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A Day Off
Author: TriSec
Date: 08/10/2013 12:11:05
Good Morning.
Well, it's August. We've got birthday weekend around these parts, and it's still peak vacation season for many folks around here. While I went away to summer camp back in July, August is actually the warm-water season on the seacoast, and traffic nightmares abound for those trying to get out of the city and head for the coast.
One of the more privileged locations to vacation around here is the faire isle of Martha's Vineyard. While the Kennedy clan preferred the mainland at Hyannis, many Wall Street elites and other power brokers prefer the somewhat isolated retreat about 12 miles off the coast.
Of course, that includes the President. He doesn't actually own property there, but instead imposes on the good graces ofrich campaign donors his friends and supporters to spend a few days lounging in the surf.
But of course...no president can ever truly "vacation". Should anything truly bad happen, there's all his support staff, instant satellite communication anywhere in the world, and an airport big enough to take Air Force One within 20 minute's drive from anywhere on the island.
So, with Congress in recess, the Supreme court out until October, Washington the steaming and opressive city that it can become in August, it's time to cue the right-wing outrage, right?
Of course, I actually know people that are seasonal workers in the hospitality industry on both the Vineyard and Nantucket; this is their Christmas, and the more folks come to the island for actual vacation, or to celebrity-watch, the better...but I digress.
Maybe a little dose of truth will help settle your right-wing friends' Obama Derangement Syndrome for the day.
Of course, since I got laid off right after Obama became president, I have taken precisely 1 trip (to Scout Camp) and have now had one week off with pay, so your mileage may vary. (Not including surgeries and treatment, but as I had limited ET a year ago, much of that was actually unpaid.)
Have a good weekend...but don't let the GOP find out!
Well, it's August. We've got birthday weekend around these parts, and it's still peak vacation season for many folks around here. While I went away to summer camp back in July, August is actually the warm-water season on the seacoast, and traffic nightmares abound for those trying to get out of the city and head for the coast.
One of the more privileged locations to vacation around here is the faire isle of Martha's Vineyard. While the Kennedy clan preferred the mainland at Hyannis, many Wall Street elites and other power brokers prefer the somewhat isolated retreat about 12 miles off the coast.
Of course, that includes the President. He doesn't actually own property there, but instead imposes on the good graces of
But of course...no president can ever truly "vacation". Should anything truly bad happen, there's all his support staff, instant satellite communication anywhere in the world, and an airport big enough to take Air Force One within 20 minute's drive from anywhere on the island.
So, with Congress in recess, the Supreme court out until October, Washington the steaming and opressive city that it can become in August, it's time to cue the right-wing outrage, right?
President Obama and his family head off on their fourth summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, prompting the usual chorus of attacks from right-wing pundits.
Utah Rep. Chris Stewart said the president’s vacation to upscale Martha’s Vineyard is “tone deaf” because much of the country is still struggling economically, taking a page directly from the Sarah Palin script, who used the same language to hit Obama for his 2011 visit.
“Most of the people in my district could never afford to visit Martha’s Vineyard, and those who could would feel uncomfortable vacationing in a place that has a reputation for being for the elite,” Stewart told USAToday.
“When there are so many people out there looking for jobs and Americans are struggling to make ends meet, this sends the wrong message to people who are struggling to survive,” Diana Waterman, chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, added.
The right-wing media has been working on this line of attack for most of the week.
Sean Hannity accused the president of “living a pretty extravagant lifestyle” on Tuesday’s program. He and a conservative guest lashed out at a Democratic strategist guest who pointed out that President Bush had logged far more vacation time by the same point in his presidency. Their counter argument? Because Bush vacationed at his ranch in Crawford, Tx., clearing brush, chopping wood, and staying in contact, it wasn’t really a vacation.
Bush, it’s worth noting, was no fan of the Vineyard, saying back in 2002, ”Most Americans don’t sit in Martha’s Vineyard, swilling white wine.”
White House Spokesman Jay Carney said during Thursday’s press briefing that Obama would be working at least part time during his vacation as well.
“The president very much looks forward to being able to spend a few days with his family, and it also remains the case that wherever he is, he’s President of the United States and will be dedicating a portion of his day to being briefed and working on all the issues that are on the table in front of him,” he said.
Of course, I actually know people that are seasonal workers in the hospitality industry on both the Vineyard and Nantucket; this is their Christmas, and the more folks come to the island for actual vacation, or to celebrity-watch, the better...but I digress.
Maybe a little dose of truth will help settle your right-wing friends' Obama Derangement Syndrome for the day.
—14: Number of vacation trips taken by Obama since he took office in January 2009.
—92: Number of days, all or in part, Obama has spent on vacation.
—57: Number of vacation trips taken by Bush at this same point in his presidency.
—50: Number of visits Bush made to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
—323: Number of days, all or in part, Bush spent at the ranch.
—7: Number of trips Bush made to his family’s compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.
—26: Number of days, all or in part, Bush spent in Maine.
Of course, since I got laid off right after Obama became president, I have taken precisely 1 trip (to Scout Camp) and have now had one week off with pay, so your mileage may vary. (Not including surgeries and treatment, but as I had limited ET a year ago, much of that was actually unpaid.)
Have a good weekend...but don't let the GOP find out!
Comments:
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Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 08/10/2013 18:31:50
trojanrabbit on 08/10/2013 18:31:50
Hannity's panties must be really bunched now that he may be losing his prime-time slot on Fox Spews. As for the other Republitards, they aren't happy unless they're whining.
Anyway, I took a little advantage of the "sales tax holiday" here in the Commonwealth. Initially I wanted to get one of those Roku players so I could watch Netflix in the bedroom without having to hold a Kindle in my hand. What ended up happening was a new TV found its way home in addition to the Roku. Which started a TV shuffle...
Old Bedroom 20" CRT (damn it's heavy) to the front door and eventually OUT.
32" LCD from living room to bedroom (fits on top of the hutch with about 1 inch to spare)
New 32" TV in living room.
And I get my DTV converter box back so I can has TV in the computer room.
Roku set itself up without a hassle. Just a little annoyed that the first channel listed in its news offerings is ..... Faux Spews. And right under it .... The Blaze. Jezus H Fucking Christ tapdancing on a cracker.
Oh..... I noticed that last night the Patriots 2nd string QB took a hit near the end of the half, so Tim Tebow got to play the 2nd half. And SUCKED. Let's see, he's already gotten rid of 2 tight ends and he's working on the 2nd string QB.
Anyway, I took a little advantage of the "sales tax holiday" here in the Commonwealth. Initially I wanted to get one of those Roku players so I could watch Netflix in the bedroom without having to hold a Kindle in my hand. What ended up happening was a new TV found its way home in addition to the Roku. Which started a TV shuffle...
Old Bedroom 20" CRT (damn it's heavy) to the front door and eventually OUT.
32" LCD from living room to bedroom (fits on top of the hutch with about 1 inch to spare)
New 32" TV in living room.
And I get my DTV converter box back so I can has TV in the computer room.
Roku set itself up without a hassle. Just a little annoyed that the first channel listed in its news offerings is ..... Faux Spews. And right under it .... The Blaze. Jezus H Fucking Christ tapdancing on a cracker.
Oh..... I noticed that last night the Patriots 2nd string QB took a hit near the end of the half, so Tim Tebow got to play the 2nd half. And SUCKED. Let's see, he's already gotten rid of 2 tight ends and he's working on the 2nd string QB.