(10-01-2011 10:39 AM)Paul M Wrote:  

(10-01-2011 08:57 AM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-01-2011 08:51 AM)Mr. Peanut Wrote:  The cost of the meeting space was also included in the price.

Link?

He's wrong Steve.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22...76237.html

Quote:The IG's report allocates $4,200 for the muffins but also noted 15 gallons of complimentary coffee, 30 gallons of complimentary ice tea and 200 pieces of free fruit included in the overall price of $39,360.

Quote:they also got some free fruit and drinks.

As you can see, RWT is wrong also. The coffee, tea and fruit were free. Back to $16 for the muffins.

Good link Paul, but since when is something that's supposed to be "complimentary" included in the price? I thought complimentary meant "free." At least that's what my dictionary tells me. (but I guess in the business world nothing is really free - it's paid for ultimately by the copnsumer)

And if the cost of the conference cost just 2 cents more than the allowable limit then why is Biden charged with getting to the bottom of it? Is it because they know he'll f'ck it up or because this is so important that our #2 leader has to be involved?

So which is it? Nothing and we're wasting our VP's time? Or there's something to it and no one is 'fessing up?

The right-wingers around here are such hacks that they willingly use false stories to push their warped narrative. You'll never get a right-winger to admit they are wrong because in right-wing bizarro-world being wrong doesn't matter one bit. Facts and reality are completely unimportant to them. Pathetic, as usual.

(10-02-2011 07:05 PM)UM2001GRAD Wrote:  The right-wingers around here are such hacks that they willingly use false stories to push their warped narrative. You'll never get a right-winger to admit they are wrong because in right-wing bizarro-world being wrong doesn't matter one bit. Facts and reality are completely unimportant to them. Pathetic, as usual.

Warped narrative?

Two words: Global warming.

(10-02-2011 07:05 PM)UM2001GRAD Wrote:  The right-wingers around here are such hacks that they willingly use false stories to push their warped narrative. You'll never get a right-winger to admit they are wrong because in right-wing bizarro-world being wrong doesn't matter one bit. Facts and reality are completely unimportant to them. Pathetic, as usual.

The left wingers who believe a press release from a large corporation over a review by independent auditors are the gullible hacks. I thought corporations were evil and we couldn't trust them, but suddenly we can just believe anything they say and accept it as fact over what an independent third party tells us?

Again, you are showing your pathetic lack of real world experience and knowledge. No legitimate business would accept an invoice as they described. If the DoJ didn't even notice that an invoice that just said "Muffins" was actually for a full scale breakfast, tax, and gratuity, it kind of proves the point that they aren't really as scrutinizing their spending as they should be.

And we're still waiting for you libtards to address the $600K in even planning services and other absurdly high costs at the other conferences that were not addressed...

So how much is acceptable for a muffin in D.C.?

(10-02-2011 11:40 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  So how much is acceptable for a muffin in D.C.?

Surprisingly, the GSA actually has an answer for this. People 'on travel' should be able to find an entire breakfast for $12 in the DC area.

The IG says that the total cost per person at the reception was $14.74 – 2 cents over the allowable Justice Department limit.

(10-03-2011 09:19 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  The IG says that the total cost per person at the reception was $14.74 – 2 cents over the allowable Justice Department limit.

And Obama said that if I made under $250k my taxes wouldn't go up one single dime.

(10-03-2011 10:08 AM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 09:19 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  The IG says that the total cost per person at the reception was $14.74 – 2 cents over the allowable Justice Department limit.

And Obama said that if I made under $250k my taxes wouldn't go up one single dime.

I have no idea what that has to do with the IG, muffingate and this thread, but I make less than that and my income taxes have not gone up but have been reduced under Obama.

When the University of Texas can put on a CLE Presentation in Austin at the Four Seasons with a full sit down lunch of salad, entree, 2 veggies, bread, and beverage and only charge $20.00, you know something is wrong in DC.

(10-03-2011 12:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 10:08 AM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 09:19 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  The IG says that the total cost per person at the reception was $14.74 – 2 cents over the allowable Justice Department limit.

And Obama said that if I made under $250k my taxes wouldn't go up one single dime.

