newsobserver.com projects - Italy - Comments

Re: Easley trip to Italy cost $170k

gordman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:05:50 -0400

I don't think I could ever afford to pay $590 for two nights in an Italy hotel and that's because I can always find better offers other than luxury hotels. I don't question your staying there, you got your own reasons, but why would I pay for standard luxury services I can find anywhere instead of paying for common hotels that actually bring the Italian spirit right in front of me.

Re: Sticking our heads in the sand- Brilliant

MeckDeck — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:55:41 -0400

ThomasPaine, have you ever actually read any Paine?

"Government by precedent, without any regard to the principle of the precedent, is one of the vilest systems that can be set up. In numerous instances, the precedent ought to operate as a warning, and not as an example, and requires to be shunned instead of imitated" --- Rights of Man.

Paine would recognize the Easleys in a moment, petty yet arrogant nobles on the make.

JAT

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

FFC1304 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:02:32 -0400

Jim Fain and maybe an assistant were the ONLY ones who needed to go on this trip.

This is what you get after 100+ years of democrackkk domination of a once great state now totally corrupted.

Sticking our heads in the sand- Brilliant

ThomasPaine — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:42:48 -0400

Sticking our heads in the hand?... while other states agressively recruit jobs & massive investment which would otherwise locate in North Carolina?... yeah, that makes sense- that would be brilliant. The reality: we are in competition in a global economy. If you think we sit back and jobs show up at our door like a magnet... lacks a basic knowledge of the global market place. With that mindset- we'd make Mississippi look like a country club. Wake up. It's a global competition. Be first or perish. We have been a leader- #1 in the country- in agressively transitioning our economy from a glorfied tobacco patch to a world leader in banking, higher education and technology. Stay AHEAD of the game- North Carolina* Doing a GREAT job.

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

philrhodes2008 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:43:46 -0400

"Bringing business to North Carolina" is not a proper role for our State government. Our government should exist to protect our property rights, provide "rule of law" and enforce contracts. The rest should be left to private concerns, whether voluntarily formed and funded non-proft cooperatives, or private for-profit enterprises or simply grass-roots citizens groups.

Nothing about this trip was justified or proper and the Easley family should repay the taxpayers the money that was spent.

And never mind that these supposed new businesses that might be coming are sure to be lapping at the trough of taxpayer funded corporate welfare.

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

becktonjames — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:35:50 -0400

Did anyone include the salaries of the 4 troopers to the rest of the trip?

$17,000 for airfare for 4 troopers,

guess everyone had to fly business class for security.

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

jesmyopinion — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:00:42 -0400

"he signed his expense form a week after a story in The News & Observer reported the cost of the Italy trip."

It is hard to know what to believe and what is the truth... But why would his wife need to go - was this not a business trip?

Any they need 4 State Troopers? Italy must be a really dangerous place - those expensive restaurants must be pretty dangerous places to eat at.

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

domewatcher — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:10:10 -0400

The $60.00 cheeseburger episode reminds me of the TV series, “The Jeffersons.” Remember George and Louise? I think the theme song went like this (so sing along):

Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin'
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues
Gettin' our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it's you and me baby
There ain't nothin wrong with that.

I have eaten one burger, that’s a plenty,
Two would cost a hundred and twenty.
Our motto is “Virtute enim ipsa non tam multi praediti esse quam videri volunt,”
That means don’t let ‘dem Italians think you ain’t no big spender.
We’ll worry about the tab somewhat later,
We had onion rings but I wanted a ‘tater.
And waiter, when you come back bring me a doggie bag,
My dog ain’t ever had no cheeseburger with this price tag!
I love Italian ‘cheeburgers,’ nothing could be finer,
Wonder what the poor people are doing back in North Carolina?

Refrain…..

The $60 buck cheeseburger is a good story going into the 4th of July weekend. Some things are priceless…………..$4 gas, $60 cheeseburgers, weak dollars………..for everything else there is Mastercard.

I’m gonna charge some hamburger meat on my Mastercard and grill them in the backyard on the 4th. And I will eat at least three…………$180.00 worth. I think that makes me affluent?

Have a happy 4th of July!

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

rile — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:25:10 -0400

The $60 cheeseburger and onion rings combo apparently is the Hotel Chef's masterpiece--a work of art.

Cheeburger! Cheeburger! No Coke! Pepsi!

gercohen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:42:34 -0400

Cheeburger! Cheeburger! No Coke! Pepsi!

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

uncgop — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:56:21 -0400

I am sure Andy is up for doing the spot as long as Easley flies him to and from the spot on the taxpayers' dime.

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

Isaac136 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:25:28 -0400

The party should simply get Andy Griffith to do a P.R. ad. with a zoom in shot of him saying

"That was a goooooooood cheeseburger!"

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

lpetrou — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:13:36 -0400

My biggest complaint is why go to Italy (or France) and eat a Cheeseburger and Onion Rings? That is a crime!!!!

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

j1c2kp — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:05:15 -0400

Sorry Mr. former district attorney, attorney general and soon to be former governor, there is absolutely no defense of your fancy vacations. Way to go Mikey. Could we just clean house in Raleigh, let all of them hit the road and start over?

Re: Cheeseburgers in paradise?

FFC1304 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:55:42 -0400

'three $20 Coins in a Fountain'

hilarious!!