Thiebear Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060420-110852-8296r.htm Homeland Security grants spent on clowns and gyms By Audrey Hudson THE WASHINGTON TIMES April 21, 2006 Fire departments are using Homeland Security grants to buy gym equipment, sponsor puppet and clown shows, and turn first responders into fitness trainers. The spending choices are allowable under the guidelines of the Assistance to Firefighters grant administered by the Homeland Security Department, which has awarded nearly 250 grants since February totaling more than $25 million out of the current spending pot of $545 million. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff vowed to redirect grant spending based on risk of a terrorist attack, but Congress has ignored his pleas, federal officials say. "The administration has not supported the funding for physical fitness equipment as part of the fire grant program," says Marc Short, Homeland Security spokesman. "Physical fitness is an individual responsibility." The Bush administration has specifically asked Congress not to allow funding for physical fitness, but the members who run Congress' appropriation committees keep inserting the language into the department's budget, officials say. The House last year passed the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act by a 409 to 10 vote to require several first responder grants be based on risk, however the firefighter grant was excluded from the legislation Congress has got to be the worst group on Earth when it comes to managing money... They lose 26 billion and authorize 200 million dollar bridges to nowhere and use HS money for fitness equipment and clowns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Judges Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Damn you tax and spend Democrats! 409 to 10 Uh, yeah, well it's still the Democrats fault! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsBry Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 :doh: The Grants program is going on right now. I had to set up the call center for them. They're making phone calls to see where the money needs to go. On behalf of Extremeskins.com, should I peek my head in and tell them no fitness equipment or clowns? :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gchwood Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Clowns scare me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 And some people actually want more government programs:doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Punani2 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 We need another Revolution in this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 We need another Revolution in this country. That would be hard to do. The two parties have insulated themselves well with money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Punani2 Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 That would be hard to do. The two parties have insulated themselves well with money It's the system itself Sarge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 It's the system itself Sarge. Oh I know. I wonder sometimes about the passage in the Declaration of Independence that basically says if the people feel oppressed they can throw off the government and start over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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