hmmmm

obsidian wings shares with us what


wasteful spending REALLY is (or is that ISN'T???)

(love it!)

by publius

We’re all about bipartisan understanding here at ObWi – so I wanted to find a good thought-provoking critique from someone who feels the stimulus bill is full of waste. I needed a different perspective. So I checked out the Corner and K-Lo obliged. To illustrate the stimulus bill’s “wasteful spending,” K-Lo dutifully linked to this longer NRO article, which meticulously outlined 50 “of the most outrageous items in the stimulus package” (generally deemed outrages because they don’t stimulate). I decided to check this list out and report back to you, fair reader.

First outrageous item on the list – the bill provides $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, so that the “unemployed can fill their days attending abstract-film festivals and sitar concerts.” That’s really funny. And you know who else would find it really funny? The 5 million or so Americans who work in the arts industry (including in support roles as, say, janitors). The people laid off by the Los Angeles Opera last month would also find it especially hilarious. After all, if there’s any one product that should be left entirely to market whims, it’s art...........

please stop by

obsidian wings

to see how you can help both the family of maj andrew olmsted and capt thomas casey. two true american heroes

How To Help
by hilzoy
A member of Andy Olmsted's family has just written me to say that if people want to do something in honor of him, they can send donations to a fund that has been set up for the four children of CPT Thomas Casey, who served under Andy and was killed while trying to help him. The address is here:
Capt. Thomas Casey Children’s fund
P.O. Box 1306
Chester, CA 96020
Thanks so much.
Also, below the fold I am going to try to compile a list of the blogs that linked to Andy's final post, so that his friends and family can see some of them without having to go to the trouble of tracking them all down. I'm going to do this gradually -- it will take a while. I've been bookmarking them since Friday, and I think there are nearly 500. However, if anyone notices a blog post that I haven't found by, say, noon tomorrow, just leave it in comments, or email the kitty or me.
I can't tell you how much I've appreciated everyone's willingness to put politics aside on the threads about Andy, and the way this entire community has responded. Special thanks to everyone who has emailed me about comments that need to be taken down -- there were too many comments in the various threads for any one human to keep track of, and it helped a lot. It meant a lot to me, and I think it would have meant a lot to Andy. Thanks to you all.
[Update: Do not click "more" unless you want to see the long and growing list of links to Andy's final post. If you don't, just click "comments".] ...................

my original posting

no politicizing on this one

in deference to maj andrew olmsted's wishes. go over and read his final (written) words. it's well worth it. final post

via wired
and you can comment on maj oldmsted's last post at obsidian wings

to the family and friends of major olmsted i am sorry for your loss. you are in my thoughts and prayers