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Political Hay
Bolling, Hannity, Trump Battle for ‘#Open Our WH’
Carney doesn’t reveal White House is a museum funded by private contributions.
(Page 3 of 4)
She succeeded in getting legislation passed — again from Schlesinger’s memoir A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House (with my bold for emphasis) — “designating the White House as a museum and enabling it to receive gifts.”
That’s right. The White House — officially — is a museum. It is decidedly not your average government building that only receives public funding — funding that is subject to the sequester. It isn’t the Transportation Department or the Education Department or any other government building.
This lovely loophole created by Jacqueline Kennedy herself is called the White House Historical Association. And how is it funded? Here’s the Association itself, again my bold print for emphasis:
The White House Historical Association is a charitable nonprofit institution whose purpose is to enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. To fulfill its purpose, the White House Historical Association produces educational literature and films, develops special programs, and maintains this website interpreting the White House and its history and the persons and events associated with it. From private funding and the sale of its educational products, the Association supports the acquisition of artwork and objects for the White House collection and contributes to the conservation of the public rooms.
In other words, this group, which already operates within the White House itself and was specifically created to do so, is able to legally receive gifts of money from private citizens — like Donald Trump. Like Eric Bolling. Like Sean Hannity.
Now.
What was it that Jay Carney said concerning the Secret Service? He said this:
“The Secret Service, like other agencies of government is affected by the sequester…. And the Secret Service presented options that ranged from canceling tours to potential furloughs….”
The magic word Carney said without knowing he said it? That would be: “furloughs.”
The Obama administration’s own Office of Management and Budget explains that the sequester deals with furloughs in this way:
A shutdown furlough (also called an emergency furlough) occurs when there is a lapse in appropriations, and can occur at the beginning of a fiscal year, if no funds have been appropriated for that year, or upon expiration of a continuing resolution, if a new continuing resolution or appropriations law is not passed. In a shutdown furlough, an affected agency would have to shut down any activities funded by annual appropriations that are not excepted by law. Typically, an agency will have very little to no lead time to plan and implement a shutdown furlough.
Got that?
Translation: The sequester qualifies as a “shutdown furlough” or “emergency furlough” because there is no money appropriated. However: “In a shutdown furlough, an affected agency would have to shut down any activities funded by annual appropriations that are not excepted by law.”
The White House Historical Association, as noted by the Association itself, and in accordance with Jackie Kennedy’s goal, gets it money from “private funding and the sale of its educational products.”
Which is to say, the Association itself — run by a board currently chaired by former Reagan aide Fred Ryan and including former presidential aides and the historian Michael Beschloss (it’s website here) — can accept money from private individuals and then use that money to hire employees like… furloughed federal workers. Federal workers like those 37 uniformed Secret Service officers who are paid $50 an hour for 40 hours a week to secure the tour’s route through the East Wing for a total sequestered cost of about $2 million.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (35) | Leave a comment
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Joellen| 3.12.13 @ 7:39AM
Thank you once again Mr. Lord, doing a service of reporting that we havn't gotten and may never get again (in our life time) from the main stream media. Mainstream media = useless idiots.
Special thanks to Eric Bolling, who orchastrated this project - without any histrionics, self grandiose (ala Bill Oreilly) - but with one objective, that of revealing to Americans yet another example of how truly loathsome the obama administration is.
Maybe all of our groups, Tea Party, NRA, Americans for Prosperty, etc., should organize a Rally at the White House and remind obama & co. who OWNS the house that held esteemed men like Presidents Washington & Reagan.
Just saying.
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 10:03AM
Big Contest, this weekend. We're going LEGIT.
We'll be on Ross Kaminsky's Blog (I know what you're thinking: "Why that Blog? I accidentally went there once, and I was there all by myself. I thought I heard noises. And, I could feel eyes on me, like somebody was watching me from the shadows.")
Come on. Now, you just sound crazy. I went there yesterday. It wasn't so bad. There was plenty of parking. I don't think I saw a single Line for anything while I was there. And I was able to get on all of the Rides, no problem. Besides.......Ross was more than kind enough to Host us, and I think that we should be just a wee bit more appreciative, don't you? (I wonder how much they'll pay me?)
Anywho.........What was Jeffrey prattling on, about?
Oh, right. Obama's a Lying Puke Bucket, who'll stop at nothing to Fundamentally Transform this Country into every other place on the planet that's being "Led" by someone just like him, thus turning it into every Major City in every Blue State, Half of the Southern Hemisphere, Most of Europe, and all of Africa.
Another Dog bites Man Story.
gene| 3.12.13 @ 10:37AM
The MainStream Media and the "Powers" behind the throne pull the strings. President Obama already has enough in his closet for an impeachment. However, that will not happen as long as he does what he is told. When are you going to realize that it is not Obama that is in charge. If he defies these people, THEN we will see the media turn against him, the lesislators start the impeachment process, and then......... what? President Joseph Biden? Out of the frying pan and into the volcano? I think not. Unless there is a repetition of the 1970's whne Agnew went first.
