Boehner spent taxpayer money on etiquette school

[marjar]

Washington (CNN) - As Speaker of the House, John Boehner regularly hosts foreign leaders visiting Washington, presides over joint meetings of the House and Senate, and gives out Congressional commendations. So, as he prepared to take over the post last year, he enrolled an aide in a class at a private school outside Washington, D.C. to learn proper etiquette.

According to public records listing payments by Boehner's office, and first reported by the publication Roll Call, the then Republican Leader spent $5,800 last December in tuition for his aide to attend a five day course this spring given by the Protocol School of Washington.

politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/09/boehner-spent-taxpayer-money-on-etiquette-school/#more-149716

[billisonboard]

Seems a reasonable, necessary expense.

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

Maybe some forum members should take some etiquette classes....
Not pointing fingers...but....

[Deleted]

$5800 is a bit high for a five day course..... but it is rather routine for employers to pay for continuing education, especially when it fills a specific void or need

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

$5800 is a bit high for a five day course..... but it is rather routine for employers to pay for continuing education, especially when it fills a specific void or need


Not sure if it is too high. We are talking diplomatic, high end etiquetter, not Miss Manners stuff.

[Deleted]

Yeah, and i'm not sure what was included... just seemed like a lot on first notice... not sure what corporate training type workshops generally cost?

[marjar]

Understanding protocol is important.

n the last four years the school has also coached an aide from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, an aide with the House Sergeant at Arms office that handles security, a staffer for the Library of Congress, and employees of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The school declined to give specifics on what training an aide from the Senate's GOP political arm would receive, but said others from academic institutions and other private groups focused on event planning and fundraising have attended sessions in recent years.

The protocol course covers personal leadership, proper rules on how to seat officials at official events, cross cultural awareness, and the basics of how to write invitations and arrange place cards at dinner tables. Attendees who complete the class receive a certificate and can follow up with experts at the school if they have questions about specific situations. The school has trained officials from the FBI, the CIA, NASA, as well as large companies like Boeing.

Eyring, a former chief of protocol at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Boehner's native state of Ohio, pointed to the speaker's working class roots and said that dealing with world leaders is likely new territory for him. "A lot of people that don't have exposure to international delegations or VIP's don't know what to do. Is it 'your Excellency or your honor?'

Boehner has already begun hosting a series of foreign leaders at the Capitol. Earlier this year he hosted a closed meeting with the Chinese President Hu and Wednesday he opened a joint meeting of Congress with a speech by the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. It's also an annual tradition for the speaker to host a lunch for the President of the United States and the Irish Prime Minister at the Capitol to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

[deziloooooo]

Mar 11, 2011 21:49:05 GMT -5 oped said:

$5800 is a bit high for a five day course..... but it is rather routine for employers to pay for continuing education, especially when it fills a specific void or need

Isn't there a State protocol department in our government, state department used for State Dinners, the President, VP, other high ranking officials?
I would think a speaker of the house would qualify too, already being paid and since this is a full time department the ones there would be much better trained, have knowledge of then a aid sent on a one week course with little hands on , having to remember what the hell was said in a class or going to the book they were issued after they passed the course, those folks . the professionals , would have hands on experience.

Just a thought.

[marjar]

Don't know who runs this school, but they appear to have a good thing going. Article stated they will have about 30 students and at that weekly rate...... The only accredited school of this nature, in the country.

[deziloooooo]

Mar 11, 2011 22:05:46 GMT -5 @marjar said:

Don't know who runs this school, but they appear to have a good thing going. Article stated they will have about 30 students and at that weekly rate...... The only accredited school of this nature, in the country.

I am not complaining actually I know it is important , I just bought up hat i thought was already there , possible the department doesn't cover congressman and senators and head of houses...