I have no idea what that has to do with the IG, muffingate and this thread, but I make less than that and my income taxes have not gone up but have been reduced under Obama.

It means that anyone can say anything even when it's no where near accurate.

I really don't see what the big deal is here. The average cost per person was probably put on just a few line items for easy accounting. Its not uncommon for a seminar to have a per person charge of $20+ for refreshments/meals. In the grand scheme of things this isn't where America should be focused. I mean who hasn't gone out to eat at a fancy restaurant on the company dime. This is no different except its our collective dime...I would rather discuss the riots on Wall St and how the Union thugs are backing those idiots.

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  I really don't see what the big deal is here. The average cost per person was probably put on just a few line items for easy accounting.

You've clearly never worked in accounting.

(10-03-2011 02:18 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 12:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 10:08 AM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 09:19 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  The IG says that the total cost per person at the reception was $14.74 – 2 cents over the allowable Justice Department limit.

And Obama said that if I made under $250k my taxes wouldn't go up one single dime.

I have no idea what that has to do with the IG, muffingate and this thread, but I make less than that and my income taxes have not gone up but have been reduced under Obama.

It means that anyone can say anything even when it's no where near accurate.

As John McClane said, "Welcome to the Party Pal!"

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  This is no different except its our collective dime...

Today it's a dime, tomorrow it's half a billion to a bogus solar cell plant.

Problem with people spending other people's money is that it doesn't stop at a dime.

(10-03-2011 02:25 PM)BlazerFan11 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  I really don't see what the big deal is here. The average cost per person was probably put on just a few line items for easy accounting.

You've clearly never worked in accounting.

Nope. I was making a blanket statement. I still don't see what the big deal is. I would like to know what the per person charge was.

(10-03-2011 02:27 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  This is no different except its our collective dime...

Today it's a dime, tomorrow it's half a billion to a bogus solar cell plant.

Problem with people spending other people's money is that it doesn't stop at a dime.

When I travel for business I take advantage of that to the MAX. Who doesn't?

(10-03-2011 02:31 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:27 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  This is no different except its our collective dime...

Today it's a dime, tomorrow it's half a billion to a bogus solar cell plant.

Problem with people spending other people's money is that it doesn't stop at a dime.

When I travel for business I take advantage of that to the MAX. Who doesn't?

People whose incomes vary based on the bottom line. Of course, no gov't entity ever has an incentive to cut costs.

(10-03-2011 02:46 PM)BlazerFan11 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:31 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:27 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  This is no different except its our collective dime...

Today it's a dime, tomorrow it's half a billion to a bogus solar cell plant.

Problem with people spending other people's money is that it doesn't stop at a dime.

When I travel for business I take advantage of that to the MAX. Who doesn't?

People whose incomes vary based on the bottom line. Of course, no gov't entity ever has an incentive to cut costs.

Very few people if any on this board or in the nation for that matter can spend enough money on a business trip to affect the bottom line of their organization. I think this entire argument is petty. Granted the Government spends too much money and this is just one example but its a SMALL one. There are bigger fish to fry. We all know what those are.

(10-03-2011 02:55 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:46 PM)BlazerFan11 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:31 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:27 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(10-03-2011 02:23 PM)ImMoreAwesomeThanYou Wrote:  This is no different except its our collective dime...

Today it's a dime, tomorrow it's half a billion to a bogus solar cell plant.

Problem with people spending other people's money is that it doesn't stop at a dime.

When I travel for business I take advantage of that to the MAX. Who doesn't?

People whose incomes vary based on the bottom line. Of course, no gov't entity ever has an incentive to cut costs.

Very few people if any on this board or in the nation for that matter can spend enough money on a business trip to affect the bottom line of their organization. I think this entire argument is petty. Granted the Government spends too much money and this is just one example but its a SMALL one. There are bigger fish to fry. We all know what those are.

It's not the $ amount that's important, it's more the attitude. When you have an incentive to save on non-critical spending, you do so. When you don't have an incentive, you don't, and it can add up. Sure, it's just $600K "event planning services" here, a few million there, but when you take the aggregate of all the money that is wasted across the vast expanse of bureaucracy in DC, it's a staggering amount. But I guess we should just let it go because it's not a big deal by itself.