Cost-Conscious Obama Bringing Entourage of 500 With Him to Europe

Just imagine if George W. Bush did something like this during a recession. We'd never hear the end of it.

But he's King Obama, so nobody in the White House press corps will say a word. In fact, you have to get this news from Europe.

More than 500 officials and staff will accompany the president on his tour this week - along with a mass of high-tech security equipment, including the $300,000 presidential limousine, known as The Beast. Fitted with night-vision camera, reinforced steel plating, tear- gas cannon and oxygen tanks, the vehicle is the ultimate in heavy armoured transport.

In addition, a team from the White House kitchen will travel with the president to prepare his food. As one official put it: "When the president travels, the White House travels with him, right down to the car he drives, the water he drinks, the gasoline he uses, the food he eats. America is still the sole superpower and the president must have the ability to handle any crisis, anywhere, any time."

Lord knows what the tab will be for such extravagance.

Let's hope he at least doesn't humiliate us again by giving out DVD sets to his hosts that don't work.