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:02PM
gene. We have a very important Contest this weekend on Ross Kaminsky's Blog, on the right hand side of the Home Page.
Be there, or be aware.
alice921| 3.17.13 @ 4:03PM
Its definitely the most-financially rewarding Ive ever done. Make money with Google. last monday I got a new Alfa Romeo from bringing in $7778. I started this 9-months ago and practically straight away started making more than $83... per hour. I work through this link, http://tw.gs/YbVcey
Stephie| 3.12.13 @ 7:57AM
Great idea Joellen. I've been thinking for some time that another million person march by conservative and democrats alike who are sick to death of this spoiled brat administration. Thing is, it would have to be on the Capital as they won't give a permit for a march on the White House. I say, keep calling your Rep. and you Senator, even visit their offices if you're in DC and show them this information. I none of them really have the time to make an issue of this though. It's just another example of the petulant sickening behavior by this president.
So glad though they were able to have lipsyncing Beyonce there for moochell's birthday tho. So glad they can spend the money on trivial things such as this.
God, what a mess.
Jacob McCandles| 3.12.13 @ 9:10AM
I took my kids by the white house the other day. They could not hear the tour guide because a man kept shouting "the only god is allah." He was holding a large sign that I could not read. Then he sat on the street and washed his feet with bottles of water. My son wanted to know why this piece of garbage was not removed for disturbing the peace.
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 10:04AM
Why didn't someone tell John Brennan to STFU?
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:25AM
0 + 0 = 0
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:17PM
Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows.
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:09PM
0 x 0 = 0
Vance P. Frickey| 3.14.13 @ 7:59AM
lol... but seriously, folks, John Brennan in his previous incarnation as National Security Advisor to President Obama was always calling Jerusalem "al Quds" (video example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wglrLBqYxQ)
Is this REALLY the fellow we need to give top-level access to every human-access piece of intelligence product CIA produces? The man who could, if he chose, go beyond David Petraeus's accomplishments in maintaining Allen Dulles's tradition of womanizing CIA directors - to following in MI5/KGB's Roger Hollis's footsteps, betraying Western intelligence from within?
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.12.13 @ 7:59AM
The White House tour stunt will save two million this fiscal year. The Obama golf game with Tiger Woods cost the American taxpayers 1 million dollars.
In the meantime Secretary of State John Kerry gave the Muslim Brotherhood running Egypt $250,000,000.
Oh, the sanctity of priorities.
__________________________________
“How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think”
― Adolf Hitler
c. j. acworth| 3.12.13 @ 8:29AM
I've said before, I hope Obama keeps it up. He'll look more petty and vindictive every day.
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 10:05AM
Careful what ya wish for, pal.
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:24AM
0 + 0 = 0
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:18PM
Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:09PM
0 x 0 = 0
Pecos Pete| 3.12.13 @ 8:44AM
Mr. Lord: Excellent.
King O's administration is run by 20 year old interns. Facts mean nothing. Laws are there to be broken. The Constitution is simply a scrap of paper. Rule by Executive Order is their way.
Transform America Now! Forward!
Von Mises Jr| 3.12.13 @ 8:50AM
But little barry and Moochelle do not believe that this is the "People's House." They believe that they are like King and Queen of the House of Bourbon. Louis XIV through XVI had accumulated great works of art in France while the bourgeoisie and serfs were taxed into poverty and without access to the nation’s wealth.
But this is no surprise since it is also how the Marxist treats our oil and natural gas, as well as minerals, and they intend to do the same with farm land fisheries and water. They believe it belongs to the Ruling Class and the Country Class can go take a flying leap at a rolling donut.
Best as I can determine, Obama was re-elected with voter fraud that got him about 51% of the vote. I do not recall (Hillary's favorite line) seeing the Ballot on November 6th as "Vote here for King."
The real irony is that we have the First GLBT Couple that are both Queens. And petulant little Queens at that.
Mnestheus| 3.12.13 @ 9:02AM
The TAS masthead's take must surely exceed $74,000 a week in unmarked bills alone- cannot our saintly publisher be prevailed upon by the nation's children to suspend operations in favor of reopening the White House to small children and War of 1812 reenactors?
As it has been some years since it was last possible to distinguish between the magazine's daily offerings read aloud and the sound made by a washtub full of PJ O'rourke imitators being thrown down the stairs at the Bradley Foundation, the nation will not complain if Mr. Regnergy errs on the side of charity.
Vance P. Frickey| 3.14.13 @ 8:09AM
Verily, how low has the fellowship of conspiracy theorists fallen, that Mnestheus has to infest a Web site he so thoroughly detests in order to open his mind to us - we, who like customs inspectors on the incoming side of the Juarez border station can now confirm he has "nothing to declare"...
