$65 for a cup of coffee? What about airport security?

[Catt03]

Report: Transportation Security Agency gave managers lavish party, generous bonuses

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/10/14/tsa.party/

WASHINGTON -- Three balloon arches: $1,486.

Seven cakes: $1,850.

One party planner: $85,552.

That's what a government anti-terrorism agency spent last year for an awards ceremony at a lavish Washington hotel, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.

http://www.rockdalecitizen.net/sc/archive/2004/5885.htm

While Americans probably thought the new federal Transportation Security Administration specialized only in airport security, they may be surprised to learn the agency’s expertise extends to party planning — in fact, really big parties for themselves.
When members of Congress created the agency within the new Homeland Security Department about three years ago, they probably didn’t have in mind a half-million-dollar congratulatory event two years later.
Such an affair at one of Washington’s most lavish hotels, in which almost 600 federal employees and an equal number of guests attended, is a gross abuse of taxpayer dollars.
It’s difficult to imagine, especially considering all the mistakes that have been found in airport security since TSA took charge, anyone with two feet on the ground would think a big party that included almost $200,000 for travel and lodging would be appropriate on the occasion of the agency’s second anniversary.
And imagine the mind-set of people who would come up with the idea of a “lifetime achievement award” for an employee with the 2-year-old agency.

[frylock]

1. lavish parties, and groping women's tits under the guise of security..

welcome to the TSA. :eyes:

[politicat]

2. And they call US fiscally irresponsible....

sigh...

:eyes:

[shraby]

3. Instead of TSA it might better be called

T&A

[oscar111]

4. Set-up job by rove--98% odds

just like the welfare queen in the Waldorf Astoria during reagan.

TSA party done so rove can write,
"government only wastes your taxes,... we must really cut taxes."

I leave 2% odds, because there really are some dummies around.

[nosmokes]

5. it's the trial lawyers! and the unions! and the

terrists!

it's hard work.