Random Foolishness – October 07

Insurance for Poor Children

Is this bill forcing insured children out into a government run program? Are the Democrats trying to funnel the Child Care money into other programs under the table? What is the real reason for this bill? Democrats needed the Republicans (15 votes in the House) to help over-ride the veto that Bush slammed into them. They obviously did not get that and it could be simply because the Democrats are not strong enough to convince them to.

CBS Follows the Money: Earmarks

Earmarks are monies given to special interests back in the hometown of Congressional Reps’ hometowns. These are funds from taxpayers that the Congressional Rep has total control over. For Stephanie Tubbs Jones this proved to be a mistake when she gave monies ($2 mil) to Sherwin Williams Paint Company. They are a multi-billion dollar organization who should have been the last to request earmarked money but they were first in line.

They have an experimental super paint that claims to kill harmful bacteria. Congressman Campbell questioned the purpose for giving them the money. The issues is that earmarks do not go through public scrutiny as most other funding programs would. The congressman does not even need to know details about the project or the value it would bring to the money they received. There is no research on what the market has to offer; that one company can get all the money available.

Congresswoman Jones was indignant and behaved as though she had a right to be outraged when CBS sent their camera crew to confront her at her offices. It was not like she was returning calls. Sister girl hemmed up the woman in the hallway saying "don’t run up on me like that," "don’t play me like that." Tubbs Jones felt that because the company told her that they were the best choice was good enough for her. Because they have a good track record in the community, that seems to qualify them for free money to do what they choose.

I’m not mad at them. I feel that if you can sucker money out of the government and say you think it’s a good idea and they agree – run with it.

One Tragic Woman

carolanngotbaumairportarrest Carol Ann Gotbaum couldn’t wish for the attention she’s getting now. She was in the airport and got arrested when she died in custody. Everyone is saying that she was an addict and traveling alone to a treatment clinic. Since she couldn’t get on her overbooked flight she tried to get on another one and was turned away. She was supposedly an addict "suffering demons" and the family is saying that she was suicidal. How the hell was airport security supposed to know that she was suicidal? If her family knew this then why have her travel ALONE?? The blame is not one to share but hold onto within the family. It is inconceivable that in order to make it through mourning they rather place fault to the airport instead of themselves. They, the family, knew that she was unstable yet they thought she was well enough to get on a plane alone. How do we know that she wasn’t taking sips at the airport bar? SHE WAS AN ADDICT!! Just take the time to enjoy the children she’s given you, learn from your mistakes, and lets all move on.