Actually I know there is such a department for the POTUS, it was used in a "West Wing" story, they werw always straight with the facts//LOL ;D

[marjar]

Mar 11, 2011 22:44:34 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Mar 11, 2011 22:05:46 GMT -5 @marjar said:

Don't know who runs this school, but they appear to have a good thing going. Article stated they will have about 30 students and at that weekly rate...... The only accredited school of this nature, in the country.

I am not complaining actually I know it is important , I just bought up hat i thought was already there , possible the department doesn't cover congressman and senators and head of houses...

I know you're not complaining. The people behind this school appear to have found a niche and created a monopoly.

[Deleted]

I'm just wondering what the actual cost of that school was? Sure the school gets $5,800 for the class but that's not the cost to the American tax payer. To figure that up you would have to know what the interest we are going to pay on that $5,800 (after all we are borrowing the money) & how long we are going to pay that interest (I'm guessing for at least 20 years). When I think about it that way I really don't think the class was necessary at this time. Same would be true for a lot of things the government spends money on. Oh & not thinking about it that way has gotten us to where we are.

[Deleted]

I do think its legitimate to ask, if we do have a department for this and people already knowledgable, if it wouldn't be cheaper to do in house training on these matters? Especially if a week is all that's necessary...

[Deleted]

This message has been deleted. - Double post...

[marjar]

Mar 11, 2011 23:02:05 GMT -5 @oldtex said:

I'm just wondering what the actual cost of that school was? Sure the school gets $5,800 for the class but that's not the cost to the American tax payer. To figure that up you would have to know what the interest we are going to pay on that $5,800 (after all we are borrowing the money) & how long we are going to pay that interest (I'm guessing for at least 20 years). When I think about it that way I really don't think the class was necessary at this time. Same would be true for a lot of things the government spends money on. Oh & not thinking about it that way has gotten us to where we are.

You have a point. I wonder if this included lodging and meals, or were those extra? Some programs, of this nature, include those in the total cost. Transportation is another cost.

[burnsattornincan]

Yeah, and i'm not sure what was included...

Well in my district it would have included hookers and plenty of cocaine but I'm not sure what the COL is in Washington DC.

[mmhmm]

When reading what you posted as the curriculum, I'm stricken with the thought that all of that could have been rather easily included in a read-it-yourself cram sheet!

[marjar]

Mar 12, 2011 9:53:32 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

When reading what you posted as the curriculum, I'm stricken with the thought that all of that could have been rather easily included in a read-it-yourself cram sheet!

I understand the importance of protocol, but thinking about this, it would seem that all this info could be compiled into a manual, and if hands on or lecture is required, be compressed into a one or two day workshop. The more I think about it, the more it sounds as though someone has a great gig in offering these classes.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

He's third in line for the Presidency. I'm not saying he shouldn't foot the bill himself- he should. They all should. But I can understand why it's important. We don't need our government officials looking like jackasses anymore than they already do. If we'd paid for the same class for the Bamster he might have avoided all that bowing down and kissing of shoes he does.

[Deleted]

lol paul... i think you missed the point...

[formerexpat]

$5800 is a bit high for a five day course

On the surface, I agree. Then I read this:

Pamela Eyring, the president and director of the Protocol School of Washington, notes there is no formal training given by the government and the school is the only accredited program in the country.

Supply and demand. The only accredited program in the country.

I'm guessing aides from the other side of the aisle have taken this class for this price too.

But the point others have made is valid. Is this something that can be done in house for cheaper? How many government workers take this course per year, what is the total cost and is it more cost efficient to bring it in house? [/size]

[jarhead1976]

He should have taken the "I need to stop crying class." More wasted money. Do you think he learned anything? An aid teaching the speaker of the house proper etiquette.

[mmhmm]

No matter how hard I try, it's impossible for me to undertstand why this can't be done in-house. There are plenty of folks around, many retired, who have served our government in various areas and have learned these protocols. Why not utilize that experience?

