Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: Jamie B on September 21, 2011, 02:31:21 PM
-
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-20/-extravagant-spending-16-muffins-found-at-justice-conferences.html
U.S. Justice Department agencies spent too much for food at conferences, in one case serving $16 muffins and in another dishing out beef Wellington appetizers that cost $7.32 per serving, an audit found.
In April 2008 the Justice Department issued policies and procedures designed to control conference spending.
The new report found that agencies were able to “circumvent meal and refreshment cost limits” when conferences were planned under cooperative agreements, a type of funding awarded by a Justice Department agency.
How nice that these douchebags are so inventive in circumventing the controls on their previously extravagant spending habits.
And you wonder why taxpayers do not trust any governmental agency who are overwhelmed with their own importance.....
-
I don't know about you, but I'd love to try a $16 muffin. But I can't remember ever having a muffin I'd pay 16 dollars for.
-
Having done a lot of public speaking at medical and legal meetings at fancy hotels and being part of planning committees that arrange these events, I have had some exposure to the cost of hotel catering and services. It can be shocking to say the least. $ 500 to rent a computer projector for half a day; $ 250 to set it up, $ 3 for a can of Sprite, $ 14 for a piece of cheesecake, etc.
Not to excuse the subject of the original post, but I can easily see paying $ 16 for a muffin at a conference. In my experience, these prices would not be out of line in downtown NYC, Washington DC, San Francisco, Atlanta or other big cities and hotels catering to the business convention trade.
-
What were these muffins made of, unobtanium? [popcorn]
-
"I've gotta know what a fi-dollah shake tastes like."
-
What were these muffins made of, unobtanium? [popcorn]
Pot muffins.
-
in 1992 we got 125 dollars a gallon for coffee plus 18% gratuity at the mayflower. buff wings were 1.25 a wing the small bottles of coke were 2 bucks
-
Only way I am eating a $16 muffin is if it is personally delivered by Mila Kunis!
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-x1vUxJ2qUVA%2FTgt9tWEpUfI%2FAAAAAAAAB3U%2FfAET0ii-Prg%2Fs1600%2Fmila%2Bkunis%2Bwith%2Bsexy%2Bcleavage.jpg&hash=e49e58ce5aa5c82d0263169ef64c17dbf3f23202)
-
Only way I am eating a $16 muffin is if it is personally delivered by Mila Kunis!
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-x1vUxJ2qUVA%2FTgt9tWEpUfI%2FAAAAAAAAB3U%2FfAET0ii-Prg%2Fs1600%2Fmila%2Bkunis%2Bwith%2Bsexy%2Bcleavage.jpg&hash=e49e58ce5aa5c82d0263169ef64c17dbf3f23202)
Werd.
-
I am disappoint that no one has called for muffin delivery by Christina Hendricks. I would take her over Ms. Kunis any day.
-
I'd be happy with a muffin delivered by my wife. But then again I like her cooking and I know what kind of um "results" ill get later.
-
I think that I found one.
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hemmy.net%2Fimages%2Fcar%2Fstupidaccidents42.jpg&hash=080d8c902190b2118c1ae40d12f4ad1229f30c56)
-
I don't know about you, but I'd love to try a $16 muffin. But I can't remember ever having a muffin I'd pay 16 dollars for.
They are delicious!
But what about a muffin you'd have someone else pay 16 dollars for? :P
-
Only way I am eating a $16 muffin is if it is personally delivered by Mila Kunis!
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-x1vUxJ2qUVA%2FTgt9tWEpUfI%2FAAAAAAAAB3U%2FfAET0ii-Prg%2Fs1600%2Fmila%2Bkunis%2Bwith%2Bsexy%2Bcleavage.jpg&hash=e49e58ce5aa5c82d0263169ef64c17dbf3f23202)
I see $32 worth in that pic alone..... =D
-
Just read a bit in the ASJA mag, they have their annual conference in Manhattan because that's where the editors and publishers are that they want to bring to the writers. They figured the coffee service in the hall was costing $20/cup and the plated lunch at $80 a head, hotel glad to do a cold plate buffet instead as long as they still charged the $80. Those deals are worse than the mob. Used to go to trade shows, whatever the convention
extortion moving and facilities company made out similarly. Want an extension cord? $$$$ Move all your stuff? $$$$$ Set it up too? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ We self installed thank you very much.
-
you self installed in nyc? the unions allowed that?
-
you self installed in nyc? the unions allowed that?