Kwan| 3.12.13 @ 9:13AM
No surprise that Obama and the Democrats would act in this infantile fashion after this micro-cut in the out-of-control spending orchestrated by the Obama administration. Evidently Obama believes if the people were dumb enough to reelect him, then they're dumb enough to believe all this hyperbole about the sky falling, because of a necessary attempt to put the brakes on the Democrat's Master Plan to bankrupt the country.
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 10:16AM
And the unmitigated Hubris of these people - (Who need Rape Tents whenever they get together) - was on full display with their Proclamation after the 1st Inauguration of the 1st Halfrican American to usher us through the Last Days of this Country:
"Now, THE GROWNUPS are back in charge."
It would be Funny, if it wasn't so Sad.
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:24AM
0 +0 = 0
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:05PM
You really need to buy a dog.
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:08PM
are you for sale?
jaytrain| 3.12.13 @ 9:13AM
Like many things , this has a silver lining . As long as no one is touring the WH , Michelle and the First Brats aren't going anywhere , either . And Michelle and the whiny brats 24/7 will be a living hell for Barack .
Louis Jenkins| 3.12.13 @ 10:22AM
The WH no longer belongs to the people. It's Obama's and Michelle's. Save money-no tours, afterall, who'd appreciate the tourists poking and proding into every corner, open a door and there stands Michelle in her leather, dog collar, whip, stilleto heels, and handcuffs. And Obama, well, prone before the Queen of Misfit Toys. Or worse.
We have no idea how much more make-believe misery Obama and crew will come up with. And we've three and half more years of this! What's the next crisis? Dogs and cats sleeping together?
sickofit5| 3.12.13 @ 11:07AM
Can you imagine how many cows would have to give it up in order to wrap Michelle in leather. We're talking a whole herd.
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:21AM
Ah, the cost of doing GOVERNMENT business.
Past is prologue, I always say.
I saw “Charade”, the 50-year-old classic with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, last night. What a trip down 21 year old (me) lane. 1963---that was the year that was!
It was all about $250,000!!! Why, that was ¼ of a MILLION dollars. Imagine that.
Given that in 2013 it’s all about ¼ of a BILLION dollars, for Hollywood and the general public, do you think that in 2063 the 21 year olds NOW taking $250,000,000 as what $250,000 was fifty years ago, will be as amazed as I am, when THAT becomes $250,000,000,000---or ¼ of a TRILLION dollars?
Why, I googled a movie that’s going to be on THIS-TV, called “Rapid Exchange”, and found it was from 2003, and had to do with $250,000,000 or ¼ of a BILLION dollars.
While we fret about White House tour costs and the myriad other federal wastes of taxpayer’s money, don’t worry. The Fed is hard at work “smoothing” the way, by continuing to have the dollar on a gold-weight reduction plan.
Face facts, people---the feds have ALREADY become all powerful. Long ago, in truth. Wielding fiscal and monetary policy, who’s going to stop them?
Rotten is, as rotten does. Therefore, bet on even more rot.
What else are obese and diseased humans, except—rotten? America has chosen to rot from the inside out.
Enjoy it.
TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:18PM
Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows.
Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:08PM
writes the drug dealer
cicero| 3.12.13 @ 2:44PM
I took my kids on that tour about 20 years ago. You don't get anywhere near the working area of the White House. Why in the hell do they need 37 Secret Service operatives ad $50.00 per hour for 40 hours a week? It seems that all they need do is require 1 chaparone per 10 kids to keep order. The only time I can recall anyone getting into the White House who caused a problem were the two gatecrashers who wanted to get on t.v - at an Obama fund raiser.
This is only one more example of too much money being funnelled into too little work. At what point do the silly people of this nation call for a stop to the nonsense? If they are afraid of someone coming in who would cause an incident, all they need do is watch who comes in. If it is a person between the ages of 17 and 48, wearing a bhurka, or a head scarf, with an Allah is Great t-shirt, take him/her aside, and search them for bombs.
Vance P. Frickey| 3.14.13 @ 7:47AM
It's time to challenge people like Jon Stewart who won't totally unlock their lips from the backside of Barack Obama to back up their kvetching with actual journalism.
Barack Obama should explain his views on the sequester to Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. Stewart's questions and pursuit of real answers ought to define him as either:
- another Democratic Party pundit in journalist's clothing, or
- a journalist earning his pay and asking hard questions.
Steward could actually be - as the McClatchy newspaper chain likes to boast - "Speaking Truth to Power." (I have no idea if anyone at McClatchy has enough character to wince when they read that tagline of theirs.)
CBS News and ABC News are arguably less sold-out than NBC/Universal's outlets, whose purpose seems to be less journalism than getting billions of dollars in Federal loan guarantees for their former corporate parent, General Electric.
CBS and ABC have some credibility with just about everyone but the diehards on both sides of the political schism. If Scott Pelley and Christiane Amanpour were to compete to see who could dig deeper beneath Congress's and the White House's dissembling on the sequester...
...then I woke up. Won't happen, because ABC News still cherishes its corporate presence in the White House press room, a part of the White House which won't be shut down while James Carney and its other employees are furloughed.