Current Events > Mike Pence's NFL game walkout was likely staged and cost taxpayers $325k

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http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-mike-pence-nfl-20181008-story.html

Vice President Mike Pences early departure from an NFL game last year because of players kneeling during the national anthem was very likely staged and also expensive for taxpayers, according to a new report.

The former Indiana governor visited Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Oct. 8, 2017, with the stated intention of being on hand as Peyton Manning's jersey was retired at halftime of the Colts game against the San Francisco 49ers.

But he didnt stick around long enough for that ceremony or any part of the game.

Pence stood with hand over heart for the playing of the national anthem prior to the game. At the same time, several 49ers players knelt on the sideline, continuing the protest against social injustice started by former teammate Colin Kaepernick.

So Pence left the game, stating later on Twitter, I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem and I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem.

Trump then tweeted I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.

The Huffington Post reported Saturday that receipts and folios recently released by the Department of Homeland Security indicate that Pences trip ran up more than $75,000 in expenses, including hotel and travel costs and additional security measures.

The article also took into account a Washington Post report from last year that indicated the use of Air Force Two for the trip would have cost an additional $250,000, bringing the total cost of Pences excursion to more than $325,000.

The Huffington Post goes on to suggest that dates and times listed on the documents provide evidence that the trip may have been a hastily planned publicity stunt about the protests during the anthem, rather than one that had been long-planned for the Manning ceremony.

Temporary downtown walkways ($2,368) deployed for Pences visit were ordered from a rental company only two days before the game and scheduled to be removed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, hardly enough time for someone to view a 1 p.m. NFL game in its entirety and then depart. A Pence staffer did inform pool reporters in advance that Pence might leave the game early, but did not indicate a specific time.

Also, according to the report, a lodging addendum for the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Airport was signed three days before the game. There is one paper addressed to the hotel that was dated Sept. 13, but its so heavily redacted that the Huffington Post said that its unclear if its related to Pences trip or even that its a Secret Service document at all.

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God damn, this administration.
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i just figured he remembered he had some gays to electrocute somewhere and used the kneeling as an excuse
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Trumps America
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I mean Trump already uses tax payer dollars to pay for his vacations at his resorts (which in turn, means hes making money by doing it) so Im not surprised this administration is continuing to hemorrhage money.

Fiscal responsibility though!!!
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sktgamer_13dude posted...

Fiscal responsibility though!!!

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Of course it was staged.
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The party of fiscal responsibility aka expensive publicity stunts aimed at bitching about black people
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pissing money away to trigger the libs
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Considering he did the same thing last season its most definitely staged and something they have every intention of repeating.
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divot1338 posted...

Considering he did the same thing last season its most definitely staged and something they have every intention of repeating.

It is the one from last year.
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A) 2017
B) 300k out of a multi trillion dollar budget

Thought this was common knowledge.
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Getting triggered to trigger the libs
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tremain07 posted...

pissing money away to trigger the libs

Triggering libs makes triggered cons feel better.
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Likely? It was 100% staged.
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VipaGTS posted...

Likely? It was 100% staged.

I mean, Trump even said so on Twitter. It's in the OP >_>
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Trump was commenting on it before it actually happened.

It wasn't just staged, it was probably suggested by Trump.
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Who cares, go kneel
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DiaDhuit posted...

A) 2017
B) 300k out of a multi trillion dollar budget

Brand new alt with a pointlessly dumb deflection, what a surprise
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JustMyOpinion posted...

It is a waste of money but I wouldn't get too upset over what comes to roughly a tenth of a penny per person.

Regardless of how much it costs per person that was money that could have gone towards the country or added to a program that this country needs. Yes In the grand scheme of things 325k is a small amount compared to what wed need overall but its better spent helping people than being used on some childish display that accomplished nothing.
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Even if it wasn't staged, it was pretty gutless. The Vice President of the United States is so thin skinned that he can't stand to be around a few people who share a different viewpoint but aren't actually hurting anyone by their protest. But it's much worse if it was staged.
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JustMyOpinion posted...

It is a waste of money but I wouldn't get too upset over what comes to roughly a tenth of a penny per person.

If hes wasting money on publicity stunts then he should be paying for all of it himself. Subsidized publicity stunts are dumb as fuck.
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Very likely

Lol
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divot1338 posted...

Considering he did the same thing last season its most definitely staged and something they have every intention of repeating.

Spoiler alert: This is about the last season debacle
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