Two Interesting Items--Anyone Know the Reliability of this Source?

[snot]

DIY Tax Increase
<http://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/posts/diy_tax_increase/>

If you don't think you pay enough in taxes to help with the Iraq reconstruction, the U.S. government now provides a way for you to give even more: New twist on aid for Iraq: U.S. seeks donations <http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/chitribts/20050918/ts_chicagotrib/newtwistonaidforiraqusseeksdonations> .

The Bush administration has launched an unusual effort to raise charitable contributions for another cause: the government's attempt to rebuild Iraq.

Although more than $30 billion in taxpayer funds have been appropriated for Iraqi reconstruction, the administration earlier this month launched an Internet-based fundraising effort that it says is aimed at giving Americans "a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq."

Contributors have no way of knowing who's getting the money or precisely where it's headed because the government says it must keep the details secret for security reasons.
(snip)

Cruise Changes From Katrina Mean More Money For Shorter Trip
http://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/posts/cruise_ship_news/

Hundreds of Houstonians were left high and dry for their vacations when the federal government needed cruise ships for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Now many of them are saying bon voyage to their trips because they said the cruise line cheated them.

But when the Federal Emergency Management Agency chartered three of Carnival's ships for Hurricane Katrina recovery, the Thompson's cruise on the Elation became a five-night stay instead of seven. "But to go for five nights, it was going to cost us $250 more," Thompson said. That's right -- the couple would have to pay more money for fewer nights.
(snip)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency leased the 1,452-passenger Holiday and two other vessels from Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines for six months for $192 million

Assuming that the other two ships also accommodate 1,452 passengers, that means FEMA is shelling out more than $44,000 per person. Why not just buy them a house? A family of three can buy a pretty decent house for $132,000.

[sandnsea]

1. Money is no object

if it's going to Bush's corrupt crony capitalists. PR or outright profiteering, that's all that matters to these people and it's why they waited so long to send help. Had to prove that privatization and charities were all that's necessary... except they were wrong.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1352

[countmyvote4real]

2. What? The lives of our troops aren't enough?

I hope they are taking out ads in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Israel... just to name a few beneficiaries. The US is obviously not one.

[Carolab]

3. I read something about these ships being rented for "evacuees".

But the evacuees didn't want to go on them because they would not be able to seek work, shelter, etc. on a boat. So instead the ships are being used for "relief workers"--e.g. the mercenaries sent by BushCo.

Think that is a bunch of crap? I do.

[preciousdove]

4. Cruise Ships deliberate to give illusion of welfare queens...stupid idea

FEMA hired a PR firm 2 days after Katrina (previous thread just tonight). No doctors, just PR firm. Sent all firefighters to PR school in Atlanta rather than the affected area. Used them as props for shrub.

They are actually looking for a rich corpse in NOLA so they can use it for PR on the estate tax repeal.

People were told they could return to NOLA by Mayor but FEMA is making them get documents which don't exsist according to a report yesterday.

They withheld rescue and aid so that there would be lawlessness so they could do a power grab, partially successful.

Church camps in Texas still on lockdown according an early morning post by another DUer.

Hotel vouchers are running out. FEMA has not repsonded to most people. Red Cross is dancing as fast as it can but got started late because of FEMA and their own internal cutbacks.

Oh and FEMA insisted that each body had to be prayed over despite protests from Kenyon (and there were no chaplains available to do that another planned delay.)

Really, really sick mfkrs.

[ladylibertee]

5. As far as the second one, I heard about it . Now the first one?....

The Bush administration has launched an unusual effort to raise charitable contributions for another cause: the government's attempt to rebuild Iraq.???? That pisses me off dude.On the other hand, that's going to just have to be one of those PORK pet projects whose funds received need to be redirected to Katrina relief effort.
:7