Security Costs Result In Obama Cancelling Safari Trip

[Tx4obama]

Last edited Fri Jun 14, 2013, 12:51 AM - Edit history (1)

NOTE: The canceled safari was only one small part of the whole trip - he is NOT going overseas for vacation.
The price tag noted under the photo on the WaPo article was the estimated cost of the WHOLE TRIP to several sub-Saharan Africa countries where he will be holding bi-lateral meetings - meetings that are part of his JOB.

Security Costs Result In Obama Cancelling Safari Trip

Every time he goes on vacation he’s criticized by the right for spending money on his down time. Now he’s cancelling a safari because of the cost of security. Will he be applauded for it?

Any journey by the president, such as one scheduled next week for Northern Ireland and Germany, is an immense and costly logistical challenge. But the trip to Africa is complicated by a confluence of factors that could make it one of the most expensive of Obama’s tenure, according to people familiar with the planning.

The first family is making back-to-back stops from June 26 to July 3 in three countries where U.S. officials are providing nearly all the resources, rather than depending heavily on local police forces, military authorities or hospitals for assistance.

The president and first lady had also planned to take a Tanzanian safari as part of the trip, which would have required the president’s special counterassault team to carry sniper rifles with high-caliber rounds that could neutralize cheetahs, lions or other animals if they became a threat, according to the planning document.

But officials said Thursday that the safari had been canceled in favor of a trip to Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner.

-snip-

http://www.alan.com/2013/06/13/security-costs-result-in-obama-cancelling-safari-trip/

Longer three page article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-trip-to-africa-poses-special-challenges-enormous-costs/2013/06/13/29d9270a-cd29-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html

[NightWatcher]

1. There are right wing animals in Tanzania?

And the secret service would need to protect him from radical cheetahs, lions, etc? Geez I didn't know they got faux news in Africa.

[msongs]

2. while Americans go hungry he wants to go on an african safari not related to his job? whatta guy n

[Tx4obama]

3. If you read the article you'll see he canceled the safari due to the cost.

Let's all never ever take another vacation until there is no longer any hunger at all in the world.

[Lasher]

4. That's gonna leave a mark.

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. A vacation that might cost between SIXTY MILLION and ONE HUNDRED MILLION dollars?

The last one I took was pretty awesome, but I don't think I'll be doing it again. That's a lot of money. These days I'm limited to about 9 days in my RV for about a grand.

How many fucking hungry people would SIXTY MILLION to ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS feed?

This is the most tone-deaf thing I've ever heard of in my life. In the middle of Sequester, the President is going to take a $60,000,000 vacation. Who gives a FUCK whether he goes on safari or not at that price?

ETA: the cost came directly from the story you linked.

[Tx4obama]

7. CANCELING a trip is not being tone-deaf. n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. He didn't cancel the fucking trip. He cancelled the SAFARI part of it. n/t

[JI7]

10. Republicans in Congress should support the things Obama wants

Obama not going on a trip does not mean that money will go towards the hungry.

just like the crap about having to finish the food on your plate because of some hungry kid in china.

[Tx4obama]

11. He is going on the 'trip' for bilateral meetings. That part cannot be canceled.

The safari part of the trip that was canceled was the 'personal' part.

All Presidents travel to foreign countries on BUSINESS - it is part of their job!

[newmember]

13. What are the meetings about in Africa?

I didn't see it in the article.

[Tx4obama]

15. Info below

May 20, 2013

Obama to visit Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania from June 26 to July 3, the White House announced on Monday. The Obamas spent one emotionally charged day in Ghana in July 2009—the president's only other visit to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office.

"The president will reinforce the importance that the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including through expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions; and investing in the next generation of African leaders," press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.

"The president will meet with a wide array of leaders from government, business, and civil society, including youth, to discuss our strategic partnerships on bilateral and global issues," Carney said, adding that "the trip will underscore the President’s commitment to broadening and deepening cooperation between the United States and the people of sub-Saharan Africa to advance regional and global peace and prosperity."

-snip-

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-visit-senegal-south-africa-tanzania-203546237.html

May 20, 2013

Obama to visit South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will visit three African nations this summer.

The White House says the president and first lady Michelle Obama will leave on June 26, stopping in Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. Obama will meet with government figures as well as leaders from the business, civil society and youth communities.

-snip-

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/obama-visit-south-africa-senegal-tanzania

[newmember]

16. thanks , I found it

waste of money

[newmember]

14. never mind I found it

President Obama will hold bilateral meetings and will seek to forge stronger economic ties with leaders in Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania



That's a 100 million dollars well spent

[JI7]

9. people are not going hungry because of any safari or any other trip

[Tx4obama]

12. You read the article WRONG. That is not the cost of the safari.

That amount is the total cost of the WHOLE TRIP to several sub-Saharan Africa countries where he will be holding bi-lateral meetings: Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania.

[newmember]

18. I don't know about how many people it could feed but 100 million could sure hire a few more teachers

[Cha]

6. thanks for the news, Tx. Glad the Obamas get to go to Africa..

[BlueCheese]

17. I'm sure this is all standard practice when a president travels.

Perhaps the Secret Service is a little overcautious (a counterassault team to deal with rogue animals?). It's too bad the Obamas won't be able to enjoy a vacation because of it.