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Bully Pulpit

The term "bully pulpit" stems from President Theodore Roosevelt's reference to the White House as a "bully pulpit," meaning a terrific platform from which to persuasively advocate an agenda. Roosevelt often used the word "bully" as an adjective meaning superb/wonderful. The Bully Pulpit features news, reasoned discourse, opinion and some humor.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Whose Money?

(Fox News) - Battles over congressional earmarks are heating up. Alaska Republican Don Young — known as a prolific earmarker — came a little unglued recently when his request for education funds was questioned. He referred to the funds as "my money" and warned Republicans who were challenging him — "those who bit me will be bitten back."

One of the people going against Young was North Carolina’s Virginia Foxx — who said members are — "stewards of the money that we legally steal from the people of this country."

Meanwhile Indiana Democrat Peter Visclosky allowed colleague John Murtha to slip a $1 million request into one of his bills — for something called the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure. When asked if this organization really exists — Visclosky said — "at this time I do not know."

Despite that — the House rejected a move to cut the money. The Politico reports a certificate filed with the funds says they are actually destined for a consulting firm called Concurrent Technologies Corporation — run by a Murtha campaign contributor.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...


One of the people going against Young was North Carolina’s Virginia Foxx — who said members are — "stewards of the money that we legally steal from the people of this country."


Go Virginia, Go!

Friday, July 20, 2007 7:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Come now, Steve. Remind me from which interpretation of the Necessary and Proper clause of the US Constitution did Foxx divine the need for those legally stolen dollars to support the Teapot museum? Did Foxx say that quote with a straight face? With the exception of Ron Paul, I can not name one member of Congress who wouldn’t pistol whip the taxpayer for some spare change for pet projects. I was even pretending to believe Patrick McHenry might have a principled bone in his body until he pushed for welfare for Christmas tree and craft enthusiasts. Ah, and to think I was once so naive as to believe that Congress was a serious body. How free it feels to see the light and realize that when old Ben Franklin said we've a Republic if we can keep it, that he was high on colonial acid. Sorry Ben, never kept it. Never will.

Friday, July 20, 2007 11:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had forgotten about the teapot museum. I was actually responding more to the fact that someone would speak those words into the Congressional Record and that they would actually be reported in the media. Still, out of the NC delegation, Virginia has the best voting record with respect to spending my money. I am aware that's not saying much, the bar is pretty low.

Saturday, July 21, 2007 9:01:00 AM  

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