Mueller Often Uses FBI Jet Bought for Counterterrorism

[cal04]

Source: Washington Post

When the FBI asked Congress this spring to provide $3.6 million in the war spending bill for its Gulfstream V jet, it said the money was needed to ensure that the aircraft, packed with state-of-the-art security and communications gear, could continue to fly counterterrorism agents on "crucial missions" into Iraq.

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the bureau has made similar annual requests to maintain and fuel the $40 million jet on grounds that it had a "tremendous impact" on combating terrorism by rapidly deploying FBI agents to "fast-moving investigations and crisis situations" in places such as Afghanistan.

But the jet that the FBI originally sold to lawmakers in the late 1990s as an essential tool for battling terrorism is now routinely used to ferry FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III to speeches, public appearances and field office visits.

In fact, Mueller's travel now accounts for nearly a quarter of the flight time for the lone FBI jet able to make international flights.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061102321.html

[Erika]

1. All in the name of national security

What a bunch of BS by this elitist administration.

[OnyxCollie]

2. Do you think Mueller was dreaming of this jet

while he was ignoring the agent in Phoenix and Special Agent Harry Samit when they were trying to warn him of the 9/11 attacks?

[Tatiana]

3. If he is not conducting official FBI or counterterrorism business, he should be forced to reimburse

the government. Period. They need to audit his travel.

[Bleys]

4. Jet intended to fight terror being used to ferry FBI director to speeches

Source: Raw Story (advance of Washington Post)

"When the FBI asked Congress this spring to provide $3.6 million in the war spending bill for its Gulfstream V jet, it said the money was needed to ensure that the aircraft, packed with state-of-the-art security and communications gear, could continue to fly counterterrorism agents on "crucial missions" into Iraq," begins John Solomon in Tuesday editions of The Washington Post, according to copy provided to RAW STORY.

"But the jet that the FBI originally sold to lawmakers in the late 1990s as an essential tool for battling terrorism is now routinely used to ferry FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III to speeches, public appearances and field office visits."

DEVELOPING...

Read more: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Jet_intended_to_fight_terror_being_0611.html

[Eugene]

5. Aw hell! If the HHS secretary can use a CDC plane for PR travel, why not the FBI chief?

This is the Bush administration, isn't it?
Big perks for the big bosses are standard
operating procedure.

Once upon a time, Repubs spoke out for
limited, responsible government...

Ha! :eyes:

[williesgirl]

6. These creeps never cease to amaze me at their deceipt etc. recommended

[Kiouni]

7. Make Mueller pay it back!

That will make them think next time before they steal taxpayers money.

[Javaman]

15. And so it goes.

does any of this shit surprise us anymore?

Come one HLS is the biggest sham in the world and all the other alphabet agencies have become a parody of themselves.

[Lasher]

8. Pelosi's jet request met with partisan bickering

February 8, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Republicans and conservative talk-show hosts continued Wednesday to take issue with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request for access to a larger Air Force plane than one used by her predecessor, Dennis Hastert.

Pelosi, D-Calif., has expressed concern about the viability of the C-20 used by Hastert, R-Ill., whose district is 1,300 miles closer to Washington, D.C., than her district.

<snip>

Florida Rep. Adam Putnam, the No. 3 Republican leader, said he supports giving House speakers access to airplanes with secure communications. But he called Pelosi's desire for a large transport "an extravagance of power that the taxpayers won't swallow."

Some Republicans have argued that Pelosi could offer trips to top political donors. Pentagon guidelines say she could be accompanied by family members, if they pay the government coach fare, but that the plane could not be used for political travel.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2003562022_pelosi08.html

[Aviation Pro]

9. Ironic isn't it....

...that the third most powerful individual in the U.S., who is authorized to have a plane at her disposal, is roosterpecked by Republican Chickenhawks over the use of the plane while an un-elected bureaucrat is given carte blanche over the use of a tax-payer funded asset.

I's tell you, the only way to get these assholes attention is to fuck with their cash.

[peacetalksforall]

12. I wonder if he carries Congresspeople such as Boehner when he's

going their way?

[Lasher]

16. Now that's a good question.

Didn't Elmer Cheney take Quack Quack Scalia along on a duck hunting trip in his taxpayer-provided plane right before the SCOTUS decision that the secret energy task force records didn't have to be released? I think Air Force Two is named the bigot express or something like that.

And check it out, Pelosi has been up front about what she intended to do. Mueller didn't tell Congress he was going to use the FBI plane to taxi himself around the country to spread propaganda.

[Roland99]

10. Well, he needs to go after those "Criminal Minds" and he needs a jet like Agent Gideon

[MADem]

11. Well, he couldn't be outdone by FORMER Attorney General Ashcroft, now, could he?

After all, AG Ashcroft was using a private jet almost a full year before "Nahn Wun Wun Changed Ever-thang" if we recall.

You can't expect the Fearless Leaders of BushCo to put their well-fatted asses on the plain cloth seats of the average BUSINESS CLASS section of a public airplane, after all!! Why, they KNOW those things aren't SAFE!!!!! If it ain't shoe bombers, it's shampoo and mouthwash mixers, or...worst of all, asshole attorneys with TB!!!

Yes, these BushCo operatives need nothing less than fine Corinthian leather, a private plane where the no smoking light NEVER goes on, and a well-stocked bar full of first class booze.

Geez, this baastid has been EVERYWHERE on his little taxpayer-funded terra toy!



Mueller's Travels
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III has flown a $40 million Gulfstream V jet that is dedicated to counterterrorism work to more than three dozen locations in the past five years. Mueller's destinations include 22 cities around the United States, and 16 abroad. The FBI acquired the aircraft in 2001 for the narrow mission of moving terrorism suspects anywhere in the world on short notice, but Mueller's trips now account for nearly a quarter of its use.
The Washington Post - June 12, 2007

[ElboRuum]

13. Apparently, the jacuzzi's pump has failed again.

They can be so dodgy sometimes.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

14. What a SCUMBAG.

NT

[hootinholler]

17. Can't the CIA help him out?

I understand they have a fleet of jets to transport people.

-Hoot