COME ON !Feb 12th, 2009 - 21:16:40

Lance and SP4 - ya keepin us waitin.

Report this comment

lanceFeb 12th, 2009 - 21:52:45

Talk about a pet project. A tiny mouse with the longtime backing of a political giant may soon reap the benefits of the economic-stimulus package.

Lawmakers and administration officials divulged Wednesday that the $789 billion economic stimulus bill being finalized behind closed doors in Congress includes $30 million for wetlands restoration that the Obama administration intends to spend in the San Francisco Bay Area to protect, among other things, the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represents the city of San Francisco and has previously championed preserving the mouse's habitat in the Bay Area.

The revelation immediately became a political football, as Republicans accused Democrats of reneging on a promise to keep so-called earmarks that fund lawmakers' favorite projects out of the legislation. Democrats, including Mrs. Pelosi, countered that the accusations were fabricated.

-What me worry?

Report this comment

lanceFeb 12th, 2009 - 21:54:22

Politics aside, the episode demonstrates that no matter how hard lawmakers argue that they technically lived up to their pledge to keep specific projects from being listed in the bill, there is little stopping the federal money from going to those projects after the legislation passes and federal and state agencies begin deciding where to spend their newfound dollars.

Programs for sexually transmitted diseases, smoking prevention, a clean-burning power plant and a computer center also appear ready to get infusions of money once the bill becomes law, congressional offices told The Washington Times.

'One of the proudest boasts of Democrats supporting their trillion-dollar spending plan is that it doesn't contain earmarks. But it seems like powerful Democrats will still find a way to bring home the bacon,' said a frustrated Michael Steel, spokesman for House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, who took direct aim at the mouse.

'This certainly doesn't sound like it will create or save American jobs,' Mr. Steel said. 'So can Speaker Pelosi explain exactly how we will improve the American economy by helping the adorable little' critter?

- No worries

Report this comment

lanceFeb 12th, 2009 - 21:55:29

Other spending questioned by Republicans -- but not considered on the chopping block -- are $275 million for flood prevention, $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges and libraries, and $650 million for the digital TV converter-box coupons.

The list goes on: $1 billion for administrative costs and construction of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration office buildings, $100 million for constructing U.S. Marshals office buildings, and $1.3 billion for NASA, including $450 million tagged for science.

Then there is the $300 million for hybrid and electric cars for the federal government. The funding includes golf carts for federal workers.

-Starting to worry

Report this comment

@ lanceFeb 12th, 2009 - 22:32:32

Again foreigner, we could care less what you think.

By the way, why are you so stupid you have to create 3 different comments to get your foreign views across.

Report this comment

FredFeb 13th, 2009 - 14:45:11

'we 'could' care less what you think.

So you must think it is important then, since you haven't actually cared less ?

Report this comment