House Defense Pork

Here's the latest analysis from Citizens Against Government Waste. John "I Love Pork" Murtha was one of the big recipients.

Pork Alert: House Defense

(Washington, D.C.) - Citizens Against Government Waste today released its preliminary analysis of the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. In this year’s version, there are 1,098 projects worth $3.3 billion. Some of the biggest porkers were House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Bill Young (R-Fla.) with 36 projects worth $101,600,000 and Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha (D-Pa.) with 23 projects worth $90,000,000.

Here are a few examples:

• $560,000,000 (anonymously) for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) alternate engine program. Even though President Obama said he would veto any legislation containing such funding and the Pentagon has refused to request money for it, the earmark still found its way into the bill. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), funding the unwanted, unnecessary alternate engine for the JSF would cost at least $7.2 billion, equal to the cost of 53 planes. The money was added despite two votes in the Senate on the fiscal year 2010 Defense Authorization Act on July 23, 2009 to eliminate funding for the alternate engine.
  
• $26,200,000 divided among 19 members for 10 counter-drug projects, including military support to drug law enforcement and training programs. A March 1, 2004 GAO report said, “Over 50 federal agencies are involved in carrying out the National Drug Control Strategy at an annual cost of about $12 billion. Despite this investment, the demand for and supply of illegal drugs have persisted at very high levels.”
  
• $7,400,000 by Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate. According to Fox News, “More than one out of every five dollars of the $126 million Massachusetts is receiving in earmarks from a $410 billion federal spending package is going to help preserve the legacy of the Kennedys.” This project already received $12,602,000 from the fiscal 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, and should not be part of the defense bill.
  
• $2,200,000 by House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha (D-Pa.) for KDH Defense Systems, Inc. for Body Armor Improved Ballistic Protection, Research and Development. On July 7, 2009, Roll Call reported that, “KDH was ‘teamed with’ two other Pennsylvania companies with close connections to Murtha, Kuchera Defense Systems and Coherent Systems International.” Kuchera and Coherent have both received millions in earmarks from Rep. Murtha, and Kuchera was raided on January 22, 2009 by the FBI as part of a fraud investigation.

The corruption needs to end!!!

Someone pass me a Xanax. I can't deal with this!

The Fattening of the Piggies

Citizens Against Government Waste released their preliminary report on the Senate version of the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. It never ceases to amaze me just what these bureaucrats will do with our money.

Pork Alert: Senate Agriculture Appropriations

(Washington, D.C.) - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released its preliminary analysis of the Senate version of the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In total, there are 296 projects worth $220.7 million. Subcommittee leaders claimed more than their fair share of the $220.7 million in earmarks, with Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) taking $12.3 million for 11 projects and Subcommittee Ranking Member Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) receiving $11.5 million for 12 projects. Their combined total accounts for 10.8 percent of the total amount in the bill.

The following are examples of some of the pork that was added to the bill:

• $4,841,000 for wood utilization research in 10 states by 13 senators. This research has cost taxpayers $95.3 million since 1985. One would think that at this point, all the uses of one of the world’s most basic construction materials would have been discovered.
  
• $1,037,000 by Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee member Susan Collins (R-Maine), Senate appropriator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) for potato research at Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, Washington State University, and the University of Maine. According to foodreference.com, the average American consumes more than 16 pounds of french fries each year.
  
• $1,000,000 by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for Mormon crickets in Nevada. On February 27, 2009 Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) mocked this earmark on his Twitter page, writing, “$1 million for Mormon cricket control - is that the species of cricket or a game played by the brits?”
  
• $300,000 by Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) for shrimp aquaculture at the University of Southern Mississippi.
  
• $120,000 by Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) for conservation internships through the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association. The Wisconsin Ag Connection, a website that is dedicated to helping the agriculture industries in Wisconsin, stated that these funds “support an internship program to give college students embarking on natural resource careers real world experience.” Unpaid interns everywhere are outraged over this funding.

In a time when we are continuing to tighten our belts, this stinks to high Heaven. It's bad enough to do it in good economic times, but to do it now is political suicide.

I'm traveling down that "No Incumbents" road REAL fast!

The Pork Never Ends

Citizens Against Government Waste has just released a report on pork stuffed into the Senate version of the fiscal year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 308 projects are costing us $199.1 million. Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has $58 million for 30 projects and Subcommittee Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) added $3 million for 11 projects, for a combined total of $61 million. That is 30.6 percent of the $199.1 million in the bill.

Here's some of what we're getting for our money:

1. $11,190,000 by 20 senators for 25 projects under the Historic Preservation Fund, including: $250,000 by Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) for restoration of the Blount Mansion in Knoxville and $200,000 by Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee member Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) for the State Theatre in Sioux Falls.
2. $4,000,000 by Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Alcatraz Island). According to her website, the project is a “valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide the public with an opportunity to visit this historic building in a refurbished state, which contributes to the national priority of preserving historic buildings.” Earmarking $4 million during an economic crisis on building preservation is not a national priority.
3. $1,820,000 by Senate appropriator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) to acquire more land for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The earmark will be used to purchase 1,000 acres of fragmented land contiguous to the trail from owners who expressed interest in developing their land. Instead, the federal government will buy the land and leave it undeveloped.
4. $1,200,000 by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) for rat eradication at the Palmyra Atoll Natural Wildlife Refuge. That money can buy 600,000 rat traps.
5. $1,000,000 by Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee member Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways. The Chesapeake Bay Gateways receive 10 million visitors annually. This earmark could be covered by charging each visitor 10 cents, which would take the burden off taxpayers.
6. $1,000,000 by Senate appropriator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) for the Sewall-Belmont House in Washington, D.C., which holds private events, offers catering, and is visited by tourists who are encouraged to leave donations.

These people REALLY, REALLY, REALLY need to go!!! They need to get the message loud and clear that we have had it up to our eyeballs with all of the wasteful spending that goes on in BOTH parties. The economy is in bad enough shape, and Obama wants to add to it with his socialized healthcare, and yet these people keep spending money like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

As for me, I plan on keeping track of what each of these greedy government wonks wastes our money on. Remember these posterior orifices at re-election time!!

Cap and Trade: Big Names and Big Bucks Part 4

Okay. Now that life has slowed down a bit for the day, I can get back to this.

