Lawmakers flew half way around the world to study global warming – price tag over half a million bucks!

They could have saved a ton of dough by visiting Climate Depot. Ever hear of sun spots ? Oh, that’s right. We don’t use common sense any more.  The sun doesn’t warm the earth, carbon does! My bad! So all of you people who are so much smarter than I am: If we are experiencing global warming, why, on Friday August 7, 2009, did I have to put on a sweater in the middle of the afternoon because I was tired of being cold? Give me a break!

From the Wall Street Journal:

When 10 members of Congress wanted to study climate change, they did more than just dip their toes into the subject: They went diving and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. They also rode a cable car through the Australian rain forest, visited a penguin rookery and flew to the South Pole.

The 11-day trip — with six spouses traveling along as well — took place over New Year’s 2008. Details are only now coming to light as part of a Wall Street Journal analysis piecing together the specifics of the excursion.

It’s tough to calculate the travel bills racked up by members of Congress, but one thing’s for sure: They use a lot of airplanes. In recent days, House of Representatives members allocated $550 million to upgrade the fleet of luxury Air Force jets used for trips like these — even though the Defense Department says it doesn’t need all the planes.

The South Pole trip, led by Rep. Brian Baird (D., Wash.), ranks among the priciest. The lawmakers reported a cost to taxpayers of $103,000.

That figure, however, doesn’t include the actual flying, because the trip used the Air Force planes, not commercial carriers. Flight costs would lift the total tab to more than $500,000, based on Defense Department figures for aircraft per-hour operating costs.

Out of the ten, four were Republicans. They have no excuse! How is it we continue to let them get away with this crap?

And just in case you were wondering – winter here in the US is summer in Australia.