Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy
No. of Recommendations: 11
"There are many stories floating around about Vance’s visit, some of which I can’t confirm from credible sources. But the Daily Mail reports that he and his entourage arrived “on multiple aircraft carrying staff, security personnel, food supplies and vehicles” and that “His ground convoy, made up of dozens of Chevy Suburbans, struggled through Milan’s narrow streets.” Like many others who’ve been there, my first reaction was “He brought food to Milan?” (No grazie, dammi il risotto allo zafferano.)
My second reaction was to ask why he would bring such a massive presence to a city like Milan, snarling traffic on its ancient streets. His enormous fleet of SUVs caused so much congestion that US figure skater Alysa Liu almost missed her first event.
The answer is that JD Vance is being swaddled in a golden blanket of privilege and luxury. After all, perks like these are standard fare for Trump cabinet members. For example, in 2025 the DHS purchased two private jets for use by Kristi Noem, as she lives rent free in a waterfront home that is normally reserved for the Coast Guard Admiral. Kash Patel flew on an official FBI jet to see his girlfriend perform. And Trump received a little gift from the Qataris – a private jet that he intends to have retrofitted at government expense and then keep once he leaves office. Oh, and he’s larded the White House with gold and is trying to build a ballroom that rivals Versailles in scale, though not taste." —Nobel laureate Paul Krugman
No. of Recommendations: 7
Just a procedural yellow flag being thrown here.
*All* vice presidential movement comes with a big motorcade, whether is is Vance, Harris, Pence, Biden, Cheney, Gore, or whoever. I rode in a lot of POTUS motorcades (bigger still). It was a bit crazy, Obama going to Sidwell Friends school for a parent-teacher conference, but it happened. Dude had normal parent things. Would it have been better for the teacher to come to the White House, traffic/logistics wise? Sure, but Obama was also aware that *anyone* coming to the White House is going to be intimidated, so dude tried to keep it low key.
Now, whether any of these leaders should be going to Milan and mucking up an already bad traffic situation is another matter.
No. of Recommendations: 0
whether any of these leaders should be going to Milan and mucking up an already bad traffic situation is another matter.
Their vehicles wouldn't be able to drive on many roads--vehicles WAY too wide.
So, how to arrive? VESPA !! Oh, can't carry THAT much fat/blubber.
Helicopter? Nope. WAY too big a target and SO easy to puncture....
So, NO GO !!
He sent an alternate target.
No. of Recommendations: 0
Now, whether any of these leaders should be going to Milan and mucking up an already bad traffic situation is another matter.
They shouldn't be. There's no point in them being there. Waste of time and money.
But, don't they factor in where they are going when they take security measures? I've been to Italy a few times. The older streets of the older towns (most of the towns are OLD, including Milan) are very small. There is no way an armored limo is getting down many of them. Literally impossible, even if you clear the streets. There's a reason that tiny Fiats and Smartcars are popular...they're the only ones that fit on those roads, and can make the tight turns at the corners.
There are some larger streets there, also (of course). But those don't go everywhere. They go in general directions, and then feed into the smaller streets (constrained by 200 year old buildings on all sides). You would think secret service would take that into account, and possibly even say "bad idea...too many choke-points with no escape routes".
No. of Recommendations: 2
They take everything into account. There is a 2 week or longer advance that goes over and plans and rehearses before any OCONUS POTUS trip.
Mark, did this in Lima, Beijing Lisbon, and Canberra, in another life