*=co-sponsored [PD]=presidentially-directed

Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Ceres, CA - East Service Road sanitary sewer extension -- $500,000

Diane Watson (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Culver City, CA - storm water improvements -- $500,000

Xavier Becerra (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Los Angeles, CA - Elysian Park water recycling project -- $500,000

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $400,000

• City of Ridgecrest, CA - wastewater treatment facility infrastructure -- $400,000

Mike Honda (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1.3 million

• *City of San Jose, CA - San Jose Redevelopment Area sewer main rehabilitation -- $300,000
• *US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Sacramento, CA - South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (USGS) -- $ 1 million

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1.3 million

• *City of San Jose, CA - San Jose Redevelopment Area sewer main rehabilitation -- $300,000
• *US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Sacramento, CA - South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (USGS) -- $ 1 million

Ken Calvert (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• City of San Juan Capistrano, CA - ground water recovery plant expansion and regional distribution facility -- $500,000
• Western Municipal Water District, Riverside, CA - Arlington Desalter Biodenitrification -- $500,000

George Miller (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $750,000

• City of Vallejo, CA - Mare Island sanitary sewer and storm drain improvements -- $750,000

John Larson (D-CT) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $650,000

• The Mattabasset District, Cromwell, CT - wastewater treatment facility upgrades -- $500,000
• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford, CT - Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Preservation -- $150,000

Ron Klein (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *City of West Palm Beach, FL - water infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Robert Wexler (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *City of West Palm Beach, FL - water infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Andrew Crenshaw (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• Jacksonville Water and Sewer Expansion Authority, Jacksonville, FL - septic tank replacement -- $500,000
• US Forest Service, Washington DC - Osceola National Forest, Pinhook Swamp Wildlife Corridor -- $500,000

Jeff Miller (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $220,000

• Santa Rosa County, Milton, FL - Navarre Beach water clarifier -- $220,000

Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *South Seminole and North Orange County Wastewater Transmission Authority - wastewater structure improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

John Mica (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $ 1.5 million

• *South Seminole and North Orange County Wastewater Transmission Authority - wastewater structure improvements -- $500,000
• National Park Service, St. Augustine, FL - Castillo de San Marcos National Monument -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *City of Clearwater, FL - wastewater treatment facility improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• *City of Clearwater, FL - wastewater treatment facility improvements -- $500,000

Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $ 500,000

• *City of Homestead, FL - water utility upgrades -- $500,000

Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Kendrick Meek (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000
• City of Opa-Locka, FL, Public Works Division - wastewater infrastructure improvements --$500,000

Allen Boyd (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $440,000

• City of Quincy, FL - inflow and infiltration improvements -- $440,000

Sanford Bishop (D-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• Fort Valley Utility commission, Fort Valley, GA - wastewater reclamation facility -- $500,000
• *City of Atlanta, GA - sewer system infrastructure improvements -- $500,000

David Scott (D-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $ 1.5 million

• *Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Atlanta, GA - multiple water and wastewater system improvements -- $500,000
• *City of Atlanta, GA - sewer system infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• *Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Athens, GA - Georgia Streambank Restoration -- $500,000

Phil Gingrey (R-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• *Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Atlanta, GA - multiple water and wastewater system improvements -- $500,000

More on the way soon!!!

Aren't You Glad We Can Afford This?

Well, here comes more appropriations from another committee of the House just stuffed to the gills with pork. It's disgusting. What is it going to take for Congress to realize that THIS ISN'T THEIR MONEY!!! Spoiler Alert: Chappaquiddick Fats's Institute gets over $12 million of your money!!!

From CAGW:

Pork Alert: House Labor/HHS/Education

(Washington, D.C.) Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released its preliminary analysis of the House version of the fiscal year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor/HHS/Education) Appropriations Act. There are 1,130 projects worth $357.4 million. This represents a 17 percent decrease in number of projects, and a 42 percent decrease in dollar amounts from the fiscal year 2009 version, which had 1,370 projects totaling $618.8 million. House Appropriations and Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) earmarked $4.4 million for nine projects and House Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) took $4 million for 10 projects.

Some of the egregious earmarks in the bill include:

$12,602,000 by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) for the University of Massachusetts Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate. The institute, created by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), raises funds to build a replica of the United States Senate chamber on the campus of the University of Massachusetts. This pet project has already received millions of dollars from the healthcare industry and organized labor. Taxpayers should not be responsible for helping the project reach its $50 million fundraising goal.

$400,000 by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) for music education programs at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Rep. Nadler earmarked $381,000 for this project in fiscal year 2009. At the end of 2006, Jazz at Lincoln Center had a fund balance of $198 million.

$335,000 by Reps. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.) for the Aviation High School in Burien, Washington, a public school that specializes in aviation and aerospace education.

$300,000 by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) for music education programs at Carnegie Hall in New York City. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice (earmarking).

$250,000 by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) for the New York Junior Tennis League in Woodside. The tennis league receives private donations and has its own fundraising programs. Taxpayers are receiving no love from this earmark.

THEY ALL NEED TO GO!!!

Stimulus Pork: Cars, Crap, and Canned Food

From cnsnews.com comes this article that will make your head hurt and your blood pressure rise. Bungalow Bill pointed out the one incidence of waste in one his posts yesterday, but here are more.

Obama Stimulus Spending Includes Rental Cars, Outhouses, and ‘Sediment Removal’ Tuesday, July 21, 2009 By Matt Cover

President Barack Obama (AP Photo)

CNSNews.com) – Among the 3,266 entries in a government database detailing to-date spending under the Democrats' stimulus law are expenditures for concrete outhouses, “deli-sliced” turkey, and hotel bills.

Passed in February, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) – also called the “stimulus package” -- was sought and signed into law by President Obama, who declared at the time, “We have begun the essential work of keeping the American dream alive in our time.”

Among the more than 3,000 projects, purchases, and grants made with stimulus money obtained through the Federal Procurement Data System, some of the projects that have contributed to keeping the American dream alive include:

- $2.2 million to the Seneca Foods Corporation in Marion, NY for “fruit, canned;” the same company received another contract worth $196,797 also, for “fruit, canned”

- $4.8 million for “frozen, sliced ham”

- $5.3 million for “deli-style turkey breast” from the Jennie-O Turkey company

- $5.5 million in “canned fruit” from the Del Monte Corporation

- $16.8 million in “canned pork” from Lakeside Foods Inc

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack explained that food purchased with stimulus money went to help the needy, which also stimulated the economy.

“While the principal purpose of these expenditures is to provide food to those hardest hit by these tough times, the purchases also provide a modest economic benefit,” Vilsack said in a statement Monday.

Obama defended the broader impact of stimulus spending, saying that the ARRA was intended to “rebuild” the country better then he found it.

“[O]nce we clear away the wreckage, the real question is what we will build in its place. Even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, I have insisted that we must rebuild it better than before,” Obama said June 11.

Among the many things that have been built with stimulus money so far are:

- $971,711.42 to “replace pond liners” at the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery in Cole Harbor, N.D.

- $193,077 for a “double-vault toilet building” at the Hoyer Campground in Spokane, Wash.

- $487,944 for “toilet buildings and vaults” in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests

- $254,000 for “pre-fabricated restroom facilities” in Atlanta, Ga.

- $17,110 in hotel bills at a Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va., for the Employment Standards Administration’s annual “Prevailing Wage Conference.”

- $1.8 million for the “renovation of Slate Hill Barn and Hay Shed” in Front Royal, Va. According to the database the money was requested by the Smithsonian Institution.

Defending the stimulus from Republican critics, President Obama said the Recovery Act was doing exactly what it was intended, adding that the many projects already being funded would shield the country from the brunt of the recession.

“In a little over 100 days, this Recovery Act has worked as intended,” the president said. “We also knew that it would take some time for the money to get out the door, because we are committed to spending it in a way that is effective and transparent.”

