Schwarzenegger to visit troops in Iraq next week

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning a short trip to Iraq early next week to visit U.S. troops, his aides said.

The governor has wanted to make such a trip “for the last couple of years, but he hasn’t had the opportunity,” said spokesman Matt David.

In July, Schwarzenegger aborted a planned trip to Iraq because of the state’s budget crisis.

While it was unclear whether the actor-turned-politician would provide any entertainment for soldiers, if he holds true to form they will at least get to hear him say, “I’ll be back.”

David said he could not release Schwarzenegger’s exact schedule for security reasons.

-- Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento

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Comments

[Robert Papac]

Is that really a wise thing to do when the State of California is suffering from Financial problems? I don't see him visiting our School System and talking to teachers, Oh, thats right, didn't he cut the schools funding? So far he's doing a great job of helping to run our Educational System into the ground along with most of the rest of our elected officials.

[jt]

1. Overpaid, underacheiving teachers.
2 Students and parents who don't give a crap.
3. A cultural mentality among our students that being smart isn't cool.
4. A teachers union that insists on higher wages and benefits at the expense of the taxpayers, most of whom send their kids to private schools.
That is the black hole of waste called LAUSD. Don't blame the politicians for this one unless you are willing to add in all of the above.

[Melaine Samson]

And who's paying for this photo-op?

[Herbert444]

If Governor Schwarzenegger has enough public funds to make a state political junket to a federal warzone, then California has no budget worries at all.

[Bruce]

Arnie travelling on Arnie's nickel???...........NOT !!

[Randy G]

Exactly what Robert said. He has no reason to go to Iraq especially if its payed for by tax payers. Most of the politicians in this state are getting paid the bucks to keep this state afloat but are just doing the opposite. Something needs to be in place where top level politicians are held accountable. They are supposedly in state offices for a reason but so far its for all the wrong reasons.