EPA's Pruitt getting $25k soundproof booth

[mbcdefg]

EPA spending almost $25,000 to install a secure phone booth for Scott Pruitt


www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/09/26/epa-spending-almost-25000-to-install-a-secure-phone-booth-for-scott-pruitt/?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.5d9036ed144e


The Environmental Protection Agency is spending nearly $25,000 to construct a secure, soundproof communications booth in the office of Administrator Scott Pruitt, according to government contracting records.



The agency signed a $24,570 contract earlier this summer with Acoustical Solutions, a Richmond-based company, for a “privacy booth for the administrator.” The company sells and installs an array of sound-dampening and privacy products, from ceiling baffles to full-scale enclosures like the one purchased by the EPA. The project’s scheduled completion date is Oct. 9, according to the contract.



Typically, such soundproof booths are used to conduct hearing tests. But the EPA sought a customized version — one that eventually would cost almost several times more than a typical model — that Pruitt can use to communicate without fear of being monitored.



...



No previous EPA administrators had such a setup.

[Pom]

Not at all suspicious. Got to keep their shady shit, as they kill the planet, under wraps.

[OscarQ]

Ditto pom. Also, I had to sit in something similar to this recently for my dad's hearing test and the deadening of sound in there is so annoying. It hurt my ears a bit. What shady shit are you up to Pruitt that you'll subject yourself to this?

[pitta12]

I just posted this in the Tuesday 45 thread. He also has had an 18-person 24/7 security detail (also unusual for his position) which is supposedly under review.

[sparrowsong]

"How common place, and not at all suspect."

[DotAndBuzz]

WTF is he so afraid of? I mean, they have told us over and over that Russia isn't an issue, so certainly they're not worried about being spied on or randomly taken out.....wait a minute.....

[pinkballoons]

Soundproof? Or scienceproof?

[AndyCohen]

This is making me think there's some top secret 2012 ark for the super rich operation going on lol

[sushi]

Where are the conservatives screaming about government waste?

Between trumps golfing, secret service in new York, mnuchin's travel, prices private jet, and now this. I don't know if it's oligarchy or kleptocracy (ew my phone wanted to correct to meritocracy which is the least correct)

[curbsideprophet]

This is crazy. who approves these things?

[wawa]

Sept 26, 2017 17:14:51 GMT -5 AndyCohen said:

This is making me think there's some top secret 2012 ark for the super rich operation going on lol

I....am not a conspiracy theorist, but this just made my whole brain jangle and start flashing assorted story lines from various post-apocalyptic fiction through  my head.  goddamnit.  If I start talking about lizard people it's all your fault.

[isabel]

Sept 26, 2017 17:32:56 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

This is crazy. who approves these things?

Not the taxpayers.

[aurora]

I really do not understand why he would need this. Is he paranoid? That would explain the security detail, too.

Here's a thought: maybe if you feel like you need outrageous security measures to separate you from your organization you're not there right leader for the organization.

[AndyCohen]

Sept 27, 2017 8:35:23 GMT -5 wawa said:

Sept 26, 2017 17:14:51 GMT -5 AndyCohen said:

This is making me think there's some top secret 2012 ark for the super rich operation going on lol

I....am not a conspiracy theorist, but this just made my whole brain jangle and start flashing assorted story lines from various post-apocalyptic fiction through  my head.  goddamnit.  If I start talking about lizard people it's all your fault.

Just waiting for a journalist with the scoop that he's having an affair with "Ellie".

[scout8]

Sept 27, 2017 9:06:03 GMT -5 aurora said:

I really do not understand why he would need this. Is he paranoid? That would explain the security detail, too.

Here's a thought: maybe if you feel like you need outrageous security measures to separate you from your organization you're not there right leader for the organization.

If I was part of this administration that is in bed with Putin, I would want full on security detail too. Look at all the Russians that have died. I'd be pretty paranoid. 

[downtoearth]

I am sending an email about this now. That is ridiculous and compounded with his $58k on private jet travel, I'm getting really annoyed. If he wants to customize his office, he should pay himself - that's how it works with other EPA staff!

[cous0226]

Is there something wrong with him? This reeks of paranoia. Am sure 45 wishes he had this but at least we know he is ill.

[miniroller]

Sept 28, 2017 19:43:36 GMT -5 cous0226 said:

Is there something wrong with him? This reeks of paranoia. Am sure 45 wishes he had this but at least we know he is ill.

I'm wondering if it's not at the direct advice (command?) of 45..? I'll "forgive"/ not make a big deal of this (private jet usage) if you do that (soundproof booth for MY ((super-paranoid-orange-ass)) use) 😐

*I've been drinking #bears 😢

[mbcdefg]