Other things the government has spent money on are:

- $326,304 for “roadside vegetation removal” in the Six Rivers National Forest in Eureka, Calif.

- $928,194.50 to nine different firms to provide an “increased level of effort for dtv [digital television] installation”

- $25.3 million for the National Institutes of Mental Health to study schizophrenia

- $65 million for NASA’s James Webb telescope project

- $20 million for “sediment removal” at the EPA’s Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site

- $6,066.18 to buy “three laptop computers” for the National Fish and Wildlife Service

- $4,250 for “short-term vehicle rental” from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in order to “run errands” in Kings Canyon National Park in King’s Canyon, Calif.

- $840 to “disassemble” one desk and “properly reassemble and relocate” 2 other desks in Reston, Va.

Obama claimed that the stimulus wasn’t done yet, saying that it really wasn’t designed to kick in until late 2009 and early 2010.

“In the months to come, thousands more projects will begin, leading to additional jobs,” Obama explained. “But, as I made clear at the time it was passed, the Recovery Act was not designed to work in four months - it was designed to work over two years.”

This is just wrong on so many levels, but the one that jumped out at me while reading was $5.5 million in “canned fruit” from the Del Monte Corporation. Who do we know who has a HUGE stake in Del Monte? Hmmmm..... If you said "Nancy Pelosi", go to the head of the class. Tell me that's not payoff for political favors!

I'm rapidly becoming of the mindset "Screw them all." Maybe a clean slate is what this country needs.

The Piggies Just Keep Getting Fatter and Fatter and Fatter...

Yesterday, Citizens Against Government Waste released their preliminary report regarding the Senate version of the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

It's amazing what a bureaucrat will find to spend someone else's money on.

Pork Alert: Senate Agriculture Appropriations

(Washington, D.C.) - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released its preliminary analysis of the Senate version of the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In total, there are 296 projects worth $220.7 million. Subcommittee leaders claimed more than their fair share of the $220.7 million in earmarks, with Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) taking $12.3 million for 11 projects and Subcommittee Ranking Member Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) receiving $11.5 million for 12 projects. Their combined total accounts for 10.8 percent of the total amount in the bill.

The following are examples of some of the pork that was added to the bill:

• $4,841,000 for wood utilization research in 10 states by 13 senators. This research has cost taxpayers $95.3 million since 1985. One would think that at this point, all the uses of one of the world’s most basic construction materials would have been discovered.
  
• $1,037,000 by Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee member Susan Collins (R-Maine), Senate appropriator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) for potato research at Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, Washington State University, and the University of Maine. According to foodreference.com, the average American consumes more than 16 pounds of french fries each year.
  
• $1,000,000 by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for Mormon crickets in Nevada. On February 27, 2009 Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) mocked this earmark on his Twitter page, writing, “$1 million for Mormon cricket control - is that the species of cricket or a game played by the brits?”
  
• $300,000 by Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) for shrimp aquaculture at the University of Southern Mississippi.
  
• $120,000 by Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) for conservation internships through the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association. The Wisconsin Ag Connection, a website that is dedicated to helping the agriculture industries in Wisconsin, stated that these funds “support an internship program to give college students embarking on natural resource careers real world experience.” Unpaid interns everywhere are outraged over this funding.

I will continue to keep everyone informed as to how your money is being spent in a time when we all could afford to keep more of it.

I'm starting down the "No Incumbents" road REAL fast!

Big Names and Big Bucks: Part 3

I apologize for taking so many posts to do this in, but there are sooooo many earmarks! Don't forget, either, that there are over 400 members of the House. It takes time to organize all of these.

In doing today's list, I've noticed more Republicans popping up. Although only 8 voted FOR cap and trade, the others must have decided to get their pet projects in while being able to say they voted against this crap.

I do need to make a correction on one member's list. John Lewis (D-GA) did not earmark for the Fort Valley Utility Commission's wastewater reclamation facility. He did, however co-sponsor an earmark for the city of Atlanta's sewer system infrastructure improvements. It was still a $500,000 dip into your pocket.

Again: *=co-sponsored earmark [PD]=Presidentially-directed earmark

Here are today's contestants.

Jim Langevin (D-RI) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $700,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000

Tom Latham (R-IA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,200,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000
• City of Garner, IA - wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements -- $500,000

Mike Arcuri (D-NY) - Number of Earmarks: 1 -- $700,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000

Leonard Boswell (D-IA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- $700,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000

Walter Jones (R-NC) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- $13,000,000

• *National Rural Water Association, Duncan, OK - Rural Water Technical Assistance, National Rural Water Association -- $13,000,000

Adam Smith (D-WA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $4,500,000

• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
• City of Lacey, WA - regional reclaimed water project -- $500,000

Brian Baird (D-WA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $4,500,000

• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
• City of South Bend, WA - Willapa Regional wastewater facilities project -- $500,000

Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $3,500,000

• *Brownsville, El Paso, TX - El Paso/Brownsville water and wastewater infrastructure -- $2,500,000
• [PD] Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR -- $1,000,000

Mike Rogers (R-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $375,000

• Eastern Alabama Water Sewer and Fire Protection District, Valley, AL - wastewater system planning -- $275,000
• Talladega College, Talladega, AL - Swayne Hall Historic Restoration and Renovation -- $100,000

Bob Bright (D-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Enterprise, AL - Enterprise Southeast Lagoon upgrade project -- $500,000

Bob Aderholt (R-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $800,000

• City of Sulligent, AL - water well and storage tank project -- $500,000
• City of Fort Payne, AL - Historic Fort Payne Coal and Iron Building Rehabilitation -- $150,000
• *University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL - Historic Montevallo Mai Hall Renovation -- $150,000

Jo Bonner (R-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Washington County Commission, Chatom, AL - Washington County sanitary sewer extension -- $500,000

Robert Berry (D-AR) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Cabot Waterworks, Cabot, AR - wastewater improvments -- $500,000

John Boozman (R-AR) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Fayetteville, AR - Elkins outfall Sewer Line sewer replacement -- $500,000

Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- $2,000,000

• *The Pascua Yacqui Tribe, Tucson, AZ - master drainage plan -- $1,000,000
• *University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ - U.S./Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program -- $1,000,000

Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Town of Chino Valley, AZ - water and wastewater infrastructure -- $500,000

Jerry Lewis (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,300,000

• Big Bear Department of Water and Power, Big Bear Lake, CA - Big Bear Lake water system infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• City of Calimesa, CA - storm drain improvements -- $500,000
• Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, CA -- visitors' center -- $300,000

Brian Bilbray (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Carlsbad, CA - Carlsbad for Vista-Carlsbad joint wastewater project -- $500,000

Dan Lungren (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Galt, CA - Wastewater treatment plant upgrades -- $500,000

Duncan Hunter (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Helix Water District, La Mesa, CA - El Monte valley groundwater recharge project -- $500,000

Sam Farr (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• Monterrey County Water Resources Agency, Salinas, CA - Lower Carmel River and Lagoon Floodplain restoration and enhancement project -- $500,000
• [PD] Los Padres National Forest Big Sur Ecosystem -- $1,000,000

Buck McKeon (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,000,000

• Palmdale Water District, Palmdale, CA - water main replacement -- $500,000
• Angeles National Forest, Arcadia, CA - Angeles NF Shoemaker Canyon -- $500,000

Grace Napolitano (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• South Montebello Irrigation District, Montebello, CA - water system infrastructure improvements -- $1,000,000

Adam Schiff (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $500,000

• South Pasedena, CA - Wilson Reservoir Replacement -- $300,00
• City of Temple City, CA - storm drain installation -- $200,000
  

David Dreier (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Arcadia, CA - Arcadia and Sierra madre joint water infrastructure project -- $500,000

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $675,000

• City of Bell, CA - sewer infrastructure modernization -- $675,000

Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,000,000

• Bureau of Land Management, Sacramento, CA - Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument -- $500,000
• City of Cathedral City, CA - South City Improvement District groundwater protection -- $500,000

Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $645,000

• Town of Prospect, CT - drinking water infrastructure -- $495,000
• City of Derby, CT - Sterling Opera House renovation -- $150,000

Until next time...

