The * Normandy photo-op - Cost to US taxpayers: $30 million!

[charlie105]

Yes folks, the D-Day remembrance ceremony in Normandy cost us $30 million, including a custom-built platform at $100,000. And the kicker: the US had to pay France $6 million in taxes for building permanent structures on their land!

Now, I do not grudge the veterans their due, but is there anyone out there that believes that this was not a stage for * to coddle up to the French and other EU 'allies' to seek help in salvaging the mess in Iraq.

As per the NY Daily News:

"White House aides advancing President Bush's Normandy visit ordered the Pentagon to erect a $100,000 platform for his entry into a U.S. military cemetery."

"In addition, White House staffers demanded that bleachers erected for several thousand spectators be torn down, limiting the number of guests who could attend the event. "Some 25-year-old White House kid thought they weren't esthetically pleasing," one administration official complained."

"The expensive choreography was a drop in the bucket compared with the overall cost of the U.S. government's participation in D-Day celebrations in France - estimated at $30 million by knowledgeable officials."

More at:
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/203374p-175359c.html

[Hubert Flottz]

1. Tax and spend GOPers are stealing us blind!

Bush is a disaster that this country will NEVER out live!

[Virginian]

2. Platform?

"White House aides advancing President Bush's Normandy visit ordered the Pentagon to erect a $100,000 platform for his entry into a U.S. military cemetery."

Why couldn't he walk through the gate like the rest of us mortals?

Is this another one of those "the president's feet must not come into contact with the dirt on the ground"?


""In addition, White House staffers demanded that bleachers erected for several thousand spectators be torn down, limiting the number of guests who could attend the event. "Some 25-year-old White House kid thought they weren't esthetically pleasing," one administration official complained."

"Complained"? Isn't that being disloyal? (sarcasm)

Some of those who went to Normandy couldn't even get in for the ceremonies because the stands were too ugly? (indignanation)
The surviving octogenarians and septuagenarians who found 'standing room only,' were able to stand during the ceremonies rather than sit - all because some kid (most likely with good health) thought the stands were ugly?
Who were the ceremonies supposed to be for?

[Rainbowreflect]

3. Would that money have not been better spent actually helping

our vets & our current troops?