Maybe it's not a traditional vacation, but the fact that he's bringing his family with him says something. Either way, the trip isn't at all necessary.
I wouldn't care so much, but if the number the article quotes as the cost per day is accurate, that's worth addressing..
US to spend $200 mn a day on Obama's Mumbai visit
Mumbai: The US would be spending a whopping $200 million (Rs. 900 crore approx) per day on President Barack Obama's visit to the city.
"The huge amount of around $200 million would be spent on security, stay and other aspects of the Presidential visit," a top official of the Maharashtra Government privy to the arrangements for the high-profile visit said.
About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists would accompany the President. Several officials from the White House and US security agencies are already here for the past one week with helicopters, a ship and high-end security instruments.
"Except for personnel providing immediate security to the President, the US officials may not be allowed to carry weapons. The state police is competent to take care of the security measures and they would be piloting the Presidential convoy," the official said on condition of anonymity.
Navy and Air Force has been asked by the state government to intensify patrolling along the Mumbai coastline and its airspace during Obama's stay. The city's airspace will be closed half-an-hour before the President's arrival for all aircraft barring those carrying the US delegation.
The personnel from SRPF, Force One, besides the NSG contingent stationed here would be roped in for the President's security, the official said.
The area from Hotel Taj, where Obama and his wife Michelle would stay, to Shikra helipad in Colaba would be cordoned off completely during the movement of the President.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/us-to ... isit-64106
In other news, Obama's head remains buried in sand.
Obama on Wednesday directly attributed GOP gains to frustration over the economy, declining to sign on to claims that it was a referendum on his decisions.
