[richlevy]

Some conservatives have alleged that Pelosi's flight to Italy cost $200,000. Rumors have been circulating for quite some time that Pelosi uses a 200-seat Air Force jet for her flights, and that she is the first Speaker to regularly fly on military planes. However, nonpartisan Web site FactCheck.org explains that, in fact, Speaker Dennis Hastert was the first to make regular use of Air Force planes, and that Pelosi uses the same type that he did, a 12-seater.

I remember talking to someone I knew who worked for a major computer company. He was complaining about being sent to Paris again. It wasn't until I went on my first business trip late in my career to San Francisco and LA (multiple times) that I understood how draining it can be. Working long days and returning to your hotel too exhausted to do anything but sleep makes the location irrelevant.

I have less sympathy for people who have retreats at fancy resorts where the invitees can duck out of any or all programs.

If Pelosi or any member of Congress worked a full schedule and didn't spend most of their time touring the wine country, that's fine. I wonder if their itineraries are public by law or by choice.

At the very least, she didn't pull a Palin and have the government fly her children along at taxpayer expense as special ambassadors or something.