Take a look at these characters
We found a great website that investigates how our lawmakers spend money on "trips," and in this specific case, how they take "sponsored" trips to Turkey under the guise of
"fact-finding." The trips are sponsored by Gulen's Rumi Foundation.
What is most puzzling to us is if our lawmakers are looking for "facts to find," how about starting in their own backyard. Gosh, there's really no reason to fly off to Turkey, all they have to do is look at the Gulen-inspired charters schools that are popping up faster than a Orville's microwave popcorn, and they will find a plethora of unsavory facts about the Turkish school administrators and teachers -- that are factual.
And interesting enough, most of the legislators on the list are host states for the Gulen-inspired schools. Coincidence, we think not. Looks like our politicians will do anything for a free piece of baklava...
Here's our advice -- check out the list below and see which lawmakers are current candidates for the upcoming November election. And before you cast a vote, make sure that you investigate the "facts," that hopefully, the lawmakers "found" on their "fact-finding" missions in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey.
Source information can be found at:
http://www.legistorm.com/trip/list/by/sponsor/id/9928/name/Rumi_Forum_for_Interfaith_Dialogue/page/2.html
Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue - Sponsor of Congressional Travel
No. 24
Cost: $76,390
Trips Selected: 14
Approved by Republicans
14
$45,450
Approved by Democrats
10
$30,940
View Details / PDF
Traveler/ Dates
Approver
Destination/ Purpose
Cost
Buchanan, Michael Dee (Dee)
08/16/08-08/23/08
Hensarling, Rep. Jeb (-TX)
Istanbul, Turkey
Meetings with journalists, academics, medical professionals, members of Parliament, headmasters/prin... more
$3,430.00
Downs, Glen Alan
08/16/08-08/23/08
Jones, Rep. Walter Beaman (-NC)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Met with representatives of religious, media, business organizations, as well as officials from gove... more
$3,400.00
Gundersen, Kevin
08/16/08-08/23/08
King, Rep. Pete (-NY)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
To participate in a congressional trip to Turkey, which included meetings with government, business,... more
$3,350.00
Bennett, Aimee Brooke (Brooke)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Davis, Rep. Tom (-VA)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey- ... more
Participated in meetings related to national security and U.S.-Turkish relations
$3,400.00
Bennett, Barry P.
08/15/08-08/23/08
Schmidt, Rep. Jean (-OH)
Istanbul, Turkey
To meet with leaders on media education and government
$3,400.00
Herrle, Cynthia Anne (Cindy)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Boehner, Rep. John (-OH)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Attended a series of meetings with journalists, businessmen, elementary and university officials and... more
$3,400.00
Pluviose-Fenton, Veronique
08/15/08-08/23/08
Thompson, Rep. Bennie (-MS)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
To participate in meetings and dialogue about Turkish political, economic, educational and social is... more
$3,390.00
Salayandia, Marisela
08/15/08-08/23/08
Thompson, Rep. Bennie (-MS)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Fact-finding field trip to Turkey
$3,390.00
Scott, Margaret Nicole (Nicole)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Lucas, Rep. Frank D (-OK)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Meet with various Turkish officials and business leaders to discuss Turkish political, economic and ... more
$3,400.00
Sparkman, John S.
08/15/08-08/23/08
Whitfield, Rep. Ed (-KY)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Meetings with schools and universities, hospital administrators, journalists, business executives, p... more
$3,400.00
Weatherford, Austin B.
08/15/08-08/23/08
Fallin, Rep. Mary (-OK)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Met with local officials, businessmen, doctors and teachers to discuss developments in Turkish polit... more
$3,400.00
Weintz, Alexander H. (Alex)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Fallin, Rep. Mary (-OK)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Met with local officials, businessmen, doctors and teachers to discuss developments in Turkish polit... more
$3,400.00
Causey, Christopher Chad (Chad)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Berry, Rep. Marion (-AR)
Istanbul, Turkey
Conference in Istanbul
$3,020.00
Choudhry, Lina Y.
05/24/08-06/01/08
McCollum, Rep. Betty (-MN)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Hazard, William Daniel (Daniel)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Davis, Rep. Susan A (-CA)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Houlton, Tyler Q.
05/24/08-06/01/08
Tancredo, Rep. Tom (-CO)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Keiser, Andrew Justin (Andy)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Rogers, Rep. Mike (-MI)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
McCollum, Rep. Betty (-MN)
05/24/08-06/01/08
McCollum, Rep. Betty (-MN)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Montano, Gloria I.
05/24/08-06/01/08
Grijalva, Rep. Raul (-AZ)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Salazar, Alan
05/24/08-06/01/08
Udall, Rep. Mark Emery (-CO)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Saleh (Saleh)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Meeks, Rep. Gregory (-NY)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Navarro, Ana M.
08/16/05-08/23/05
Coleman, Sen. Norm (-MN)
Istanbul, Turkey- Izmir, Turkey - ... more
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$2,410.00
24 results
Page 1 2
Legend:
Cultural MeccaGolfingHellholeSin CitySkiingTropical Paradise
Destination categories are based on the locations traveled to and make no assertions as to the actual activity of the traveler
"fact-finding." The trips are sponsored by Gulen's Rumi Foundation.
