If there is one thing everybody has learned from the past year or so it's that the first lesson in financial crisis etiquette is do not buy, use, look at, or even think about corporate jets. A brief flashback to January finds Sen. Carl Levin on the verge of spontaneous combustion from his fury at Citigroup's plan to buy a $50 million jet to let Vikula travel in style.
"The notion of Citigroup spending $50 million on a new corporate jet, even as it is depending on billions of taxpayer dollars to survive, does not fly... I have urged [Treasury Secretary] Tim Geithner . . . to do what he can to stop this absurdity"
Well Senator, it might be time for someone to talk to TG again. As part of its belt-tightening efforts, Congress is planning to spend just over half a billion dollars to buy 8 jets to ensure all those diplomatic missions to the Galapagos are done in greater comfort.
The original shopping list called for one Gulfstream V (retail price: $66 million) and one business class only Boeing 737 ($70 million) for the Pentagon and two more 737s for the Defense Department. However, by harnessing the power of Congressional math, the House figured that by adding funds to buy 2 additional Gulfstreams and 2 more 737s, it could improve on its average cost per airplane and actually save taxpayers some money. But surely there must be something other than cost effectiveness that led the House to double up on the number of planes sought.
Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said the Department of Defense didn't request the additional planes and doesn't need them. "We ask for what we need and only what we need," he told reporters Wednesday. "We've always frowned upon earmarks and additives that are above and beyond what we ask for."
Carl Levin, the Treasury Secretary will be expecting your call.
Congress Gets an Upgrade [WSJ]
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:21AM
the tide is turning hard against the democrats, and that is good for the country.
Mark my words.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:26AM
Dude, there's still over 3 years to run for this dog and pony show. I'm sure you'll be fielding Palin at the next show.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:28AM
I hope Palin gets eaten by a polar bear while her family watches.
Posted by NakedShort , Aug 07, 2009 11:31AM
@1 so a bunch of Republican retards can step in line and fuck things up by "fixing them"?
Doesnt matter who has the majority both parties in Congress suck donkey taint.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:31AM
it's for the good. i was embarassed to learn that bill clinton had to hitch a ride on steve bing's plane to save those female spies.
Posted by Porker Stankleberry , Aug 07, 2009 11:31AM
Palin's got nothing to do with this, asshole @2/@3
The Dems are doing the same thing (ahem) that the Repubs did when they gained control -- spending like Democrats.
It's less hypocritical when a Dem does it, admittedly, but based on the way these pus-bags act, you'd think we work for them, not the other way around.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:32AM
Sounds like Nails Dykstra's been lobbying: "Now, before you get huffy and think: 'Big time baseball player enjoying his private plane,' just take a breather. A private plane is expensive, but it may be worth your while. At least, it's an option that you may want to consider."
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:33AM
@1 Did you share the same outrage when Bush spent $3 TRILLION of OUR tax dollars on Iraq?
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:34AM
Douche @6 and why should I take anything a guy called "Porker" has to say seriously?
I hope Palin gets eaten by a Narwhal while giving birth in true Alaskan fashion.
- not @3
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:34AM
I hope Sara Palin gets eaten by Porker Stansberry in front of her family and a polar bear.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:36AM
@9 u from reddit? F YEAH NARWHALS!!!!1!
Posted by BSD , Aug 07, 2009 11:37AM
Greg, this "news" was on the front page of Drudge on TUESDAY.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:37AM
I'm all for more congressional flights to the Galapagos--1 way of course
--Captain Under
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:39AM
@1-racist
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:39AM
I do believe that at 7 is the only person making a true DB comment. The rest of you need to go back to RedState.com and HuffingtonPost. Except 4. He's got the right idea. Both political parties are filled with rich kid can't hack it in corporate life, so choose low paying political positions, type people. Hence the crass stupidity that emanates from D.C. from both sides of the aisle.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:40AM
Greg,
Isn't one of the black dudes doing your mother nicknamed Narwhal?
Kevin Pukeliss
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:44AM
@15
what the fuck is a "true DB comment" you douche?
Posted by NegativeConvexity , Aug 07, 2009 11:45AM
Dems = Repubs = lying & thieving miscreants
green pus discharge from Abby Joe Cohen's penis > Dems & Repubs > going long C common
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:46AM
Hey @15, its not your fault. ITS NOT YOUR FAULT.
Robin Williams
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 11:57AM
Why are we wasting all this energy on a pointless political debate when we could be deriding Greg, his promiscuous mom, and his absentee father?
Posted by NakedShort , Aug 07, 2009 11:58AM
Put some chocolate and nuts in your mouth just like Greg's Mom.
-Snickers Ad Rep
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:01PM
@17
Something that derides the stupidity of both parties in a cynical tone.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:13PM
@20 I'm with you.
Greg's mom, can you update us with how the pleasant evening you had planned with the 5 nice gentlemen went?
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:22PM
The soundtrack to Greg's life is an out-of-tune tuba that apes his fat footsteps.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:23PM
If Republicans had won the election the planes would be red, white and black with swastikas on the tail. But..oh...that would be OK.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:24PM
The government doesn't lose money!! It prints it!!!
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:24PM
@ 23.
Dear Commenter,
Thanks for reading my Greggum's newsletter! :)
Greggums, I will be home a bit late tonite, but there's leftover Beefaroni in the fridge, and I washed your sheets. They sure were starchy!
