President gets Grylled

[Gob]

Who would have thought you’d see the leader of the free world sitting round the campfire, joking about bear sex and about drinking your own wee?



Bear Grylls is trekking up an Alaskan valley with the President of America ... I know! You have to pinch yourself, as Bear did; but Bear’s Wild Adventure with Barack Obama (Channel 4, Sunday) is a real thing. It was the president’s idea apparently – or his people’s at least; they made the approach. Maybe Michelle and the girls wanted him out of the House. Plus he is getting an environmental message in there too.

It’s not just about the glacier that’s shrinking further and further up the valley and the need to safeguard the planet for future generations (and the need for a president thinking about his legacy to demonstrate that that’s what he cares about). Barack also talks about living in a bubble; they discuss being fathers, there are selfie opportunities – and a chance for the president to show how un-smart he is at operating a phone.

There are survival tips from Bear, too. And a can of bear spray. So what should they do, if they run into one, a lower-case bear? “If you intrude to their territory, just back away slowly, keep eye contact, back away out of it, don’t turn, don’t run,” says Bear. “If they intrude on your camp you want to make big, you want to be like super bear, you want to make lots of noise, show you’re not worth the fight and scare them off.” Maybe some lessons there too, about foreign policy and homeland security.

You have to feel for any bear that wanders unwittingly into that valley today. We’ve seen behind the scenes, that Potus isn’t really quite alone in the wild with a posh British adrenaline junkie and survivor. There are squadrons of helicopters, armies of secret service, snipers on every ridge. The bubble hasn’t gone and no bear – or anything else – is really going to get anywhere near. Spray? Taken out by drone, more like.

It’s not the wildest run Bear’s done then, unsurprisingly. More of a gentle, heavily-escorted stroll. And what’s with the solid fuel Bear has brought along for the fire, instead of gathering wood? That’s cheating, right? Look, he’s even got lunch in his pack, even if it is a bear-mauled salmon he found by the river earlier (he says).

Anyway, Barack tucks in gamely, while his food-taster, I imagine, has a fit off-stage. And he drinks the tea made from the catkins they picked – good for flatulence, apparently. “Not a problem I have, but perhaps you do?” the president fires at Bear. Hey, pretty funny, Mr Pres. Also when he says humans (as well as bears) get cross when you interrupt them fornicating. They both seem to be enjoying their day together.

Is this not the weirdest thing ever to go out on TV though? The leader of the free world joking about farting round the campfire? And bear sex, and drinking your own wee, which they also discuss, but sadly don’t actually do. I imagine the taster, and the image people, put their foot down there. The two, both men of faith, share a prayer instead.

[MajGenl.Meade]

Didn't quite get the copy/paste right or are we supposed to comment on Vanna and Joseph?

[Gob]

I'll e3dit it.

[MajGenl.Meade]

OK now I've got it. If one crashing bore is not alone in the forest, is there any noise worth listening to?

[TPFKA@W]

Interesting, I wonder what the hell that cost John Q. Taxpayer.

[wesw]

they weren t breathing like they had "trekked " up to the glacier....

[BoSoxGal]

Interesting, I wonder what the hell that cost John Q. Taxpayer.

A lot less than this ego exercise:

[TPFKA@W]

Interesting, I wonder what the hell that cost John Q. Taxpayer.

A lot less than this ego exercise:

I don't give one whit about which political party blows the money, just that it is being blown.

I think these bastards should have to pay out of their pockets for vacation transportation etc, just like the rest of us poor slobs do.

[Bicycle Bill]

I don't give one whit about which political party blows the money, just that it is being blown.
I think these bastards should have to pay out of their pockets for vacation transportation etc, just like the rest of us poor slobs do.

The rest of us poor slobs, as you so gracefully put it, are not trying to work with the five hundred and some idiots in Congress in order to try to manage the most important country in the free world, nor are we the target of every hate-spewing nutjob that this country can produce.  What's he supposed to do — take an Uber ride to the airport, and then fly coach on JetBlue?

If for no other reason than for the safety of our country's Chief Executive, I'm not going to begrudge Mr. Obama or any of his successors what it costs to use AF-1 to fly back to his home for Christmas.

-"BB"-

[Lord Jim]

Bear Grylls

I watched one episode (well about 20 minutes actually; that was all I could stomach) of his Man vs. Wild TV series...

If your thing is watching somebody eat bugs it's a great show; if not, then not so much...

[Guinevere]

I don't give one whit about which political party blows the money, just that it is being blown.
I think these bastards should have to pay out of their pockets for vacation transportation etc, just like the rest of us poor slobs do.