Cap and Trade Earmarks: Big Names and Big Bucks Part 2

Here's the list for today, kids. There are Republicans on the list. Of the three Republicans on today's list, only one, Chris Smith (R-NJ) is one of the Republican 8. I guess the other ones decided to stuff their earmarks in realizing that they could have it both ways: Satisfy the constituency while voting against cap and trade. BUSTED!!!

Remember: *=co-sponsor [PD] = Presidentially-directed earmark

Ed Pastor (D-AZ) -- Number of earmarks: 4 -- Total: $3,220,000

• *University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX - Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) -- $1,000,000
• *The Pascua Yacqui Tribe, Tuscon, AZ - master drainage plan -- $1,000,000
• Town of Miami, AZ - sewer collection system upgrades -- $220,000
• *University of Arizona Tuscon - U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program -- $1,000,000

Hal Rogers (D-KY) -- Number of Earmarks: 4 -- Total: $5,200,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700,000
• *Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Washington, DC -- $2,500,000
• Perry County Sanitation District Number One, Hazard, KY - wastewater treatement infrastructure -- $500,000
• Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Middlesboro, KY - Fern Lake -- $500,000

John Dingell (D-MI) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• *Wayne County, Detroit, MI - Rouge River Wet Weather Demonstration Project -- $500,000
• *USFWS, Fort Snelling, MN - Mass marking of hatchery fish -- $1,000,000

Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $3,500,000

• *University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX - Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) -- $1,000,000
• Brownsville/El Paso, TX - El Paso/Brownsville water and wastewaer infrastructure -- $2,500,000

John Olver (D-MA) -- Number of Earmarks: 6 -- Total: $5,987,000

• *Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Washington, DC -- $2,500,000
• *Pioneer Valley Planning commission, West Springfield, MA - Connecticut River CSO -- $750,000
• Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock, MA - Hancock Shaker Village Restoration -- $150,000
• Trustees of Reservations, Stockbridge, MA - Stockbridge Mission House Renovation -- $117,000
• Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab, Turners Falls, MA -- $220,000
• [PD] Silvio O Conte NWR&FR -- $2,250,000

Steny Hoyer (D-MD) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,200,000

• Town of Chesapeake Beach, Chesapeake Beach, MD - WWTP Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade and Expansion -- $700,000
• *National Park Service, Washington, DC - Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• National Park Service, Washington, DC - National Capital Parks East, Washington DC - Harmony Hall Restoration -- $100,000

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *City of Sunrise, FL - water reclamation system -- $1,000,000

Alcee Hastings (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *City of Sunrise, FL - water reclamation system -- $1,000,000

Steve Rothman (D-NJ) -- Number of Earmarks: 6 -- Total: $5,300,000

• *Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, Newark, NJ - combined sewage overflow project -- $750,000
• Borough of Fort Lee, Fort Lee, NJ - CSO abatement upgrades -- $500,000
• *Great Swamp NWR, Basking Ridge, NJ -- $750,000
• *Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ - Georgian Court Mansion restoration -- $200,000
• [PD] Edwin B. Forsythe ACE Basin NWR -- $1,100,000
• [PD] Cape May NWR -- $2,000,000

Chris Smith (R-NJ) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $200,000

• *Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ - Georgian Court Mansion restoration -- $200,000

Elijah Cummings (D-MD) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,050,000

• *National Park Service, Washington, DC - Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• *Maryland Dept. of Business and Economic Development, Baltimore, MD - Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail -- $500,000
• Park and People Foundation, Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Urban Forestry Watershed Demonstration Co-Op Project -- $150,000

Larry Kissell (D-NC) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1, 700,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700,000

John Lewis (D-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $2,000,000

• *Fort Valley Utility Commission, Fort Valley, GA - wastewater reclamation facility -- $500,000
• *Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Atlanta, GA -- $500,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

David Price (D-NC) -- Number of Earmarks: 5 -- Total: $5,213,000

• *Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, VA -- $2,000,000
• *City of Raleigh, NC - Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant -- $500,000
• *Town of Cary Public Works and Utilities Department, Cary, NC - Western Wake regional wastewater -- $1,000,000
• *US Forest Service, Pisagh Forest, NC - Catawba Falls Access and Trail Acquisition -- $713,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

Jim McDermott (D-WA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $6,650,000

• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
• City of Seattle, WA - Magnuson Park Wetlands Project -- $500,000
• [PD] Mt. Ranier -- $2,150,000

Mike Rogers (R-MI) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000
• Lansing Board of Water and Light, Lansing, MI - energy-efficient drinking water system -- $500,000

Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000
• [PD] James Campbell NWR -- $500,000

John Conyers (D-MI) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

Edolphus Towns (D-NY) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,100,000

• Village of Saugerties, Saugerties, NY - water and wastewater infrastructure improvements -- $800,000
• Village of Oswego, NY - Historic Oswego Municipal Building Rehabilitation -- $150,000
• Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Poughkeepsie, NY - Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Restoration -- $150,000

And today's winner of "Porker of the Day":

Denny Rehberg (R-MT) -- Number of Earmarks: 9 -- Total: $14,890,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000
• Em-Kayan County Water and Sewer, Libby, MT - infrastructure improvements -- $290,000
• City of Bozeman, MT - Main Street Historic District Restoration -- $150,000
• [PD] Helena National Forest, Blackfoot Challenge -- $1,000,000
• [PD] Rocky Mountain Front CA -- $3,750,000
• [PD] Multi-Greater Yellowstone Area -- $1,000,000
• [PD] Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area -- $4,500,000
• [PD] Meeteetsee Spires ACEC -- $1,500,000

There you have it for today. I'm still going through the earmarks. Talk about a labor of love!

Earmarks and Analytics

In checking today's analytics, I've found that The Right Stuff has been hit by the House of Representatives five times today, and the average time on the site is over seven minutes.

Gee, every time I do an earmarks post, the House seems to hit the site. Coincidence??? You tell me!

To any House staffers who may be reading this: Tell your bosses I WILL NOT STOP exposing the waste and political favors for votes.

