with respect to other nations, either. This must be done by having the State Department (ie, the president), negotiate terms, but the ratification of any treaty is done by...oh, yes. Congress.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

As I stated earlier, it appears from the reports that this is a minor part of the trip. And she does not set national policy on issues with Italy. So why would she need to meet with anyone?

Perhaps to meet with US commanders and forces stationed in Italy?

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional delegation today were briefed by U.S. Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Admiral Fitzgerald and his NATO staff provided information on NATO activities in the Balkans, the ongoing training of Iraqi Security Forces, and operations against pirates off the coast of Somalia....

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewConte...4975420&EDATE=

Then a speech to the Italian Chamber of Deputies, focusing on shared security and economic interests with a G-7 partner:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi today addressed the Italian Chamber of Deputies as part of an official delegation visit. Pelosi was invited to speak before the Chamber by President Gianfranco Fini. Below are the Speaker’s remarks entitled, “Strong Allies for a Secure Future – U.S. / Italian Relations and Future Challenges,” as prepared:....

http://www.isria.info/en/18_February_2009_40.htm

And finally, on to Afghanistan:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Afghan President Hamid Karzai America's "new strategy" in Afghanistan will focus on reconstructing the war-battered country and maintaining strong counter-terrorism measures, his office said....

...The congressional delegation to Afghanistan met Friday with U.S. Forces at Camp Eggers in Kabul and were briefed by U.S. Ambassador William Wood, and U.S. and allied military commanders.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS...osi/index.html

I wonder how many wild and frivolous parties she attended in Afghanistan. We all know that Kabul is a vacation destination for the rich and famous these days.

In fact, the minor part of the trip were the social events (part of every diplomatic trip) that have your panties in a knot.