Report: Ninth Circuit To Take Luxury Maui Vacation at Taxpayer Expense
- Posted on May 20, 2012 at 3:57pm by
Erica Ritz
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Judges of San Francisco's Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Photo: AP)
Breitbart’s Dan Riehl reported Sunday that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal district and bankruptcy courts in nine Western states and two Pacific island territories, and associated lawyers and court staff are due to gather at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa between August 13 – 16, 2012 for an annual judicial conference to the tune of approximately one million taxpayer dollars.
Riehl explains:
From tennis courts to the caddy shack and luau experience, justice will be served in a manner many Americans never get to experience. Breitbart News has reviewed a letter from the offices of the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Jeff Sessions, and the offices of Senator Chuck Grassley, the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, with several detailed questions they want answered by the Ninth District.
The letter cites the 2010 version of the Ninth Circuit’s annual judicial conference that cost taxpayers over $657,000 in travel costs alone, along with $860,000 in combined travel costs for the Ninth Circuit’s 2008 and 2009 annual conferences in Monterey, California and Sun Valley, Idaho, respectively. It also provides evidence of the Ninth Circuit’s awareness of the Government’s budget challenges in the face of a still suffering Obama economy, going on to challenge why the Ninth Circuit seems determined to go on spending large amounts of money on plush conferences, when a more prudent approach could provide the same value for professional purposes. [Emphasis added]
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Photo: AP)
He continues:
The Ninth District is considered by many to be the most liberal of all U.S. Court Districts, with 64% of sitting judges having been appointed by Democrats–the highest of all the districts. Many also consider the district as having the highest rate of being overturned by the Supreme Court. Research by Breitbart News suggests other districts are making efforts to cut back, while the Ninth District appears to have maintained a Party on, dude! attitude when it comes to putting on its judicial conferences.
As in past years, the Ninth District seems content to leave taxpayers on the hook for whisking many judges and aligned judicial professionals off to an exclusive destination, so that they might also enjoy “yoga, surfing lessons, stand up paddle board lessons, Zumba (a Latin-inspired dance program), a tennis tournament, a day trip and tour of Upcountry Maui, a Gemini Catamaran snorkle trip, and an activity called ‘The Aloha Experience.’” [Emphasis added]
The website for the conference assures taxpayers that their funds are not being used for “recreational or sporting” activities, but what of everything else? Round-trip airfare to Hawaii, luxury hotels, or (maybe) wine in a jacuzzi bathtub?
The GSA's Jeffrey Neely plead the fifth after a lavish Las Vegas 'training conference' cost taxpayer more than $800,000 (Photo: Google Plus)
The Eighth Circuit, meanwhile, is reportedly meeting in Kansas City for their conference, while the Seventh Circuit has teamed up with the District’s Bar Association to hold their event in Chicago.
Riehl summarizes:
They may not always get the law right, given what many view as the Ninth Circuit’s high rate of being overturned, but it appears as though they can do a mean “Zumba” and have some darned good tans, while not exactly starving themselves as many Americans continue to look for work in President Obama’s down economy.
UPDATE:
Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Chuck Grassley (R-IA) of the Senate Budget Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee, respectively, commented today, according to a press release:
“This conference is further evidence the federal government is in a state of financial chaos,” said Sessions. “How can anyone in Washington ask for more taxes when this culture of excess continues? Americans struggling to pay their bills are tired of watching the government throw lavish events on the taxpayer dime. They are tired of watching entire sectors of government behave in a fashion totally disconnected from the reality of our perilous financial state. At this time of fiscal crisis, America needs leadership that will restore accountability and ensure a disciplined budget is adopted at last.”
“Technology is so advanced that people are earning college degrees online and soldiers serving halfway across the world use Skype with their families at home,” Grassley added. “Likewise, a judicial circuit court should be capable of using technology to share information without requiring a trip to an island paradise. It’s especially tone-deaf to plan a pricey conference after the GSA debacle. The taxpayers can’t sustain this kind of spending, and they shouldn’t have to. The court should re-examine whether this is the best use of tax dollars.”
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Comments (102)
trueamerican40
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:07pmI know what is funny about liberal commies? They insist on military cuts while they waste our money on luxurious trips and doomed to fail investments. Bastar%s, every last one of them.
Report Post »scrudge
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:33pmAmen
Report Post »Freedom Hound
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:04pmWhy are so many posts being deleted tonight?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:48pmBoehner needs to inform them that their funding for next year will be slashed by half starting 1 October.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 6:55pmThis activist bunch is going for an alinsky radical refresher course, bribes, suggestions and strategies for “progress” through activism.
Report Post »Amazingoly
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 6:47pmThe overweight “toads” need to be reeled in as the rest of the country knows they rule the wrong way 90% of the time. Beyond ridiculous waste of taxpayer money.
Report Post »ObserverOnTheHill
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 6:17pmAmerica – killed by apathy.
