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You are here: Home / Politics / A Litmus Test

A Litmus Test

by John Cole|  September 14, 200511:57 am| 31 Comments

This post is in: Politics

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The House Republican Steering Committee is set today to select a new Homeland Security Committee chairman. The choice must be Rep. Pete King of Long Island, who is as knowledgeable as they come about terror threats and the need for emergency preparedness. The panel must reject King’s leading rival, Don Young of Alaska. Young is a master at doling out patronage. Giving him oversight of a department that makes life-and-death decisions was never a good idea, but it would be an act of reckless arrogance now that Katrina has exposed the political rot at the top of FEMA.

As chair of the House Transportation Committee, Young greased lots of wheels with the $286.4 billion highway bill, and he had the gall to name the measure SAFETEA-LU, after his wife, Lu. He delivered close to a half-billion dollars to his home state for two bridges to nowhere, one of which will carry Don Young’s name. His appetite for pork is so notorious that Taxpayers for Common Sense has for the first time ever taken a stand on a chairmanship: anyone but Young.

If they vote for Don Young, my head may explode.

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Previous Post: « The Death of Fiscal Conservatives
Next Post: Hitchens v. Galloway »

Reader Interactions

31Comments

  1. 1.

    Steve

    September 14, 2005 at 12:05 pm

    These allegations of pork are clearly frivolous, as Tom DeLay has made very clear that there is no longer any fat in the federal budget whatsoever. John, you just don’t understand the triumph that your conservative revolution has achieved.

    Peter King, in my book, is a batshit insane member of the “Karl Rove should get a medal” club, so it is hard for me to imagine him exercising responsible oversight of a marshmallow roast, let alone the issue of homeland security.

  2. 2.

    yet another jeff

    September 14, 2005 at 12:23 pm

    Yeah, DeLay declares budget “Not Fat, Just Big Boned”.

  3. 3.

    John Cole

    September 14, 2005 at 12:34 pm

    I am going to steal that, yet another…

  4. 4.

    yet another jeff

    September 14, 2005 at 12:54 pm

    Ok, but only as long as you back me up if I get accused of stealing it from you.

  5. 5.

    srv

    September 14, 2005 at 1:06 pm

    John, I suggest you have the bag for your head ready.

    Young is already acting chairman and has seniority. While that’s not a given, as one of the primary movers of the highway bill, he’s probably already closed the negotiations.

    Look, there’s just not enough markup in highway projects. Now, Homeland Security, the skies the limit…

    “They (environmentalists) are a socialist group of individuals that are the tool of the Democratic Party. That’s all they are, always have been. I’m proud to say that they are my enemy. They are not Americans, never have been Americans, never will be Americans.” Rep. Don Young on Alaska Public Radio Network, August 19, 1996.

    Remember, it was them Dems who started all this hate stuff.

  6. 6.

    Krista

    September 14, 2005 at 1:11 pm

    They (environmentalists) are a socialist group of individuals that are the tool of the Democratic Party. That’s all they are, always have been. I’m proud to say that they are my enemy. They are not Americans, never have been Americans, never will be Americans.” Rep. Don Young on Alaska Public Radio Network, August 19, 1996.

    Do you think this is the guy that Denis Leary had in mind when he wrote the song, “Asshole”?

  7. 7.

    Wrye

    September 14, 2005 at 1:13 pm

    I dunno. Does he like cheeseburgers?

  8. 8.

    jg

    September 14, 2005 at 1:15 pm

    I love that song

  9. 9.

    capelza

    September 14, 2005 at 1:15 pm

    I don’t know if I have said it before here, but Alaska is one spoiled state….huge pork from the Federal Government and yet the state can give it’s residents a thousand or two a year apiece from the permanent fund dividend. Plus no state income tax….now if that ain’t bordering on socialist I don’t know what is….

    I love that state, live there part time, but for the love of Pete, it just gets ridiculous sometimes. Rugged indiviualism my ass.

  10. 10.

    Krista

    September 14, 2005 at 1:17 pm

    I don’t know…but he definitely seems to have no aversion to pork.

    I’ll give you three guesses as to this guy’s opinion on drilling for oil in Alaska — and the first two guesses don’t count.

  11. 11.

    Krista

    September 14, 2005 at 2:03 pm

    And to cheer everyone up, I just saw a huge bearded man drive by on a Harley, with a papillon dog on the back, and the dog was wearing goggles and a leather jacket.