[marjar]

Mar 12, 2011 12:37:22 GMT -5 formerexpat said:

$5800 is a bit high for a five day course

On the surface, I agree. Then I read this:

Pamela Eyring, the president and director of the Protocol School of Washington, notes there is no formal training given by the government and the school is the only accredited program in the country.

Supply and demand. The only accredited program in the country.


I'm guessing aides from the other side of the aisle have taken this class for this price too.

But the point others have made is valid. Is this something that can be done in house for cheaper? How many government workers take this course per year, what is the total cost and is it more cost efficient to bring it in house?

[/size][/quote]

Why is it the only accredited program? It may be supply and demand in that this one school satisfies the need, but I do detect the possible scent of favoritism.

[marjar]

Mar 12, 2011 13:47:11 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

No matter how hard I try, it's impossible for me to undertstand why this can't be done in-house. There are plenty of folks around, many retired, who have served our government in various areas and have learned these protocols. Why not utilize that experience?

I would think so. Plenty of retired embassy folks around and what they are lacking in knowledge, about various cultures they may not have experienced, can be trained in those areas and pass the knowledge onto others.

[formerexpat]

Why is it the only accredited program? It may be supply and demand in that this one school satisfies the need, but I do detect the possible scent of favoritism.

Favoritism my whom? The DoE or IOoS or both? You must know a lot more than me about etiquette schools than me to be able to form an educated opinion on the topic. [/size]

[marjar]

Mar 12, 2011 15:03:13 GMT -5 formerexpat said:

Why is it the only accredited program? It may be supply and demand in that this one school satisfies the need, but I do detect the possible scent of favoritism.

Favoritism my whom? The DoE or IOoS or both? You must know a lot more than me about etiquette schools than me to be able to form an educated opinion on the topic.

[/size][/quote]


I only suggested the possibility that perhaps this program was somehow protected from competition.

[ed1066]

Can we get Obama enrolled in this class so he understands to not roll over like a puppy who wants his belly scratched every time he meets a foreign dignitary? And also someone needs to tell him "no fist bumps with mass-murdering dictators", "no bowing in front of terror-sponsoring madmen" and "no more cheap-ass gifts for our formerly solid allies". Please, it's embarrassing...

[deziloooooo]

Mar 14, 2011 16:48:43 GMT -5 @ed1066 said:

Can we get Obama enrolled in this class so he understands to not roll over like a puppy who wants his belly scratched every time he meets a foreign dignitary? And also someone needs to tell him "no fist bumps with mass-murdering dictators", "no bowing in front of terror-sponsoring madmen" and "no more cheap-ass gifts for our formerly solid allies". Please, it's embarrassing...

Mar 14, 2011 17:40:03 GMT -5 @privateinvestor said:

Mar 14, 2011 16:48:43 GMT -5 @ed1066 said:

Can we get Obama enrolled in this class so he understands to not roll over like a puppy who wants his belly scratched every time he meets a foreign dignitary? And also someone needs to tell him "no fist bumps with mass-murdering dictators", "no bowing in front of terror-sponsoring madmen" and "no more cheap-ass gifts for our formerly solid allies". Please, it's embarrassing...

After attending etiquette classes he should then attend Leadership 101 class, or writing classes because after his one term as president you have to know he will write a book about his disastrous four years as our 44th president and blame his predecessor and the republicans for his dismal performance..

[privateinvestor]

Mar 14, 2011 16:48:43 GMT -5 @ed1066 said:

Can we get Obama enrolled in this class so he understands to not roll over like a puppy who wants his belly scratched every time he meets a foreign dignitary? And also someone needs to tell him "no fist bumps with mass-murdering dictators", "no bowing in front of terror-sponsoring madmen" and "no more cheap-ass gifts for our formerly solid allies". Please, it's embarrassing...

After attending etiquette classes he should then attend Leadership 101 class, or writing classes because after his one term as president you have to know he will write a book about his disastrous four years as our 44th president and blame his predecessor and the republicans for his dismal performance..