*singing "I always feel like somebody's watching me..."*

Cap and Trade Earmarks: Big Names and Big Bucks

I started going through the congressionally-directed earmarks in the House Interior and Environment Appropriations passed through the Wacky-Marxist debacle. A lot of names were repeated throughout, so I focused my attention on them. Then, I decided that I'd show what some of the more well-known names in the House got earmarked.

There's really not any particular order to these, but I'll try to get some sort of arrangement going as I type.

If you see a project with an asterisk (*), that means that the earmark was co-sponsored by more than one member of the House. I'm putting the whole dollar amount of the earmark rather than splitting it because I feel that no matter how many co-sponsors there were, they are all equally culpable.

Some members got Congressionally-directed and Presidentially-directed. If the project was Presidentially-directed (that means they kissed Barry's butt), the project will be marked [PD].

And awaaaay we go!!!

Jim Moran (D-VA) - Number of earmarks: 11 - Total: $7,675,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700, 000
• *Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, VA -- $2,000,000
• National Biosolids Partnership, Alexandria, VA -- $750,000
• *National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• Rappahanock River National Wildlife Refuge, Warsaw, VA, Bower's Property -- $500,000
• City of Alexandria, VA - water reuse project -- $ 500,000
• City of Alexandria/Arlington County -- Four Mile Run infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• City of Falls Church, VA -- Fort Ward Park preservation -- $75,000
• National Park Service, McLean, VA - Fort Hunt NCO quarters restoration -- $250,000
• [PD] James Campbell NWR -- $500,000

David Obey (D-WI) - Number of earmarks: 8 - Total: $7,965,000

• City of Abbotsford, WI - water treatment infrastructure -- $1,000,000
• City of Park Falls, WI - sewer infrastructure -- $550,000
• Village of Athens, WI - wastewater treatment facility upgrades -- $1,000,000
• Village of Stetsonville, WI - publice drinkng water system -- $1,000,000
• Bayfield County, Washburn, WI - Bayfield Historic Courthouse Restoration -- $150,000
• National Park Service, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bayfield, WI - Apostle Islands lighthouse restoration -- $2,000,000
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI - Ice Age Scenic Trail -- $265,000
• *Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, Cross Plains, WI - Ice Age Natural Scenic Trail -- $2,000,000

Norm Dicks (D-WA) - Number of Earmarks: 7 - Total: $7,191,000

• Jefferson County Department of Commercial Development, Townsend, WA - Port hadlock wastewater system -- $500,000
• City of Tacoma - downtown sustainable storm drainage system -- $1,146,000
• West Sound Utility District, Port Orchard, WA - reclaimed water distribution system -- $165,000
• Sound Experience, Port Townsend, WA - Schooner Adventures Restoration -- $180,000
• USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA - Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Study -- $200,000
• Cascade Land Conservancy, Seattle, WA - Regional Urban Forestry Restoration Project -- $1,000,000
• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
  

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) - Number of Earmarks: 3 - Total: $ 3,000,000

• *Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, San Francisco, CA - Angel Island State Park Immigration Station Hospital Rehabilitation -- $1,000,000
• [PD] Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument -- $1,000,000
• U.S. Geological Survey - South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration -- $1,000,000

Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $13, 500,000

• *National Rural Water Association, Duncan, OK -- $13,000,000
• City of Newport, RI - UV disinfection system improvements -- $500,000

John Murtha (D-PA) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $1,193,000

• Tri-County Joint Municipal Authority, Fredrickstown, PA - water treatment infrastructure -- $393,000
• Municipal Authority of the City of Lower Burrell, PA - Wildlife Lodge Road sanitary sewer -- $800,000

John Sarbanes (D-MD) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $900,000

• *National Park Service - Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• *Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Baltimore, MD - Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail -- $500,000

Edward Markey (D-MA) - Number of Earmarks: 1 - Total: $500,000

• City of Malden, MA - Citywide lead water service replacement -- $500,000

Bart Stupak (D-MI) - Number of Earmarks: 3 - Total: $3,880,000

• [PD] Ottawa National Forest - Great Lakes/Great Lands -- $1,500,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research -- $1,000,000
• Keweenaw National Historic Park, Calumet, MI - Keweenaw National Historic Park Union Building -- $1,380,000

James Oberstar (D-MN) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $1,750,000

• [PD] Chippewa/Superior National Forests - Minnesota Wilderness -- $750,000
• Grand Rapids Public Utility Commission, Grand Rapids, MN - wastewater facility improvements -- $1,000,000

Nita Lowey (D-NY) - Number of Earmarks: 3 - Total: $1,167,000

• The Friends of the Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory, Tarrytown, NY - Tarrytown Music Hall Restoration -- $150,000
• Westchester Joint Water Works, Mamaroneck, NY - water main rehabilitation -- $517,000
• City of White Plains, NY - drinking water transmission line -- $500,000

Ok, folks. That's it for today's episode. I keep making typos, and my eyes feel like sandpaper. Don't worry...I'll keep at this!

Cap and Trade Earmarks: The Presidentially-Directed Side -- Part Two

Here's the second part of the earmarks approved by Barry. Though there are only two agencies listed here, they got a REALLY big chunk of "change".

National Park Service Construction Projects (17) -- Total : $112,455,000

• Blue Ridge Parkway, repair craggy gardens, retaining and guardwalls -- $2,278,000
• Chiricahua, replace filing sewer systems -- $2,410,000
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (NRA),demolish and remove hazardous structures -- $2,234,000
• Delaware Water Gap NRA, rehabilitate Childs Park -- $3,048,000
• Fort Pulaski, replace Cockspur Lighthouse revetment -- $1,577,000
• George Rogers Clark National Historic Park (NHP), restore and rehabilitate historic Wabash River floodwall -- $3,600,000
• Glacier National Park (NP), safety improvements at Many Glacier Hotel -- $8,507,000
• Grand Canyon, employee housing -- $16,890,000
• Grand Teton NP, construct critical housing -- $13, 174,000
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site (NHS), rehabilitate interior grounds of historic Noland House and install interpretive exhibits -- $1,018,000
• Katmai, replace failing infrastructure at Brooks Camp -- $6,741,000
• Mesa Verde curation center -- $11,675,000
• Mesa Verde visitor information center -- $10,500,000
• National Capital Region, preserve and protect Meridian Hill Park -- $3,844,000
• National Capital Region, Theodore Roosevelt rehabilitation site -- $1,706,000
• Olympic National Park, restore Elwha River ecosystem and fisheries -- $20,000,000
• Point Reyes, restore critical dune habitat -- $2,803,000

National Park Service Land Acquisition Projects (17) -- Total: $43,049,000

• Big Thicket National Preserve -- $5,000,000
• Blue Ridge Parkway -- $1,703,000
• Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area -- $3,100,000
• Congaree NP -- $1,320,000
• Fort Smith NHS -- $362,000
• Golden Gate NRA -- $5,000,000
• Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (NMP) -- $880,000
• Harry S. Truman NHS -- $1,300,000
• Minidoka NHS Japanese Internment -- $350,000
• Mt. Ranier -- $2,150,000
• Natchez NHP -- $264,000
• Olympic NP -- $3,000,000
• Palo Alto Battlefield National Park -- $3,120,000
• Petrified Forest National Park -- $4,575,000
• Prince William Forest Park -- $425,000
• San Juan Island NHP -- $6,000,000
• Virgin Islands National Park -- $4,500,000

