Pelosi demands military aircraft *UPDATED*

Nancy Pelosi is against the war in Iraq and certainly hates the military and what it stands for, so her recent demands for military aircraft are raising some eyebrows.

While it's common for the Speaker of the House, second in line of succession for the presidency (Lord help us!) to use military aircraft, Pelosi is demanding that the procedure be extended so that her staff and family can fly military aircraft whenever they want, also.

The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation. A knowledgeable source called the request "carte blanche for an aircraft any time."
    "They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in.
    Mrs. Pelosi's request is not new for a speaker, who is second-in-line in presidential succession. A defense source said the speaker's regular access to a military plane began after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, Illinois Republican, who was speaker at the time, started using U.S. Air Force planes for domestic travel to and from his district for security reasons. A former Hastert aide said the congressman did not use military planes for political trips or regularly transport his family.

And the most interesting part?

"They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in.

This is the same Pelosi, mind you, that has threatened to stop funding for the military and war efforts in Iraq.

It's a good thing she's leading "the most ethical Congress in history", right?

More at Jo’s Cafe » Pelosi Maddness

***UPDATED***: Awe, poor Nancy will have to make do with the same plane that Dennis Hastert used as Speaker. She wanted a larger plane so that she, and her entourage, would not have to be burdened with refueling stops between Washington and California.

The plane in questions is a C-20, with a crew of five and room for some 10-12 passengers. The following protocol has been outlined for the use of the jet:

• No more than 10 passengers (C-20's seat only 12 passengers, not including up to 5 crew members);
• No travel to political events;
• Members of the speaker's family cannot fly unless the speaker makes a request in writing. The Pelosi family has to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for the cost of a coach ticket per person for the travel, as well as for any food;
• Members of Congress cannot fly on the plane unless their travel has been cleared with the House Committee on Standards (the Ethics Committee);
• Pelosi's husband can travel for free, but only for official protocol purposes.

But the rumors persist that Pelosi is demanding a C-32 jet, which seats 45, has a crew of 16, and will cost you and me some $22,000 an hour to fly. Pelosi insists it's all about security. Apparently, refueling is much too dangerous for her royal highness to be subjected to.

Wait and see how this plays out.

More updates at Hot Air including the pathetic threats made by her loud-mouthed lapdog dog, Murtha.

Remember folks, it's the most ethical Congress ever!