I'm sure you will agree that those dollars spent are acceptable. The country's leader should be there.

I didn't have a problem with Bush being there, just as I don't have a problem with Obama going to Copenhagen to help Chicago's bid.

 

I do a have a problem with the hypocrisy that characterizes the criticism of Obama, when I never heard anything of the sort concerning the Bushes in Beijing.

I didn't have a problem with Bush being there, just as I don't have a problem with Obama going to Copenhagen to help Chicago's bid.

 

I do a have a problem with the hypocrisy that characterizes the criticism of Obama, when I never heard anything of the sort concerning the Bushes in Beijing.

:thumb:

 

I also like the sudden downplaying of the Olympics when Mitt Romney's claim to fame is that he oversaw the Olympics in Salt Lake City.

THE EGO HAS LANDED

WORLD REJECTS OBAMA

 

Headlines from Drudge

 

http://www.drudgereport.com

And what about the millions it cost for President Bush and the First Lady to attend the Summer Olympics in Beijing last year for several days?

 

Waste of money as well, some shouldn't be so quick to judge.

Waste of money as well, some shouldn't be so quick to judge.

 

 

Would you feel that way if Chicago had been selected as the site of the 2016 Olympics?

I think there is some faulty logic above.

 

Lets say the Obamas didn't go on this trip.

 

Would the Air Force captain/pilot not have been paid?

 

Would the Secret Service folks assigned to them not be paid?

 

Would the traveling press not be paid?

 

So what really was in the incremental expense? Fuel? Hotels? Don't forget that even these are probably already budgeted.

 

No it takes extra expense for secret service to travel to Europe several days in advance and scout out plans. You are just trying to defend it any way possible. The gas alone to fuel the plane would be more than most of us make in a year.

Would you feel that way if Chicago had been selected as the site of the 2016 Olympics?

 

Yes as someone pointed out it's actually costing cities tons of money to host this. The Chicago mayor in the past week also reneged on his promise to not tax city citizens extra to host this if they were chosen as well. I also don't think Chicago is America's best foot forward. They lead the country in teen murder rate, and just they other day we had to watch over and over as an honor student was beat to death there. I don't want that as our image to the world.

No it takes extra expense for secret service to travel to Europe several days in advance and scout out plans. You are just trying to defend it any way possible. The gas alone to fuel the plane would be more than most of us make in a year.

 

Does the Secret Service get overtime pay? I always thought they were salaried employees. If so, there is no extra expense as far as payroll.

 

So, I'm curious to know how your math works out that hotel/fuel/food add up to "millions."

Yes as someone pointed out it's actually costing cities tons of money to host this. The Chicago mayor in the past week also reneged on his promise to not tax city citizens extra to host this if they were chosen as well. I also don't think Chicago is America's best foot forward. They lead the country in teen murder rate, and just they other day we had to watch over and over as an honor student was beat to death there. I don't want that as our image to the world.

 

 

So, you didn't want the Olympics to come to Chicago, whether Obama was there or not?

 

And, what city would you prefer be the 'best foot foward' if the US decides to try for the 2020 games?

The only valid argument/debate is if the expense to host the games gets a good enough return on investment.

 

The rest is partisan politics.

Does the Secret Service get overtime pay? I always thought they were salaried employees. If so, there is no extra expense as far as payroll.

 

So, I'm curious to know how your math works out that hotel/fuel/food add up to "millions."

 

I have no idea exactly how they are paid, but I know logically it takes a lot of extra time and effort to plan trips like this at the last minute. I would venture to say overtime was probably involved, several planes, several motels. It wouldn't take much to add up to millions. If I remember correctly the Obama's spent a cool million just to go to New York for dinner and a show not to long ago. If it costs a million to get them to New York, I feel safe that Europe at the last minute would cost at least double.

"A stunning defeat for Obama"

 

Such quality journalism...

So, you didn't want the Olympics to come to Chicago, whether Obama was there or not?

 

And, what city would you prefer be the 'best foot foward' if the US decides to try for the 2020 games?

 

I have no idea, I would prefer one with less violence for sure. I'm not up on statistics enough to know where would be a safe place to have it. But it seems every time I turn on the tv something awful is happening in Chicago. It's a lovely place, I'll admit. I just don't like the idea of the world focusing in on it with all the gang violence and teen killings they are having recently.

The only valid argument/debate is if the expense to host the games gets a good enough return on investment.

 

The rest is partisan politics.

 

 

I guess a lot depends on defining ROI in this case.

 

There is one perspective that it would create a lot of jobs: Construction, design, food vendors, staffing, tourism affiliated business (hotels, etc), increased visitors to the attractions that are permanent, the revenues restaurants, gas stations and other sales bring in.

 

I believe the other thread said Chicago already have 15 or 16 of the venues required. I think the estimates for "an" Olympics would be innacurate to compare if only renovation were needed, rather than new-build.

 

Just some random thoughts.

I also should say I wasn't against the Obama's date, married couples need time out, and when your the President I understand it's not the easiest thing to plan. But if it cost that to go to New York, I'm sure Europe is more.