The rest of us poor slobs, as you so gracefully put it, are not trying to work with the five hundred and some idiots in Congress in order to try to manage the most important country in the free world, nor are we the target of every hate-spewing nutjob that this country can produce.  What's he supposed to do — take an Uber ride to the airport, and then fly coach on JetBlue?

If for no other reason than for the safety of our country's Chief Executive, I'm not going to begrudge Mr. Obama or any of his successors what it costs to use AF-1 to fly back to his home for Christmas.

-"BB"-

Not to mention that a presidential vacation isn't really a vacation. It's a 24/7/365 job --- so I'm glad they have all of the technology and resources available wherever they go.

[TPFKA@W]

I don't give one whit about which political party blows the money, just that it is being blown.
I think these bastards should have to pay out of their pockets for vacation transportation etc, just like the rest of us poor slobs do.

The rest of us poor slobs, as you so gracefully put it, are not trying to work with the five hundred and some idiots in Congress in order to try to manage the most important country in the free world, nor are we the target of every hate-spewing nutjob that this country can produce.  What's he supposed to do — take an Uber ride to the airport, and then fly coach on JetBlue?

If for no other reason than for the safety of our country's Chief Executive, I'm not going to begrudge Mr. Obama or any of his successors what it costs to use AF-1 to fly back to his home for Christmas.

-"BB"-

Not to mention that a presidential vacation isn't really a vacation. It's a 24/7/365 job --- so I'm glad they have all of the technology and resources available wherever they go.

I understand that part, I do, but I don't think the trips should be so elaborate at tax payers expense nor should 100% of it come at the expense of the tax payers.

It is time to change that, perhaps have a few "staycations" for example. The job comes with a ridiculous number of perks which I suppose is why anyone would court it at such huge expense.

You all can be happy and fail to begrudge, I can see better uses for the money.

[Big RR]

If I understand it correctly, a president does pay his own costs for his vacation--the equivalent airfare (granted he files AF 1 but this is for the convenience of the government which has decided security, etc. must accompany him), lodging (but again, not for the security and others the government insist accompany him), etc. many personal expenses come directly ut of a president's pocket. Despite a decent salary, few people have ever left the oval office rich.

@W--I doubt it's the perks people want--it's the power they seek; and many leave the office somewhat embittered that with al that power, they still couldn't get much done; but the candidates have the arrogance to think they will be the one person that will be different.

[Guinevere]

BigRR is correct. The first family has to reimburse for a lot of personal expenses. For example, they pay for all of their own personal food and meals, although the government pays for the White House cooks, and all of that staff.

And if there is any campaigning done along the way, of any personal or governmental travel, then the campaign is required to reimburse for that expense as well.

[Bicycle Bill]

The job comes with a ridiculous number of perks which I suppose is why anyone would court it at such huge expense.

From a quick search on the 'net:
Since 2001, the president has earned a $400,000 annual salary (increased at that time from $200K), along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment.  The most recent raise in salary was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton in 1999 and went into effect in 2001.  He does, of course, receive Secret Service protection for himself and his family while in office, and the use of that big shiny 747 that you seem to be so upset about.

And then, of course, after leaving office he will receive retirement benefits including a pension, Secret Service protection, and reimbursements for staff, travel, mail, and office expenses.  It might be interesting to note that the Presidential pension is not a fixed amount; it presently matches the current salary of Cabinet members (or Executive Level I personnel), which is $191,300/year as of March, 2008.  And starting with POTUS #43, the Secret Service protection lasts for only ten years after leaving office; George W. has only two years left on his government-provided bodyguards (although I suppose that a private bodyguard service could be considered 'staff' and would be covered under provisions of his pension).

But the biggest perk is that for better or worse he will always have played a major role in determining the history of the United States of America; he will always be an entry into the history books; and he will — if current custom continues — always be addressed as Mr. President.

-"BB"-

[Guinevere]

You forgot the six figure speaking and appearance fees. Anyone who wasn't rich before they became President, surely becomes so afterwards.

[Bicycle Bill]

You forgot the six figure speaking and appearance fees. Anyone who wasn't rich before they became President, surely becomes so afterwards.

But that's not provided by the government or by the taxpayers, and that's what TPFKA@W seemed to be so upset about.

-"BB"-

[Guinevere]

Thread drift, dude. Just go with it!

[Lord Jim]

You forgot the six figure speaking and appearance fees. Anyone who wasn't rich before they became President, surely becomes so afterwards.

And the seven and eight figure book deals...

It's been a long time since a former American President has died in poverty...

[oldr_n_wsr]

I like the guy on nat geo (Les is his name I think) who actually survives on his own. Dropped in the middle of nowhere, filming himself the whole time. No crew or supplies whatsoever. Forgot the name of the show.