Before dismissing as conspiracy whacko talk – google – “fluoride and apathy” and learn about the NAZI experiments with it.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 6:50pmSeems like all the scally-wags want to take an expensive vacation on the tax-payers dimes. When we find out all the people who are skrewing the United States Government one way or another, we‘ll not be surprised to discover we wouldn’t be in the RED financially if these people had been honest.
Like people I hear whinning about not having any money after they spend everything on unnecessary things, like trips they can’t afford, homes they can’t afford, new cars they can’t afford…..they spend like they have it, charging everything and they they wonder what happened to the money?
There‘s such a thing as common sense when you can’t afford the life style you think you deserve.
Report Post »Do a few things for yourself, cook at home; ee-gads $13 for a movie? Never would I pay to see some liberal “movie starz” pretend on a screen..Pelosi spent enough for all the world to take trips.
doomytram
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:53pmSurprise, Surprise, Surprise…. do you think any of them will get married to someone of their own sex? Kill 3 birds with our Dime?
Report Post »Carlinpa
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:29pmRE”The Ninth District is considered by many to be the most liberal of all U.S. Court Districts, with 64% of sitting judges having been appointed by Democrats–the highest of all the districts. Many also consider the district as having the highest rate of being overturned by the Supreme Court. ”
This is a BoGo on validating what liberals are. Corrupt and incompetent.
Report Post »These people are absolutely disgusting.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:26pmNo suprise that they would, the Feds are past out of control; they are insane to the core.
Report Post »johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:54pmRoger that!
How about the federal employee in Tombstone who is telling tombstone that they can’t turn their water supply back on because that would entail using dozers and backhoes! Duh?
There are too many stories to tell about Obama’s abuse. I’ve always liked the one about giving $2 billion to brazil so they could develop THEIR oilfields and we could become “their best customer.”
Hell, I don‘t want to be anybody’s energy customer. That why the Saudis have this country literally over a barrell now.
Report Post »buyundbuy
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:24pmWhat other perks come with the job at the taxpayer’s expense~?
Report Post »How long have they been enjoying these perks without the taxpayer’s knowledge~?
forthepeople
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:19pmNot my money !
Report Post »Patriot of My America
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:51pmFellow Americans; I feel the solution is really very simple. When you have a really ,really fat hog that needs to loose weight you simply stop feeding the really, really fat hog and then the fat hog will learn not to be so fat the hard way. So starving the fat hog will in the end make the hog more healthy and able to perform as the rules for hogs apply. So do your part and simply stop feeding the really , really fat hog, And then the hog will not be able to eat you out of house and home. Now there is a parable .. Damn I am good…
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:14pmTypical liberals. They spend our money and if there’s not enough, they want to raise taxes. Just more liberal bu\\ $#!+.
Report Post »DesertRose1960
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:12pmThe Ninth Circuit Court has done a terrible thing by hosting a conference in one of the member states! The Ninth Circuit Court covers the Western states, including Alaska and Hawaii and our island territories. The Per Diem rate is $289 for Maui. The schedule is posted, it looks to be a pretty standard convention schedule. The recreational activies are NOT being paid for by the government, they will be paid for by the people for their spouses and children. I think you will find that if you go to that conference, your duty station will be the conference from beginning to the end. If you skip out without taking leave you could be in trouble. The Eighth Circuit court is holding it’s conference in Kansas City, the Per Diem rate is $160. Had they chosen to stay in Chicago, the Per Diem would have been $226. If anyone goes to NYC, the Per Diem is $295. These are rates that come from the GSA. If you spend more that what is alloted, you pay for it out of pocket, for instance, meals are $61 in Kansas City, if your meals cost $85, then $24 of it is out of your pocket. And if you charge any of those sports fee to your government charge card, you can be disciplined if not fired. Do you have any idea how much private industry pays for professional confernces? Attendence at these conferences is optional, not everyone will go. The Blaze is only carping because it’s the Ninth Circuit Court, and they are supposedly Liberal.
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100120
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 6:10pmROSE
KEEP drinking that koolaid and PLEASE PAY MORE TAXES so these parasites can have some FUN.
OMG 2012
Report Post »michael48
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:05pmrose…supposedly liberal???…the 9th circus court of IDIOTS…100% overturn rate…dam, your indoctrination went to far, you’re an idiot as well…
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:03amRose, it was just a short time ago that 0bama made statements aimed at corporations that they needed to stop sponsoring expensive junkets for them employees to Las Vegas. Now we keep getting more information that it is federal government agencies making these very junkets, yet even more extravagantly and, on the taxpayers’ backs.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:14am“their”
Report Post »coldnorth
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:13amHow bout host the confrence on a military base. They can eat at the dining facitity w/ the 9th circuit reimbursing the milititary for meals, judges get $3.50 a day for meals. Judges and staff can stay in temp lodging ususally $30-60 a night. I sure there will be plenty of confrence rooms available, expecially w/ draw-downs.
