Christopher Costa/AP
Gov. Chris Christie exiting a state helicopter to attend his son's baseball game in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Governor Chris Christie was in a rush to get somewhere yesterday, so he took a state helicopter to avoid traffic. Although the chopper saved him loads of time, it still wasn’t enough. He then proceeded to take a black car with tinted windows the last 100 yards or so to the final destination... his son’s high school baseball game in Montvale, New Jersey.
That's, of course, after calling for workers to give up benefits in the name of "shared sacrifice" and cutting government programs.
In a statement issued today, Col. Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, defended Christie’s use of the chopper and said it didn't cost the tax-payers any extra money:
It is important to understand that State Police helicopters fly daily homeland security missions, and use flight time for training purposes, more so lately as we acclimate our pilots to the new aircraft. These are flight hours that would be logged in any event. Therefore, there is no additional cost to taxpayers or the State Police budget, nor is there any interference with our daily mission by adding the state's chief executive to any of these trips. Any flights transporting the Governor would be subordinated to priority needs for our aircraft including rescue and emergent law enforcement missions.
Christie and his wife left during the 5th inning and got back into the helicopter, which was designed for Department of Homeland Security duties and transporting critically injured patients.
The governor later met with Republican donors from Iowa who flew to New Jersey specifically to try to convince Christie to run for president.
— By Deirdre Kiyonaga
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Yikes! Gov. Christie could not defend fiscal responsibility or physical responsibility. Issues that need to be addressed? The fact that he chose to ride in the limo a couple hundred feet (should have sprinted) after getting out of the helicopter payed by taxpayers when arriving at his son's ballgame, illustrates a couple. ks
Not to mention that with an ass and waist line that size, Christie really could have used the exercise. Or am I just pointing out the obvious?
So, then logically, anyone can get a free ride on a NJ state helicopter. Helps with their flight training, or so they say.
Could someone from NJ (lots of someones) call the state police and ask when you can have your free ride too? Flood their lines! Make it a flash mob moment!
Then, see what they say.
I'm a NJ resident and what Christie has done to my income since he came into office I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. The fat ass has the gaul to take a limo for 100 yards to get to his son's baseball game. I wonder if this same limo would take me to the supermarket, after all I'm almost eighty years old and have legitimate walking problems. For the first time ever I have had to pay state income taxes and did not receive the real estate rebate check that I have received when we had a Democratic governor. That rebate check was a big cushion to me, and I was able to catch up on a lot of debts. But this money went to his friends and contributors with incomes over $400,000. God forbid for the middle class and seniors if he even considers running for president.
Irregardless of Col. Rick Fuentes' argument about the trip enhancing their training and flight hours in getting used to this new helicopter, this was a personal trip, having nothing to do with Mr. Christie's work as governor; therefore, he needs to be charged with the expense for himself and his wife.
Typical hypocrisy from the right wingers, saying we all need to give up important things to make sure they can get helicopter rides to avoid us commoners.
Why are we Americans so dishonest? We consumers understand “buyers beware” warnings, but why do these warnings need to exist in the first place? We, as a nation, expect honesty from our Government because each candidate must pass hyper scrutiny from media; opposing parties; and vetting from elected officials. For the last few decades though, we Americans have developed a deep distrust of our Government largely due to adversarial actions against citizens (social engineering), invasions of weaker nations (feeling patriotic or apathetic about it; take your pick), and outright lies. Now days, we accept the two major parties spinning facts; Animal Farm versions of legalized torture; the Patriot Act; and the greatest lie of all: reducing taxes allows the richest Americans to creates jobs for the poor assuming these rich will not wish to spend this money on themselves—or at least forfeit dividends. Of course we Americans are dishonest because our governing body has become dishonest; it seems the Roman Empire’s corrosive causes leading to their demise also affect us today. We as Americans imitate our leaders—hence, the title of leader—and currently our leaders in Washington, District of Columbia are not honest.