Kisses,
greg's mom
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:31PM
@ 8, no i was not outraged by that, given we went into that effort with noble goals in the wake of the worst attack on our country in its history. And we stayed (too long, sure) in an attempt to stabilize the situation for people we very easily could have left to fend for their (ungrateful) selves.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:32PM
America must be destroyed.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:34PM
@27 - Impostor! Not even close.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:37PM
I am pretty sure I saw Greg's mom in Stephon Marbury's video feeding him Vaseline.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:42PM
@all What this country needs are snipers.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:42PM
@all What this country needs are snipers.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:46PM
Why should the government spend any money at all. Tell the sick people to get well, tell the unemployed to get jobs, tell orphans to figure everything out on their own, tell our troops they'll have to fight on their own, tell China to buy someone else's debt, tell seniors they have to give back all their social security payments and pay their own medical bills, let people make and eat and sell any kind of food or drug they want, tell people to protect their own homes and property and build their own roads and jails and schools. Tell banks they have to make money or fold and people have to build their own homes with their own hands.
In the above situation, no one will be taken advantage of and life will be great.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:46PM
hahaha you douchebags are all just jealous that greg has a job while you are sucking the unemployment check jizz dripping off obama's nuts
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:51PM
hopefully one will crash with peelosi on it
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 12:51PM
Nancy Pelosi waves goodbye as her private jet takes off. The smile on her face is either due to her ripping off the American taxpayer or Harry Reid's face between her legs.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:00PM
@36 and @37 show remarkable texting skills while at the same time mopping booths at their respective employers' peep shows.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:05PM
@ 38, it does boggle the mind that there are people willing to do that for a living.
-vik pandit
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:11PM
Every Congressman should have perfect health care, free first class jet travel at the ready, pay raises and immunity on any decision they make ever. Ah......they already have that never mind.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:11PM
Every Congressman should have perfect health care, free first class jet travel at the ready, pay raises and immunity on any decision they make ever. Ah......they already have that never mind.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:14PM
@8 - three TRILLION? That's awful!!!!
What currency are you using by the way, because it can't be dollars.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:17PM
@38 - you seem awfully familiar with that.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:17PM
We haven't had a post about the majestic Prince and his stable of equally majestic steeds in quite a while.
Get to work on it, Greg.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:22PM
For what it's worth, I'd be glad to eat Sarah Palin.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:23PM
Is DB getting daily talking points from the RNC now? Greg, get off this shit.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:26PM
@38, @46 - A little touchy today I see. Back to the mop for both of you.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:28PM
Oh, mopping jizz is not so bad!
-Greg's Mom
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:34PM
@48 - Well, since you brought my mom into it - You shouldn't make fun of that stuff on the floor. How do you think you were conceived?
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:40PM
actually maybe Ba rney will be in one of the planes and then it crashes into peelosis mansion
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 1:50PM
@42 here you go-- $3 TRILLION of our tax dollars flushed down the drain.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030702846.html
But, hey, at least we got Bin Laden. Oh wait...
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 2:20PM
why don't they buy a bunch of these & hire the author of the first review to defend the purchase.
http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Mens-Three-Short-Sleeve/product-reviews/B002HJ377A/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 2:23PM
@51 - sleep soundly tonight.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 2:50PM
fu#king democrats
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 2:58PM
Greg: How about a follow up post to your Dodd bashing of last week. He're a place to start:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25921.html#ixzz0NWbx6jOS
Come on, know you have it in you.....
By JOHN BRESNAHAN & MARTIN KADY II | 8/7/09 2:50 PM EDT
Politico
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25921.html#ixzz0NWcO8tty
The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed complaints against Sens. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) alleging that they had received special mortgage deals from Countrywide Financial.
In two letters posted to the Ethics Committee website, the panel said it found no “substantial credible evidence” that either Dodd or Conrad had violated Senate rules, which forbid senators from receiving special deals not available to the general public.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 3:13PM
EP politicized this site and look what happened. She left a cesspool that it's slowly cleaning itself. But Greg, with or without politics is still an idiot and has to go.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 3:42PM
@56. EP is a waste of space. Every fucking post is some idiotic jab at Obama/Liberals/Fags/Congress/Government/Regulation/Communism RAHRAHRAHRAHRAHRAH ZING RAHRAHRAH.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 3:46PM
@57 well at least she's right (fag)
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 4:07PM
57 hates our country.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 4:07PM
What's with all the lib trash commenting on a finance site?
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 4:10PM
@57. Where do you work? HUD? Get a real job and stop living off money stolen from the productive.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 4:19PM
@60, bravo
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 4:24PM
57,
When she's wrong, why don't you buck the fuck up and deliver an attack on her argument? C'mon, cowboy.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 4:53PM
This week has been a disaster as so many anticipated.
@63
randroids are never wrong in their own little heads. They are trained never to concede.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 5:00PM
64,
How poignant. Carry on.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 5:41PM
Poignant? When is the baby due?
~Lehman Quant
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 5:56PM
@all.
the only "productive" people are the people in the half the economy that gang rapes a good half of the world in order to divert just enough cash, after interest, to you to feel as though you are doing something worthwhile so you don't bother to fuck anything up.
all you're doing is fucking around with spreadsheets and living off whatever the military manages to toss your way.
sorry, but you don't know shit.
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 7:46PM
34 you are an assclown
Posted by guest , Aug 07, 2009 8:46PM
@36
Marla is calling you to get your sorry ass back to Zero Hedge right now.
Posted by guest , Aug 08, 2009 5:43PM
Politicians like pelsoi, frank and dodd are such filth, they only exist to seal our tax dollars. Eliminate the IRS -- they are criminals.