Pigs in space
The Senate voted to rein in NASA last night.
Senators accepted an amendment by Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, to make NASA disclose all of its conferences a year ahead of time. The move comes after NASA solicited bids for a $110,000 confab in Florida for 300 Civil Service employees — with $50,000 going to food alone.
In Florida. In December.
That $110,000 is the minimum that will be spent and by the way, Holiday Inn Express is not good enough. NASA wants 300 rooms. The notice said: "The rating for the hotel shall be 4 diamonds or higher by the AAA Diamond Rating System."
Coburn's office noted that a 4 diamond hotel's "accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail."
The minimum of $50,000 feeding them includes a menu of "carving station with beef and/or turkey, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres such as coconut fried shrimp, spring rolls, shrimp wrapped with bacon, antipasto plates to include assorted meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables and assorted marinated vegetables, breads and 5-6 dessert selections. Suggested menu items for a 3-course dinner includes: salad, main course to include chicken or beef with 2 sides and bread, dessert, coffee and tea."
Who the hell do these people think they are?
The NASA notice said: "It is important that the experience at the hotel reflects the exemplary level of service these employees have provided the Human Space Flight Program."
What? Lifetime job security, good pay, great fringe benefits and one of the last defined-benefits pensions in the universe are not enough for these people?
The only travel NASA should do is astronauts to the moon. Instead we have this nonsense.
Kudos for Coburn for pointing it out. Kudos to the Senate for wanting to stop it.
Here's an example of what a room in a 4-diamond hotel in Florida looks like:
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