Timothy Jacobsen/AP
Sarah Palin during a recent tour of Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa.
Tonight, Democratic Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon joins us for a segment on Sarah Palin. He’s got a bone to pick with the National Park Services over how federal resources were used in conjunction with the fake presidential contender’s personal publicity tour /family vacation.
In a letter to National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, Rep. Blumenauer wrote, "Many of the press accounts of stops included in this tour, which provided personal and political benefits to former Gov. Palin, suggest that National Park Service resources were made available to an extent beyond that which an average American family would receive."
Those resources include private tours and escorts. Blumenauer requested a "written explanation" on the "use of taxpayer-funded resources for publicity events," including the "One Nation" Palin bus extravaganza.
The National Park Service defended their actions, saying Palin didn’t get any special treatment. "We see celebrities on a regular basis, it’s something that we’re used to," said spokesman Jeffrey Olson. "We give them a tour but we also try to not make it a bug hoo-ha for all the other visitors. So it’s kind of standard fare if there’s a celebrity or two that show up we do a special program for them.” He pointed out, "it's not an extra cost for us," because rangers and park officials conducting these tours are already on the job.
We’ll hear from the congressman tonight at 8pm ET.
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I am proud to have you on my side. Thanks. It's about time someone checks this waste of our taxes and time. You get my vote, Earl!!!
Go Earl Go!!! Thank you so much for representing us people not in the limelight and showing your constituents that you care about us and where and how our Federal funds are going.
Well, this isn't worth my time to make a comment on Palin........But slam her please Earl.
Thanks for doing your job, Earl.
Thanks for pointing out the waste of taxpayer's money that this woman Palin seems to think is owed to her because of who she thinks she is.
And shame on the National Park Service for falling for her fake half-term notoriety.
You don't think that they were afraid she would ger lost or worst yet start giving history lessons to the school kids. Didn't old Paul R. ride to the Satute of Liberity shooting his guun and ringing bells.
I was wondering when someone would bring up the questions about the uniformed park ranger escorting Palin around. She is not a presidential candidate, she is on family vacation. So why is a ranger of whatever service he may be, walking around Palin, as if guarding her, for what? Tax payers money is not for personal family vacations.
This matter better be brought to someone's attention and deal w/ it immediately. Besides, why are people being so dumb and contributing to her personal fam. vacation? She has made millions since, leaving the Governorship ! She is pulling another fast one on the tea baggers & others in the GOP! Watch her carefully!
Thank you Congressman Blumenauer, and Lawrence for the Shout Out re Palin and her, I deserve it, cause of who I am attitude! Well, I becha do deserve it Missy! And, I hope you get it!
Thank you Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Lawrence for the Shout Out to Sara Palin, the Crazed Lame Brain, of I reserve the right to a family vacation.
You betcha do, and I hope you finally get what you deserve too!
I am as anti-palin as anyone [with any sense], but wouldn't the park rangers attend to any large group of people? her entourage of reporters and brainless worshipers must number in the hundreds. i should think the rangers would want to keep an eye on any large group like that.
Earl, I am happy that you are my rep. and are one of the better ones at that.
What is the purpose of the bus tour. Is she campaigning. Kind of looks like a paid vacation Is she paying for it or who is