Watchdog Group Judicial Watch Files Lawsuit Against U.S. Air Force to Gain Access to Documents About Michelle Obama's Trip to African Trip

Watchdog group, Judicial Watch, citing article written by Keith Koffler of White House Dossier, files FOIA lawsuit against U.S. Air Force to get records related to First Lady Michelle Obama's trip to South Africa and Botswana.

Watchdog group Judicial Watch, has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit on August 19, 2011, against the United States Air Force to get records related to First Lady Michelle Obama's trip to South Africa and Botswana from June 21-27, 2011.(Judicial Watch v. U.S. Air Force (No. 11-1496)). The group said it is seeking the documents to determine details about the trip and, in particular, a breakdown of the costs to taxpayers.

The Judicial Watch FOIA request filed on June 28, 2011, seeks:

Any and all records concerning mission taskings of First Lady Michelle Obama’s June 21-27,
2011 trip to South Africa and Botswana.

Any and all records of concerning transportation costs for Mrs. Obama’s June 21-27 trip to
South Africa and Botswana.

Any and all passenger manifests (DD-2131) for Mrs. Obama’s June 21-27, 2011 trip to South
Africa and Botswana.

The professed purpose of Mrs. Obama’s trip was to encourage young people living in South Africa and Botswana to get involved in national affairs. The First Lady’s remarks focused on education, health, and wellness issues. However, accompanied by her daughters Malia and Sasha, her mother, Marian Robinson, and her niece and nephew, Leslie and Avery Robinson, the trip also included such tourist events as visits to historical landmarks and museums as well as a visit with Nelson Mandela, described by Mrs. Obama as “surreal”. The trip ended with a private family safari at a South African game reserve before the group returned to Washington on June 27. Source: Judicial Watch

Of course, Keith Koffler and the White House Dossier are front and center in this dogfight. I guess I should try to get the records of past first ladies such as Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush to see how wisely they spent our money. Is this all about race or is it really about the economy?