U.S. Forest Service Capital Improvement and Maintenance (construction) projects (53) -- Total: $53,144,000

• Angeles National Forest (NF), Pyramid Lake Rehabilitation -- $1,069,000
• Arapaho/Roosevelt NF, Pawnee Campground/Picnic Area Phase I -- $1,240,000
• Arapaho/Roosevelt NF, Shadow Mountain Village Exterior Building Rehabilitation -- $668,000
• Bighorn NF, South Fork Campground Rehabilitation -- $490,000
• Cherokee NF, Tellico River Corridor Recreation Rehabilitation, Phase III -- $330,000
• Chippewa NF, Walker Administrative Site Phase I -- $1,000,000
• Chugach NF, Porcupine Creek Campground Reconstruction -- $1,911,000
• Cibola NF, Magdelena Ranger Station, Phase I - $1,568,000
• Custer NF, Camp Crook Water System -- $564,000
• Deschutes NF, Allingham Guard Station Water System Phase II - $250,000
• Dixie NF, Pine Valley Recreation Area Reconstruction Phase III -- $450,000
• Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Freight Elevator replacement -- $785,000
• Francis Marion NF, Burrells Ford campground rehabilitation -- $355,000
• Francis Marion NF, Ranger District Office Phase II -- $1,080,000
• George Washington/Jefferson NF, Elizabeth Furnace Water/Sanitation rehabilitation-- $265,000
• Gifford Pinchot NF, Johnston Ridge Observatory Deferred Maintenance -- $410,000
• Grand mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison NF, Lottis Creek Recreation Area rehabilitation -- $1,312,000
• Hiawatha NF, Clear Lake Environmental Education Center -- $480,000
• Idaho Panhandle NF, Outlet Campground Phase I -- $760,000
• Idaho Panhandle NF, Nursery Roof Replacement -- $450,000
• International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF), Sabana Woodshop Renovation -- $519,000
• Inyo NF, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center -- $2,105,000
• Kaibab NF, Kaibab Lake Campground -- $818,000
• Klamath NF, Oak Knoll Work Center -- $1,028,000
• Lassen NF, merrill Campground Phase III -- $1,115,000
• Lewis & Clark NF, Interpretive Center Health and Safety Improvments -- $386,000
• Malheur NF, Prairie City offices and warehouse -- $1,800,000
• Meadow Ponds Dam Rehabilitation -- $400,000
• Medicine Bow/Routt NF, Walden Bunkhouse -- $1,080,000
• Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument -- $1,195,000
• Northern Research Station (NRS), Grand Rapids Lab Renovation -- $379,000
• NRS, Parsons Lab Renovation -- $254,000
• NRS, Silas Little Experiment Forest Remodel -- $253,000
• NRS, St. Paul Elevator and Roof replacement -- $475,000
• Ottawa NF, Watersmeet Administrative Site Phase III -- $2,000,000
• Ozark-St. Francis NF, Pleasant Hill Ranger District Office Addition and Renovation -- $1,500,000
• Payette NF, Seasonal Housing -- $2,130,000
• Pacific Northwest (PNW), Juneau Lab Collection Phase I -- $4,980,000
• Prescott NF, Lynx Southshore Recreation Area -- $450,000
• Pacific Southwest (PSW), Hawaii Research Field Stations Phase II -- $660,000
• Regional Office, Aerial Fire Depot Roofing -- $381,000
• Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), Bozeman Research Complex -- $906,000
• RMRS, Ft. collins Prospect Renovation Planning & Design -- $370,000
• RMRS, Tenderfoot Creek, Experimental Forest Administrative Site -- $495,000
• Salmon-Challis NF, Central Idaho Fire Aviation Center -- $2,400,000
• San Dimas, Energy conservation and Renewable Generation -- $400,000
• Siuslaw/Corvallis Collocation-East Wing Replacement -- $4,100,000
• Six Rivers NF, Smith River National Recreation Area Warehouse -- $996,000
• Southern Research Station (SRS), Wood Products Insect Laboratory -- $1,000,000
• SRS, Oxford HVAC Replacement -- $432,000
• Stanislaus NF, Long Barn Barracks -- $1,126,000
• Tongass NF, Thorne Bay Quads Phases II and III -- $906,000
• Tonto NF, Needle Rock Campground Phase I -- $668,000

U.S. Forest Service Land Acquisition Projects (22) -- Total: $21,684,000

• Allegheny NF -- $500,000
• Angeles NF-Bighorn Mine -- $1,000,000
• Black Hills NF-Lady C Ranch -- $1,000,000
• Chattahoochee-Oconee NF -- $1,000,000
• Chequamegon-Nicolet NF-Wisconsin Waterways -- $1,000,000
• Cherokee NF-Rocky Fork -- $3,000,000
• Chippewa/Superior NF-Minnesota Wilderness -- $750,000
• Gila NF-Bear Creek Ranch -- $1,000,000
• Green Mountain NF -- $250,000
• Helena NF-Blackfoot Challenge -- $1,000,000
• Hoosier NF -- $250,000
• Los Padres NF-Big Sur Ecosystem -- $1,000,000
• Mark Twain NF-Missouri Ozark -- $500,000
• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie/Wenatchee NFs-Cascade Ecosystems -- $1,000,000
• Multiple-Greater Yellowstone Area -- $1,000,000
• Multiple=Sierra Nevada Checkerboard -- $1,000,000
• Ottawa NF-Great Lakes/Great Lands -- $1,500,000
• San Bernardino NF-Garner Home Ranch -- $500,000
• Six Rivers NF-Agnew Tract -- $1,000,000
• Wallowa-Whitman NF-Imnaha River Canyon, Hells Canyon -- $1,500,000
• Wasatch-Cache NF-High Uintas -- $1,500,000
• White Mountain NF -- $434,000

Whew.... Part Two Total: $230,332,000; Part One Total: $81,420,000. That means that Dear Leader has set aside earmarks in the amount of.......

$311,752,000

Aren't you glad you work so hard? Gonna start on the congressionally-delegated side. I'll probably have that ready for Monday. On the weekends, everyone has other stuff to do, and I think this is too important to go up when no one's paying attention. This oughta be a blast!!!

Cap and Trade Earmarks: The Presidentially-Directed Side -- Part One

I thought I'd start at the top of the food chain with the Cap and Trade earmarks. Crap rolls downhill, right? I'm going to do this in parts because I don't want people's eyes to glaze over part of the way through.

The presidentially-directed earmarks were made by none other than Dear Leader himself through the House Interior and Environment Appropriations. Some of them were also requested specifically by House members, but I want to put those earmarks with those who made them, so I'll probably do that under the congressionally-directed side.

This is what Barry requested and received in the Cap and Trade bill. It seems pretty repetitive, but I want everyone to know how he's spending the money you work so hard for. Pay special attention to how much money was earmarked for land acquisition. Those of you who may own property bordering one of these refuges: be extra vigilant. This is the money they will use to buy what they want from you (a bribe) before using eminent domain should you refuse to sell.

