The audacity!
I usually could care less about any politics but this really made my blood boil for a moment.
In regards to President Obama fulfilling a pre-election promise to take wife to broadway show in New York:
"Republicans characterised the trip as insensitive and wasteful against the backdrop of US car giant General Motors preparing for an expected bankruptcy.
White House aides and media accompanied the first couple on their private date.
The president and first lady travelled to New York in a smaller plane than the regular Air Force One 747." - BBC News
---
"The White House declined to say how much the trip was costing taxpayers, and even before the smaller jet left Washington, the there-and-back trip drew criticism from the Republican National Committee. The RNC issued a news release that chastised Obama for saying he understands American's troubles, but then hopping up to New York for "a night on the town."
Noting that General Motors is expected to file for Chapter 11 protection on Monday, the news release said: 'Putting on a show: Obamas wing into the city for an evening out while another iconic American company prepares for bankruptcy.'"- Washington Post
---
"While the Obamas’ visit to New York was considered private, there was some very public criticism of the trip. In a press release that was issued on Saturday afternoon with the headline “Putting on a Show,” the Republican National Committee suggested that the outing was inappropriate and that Mr. Obama was out of touch, especially given the looming bankruptcy of General Motors." - NY Times
Quite frankly, I'm appalled yet not very impressed with the hypocrisy. Those republicans never really seem to have something worth talking about unless it's profitable -- It wasn't even a private date! Nor did they take the big plane!
True the bankruptcy of any of the major car manufacturers is an acute systemic calamity and requires close attention. But let's be fair! Need we recall the delay in response during a major natural catastrophe and humanitarian crisis in 2005 in the south east U.S., against the backdrop of former President W. Bush's excessively frequent and lengthy month+ long vacations to their ranch in Crawford, TX - in wartime, during the greatest fiscal malfunctions in decades.
I would be so bold to say that while I was skeptical at first, I've been impressed with President Obama's fervor and direct approach. I would almost be led to believe he's so far done more useful work in his first 5 months than W. Bush did in his entire tenure, but then considering that out of 8 years in office he spent well over a year on vacation - we should all be so lucky to have so much vacation time! Now I'll be fair and say it's easy to focus the blame on one figurehead when really the whole party and then some are to blame but all in all that's what it seemed to end on - just being a puppet with a misguided and poorly worded agenda.
I seem to remember so many instances of hearing "The president has returned from his vacation home in Crawford, TX to address the situation." ... I think one night on the town is OK.
What trite, divisive, opinionated, childish and primitive people the republican party. For being such avidly self professed and devout Christians by statement, they sure do have a penchant to criticize before minding their own follies. They truly do build their own case against themselves.