The amazing over-the-top presidential escape from reality

By The Scribe
November 4, 2010 7:29 AM
18 Comments

Yesterday we learned that the Obama's post-election escape from reality, er..ah...trip to India, is expected to cost us more than $2M per day but we should wonder if that includes everything, even the warships.

US to spend $200 mn a day on Obama's Mumbai visit http://www.gopusa.com/intheloop/2010/11 ... z14JRuf6Wu

34 warships sent from US for Obama visit

New Delhi: The White House will, of course, stay in Washington but the heart of the famous building will move to India when President Barack Obama lands in Mumbai on Saturday.

Communications set-up, nuclear button, a fleet of limousines and majority of the White House staff will be in India accompanying the President on this three-day visit that will cover Mumbai and Delhi.

He will also be protected by a fleet of 34 warships, including an aircraft carrier, which will patrol the sea lanes off the Mumbai coast during his two-day stay there beginning Saturday. The measure has been taken as Mumbai attack in 2008 took place from the sea.

Read more... http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/34-wa ... isit-64459

So, what is Diwali? http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Cu ... iwali.html It is a festival of light and has to do with worship of the goddess of wealth. Michelle is going, right?

No fireworks for Obama in India

Why's he coming at Diwali? He wouldn't host an official visit the White House on Christmas Day. So why's he coming to India during our biggest festival?

So say many residents of Mumbai, where US president Barack Obama arrives late on Friday for a three-day trip to India. The privileged few who will meet the great man might be excited by the prospect. But for many Mumbaikers, Obama will get in the way of what they like best - a good party.

Fireworks, a highlight of any Diwali - after all, it is the festival of lights - will be banned in much of South Mumbai, where the president and his entourage will be based.

Read more at Financial Times... http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Cu ... iwali.html

The president won't have to fear dangerous coconuts or monkeys either.

Keeping Coconuts Off Obama

On Wednesday, all coconuts were removed from palm trees around Mani Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial house, which Mr. Obama plans to visit on Saturday during his India visit.

He acknowledged that Mr. Obama's visit did affect the timing of the clean-up. In Delhi, municipal authorities are also taking special precautions, including clamping down on monkeys.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal... http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010 ... off-obama/

I feel so much better.

http://www.gopusa.com/fresh-ink/2010/11 ... eality.php