Bureau of Land Management Construction Projects (12) -- Total: $6,202,000

• Bridgeport Access Trail -- $176,000
• Browning Ranch House Preservation -- $124,000
• CA Radio Fencing and Grounding Improvement - $537,000
• Campbell Airstrip Safety Fencing -- $190,000
• El Toro Creek Parking Project -- $1,209,000
• Five Mile Pass Recreation Site Facility -- $362,000
• Knolls Facility -- $381,000
• Lemhi River Total Maximum Daily Load Road Maintenance Phase IV -- $1,588,000
• Partners Point Waterline --$110,000
• Pelican Lake Recreation Site Reconstruction -- $697,000
• Sawtooth Campground -- $541,000
• Sharkey Hot Springs Renovation -- $287,000

Bureau of Land Management Land Acquisition Projects (11) -- Total: $21,650,000

• Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) -- $4,500,000
• California Wilderness -- $500,000
• Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument -- $1,000,000
• Craig Thomas Little Mountain Special Management Area (SMA) -- $2,000,000
• King Range National Conservation Area (NCA) -- $2,000,000
• La Cienega ACEC/ El Camino Real De Tierra Adento National Historic Trail (NHT) -- $3,000,000
• Lacks Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) -- $750,000
• Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat ACEC -- $1,500,000
• Meeteetsee Spires ACEC -- $1,500,000
• Sandy River/Oregon NHT -- $2,100,000
• Upper Sacramento River ACEC -- $2,800,000

Fish and Wildlife Service Construction Projects (9) -- Total: $10,123,000

• Allegheny National Fish Hatchery (NFH), rehabilitate fish production and electrical systems -- $1,500,000
• Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Old Timbers Dam Phase I -- $100,000
• Fergus Falls Wetland Management District (WMD), Stang Lake Dam Phase II -- $175,000
• Guam NWR, invasive species fence construction -- $866,000
• Jackson NFH, replace water supply line -- $1,650,000
• Quinault NFH, replace electric fish barriers -- $1,000,000
• Turnbull NWR, Lower Pine Lake Dam Phase II -- $250,000
• Wichita Mountains WR, Lake Rush Dam Phase II -- $4,100,000
• Willow Beach NFH, water treatment (filters/wells) to remove Quagga mussel from water supply -- $482,000

Fish and Wildlife Service Land Acquisition Projects (31) -- Total: $43,445,000

• Alaska Maritime NWR -- $300,000
• Back Bay NWR -- $545,000
• Balcones Canyonlands NWR -- $1,000,000
• Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (MBR) -- $500,000
• Big Muddy National Forest & Wildlife Refuge (NF&WR) -- $300,000
• Blackwater NWR -- $2,000,000
• Bon Secour NWR -- $500,000
• Bond Swamp NWR -- $1,200,000
• Cape May NWR -- $2,000,000
• Cherry Valley NWR -- $500,000
• Chicksaw NWR -- $500,000
• Cypress Creek NWR -- $500,000
• Dakota Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Management Area (WMA) -- $1,000,000
• Edwin B. Forsythe NWR -- $1,100,000
• Ernest F. Hollings ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and South Edisto Rivers) Basin NWR -- $500,000
• Grasslands WMA -- $1,000,000
• James Campbell NWR -- $500,000
• James River NWR -- $1,000,000
• Laguna Atascosa NWR -- $500,000
• Leslie Canyon NWR -- $500,000
• Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR -- $1,000,000
• Nestucca Bay NWR -- $1,000,000
• Nisqually NWR -- $500,000
• North Dakota WMA -- $1,000,000
• Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR -- $500,000
• Panther Swamp NWR -- $500,000
• Patoka River NWR -- $1,150,000
• Prime Hook NWR -- $1,000,000
• Rachel Carson NWR -- $3,000,000
• Red River NWR -- $500,000
• Red Rock Lakes NWR -- $1,000,000
• Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area (CA) -- $3,750,000
• San Bernard NWR - Austin's Woods Unit -- $2,500,000
• San Joaquin River NWR -- $2,000,000
• Sevilleta NWR -- $500,000
• Silvio O. Cooke NWR & Federal Register (FR) -- $2,250,000
• St. Marks NWR -- $500,000
• Togiak NWR -- $500,000
• Upper Mississippi River NWR&FR -- $1,500,000
• Upper Ouachita NWR -- $1,000,000
• Waccamaw NWR -- $600,000
• Willapa NWR -- $750,000
• Yukon Delta NWR -- $500,000
  

With only part of these earmarks approved by Daddy O, we are so far up to a total of $81,420,000 of YOUR money. I'll put the rest of Dear Leader's approvals up ASAP.

RED ALERT: Tonight's Menu....PORK!!

I guess this has kinda become my calling for now. I'm working on earmarks put into the cap and trade mess, but I had to table that for a preemptive strike.

The Senate version of the FY2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act is going to be coming up for debate and a vote. Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has uncovered some projects stuffed into this legislation that are suspicious to say the least. While we definitely need to fund DHS, tell me if some of these don't have a rotten smell about them.

Buckle up, kids!!

• $50,500,000 by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senate DHS Appropriations Subcommittee member Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Senate appropriator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) in their states. The Senate bill appropriates $132 million to the NDPC without the earmark; Nev., N.M. and Texas already have $23 million for NDPC programs.
  
• $43,300,000 by Senate DHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.): $39.7 million to construct the Advanced Training Center (ATC) and $3.6 million for an Operations Systems Center’s operating expenses; both are located in West Virginia. The Civil War Librarian blog reported that on May 31, 2008, Sen. Byrd visited the ATC’s new firing range, and told a crowd of more than 300 that “Today, the efforts of hundreds of people are spread before us like a blessing.” The blog noted that Sen. Byrd was “proud” that he secured $123 million in design and construction funds for the ATC since 1999, as well as $26 million from Customs and Border Protection. Byrd received one of “many rounds of applause” when he said “That ain’t chicken feed.”
  
• $20,865,000 by Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) for the Southeast Region Research Initiative in Tennessee.
  
• $10,000,000 by House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) for the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS). According to the Institute’s website, “NIHS is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. NIHS was organized in 2004 through the leadership of Kentucky Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers. Congressman Rogers suggested organizing the higher education institutions of Kentucky to more effectively compete for research funds and projects aimed at improving homeland security. The Kentucky Homeland Security University Consortium resulted from his efforts. NIHS is the administrative manager for the Consortium.” In other words, Americans are paying $10 million so these institutions can be more effective at getting more of the taxpayers’ money.
  
• $900,000 by Senate DHS Appropriations Committee member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) for an Emergency Operations Center in the city of Whitefish, Montana. In 2007 Whitefish had a population of 5,849; the earmark equals $153.87 for every resident.

The number of projects decreased by 79.6 percent, from 113 in fiscal year 2009 to 23 in fiscal year 2010, while the dollar amount dropped by 31.9 percent, from $229.6 million in fiscal year 2009 to $156.2 million in fiscal year 2010.