Media has difficulty in pointing out politicians’ dishonest lies, but sex related oddities are safe stories to exploit because every other media outlet also knows what a safe story it is—how sex and honesty is related still escapes me. CNN and local news affiliates broadcast a dichotomy of facts relying on viewers to interpret the truth for themselves—not to mention paying scant seconds on a single issue; whereas MSNBC spends several hours a weeknight reporting on bellicose, political affairs. These programs report the facts together with excellent supporting evidence (most of the time), but without explaining why. Why are we Americans so dishonest; what has happened to us; where has our morals gone; and where are we—as the epitome of democracy—heading? Will 2012 doomsayers be proven correct when our entire democratic experiment fail with Obama’s reelection attempt? Before cable news the major networks were heavily trusted to report corruption and offered national unity when it came to a single moral understanding—we Americans were the blueprint for all humanity. What is the purpose of MSNBC’s weeknight political reporting?
Lawrence, you are the WISEST commentator on t.v. Tonight was another exceptional show on your part. Go after Christie for unnecessary helicopter ride which costs the taxpayers of New Jersey. Show the waste and fraud of these politicians. And PLEASE -- continue to go after members of Congress who are living RENT FREE in the U.S. Capitol. I believe they are all men who are guilty of living off the taxpayers. Every member of Congress knows that they will have to maintain two residences if elected -- one in the home state and one in the Washington, DC area. Yes, housing is very expensive BUT why are only a few Congressmen getting away with not paying any housing costs in the nation's capital while the vast majority of the members of Congress have to pay for maintaining two residenes? Isn't Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) one of the Congressmen living in the U.S. Capitol. Continue to investigate and expose Lawrence.
Science traced all humankind back to a single woman in Africa making everyone of us siblings no matter our outer appearances or cultural upbringing. Science also proved a minority of us siblings eventually captures most resources to dominate the majority. Even after resources get distributed evenly, eventually the few collect the majority of resources. Since our successful birth and migration out of Africa, we few children managed to own and dominate (often outright owning) the majority by utilizing resources. In America’s case the resource is money. Here lies our problem; the few who have collected wealth are not satisfied to simply enjoy the fruits, but utilize monetary resources to impose dominance over the rest of us; hinting the return of slavery by legislating our women’s uterus, by restricting our education, and by imposing religious dogma. Khaki pants wearing Republicans imitating obedient corporate employees (modernized soldiers and bureaucrats) take payment from the few wealthy and do their bidding. Given this fact, will our American system of democracy survive another take over by the few? Can we Americans survive another onslaught of racist (slavery) sentiment or will we degenerate into another civil war like the recent Phoenix massacre?
When Republicans won the House, it seemed that we Americans have not changed and was willing to divide our majority with fear and hate. The Republicans seized the opportunity to continue implementing their paymasters’ agenda, but remember in 2008 what President elect Obama stated on the night he accepted the election results of his presidency. He stated that he knew we did not vote for him, but rather we voted for change. He is right. He is one of us. Remember the entire world cried tears of joy, but could not explain why. It was the hope for change back to the majority.
Forcing the King to sign the Magna Carter began humanity’s quest for democracy—essentially the abolition of slavery—indentured servant; peon; drudge; peasant; etc.—for all of us majority from the few. We the people—as our constitution preamble states—continue humanity’s quest for freedom from the few. Rachel Maddow brought me to the liberal programming on MSNBC because she not only explained, but also backed up her claims with indisputable evidence the reality of our fight for freedom. Political pundits often show off their knowledge, but do not explain to the common majority what the stakes are whereas anchors like Rachel, Cenk, and Ed do. I ask on behalf of the majority that MSNBC continue the message, but in the language of the majority—the working class; freedom loving; aging; civilized; and evolving majority.
One more thing about Gov. Christie (who has only been in office a couple of years like the quitter Sarah Palin). Didn't you, Lawrence, point out that this expensive new helicopter was only to be used for homeland security or for emergency transport of injured/sick persons? How in the heck is Christie going to justify flying there for five innings of his son's game and then flying to meet with a committee from Iowa whose purpose was to try to convince Christie to run for President. Lawrence, you would have my vote if you ran for national office. You are more intelligent, more wise and more decent than any of the Republican candidates and that's just a fact.
