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Name: |
MartiniMan
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Subject: |
Obama trip to India-$200M per day?!?!
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Date:
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11/2/2010 2:44:18 PM
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As reported by the media in India the upcoming Obama trip to India (the one done while numerous Dems will be clearing out their offices) will cost the U.S. $200M per day. That simply cannot be correct and if it is we should be outraged. Apparently his entourage totals 3,000 people but I just can't believe direct costs and reimbursement of the Indian government will cost this much. I do believe the figure of $12.5M for air travel alone. Why so many people? who are they? If it does, this trip should be canceled immediately.
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Name: |
lakngulf
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Subject: |
Obama trip to India-$200M per day?!?!
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Date:
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11/2/2010 3:09:22 PM
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Are those one-way plane tickets?
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Name: |
MartiniMan
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Subject: |
Oh you dreamer.......
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Date:
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11/2/2010 3:43:34 PM
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but I like the way you think........
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Name: |
Talullahhound
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Subject: |
I don't believe it
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Date:
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11/2/2010 4:31:40 PM
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As you may or may not know, we have been courting India for about 6 years as a strategic and national security partner. So I believe that he may have a number of people traveling with him for counterparts meetings, but 3,000 is a bit unrealistic. Don't forget, the US Embassy has to "host" all those people, and I know for a fact that our Embassy in India couldn't possibly handle that many visitors at one time. Most US Embassys do not permit more than a certain number of official visitors into a foreign country at one time, because ultimately, they are responsible for their security, support and must be a part of any official meetings that take place. They just don't allow people to show up and go off on their own. Additionally, they would not have more US people on the official party than Indians who would participate. It's just not good diplomatic form. Normally, there will be a focus to a trip -- say, promoting US business and strategic trade; or national security. A few years ago, there was a number of sub-groups formed as part of our overall strategy to increase our relationship with India, and it's not out of the question that a 100 people would be on the trip to participate, but 3,000? No way. Even with advance teams, and pre-negotiation meeting, I doubt there would be 3,000 people. I doubt that even combing the effort of every government working on India or Inidan issues would total 3,000 people.
And $300M a day? I don't think so. Now, are we about to offer India a $300M dollar "package" of some sort of cooperation? That seems entirely likely. Whenever the President travels, there is always something for him to put on the table, usually in exchange for something we're wanting. In the case of India, it wouldn't surprise me to know that the "package" was about $1B.
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Name: |
lotowner
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Subject: |
I don't believe it
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Date:
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11/2/2010 5:18:27 PM
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One thing that we are forgetting. First, Obama will justify this expenditure of $200M per day on a trip to India is a proven method to help the economy of this country. Remember what Pelosi said. Increasing the number of people on food stamps will create jobs and is good for the economy. I'm sure that Obama is in compliance with this new theory in Economics. This administration is able to do magic with numbers.
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Name: |
Talullahhound
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Subject: |
I don't believe it
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Date:
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11/2/2010 8:27:34 PM
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Have you no interest in logic? Or are you just excited by some half assed story?
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Name: |
muddauber
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Subject: |
I don't believe it
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Date:
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11/2/2010 8:30:28 PM
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Forgot which online news it was on, but the WH has booked the entire Taj Mahal for this visit.
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Name: |
MartiniMan
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Subject: |
I don't believe it
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Date:
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11/2/2010 8:57:39 PM
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I agree with you on both counts. They were saying the trip will involve a total of 40 aircraft. Assuming 200 seats per plane and discounting the planes used to carry equipment if that number of aircraft is correct it is possible to have that many but it all boggles the mind. As for the $200M per day that supposedly includes the direct cost of the U.S. travelers and reimbursement of India for its cost. Still not conceivable to me but what is more telling is that so far the administration hasn't said a word about it. I assume they are otherwise occupied and will get around to respond if this has legs.
Assuming it is correct (and I agree with you that it seems highly unlikely) would that not be outrageous?
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Name: |
lotowner
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Subject: |
I don't believe it
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Date:
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11/2/2010 9:02:59 PM
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Aw, come on TH! Can't you take a "yoke"!
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Name: |
Talullahhound
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Subject: |
If it were true
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Date:
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11/2/2010 10:37:39 PM
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it would be beyond outrageous.
I'm not familiar with the concept of "reimbursing" a foreign government for our visit, because so many of these visits are "reciprocal", but I guess in the case of the President, it's possible we're picking up the tab for additional security.
India has not been eager to embrace the US, at least not as eager as we would like them to be. I think this is because they offer us much more than we can really offer them. There is probably some technology and some intelligence they would like to get from us.
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Name: |
Talullahhound
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Subject: |
Just saw an article about his trip
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Date:
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11/3/2010 4:14:50 PM
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He's not just going to India, he's also going to Indonesia and other East Asian countries. And funny, they are staying at the Taj Mahal hotel, but not the actual Taj Mahal. LOL.
The article I read didn't say anything about the cost.
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Name: |
MAJ USA RET
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Subject: |
Just saw an article about his trip
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Date:
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11/3/2010 5:08:39 PM
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Hmmm... I heard that $200M price for the India trip repeated again last night during election coverage. It wasn't a commentator... and, I don't recall who said it. Seems excessive.
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