The already tangled Katrina relief story takes another twist;
Senior officials in Louisiana’s emergency planning agency already were awaiting trial over allegations stemming from a federal investigation into waste, mismanagement and missing funds when Hurricane Katrina struck. And federal auditors are still trying to track as much as $60 million in unaccounted for funds that were funneled to the state from the Federal Emergency Management Agency dating back to 1998.
In March, FEMA demanded that Louisiana repay $30.4 million to the federal government. The problems are particularly worrisome, federal officials said, because they involve the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the agency that will administer much of the billions in federal aid anticipated for victims of Katrina.
Another reminder that corruption in government is more than a mere political irritant for taxpayers. Whether funds are misappropriated through fraud, or misdirected for partisan political advantage, sometimes the consequences are deadly.
Carrying that thought a step further, Canadians might consider asking where the claimed $10 bilion in security spending by the “people who brought you Adscam” is going in this country – and who it is going to.
so soon? this amazes me, who will point out the obvious
“Canadians might consider asking where the claimed $10 billion in security spending by the’people who brought you Adscam’ is going in this country”
Everyone knows that those funds (and probably some Tsunami aid) have been deposited into a “foundation” so that the AG cannot find it.
Liberano$$$$$
Ten billion dollars in ‘security spending’ buys a lot of lifetime government flunky jobs (and gliberal votes). But hey- ask Screeching Annie, (She’s in charge of that department).
The Ross Rifle Scandal
http://www.canadahistory.ca/vimy/Background/weapons/rossrifle.htm
During the South African War of 1899-1902, the Canadian government had experienced serious problems in obtaining weapons from Britain, on whom it relied for its supplies. In particular the .303 Lee-Enfield rifle was unavailable, and efforts to persuade Birmingham Small Arms Company to set up a branch factory in Canada to manufacture the rifle were unsuccessful. Sir Wilfred Laurier, then the Prime Minister, was persuaded by his Militia Minister, Sir Frederick Borden, that Canada would have to make its own rifle. A new rifle, developed by Sir Charles Ross, had recently appeared on the market. It was a fine target and sporting weapon. Ross came to Ottawa and met with a committee set up to evaluate his rifle. One of the committee members was Sam Hughes, who immediately liked the weapon. It was put through a series of tests, including comparison tests with the Lee-Enfield. In spite of the fact that the Ross jammed and often misfired, the committee recommended its adoption and manufacture in Canada. What “small problems” there were, Sir Charles Ross assured them, could be eliminated with the appropriate modifications. Sam Hughes steadfastly defended the Ross rifle in the House of Commons and was opposed to replacing it. Events were to show that he was tragically wrong.
In trench conditions, surrounded by mud and filth, and when it was essential to have a reliable weapon, the Ross was definitely out of place. It had a long barrel and was difficult to use in the trench’s confined spaces, and it frequently jammed. It was indeed a fine weapon – on a firing range under controlled conditions. But the First Division’s stand at Ypres in the face of a gas attack, Canadian soldiers threw away their Ross rifles in despair and frustration, and picked up Lee-Enfields from dead British soldiers on the battlefield.>>>more
Yes an all too true story, Maz, and one all collectors are well aquainted with.
The ineptitude of Canadian Government plays out again in ’43 and 44 when stumbling delays kept the magic of effective radar off Canadian ships running the Gulf of St. Lawrence and escorting convoys to and from Europe.
Had radar been applied promptly, who knows the numbers of both military and merchant ships that would most certainly have been saved from U-boat scores.
Things have gone downhill long enough. Time for a turn around soon.. eh? 73 TG
Maybe the Winnipeg Koyoto Killer will will be a start.
Montreal Gazette Sept. 17/05 Head:- Can this Man Save the World?
Like a CD player in size. Goes under the hood. Causes average gas engine to go from 35% efficiency to 97% thus burning all pollutants and reducing emmissions to about 1%. Unit is filled with powdered chemistry and feeds Hydrogen to the injector intake.
Manufactures hydrogen on the fly thus eliminating the need for heavy expensive stainless steel tanks.
Is this what Ballard was looking for? ‘3s TG
As you have enunciated so wll, Kate, corruption in the public sector at all 3 levels has a price….first in tax burden and as this Katrina disaster displays it has a human cost when funding is misdirected from allocated projects.
Canadians should remember this when they wait in line for an MRI scan and realize every Major city could have bought 10 MRI machines for the money defrauded from us in the gun registry over budget spending and in Adscam pandering.
It’s a good idea to have it investigated, but there has to be a means to do this. Here in Canada, we don’t have that means.
What ever will the Canadian and kerrie – pouple do if they cannot blame the President of Unuited States of America, Mr. Bush, for Katrina?? Move along folks -nothing to see here….celebrate the fool reporters in MSM.