    Delightful.

  12. 12.

    Jim

    September 14, 2005 at 2:19 pm

    I am torn. A big part of me will be really upset if they give the job to Young. On the other hand, a big part of me wants John’s head to explode. Decisions, decisions.

  13. 13.

    Trent

    September 14, 2005 at 2:22 pm

    I vote for more hacks.

    I don’t want any Republican to use any common sense for the next 14 months.

    And i don’t expect to be disappointed.

  14. 14.

    Richard Bennett

    September 14, 2005 at 3:08 pm

    Peter King has raised money for the IRA. Putting him in charge of an anti-terrorism committee would be a gross mistake; he should be in prison.

  15. 15.

    Buddy

    September 14, 2005 at 3:29 pm

    Frankly, I think the republican leadership is off-track, and we republicans need to get up and do something about it or we’re gonna be screwed. There’s just too much appearance (and outright examples) of cronyism and nepotism and the like.

  16. 16.

    Zifnab

    September 14, 2005 at 3:33 pm

    Peter King has raised money for the IRA. Putting him in charge of an anti-terrorism committee would be a gross mistake; he should be in prison.

    Maybe we can get Arafat to head it. He knows alot about Terrorism.

    Oh wait. He’s dead.

  17. 17.

    Trent

    September 14, 2005 at 3:51 pm

    Frankly, I think the republican leadership is off-track, and we republicans need to get up and do something about it or we’re gonna be screwed. There’s just too much appearance (and outright examples) of cronyism and nepotism and the like.

    Damn freedom-hating, french-loving communist pinko bastard. Why do you support the terrorists?

  18. 18.

    wilson

    September 14, 2005 at 3:59 pm

    “I don’t know if I have said it before here, but Alaska is one spoiled state….huge pork from the Federal Government and yet the state can give it’s residents a thousand or two a year apiece from the permanent fund dividend. Plus no state income tax….now if that ain’t bordering on socialist I don’t know what is…. I love that state, live there part time, but for the love of Pete, it just gets ridiculous sometimes. Rugged indiviualism my ass.”

    I tend to agree, but I read somewhere (in Michener’s book, I think) about Alaska being starved with respect to infrastructure money (roads, etc.) from when it was bought in 1868 or so until 1970 or so.

    Seems possible to me that infrastructure projects in Alaska may be easier to justify with cost-benefit analysis than in other more developed states (NY, CA, etc.).

    What offends me is the off-loading of the projects on the feds, without enough contribution from the state. Alaska which seems to have plenty to help help pay for bridges, etc.

    Maybe we need to rethink the idea of each state having two senators (which would of course require an amendment to the constitution). Now that we have no slavery, a main reason for having a “two votes per state” senate has gone by the wayside.

  19. 19.

    rayabacus

    September 14, 2005 at 7:10 pm

    tend to agree, but I read somewhere (in Michener’s book, I think) about Alaska being starved with respect to infrastructure money (roads, etc.) from when it was bought in 1868 or so until 1970 or so.

    What the fuck do they need infrastructure for? When you drive a snowmobile 10 months out of the year, you don’t need any roads.

    You got one guy that eats ham, bacon and sausage 10 times a day and another that, reportedly, raised money for the IRA, Jeez, don’t they have anybody else that can head that committee?

    That highway bill was the worst Pork Barrell in the history of this country. Fuckin’ Congresss (Repubs & Dems alike) passed the damn thing and naturally George (I never veto a bill) Bush signed the damn thing. That thing is almost as irresponsible as the Medicare Drug Benefit boondoggle.

  20. 20.

    Harry Atkinson

    September 14, 2005 at 7:26 pm

    Bush Flies Into Rage With Staffers!

    Shocking! And why orange? It just isn’t his color.

    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/13/20951/8887

  21. 21.

    Harry Atkinson

    September 14, 2005 at 7:28 pm

    Wall Street Journal/NBC Poll puts Bush’s Approval # @ 40%?

    The Wall Street Journal?!

    Get out the butter, Bushie is toast.

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9332076/

  22. 22.

    wilson

    September 14, 2005 at 8:04 pm

    “What the fuck do they need infrastructure for? When you drive a snowmobile 10 months out of the year, you don’t need any roads.”