It was a matter of homeland security for the governor to ride in that helicopter; it he'd tried to walk to his son's game he might've suffered a heart attack, plunging the Garden State into a crisis...
Alas, Governor C., your fifteen minutes are up...
I dont live in NJ but I can see the hypocrisy of this governor Christy.He preaches shared sacrafice and then turns around and spits in the taxpayers face.It is really hard to believe that he took a government owned helicopter and then transfer to a limo for a 100 yrd drive to his kids baseball game no less.So he could get back to the governers mansion and be bought by a bunch of rich republicans from Iowa.From all I've read and seen about this guy he spends more time in other states than he does in the state he governs.He almost makes criminals of teachers and other public employees like they were stealing their pay checks.Well Ithink he should be brought up on charges for stealing taxpayers money.Most if not all of these new republican governers are out of control.For one reason or another they all think they are dictators.How many of them have put jobs before abortions and tax breaks for the rich?I just hope in 2010 the voters dont listen to thier lies and other bullchit.
LAWRENCE, continue looking into the ethics of lawmakers (between 30 - 50 MEN) lawmakers on Capital Hill who sleep in their offices other than having to pay for housing which Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) is guilty of. Congress is not a dormitory. I wonder what would happen if some homeless guys decided to crash on a congressional sofa in a Hill office? There should be a congressional investigation as to whether these Congressmen are getting an unfair tax break and violating their own rules by making personal use of public resources. And Lawrence, as you pointed out to another Congressman who slept in his office and was a guest on your show -- free living arrangements amount to a taxable benefit that should be reported to the I.R.S. Will someone please check into whether or not Ryan has been reporting his rent free living arrangement on his income tax forms? Gee, I would also like to be the recipient of a FREE gym membership too. Ryan brags about how much time he spends in the Congressional gym. After all, he can shower and brush his teeth there too. As for Rep. Paul Ryan's salary -- he makes more as a Congressman than most Americans -- $174,000. His net worth is estimated to be between $590,092 to $2,425,000. In addition, Rep. Ryan will leave Congress with a taxpayer funded pension.
Stop the music -- wasn't this the same Gov. Christie who during the east coast blizzard of last year where major cities were crippled -- Christie told his constituents to let them eat cake. Apparently he promised his kids a trip to Disneyworld and never mind that second person in charge of the state wasn't available either. Gosh, I thought if you choose to run for public office --- you have a certain obligation to represent, lead and help protect your constituents during emergencies -- oh well.... It will be interesting to see if Mika a Joe on "Morning Joe" continue to worship Christie. I think they finally realized that "The Donald" is an Emperor With No Clothes.
Gosh, with the "Pizza Summit" between Trump and Palin (Dumb and Dumber) I kept looking at The Donald's hairdo and it reminded me of a yellow Peep engulfing his skull. Just imagine it. Anyone else have the same visual? I loved when Rosie O'Donnel made fun of his "do" when he wanted to give Miss America a "second chance." Classic.
Best one I have heard is Palin/Bachmann 2012, it's a no brainer.
I think the women members of Congress should file a sex discrimination lawsuit against those 30 - 50 MALE members of Congress who sleep in their Capitol Hill offices. They are unfairly paying more Washington DC area housing expenses than this group of male Congressmen. I'm sure the "housing" in the Hill offices wouild not give comfort and feelings of security for most women members of Congress.
on the 28th of may, my husband and i watched from the beach on delaware bay at north cape may, n.j., as the" govenor's" ( two different helicopters)... landed and took off from the the cape may-lewis ferry terminal 6 times before we left at 12:00 we were wondering wnat kind of an event would justify several trips, back and forth to some mystery destination, with two, $12,000,000 helicopters, and now we find out that christie is being shuttled to and fro from a little league baseball game????????? the eptiome of "Imperial Hubris", we need details on this incedent, please mr. o'donnell
I can Take away the worthless firefighters pensions so I can fly to a baseball game. That's why I am the greatest governor in the U.S. and why they want me to be president.
Gov. Chrissie
Why dosen't President Obama repay the taxpayers for taking his wife on a date to NYC. Oh thats ok Lawerence. You and your followers are the biggest bunch hypocristes in the world.