Several decades ago when my Dad was still working, he said they quit displaying at trade shows held at Chicago's McCormick Place - the facility insisted that you would have to hire the on-site union electricians for everything, even to change a light bulb in your display.
Even though they were on-site, you STILL were billed for round/trip travel time from wherever their home office was, mileage, two (2) electricians, fuel surcharge, etc. It could easily run $500.
To change an <expletive deleted> light bulb you could walk over to and change yourself in 30 seconds.
Exhibitors used to watch out for union "observers" and change their own bulbs . . . but then, overnight, bulbs started disappearing from displays. Bleeping crooks. [ar15]
-
I am disappoint that no one has called for muffin delivery by Christina Hendricks. I would take her over Ms. Kunis any day.
That would be more than $16 each.
-
you self installed in nyc? the unions allowed that?
I know! I find this amazing that no one got their legs broken!
-
i was at a food show in new york . electrician was on a step ladder high up changing a bulb. i put my foot on bottom rung and held ladder to steady it and some union puke came over ranting "you can't do that! you're not union!" i wanted to pop him one
-
i was at a food show in new york . electrician was on a step ladder high up changing a bulb. i put my foot on bottom rung and held ladder to steady it and some union puke came over ranting "you can't do that! you're not union!" i wanted to pop him one
Then he can get his lazy butt over there and hold the ladder.
Complaining that someone else is doing work that you are too lazy to do or won't do is ridiculous.
-
Then he can get his lazy butt over there and hold the ladder.
Complaining that someone else is doing work that you are too lazy to do or won't do is ridiculous.
its deeper than that. his job(the guy on the ladder) would require a helper to hold ladder etc so the union doubles its take from dues.
-
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/23/140735433/those-muffins-did-not-cost-16-each-hilton-says?ft=1&f=1001
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=140724272
There is apparently more to MuffinGate than meets the eye.
-
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/23/140735433/those-muffins-did-not-cost-16-each-hilton-says?ft=1&f=1001
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=140724272
There is apparently more to MuffinGate than meets the eye.
"The muffins didn't really cost $16 because we gave them a bunch of comps" doesn't really cut it. The muffins were still listed seperately as $4200. And as others have noticed, it appears that they broke federal regulations when they contracted the food along with the conference room.
-
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fverydemotivational.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F09%2Fdemotivational-posters-i-dont-know-how-she-does-it.jpg&hash=658d4dcff0f5e74ad5a0a59bf0e98f22c1ea690b)
I would like one blueberry and one lemon poppyseed delivered, please.
-
Face it, the muffins were just really hot =)
-
Muffin Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcm7uJ74XFI&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcm7uJ74XFI&NR=1)
DD
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzFJM1qZqsk&feature=player_detailpage#t=52s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzFJM1qZqsk&feature=player_detailpage#t=52s)
Wow......just......wow......
-
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/28/141802661/watchdogs-take-back-claim-about-16-muffins?ft=1&f=1001
So maybe this whole muffin thing was just a big misunderstanding.......
"Now the watchdogs say they were wrong for calling out the department for spending too much on muffins. "We regret the error in our original report," auditors say (a copy of the revised report is posted below)."
-
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/28/141802661/watchdogs-take-back-claim-about-16-muffins?ft=1&f=1001
So maybe this whole muffin thing was just a big misunderstanding.......
"Now the watchdogs say they were wrong for calling out the department for spending too much on muffins. "We regret the error in our original report," auditors say (a copy of the revised report is posted below)."
Justice officials have said they were already taking action before the original report was released. Deputy Attorney General Jim Cole has said conference costs are way down this year.
Well, this just makes me giddy with joy!
Of course, I am sure that office copier costs are up by the same amount due to creative accounting!
-
Several decades ago when my Dad was still working, he said they quit displaying at trade shows held at Chicago's McCormick Place - the facility insisted that you would have to hire the on-site union electricians for everything, even to change a light bulb in your display.
Even though they were on-site, you STILL were billed for round/trip travel time from wherever their home office was, mileage, two (2) electricians, fuel surcharge, etc. It could easily run $500.
To change an <expletive deleted> light bulb you could walk over to and change yourself in 30 seconds.
Exhibitors used to watch out for union "observers" and change their own bulbs . . . but then, overnight, bulbs started disappearing from displays. Bleeping crooks. [ar15]
I used to be involved in a publishing company that exhibited at least once a year at McCormick. Amen to all you say here. The place was a shameless cathedral of cold-blooded exploitation by the unions. All rather ironic given that the trade show involved was focused on arguably the most competitive industry in the world.