    Lots is still possible in Alaska. Harsh winter is important, but not an insurmountable problem, as shown by the Alaska Pipeline. Not many infrastructure projects up there have turned out badly (from a return on investment perspective).

    Ten months on snowmobiles may describe life in the far north of Alaska, but not in Anchorage or Juneau. Look at all the roads, dams, etc. that are not in Alaska (never funded), as compared to any state in the lower 48.

    Young’s bridge project does not look so far-fetched if you assume the Juneau/Sitka area will grow and population will increase. Might seem like pie in the sky now, sort of like Las Vegas looked in 1950 or so, but turn into a “glad we did that” use of funds. Hard to beleive that Juneau, a state capital, still cannot be reached by road.

  23. 23.

    Caroline

    September 14, 2005 at 8:54 pm

    You got one guy that eats ham, bacon and sausage 10 times a day and another that, reportedly, raised money for the IRA, Jeez, don’t they have anybody else that can head that committee?

    Probably not. It seems that this is the best the GOP can come up with. I don’t hold out much hope for national security for the next few years.

  24. 24.

    srv

    September 14, 2005 at 9:04 pm

    ARGH! John Cole’s Head Doesn’t Explode!

    http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/091505/home.html

  25. 25.

    Far North

    September 15, 2005 at 2:19 am

    I’ve voted in every Alaska election since 1978. Don Young is what you get when mindless, greedy conservatives vote. Ethics, smethics, Don brings home the bacon. That’s the hypocrisy of the conservative….government hating extremists that will put aside integrity and ethics and vote for whomever will delivery the goods.

    Alaskans like to tout themselves as rugged, self-sufficient, anti-government Americans. But the average conservative Alaskan hates taxes but wants all his services for free. The average conservative Alaskan denounces everything government but is first in line at the federal and state trough. Alaska is the only state that provides free money (welfare) to each of its citizens regardless of need. Ever hear of the permanent fund dividend? But it ain’t enough for the rugged independent Alaskan. The conservative in Alaska feels that he’s entitled. That’s where Stevens and Young come in. The hypocrisy is stunning as both Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young practice anyting but conservative ideals when it comes to raiding the federal treasury.

    Alaska is an example of the hypocrisy of so many conservatives in this country.

  26. 26.

    Narvy

    September 15, 2005 at 10:10 am

    Yeah, DeLay declares budget “Not Fat, Just Big Boned”.

    I believe you mean “Not Fat, But Boned Big-Time.”

  27. 27.

    Narvy

    September 15, 2005 at 10:17 am

    Young’s bridge project does not look so far-fetched if you assume the Juneau/Sitka area will grow and population will increase.

    Might it not be a good idea to wait until the population actually does grow to the point where it’s needed? To me, this is like building levees in central Arizona in anticipation of the flooding that is sure to come after the Big Earthquake separates California from the rest of the continent.

    Might seem like pie in the sky now, sort of like Las Vegas looked in 1950 or so, but turn into a “glad we did that” use of funds.

    The comparison will work when the Sopranos decide that big money can be made by developing the Juneau/Sitka area. Until then, I’d be glad we did something more urgent with that money. Like not spend it.

  28. 28.

    Narvy

    September 15, 2005 at 10:26 am

    rayabacus –

    You referred to Bush’s refusal to use the veto. You must remember, the power of the veto is awesome and must be used sparingly and ony against the forces of evil. Kinda like the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. (I can see the movie now… Rove played by Patrick Stewart, Bush and Friends holding back the floodwaters until they boil away from the intense heat rays emanating from their eyes, entangling Iraqi insurgents in unbreakable webs… Wait, wrong picture.)

  29. 29.

    capelza

    September 15, 2005 at 10:48 am

    Juneau won’t ever grow that much, the geography won’t allow it. As for being the only state capital without a road going into it, where would said road come from?

    Anchorage (and it’s metro area) has at least half the population of the state. You can build roads, as they have, from and to there. That’s the other thing about Las Vegas…roads weren’t a problem…

    Far North said it perfectly…

  30. 30.

    mario

    September 15, 2005 at 6:02 pm

    john, john, john,
    Don’t you worry.
    If you’re head hasn’t exploded at this point , it never will.

Comments are closed.

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  1. Balloon Juice says:
    September 14, 2005 at 4:00 pm

    […] My expanded (briefly) thoughts on this can be found here. Thanks to commenter Yet Another Jeff for the most excellent title. […]

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