Call your senators. Tell them the earmarks go or they do. This nation can't afford their pet projects.

Cap and Trade: Got Earmarks?

I know lots of people are saying "Get off the cap and trade thing already!" I won't. It's poised to be voted on in the Senate, and that is our only hope of this monstrosity being killed. If people stay angry, maybe the pressure will be put on the Senate.

Eight House Republicans voted for the Waxman-Markey bill (shall henceforth be the Wacky-Marxist bill) despite what the constituency wanted. The following is a list of the earmarks those eight put into the legislation they voted in favor of. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready. Duct tape is also recommended.

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful bill..."

1. Mary Bono-Mack (R-CA) -- It seems Mary secured a $500,000 earmark (that's your money, folks) through the Bureau of Land Management for land acquisition. The project? The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. But this had nothing to do with her voting "yea", did it? She also had ANOTHER half-million dollar earmark for groundwater protection in Cathedral City, CA. That earmark goes through the EPA.
   
2. Mike Castle (R-DE) -- From the spreadsheet I saw, he didn't put in any earmarks. That doesn't make him any smarter for voting for it.
3. Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL) -- No earmarks listed, but still a chucklehead. Co-chairman of the moderate GOP Tuesday Group.
4. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) -- Lenny got $500,000 for the city of Califon, NJ, for stormwater improvments, also acquired through the EPA. Where's my thank you note for the money, Lenny?
5. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) -- Mr. LoBiondo did not get any congressionally-directed earmarks. Instead, he got a presidentially-directed earmark of $2 million for the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge for land acquisition. Evidently, we have to protect the wildlife. They'll be running the treadmills to power this nation should cap and trade become law.
   
6. John McHugh (R-NY) -- The folks at Traditional Arts in Upstate New York, Canton, NY, are probably just oozing mush from their ears due to the $150,000 earmark McHugh got them. The money is going for restoration of Village Park. The National Park Service will be cutting the check. This has to do with energy how???
7. Dave Reichert (R-WA) -- Dave got lucky. He received a $333,000 congressional-directed earmark through the EPA for the City of Buckley to get a new emergency intertie booster station, and he also prostituted himself to Dear Leader for $2.15 million of our dollars to go to Mt. Ranier.
8. Chris Smith (R-NJ) -- Evidently, there are no conservatives in New Jersey. The National Park Service was nice enough to give Mr. Smith a $200,000 earmark for Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, to restore the Georgian Court Mansion. You would think that for what a college education costs that taxpayer funding wouldn't be needed. Go figure!!!

These are earmarks that came through the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. I'm going to try to break down and organize all the other earmarks by who got what. The spreadsheet is 276 lines long on the congressionally-directed side and 189 lines on the presidentially-directed side, so please bear with me.

We all wondered what the promises were.... This is just the beginning.

Outbreak on Capitol Hill

It seems that an outbreak of "porkitis" has reached pandemic proportions in our nation's capital.

The Washington Examiner revealed Friday yet another earmark stuffed into the Interior-Environment appropriations bill. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is the author of this one. If it passes the Senate and gets signed by Dear Leader, this is where some of your money is going.

It seems that Ms. DeLauro attached a $150,000 earmark to the 2010 bill for renovations on The Sterling Opera House in New Haven, Connecticut. The problem? The venue has been empty since 1965 and not used as a theater since 1945. Kind of like money for the John Murtha "Airport to Nowhere". Disgraceful.

New Haven's unemployment rate is at a 17-year high at 8.4%, but Ms. DeLauro feels that renovating the Sterling Opera House will "generate tremendous interest in the arts." Yeah...and Obama MIGHT produce the official birth certificate.

How will people afford to attend swanky events at the opera house if they don't have a job, Ms. DeLauro??? You are an economic nitwit. And that's a statement coming from one.

Ms. DeLauro's Washington phone number is 202-225-3661.

I Warned You, Mr. Murtha!!!

I'm still seething over last night's passage of the Cap and Trade mess in the House of Representatives. Now, I am on a mission to see that my representative, John P. Murtha, will never occupy the seat that he has held for 18 (not a typo) terms. This is the poster boy for term limits.

Murtha represents the 12th Congressional District here in Pennsylvania, which includes Johnstown and Altoona areas. Everywhere you travel in this area, you will see many buildings and roads bearing his name. Why don't they just rename Johnstown "Murthaland"?These areas are democratic strongholds largely due to the fact that many early residents were coal miners and belonged to the union. And we know that the unions aren't in bed with Republicans nearly as often as Democrats! I'd almost venture a guess to say that if most of the people in this district had to choose between a million-dollar check or voting Democrat, they'd still be poor and unemployed.

Old Johnny Boy really raised the hackles of most Americans who really had no idea who he was when he called our brave soldiers "murderers" for the incident in Haditha. Murtha claims that innocent civilians were killed by our Marines before any facts or testimony were presented. Well, being a former Marine, you would think Jack would have a little more RESPECT for the military. Guess not. Yet he chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and, if he gets hacked off at the military, he has a lot of say as to whether or not they get funding. Isn't that special???

Even more special: Murtha's nephew, Robert C. Murtha Jr., just received a $4 million no-bid no-competition contract from the Department of Defense for his company, Murtech. What does Murtech do? Warehousing. That's it. A lot of the offices in the building are unoccupied and its reception area is unmanned. Many days, you can see only a handful of cars in the parking lot, and no trucks pull up to the 10 loading bays. One of Bobbo Murtha's contracts came through PMA, a Jack Murtha-associated lobbying group now at the center of a federal investigation for corruption in earmarking and influence peddling. Better yet....Robert C. Murtha Sr. (John's brother) runs a highly-successful lobbying group, KSA, that specializes in (drumroll please)....DEFENSE CONTRACTS FROM THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. Nepotism at its very finest!

By the way, have you received a "Thank You" note from dear Jack for the stimulus money for the John P. Murtha-Cambria County Airport? You didn't know? Let me tell you what you kind folks have done. In the stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year, $800,000 of that is going to be spent to pave the backup runway at Jacko's airport. Pretty cool, huh? Recently, the Washington Post had an article about the airport after a reporter visited there. On the day of the reporter's visit, four passengers lined up to catch a flight, and those passengers were outnumbered by seven security staff members and supervisors, all who wore uniforms and gloves to screen the six pieces of luggage. After all that hard work, they all got a three-hour break because no flights, private or commercial, came in or took off. During the week, three commercial flights leave the airport -- all bound for Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. In the past decade, this airport of all airports has received $200 million in federal funds, and Murtha is credited with securing at least $150 million of that. It's been dubbed "The Airport to Nowhere".

John Murtha is definitely one of the most corrupt members of Congress, yet the people of the Johnstown area keep electing him based on his ability to bring money into the area. Nevermind that he's not creating a lot of jobs in what has been a depressed area since the coal mines shut down. He's just securing funding for already established projects that usually bear his name.

Coming from a region rich in coal and coal-mining history, I would almost think for a nanosecond that he would've voted against Cap and Trade. Then I wake up and I'm still in the nightmare known as the 12th Congressional District.