What is most puzzling to us is if our lawmakers are looking for "facts to find," how about starting in their own backyard. Gosh, there's really no reason to fly off to Turkey, all they have to do is look at the Gulen-inspired charters schools that are popping up faster than a Orville's microwave popcorn, and they will find a plethora of unsavory facts about the Turkish school administrators and teachers -- that are factual.
And interesting enough, most of the legislators on the list are host states for the Gulen-inspired schools. Coincidence, we think not. Looks like our politicians will do anything for a free piece of baklava...
Here's our advice -- check out the list below and see which lawmakers are current candidates for the upcoming November election. And before you cast a vote, make sure that you investigate the "facts," that hopefully, the lawmakers "found" on their "fact-finding" missions in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey.
Source information can be found at:
http://www.legistorm.com/trip/list/by/sponsor/id/9928/name/Rumi_Forum_for_Interfaith_Dialogue/page/2.html
Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue - Sponsor of Congressional Travel
- Trips
- Earmarks
No. 24
Cost: $76,390
Trips Selected: 14
Approved by Republicans
14
$45,450
Approved by Democrats
10
$30,940
View Details / PDF
Traveler/ Dates
Approver
Destination/ Purpose
Cost
Buchanan, Michael Dee (Dee)
08/16/08-08/23/08
Hensarling, Rep. Jeb (-TX)
Istanbul, Turkey
Meetings with journalists, academics, medical professionals, members of Parliament, headmasters/prin... more
$3,430.00
Downs, Glen Alan
08/16/08-08/23/08
Jones, Rep. Walter Beaman (-NC)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Met with representatives of religious, media, business organizations, as well as officials from gove... more
$3,400.00
Gundersen, Kevin
08/16/08-08/23/08
King, Rep. Pete (-NY)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
To participate in a congressional trip to Turkey, which included meetings with government, business,... more
$3,350.00
Bennett, Aimee Brooke (Brooke)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Davis, Rep. Tom (-VA)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey- ... more
Participated in meetings related to national security and U.S.-Turkish relations
$3,400.00
Bennett, Barry P.
08/15/08-08/23/08
Schmidt, Rep. Jean (-OH)
Istanbul, Turkey
To meet with leaders on media education and government
$3,400.00
Herrle, Cynthia Anne (Cindy)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Boehner, Rep. John (-OH)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Attended a series of meetings with journalists, businessmen, elementary and university officials and... more
$3,400.00
Pluviose-Fenton, Veronique
08/15/08-08/23/08
Thompson, Rep. Bennie (-MS)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
To participate in meetings and dialogue about Turkish political, economic, educational and social is... more
$3,390.00
Salayandia, Marisela
08/15/08-08/23/08
Thompson, Rep. Bennie (-MS)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Fact-finding field trip to Turkey
$3,390.00
Scott, Margaret Nicole (Nicole)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Lucas, Rep. Frank D (-OK)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Meet with various Turkish officials and business leaders to discuss Turkish political, economic and ... more
$3,400.00
Sparkman, John S.
08/15/08-08/23/08
Whitfield, Rep. Ed (-KY)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Meetings with schools and universities, hospital administrators, journalists, business executives, p... more
$3,400.00
Weatherford, Austin B.
08/15/08-08/23/08
Fallin, Rep. Mary (-OK)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Met with local officials, businessmen, doctors and teachers to discuss developments in Turkish polit... more
$3,400.00
Weintz, Alexander H. (Alex)
08/15/08-08/23/08
Fallin, Rep. Mary (-OK)
Ankara, Turkey- Istanbul, Turkey
Met with local officials, businessmen, doctors and teachers to discuss developments in Turkish polit... more
$3,400.00
Causey, Christopher Chad (Chad)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Berry, Rep. Marion (-AR)
Istanbul, Turkey
Conference in Istanbul
$3,020.00
Choudhry, Lina Y.
05/24/08-06/01/08
McCollum, Rep. Betty (-MN)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Hazard, William Daniel (Daniel)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Davis, Rep. Susan A (-CA)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Houlton, Tyler Q.
05/24/08-06/01/08
Tancredo, Rep. Tom (-CO)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Keiser, Andrew Justin (Andy)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Rogers, Rep. Mike (-MI)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
McCollum, Rep. Betty (-MN)
05/24/08-06/01/08
McCollum, Rep. Betty (-MN)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Montano, Gloria I.
05/24/08-06/01/08
Grijalva, Rep. Raul (-AZ)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Salazar, Alan
05/24/08-06/01/08
Udall, Rep. Mark Emery (-CO)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Saleh (Saleh)
05/24/08-06/01/08
Meeks, Rep. Gregory (-NY)
Istanbul, Turkey- Ankara, Turkey
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$3,020.00
Navarro, Ana M.
08/16/05-08/23/05
Coleman, Sen. Norm (-MN)
Istanbul, Turkey- Izmir, Turkey - ... more
Fact-finding trip to learn more about initiatives for promoting interfaith dialogue among Muslims, C... more
$2,410.00
24 results
Page 1 2
Legend:
Cultural MeccaGolfingHellholeSin CitySkiingTropical Paradise
Destination categories are based on the locations traveled to and make no assertions as to the actual activity of the traveler
