Arkansas Blog

"...it must be grounded under
FAA rules for up to $750,000
in engine overhaul."

Yes, but they'll make that back with volume, right? The more people the fly, the more the state makes, right? People who use the plane do pay (via their office) standard commercial fare, don't they?

If nobody pays (except you and me) then can someone take into account the cost of the plane itself, fuel, pilot and staff, and maintenance including this latest 3/4 million $, and tell us what the same 1,500 hours would have cost if we'd sent the big wigs on tour via commercial service?

While you're at it, give us a comparison of coach vs. first class rate. I've never flown first class myself, but I'd be willing to admit our Governor deserves it (though not for security purposes) if it's cheaper than furnishing him a private plane and staff at his service.

Also, remind me again to where on earth the Governor of Arkansas has to fly.

>Huckabee put more than 1,500 hours on the plane (at the current estimated cost of $875 an hour that's worth $1.3 million in travel.)<

I say send him a statement for it. If he doesn't pay up then get a judgement against him and put a lein on his home.
Just like any other citizen would be treated.
_

i think it became wonderful that we had a governor that became like our president. when he was asked a question he did not want to answer he just said he didn't have to answer for some or the other reason and we let him get by with it. how did that happen? we let this happen. we had 1 statewide newspaper and the other one that asked questions he barred. we let this happen. we elected the bastard. him and his redneck wife. now we find out that he has tried to bankrupt some of the funds that he didn't have to report on their use. how could we have a state owned plane that you don't have rules on it's use. most states do this, even i think, mississippi. are really so stupid or is he really this smart? we elected legislators who pass laws that do not not do anything. they have nice pensions but they can't have rules for state used equipment. how can a governor refuse to answer questions? what can be done to stop that from happening again?

Come on now, let's be fair. You fail to give the RevBroXGuv credit for leaving the copper plumbing in the crawl space of the mansion.

I posted this question to the Insider, and now I'll post it here.

The column in question counts "over one trip per week." Is that a ROUND trip per week, or just a flight? If it's just a flight, it's awfully misleading--implying Huckabee was out of state every week.

"200 hours of flying time on 80 trips on the plane in 2005, more than one trip a week, and 120 hours in 55 trips, still more than one a week, in 2006."

A trip is whatever Huckabee officials said a trip is. Round trip, one-way ... with numbers like those what difference does it make?

I read it in terms of averages, anyway.

I might not mind footing my part of the tax bill spent on this line item if there'd be some explaining by His Highness the Huckster as to what state business was conducted on these trips. Don't give me the " ... in a Post 9-11 World ..." security crapola; that doesn't fly on the state level. Not this state, anyway.

{_____________________ }*

But keep on keeping on, Prouster. Stand by your man.

*space reserved for "But Clinton did it, too", scapegoat phrase

This should also be of interest to the AG, since the hard drive which contained some of the flight information was also destroyed. It seems impossible that Huckabee could have clocked that many hours of flight for state business, and personal use of the state plane is a conversion of some sort...

The Arkansas Times article reported that in previous investigations the records of the flight destinations and passenger lists were incomplete, imagine that! Well, reporters may not be able to learn that information, but a grand jury sure could find it out the old fashioned way, subpoena witnesses and ask them. There were pilots, security, and knowing Huckabee, servants and sycophants who could all be questioned regarding illegal use of state property.

The taxpayers of Arkansas are owed the investigation, and reimbursement for any improper use of the plane. This is not a partisan issue, it is integrity in government issue, I would expect no less regardless of who was governor.

"...The taxpayers of Arkansas are owed the investigation, and reimbursement for any improper use of the plane. This is not a partisan issue, it is integrity in government issue, I would expect no less regardless of who was governor."

AMEN!

No way in hell did 'this' much travel relate to the state's business. We'll see what our new Attorney General is made of...or not made of. (Non-partisan ethics/accountability are what I'm hoping for.) His tired statement about people not wanting more Starr stuff is not a good indication, however, that Huck (or any other highly placed politician) is going to be held accountable for a damn thing...other than an obligatory and useless 'shame shame.'

Is Huck actually flying commercial now? I still can't picture Janet without her state police servants.

I can remember many times seeing Bill Clinton walking through the LR airport toward the Southwest Airlines gate to catch a flight. Huckabee wouldn't even fly commercial, much less bargain SWA.

No wonder he smashed the computer hard drives at the State Police hanger.