Report Post »Paleo Archer
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:10amRose is probably correct on the per diem rates..and yes, abusing the Govt. Credit card can/will get you in trouble….but, the point is twofold. #1) Government is WAY to big, #2) they can cut cost’s by either conferencing close to home or use the freakin digital age technology….but as many of us know, you can’t have a budget un-spent before the end of the fiscal year, or you wont get as much next year.
Report Post »…government needs a “cost-savings” bonus program….research, prove that you (govt) employee can effectively save resources or money then they get a portion of the savings….
yougottabekidding
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:45amThe Blaze is only carping because it’s the Ninth Circuit Court, and they are supposedly Liberal.
No cause this should not exist at all, period!
Report Post »One million dollars. What is wrong with you?
Most people can not afford a vacation cause they are to busy working to pay for every gov a– h—! Let alone a vacation that costs a million!
dmerwin
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 10:09pmHave the conference in Baker Oregon and see how many feel compelled to attend. I would also suggest the Alaska National Guard facilities at Fort Richardson. They could fly in a c130 from California to Elmendorf, stay in the sumptuous Camp Carroll barracks and dine on MREs heated to taste. If it is good enough for the troops it is good enough for other federal employees.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:07pmWill do…
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:06pmGet a rope….Oh wait, this isn’t Texas or we would…
Report Post »flat_top_particular_about_the_point_it_makes
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:03pmLook at that fancy marble wall behind the judges, very expensive imported from Italy usually.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/tp/7-Overpriced-Federal-Courthouses.htm
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:54pmThey should have this fete in ENCINO M. We can rent them some wading pools and a couple a bottle’s of Mad Dog. This sucks. Call your Congressman/Woman and Senators.
Report Post »TommyGuns
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:47pmLook on the bright side. As long as they’re in Maui, we don’t have to worry about them making any stupid decisions that infringe on our constitutional rights. I wonder if there’s a way that we could send the EPA, Departments of Energy, Education and Labor, along with Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi, on a nice long vacation. We might just be able to grow our economy, pay down our debt, and enjoy the freedoms guaranteed by our constitution. Just a wistful thought!
Report Post »BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:13pmMay I suggest a nice stay at the beautiful Hotel Taliban in Afghanistan? I’d work 3 jobs to pay the airfare myself. I might work a little overtime to give them an extended stay.
If your greatest enemy becomes the truth. You are on the wrong side.
Report Post »dgonzalez01
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:45pmThe corruption and abuse on frivalous spending starts at the top with the Obama administration. The Obama administration is leading by example on government waste and abuse.
Report Post »formerlyIL
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:51pmRight On! All attitudes and spending entitlements always start from the top and are incorporated on down the line. If you don’t care if half of your employees spend half of their day on Facebook, then you will not implement any filters. It‘s very easy to spend other people’s money. I see it dailey. If a salesperson has to take their mileage out of their commission they pay attention to where they go and when. If I am paying mileage, oh my gosh, they are all over town 20 times a day. If I pay 100% of their insurance, they don’t care how much it costs. If they pay a portion of the cost and I tell them they have to absorb a portion of the increase, suddenly they are interested in why and what the benefits are and who is supplying. If I take a big vacation, employees think they need big vacations, after all, they’re the ones doing all the work!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:44pmNO! Not this time.
Report Post »LeeR47
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:43pmHow will we ever turn this country around when there are so many people who feel entitled to mooch off of the (few) taxpayers? So frustrating!
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:32pmLEER47, I agree. This is more greed and corruption. Yet, everyone on top expects the rest of us to do without. Oh yeah, unless you are part of the 40% that is taking government hand outs.
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:40pmPay for your vacations yourself like the rest of us have to. These taxpayer funded vacations, conferences, junkets, symposiums, conventions, and everything else like this needs to stop! We are broke, but you would never know by the way these liberals spend money on needless luxuries and then threaten us that there’s no money to pay for defense, police, firemen, teachers, SS, etc. They want perks like that go to work in the private sector and if your boss wants to foot the bill for this, so be it, but not on our dime!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:53pmNotice they never go to Cleveland or Knoxville etc .. it’s Vegas or Maui, etc …. or some other hot spot ..
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:38pmAs a slug travels, it leaves a trail of slime. So do these libs in robes. Have fun libs, I’m sure your slime will catch up to you. It always does; just takes a little time and We the People are patient.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 5:01pmI wonder if they know what happened to the Russian Czars?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:19pmHey, their just doing what liberals do, now you do as they say and not as they do. Besides, they needs a little bonus money, for all that good work ya know.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:19pmAnd they want the debt ceiling raised before long and wonder why taxpayers are getting so fed up with their excuses and accusations and say that Republicans want to hurt others by not raising.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:07pmThe Ninth Circuit are Liberals, enough said about their lavish trip at the surfs expense.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 20, 2012 at 4:03pmWell doesn’t that just figure .. they are the most LIBERAL with TAXPAYER money also .. they can’t afford their own vacation? Well neither can most taxpayers .. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! They should all be disbarred and/or fired!
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