Seriously, It Was a Republican in a Barney Frank Disguise, Right?
And then there are those wholly voluntary, real-life incidents more valuable to the opposition than a million dollars in negative ads. If only the congressman had shown one tenth the passion and resistance for the loss of billions of our dollars via Fannie and Freddie that he demonstrated for a single one of his own dollars.
Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank caused a scene when he demanded a $1 senior discount on his ferry fare to Fire Island’s popular gay haunt, The Pines, last Friday. Frank was turned down by ticket clerks at the dock in Sayville because he didn’t have the required Suffolk County Senior Citizens ID. A witness reports, “Frank made such a drama over the senior rate that I contemplated offering him the dollar to cool down the situation.”
Drudge Report July 27, 2010
The Cheney/Bush/Haliburton/Blackwater Defense Department failed to account for billions of dollars it spent to help rebuild Iraq. The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction says the Department of Defense is unable to account properly for 96% of the money. Out of just over $9 billion, $8.7 billion is unaccounted for, the inspector says.
A Cheney spokesperson said that the value of, Mr Cheneys Haliburton Stock-options have increased 275% since 2001
Sammy,
You beat me to it! The same report is posted on CNN.
Monique which are you worring about a $1 senior citizen discount or GOP not being able to account for $8.7 billion of your and my tax dollar.
Oh….It’s Obama’s fault!!! Never mind!
What do the comments by Sammy and Ken have to do with Barney Frank?
Monique’s post does raise an interesting question, doesn’t Barney have a driver’s license? For identification, does he rely on “Do you know who I am ?”
Years ago when I lived on Beacon Hill, I frequently encountered Barney hanging out at the Charles Street Pharmacy. That raised another question, did he own a clean shirt?
“For identification, does he rely on “Do you know who I am ?””
I love that expression! No word yet on whether Mr. Frank resorted to it during his little paroxysm of frugality.
Sammy/Ken, that’s not the point. Yes what you listed is bad. The whole point of the “On a Lighter Note…” post was to point out that Bawney wasn’t so worried about millions of taxpayer dollars down the drain but when it’s one single dollar of his own, he gets all outraged.
And you’re right, losing track of $8.7B is also an outrage. I’m sure the Representative from Massachusetts was equally outraged over this (like he was about his $1) and did something about it, right?
But perhaps Barney Frank is fooling all of us again. I wouldn’t be surprised if he staged this deliberate and phony tantrum to draw attention to himself and away from some other issue more sinister. I don’t care for Frank’s politics, decision making, or judgment otherwise, but I’ll acknowledge that he’s usually a few steps ahead of most who criticize him.
It never fails to amaze me when people who are wll off make a big deal over a pittance.Barney Frank is high profile,so itr makes news.
I know people,including,unfortunately family members from both sides who act this way.It’s disgusting.
My parents’ generation came up during the Depression when every penny literally did count.It left its mark on some,yet not on others.
I hope I never get accused of being cheap.I’m not wealthy at all,but I’m not poor either–we never had a six figure income,and we’re not close by a long stretch.I think of money as something to use-whether for something you need,or want,or to help family,and also to help strangers to the extent you can afford to.Money in and of itself becomes the end object for some people.
Barney Frank should be ashamed of himself-it reveals something petty about him,and what this has to do with Cheney is beyond me.
Cheney is a guy who’s been circling the bowl for years and he has more money than he can ever use.I call him Darth Vader,which gives some idea of my opinion of him.A war mongering draft dodger.
Posted by Monique at July 28, 2010 7:12 AM
” his little paroxysm of frugality”
How about “hissy fit”
How does a guy who doesn’t know his boyfriend is operating a male bordello out of their apartment, even presume to exercise governance? Why does anyone take him seriously?
“Required Suffolk County Senior Citizens ID”.
There are 3 private commercial ferry companies servicing Fire Island and I’ve never heard of a requirement that a senior obtain a local “Senior Citizens ID” in order to get a discount.
But after doing some checking, Suffolk County, Long Island New York has a “Green Key” county-wide policy for residents, seniors, disable, 17 and under, active military, veteran and tourist. The card cost minimal amount and is good for 3 years allowing for discounts at parks and golf courses. There is also a “County Senior Green Card” free to residents only. You must be a full time resident of Suffolk County to receive full discounts.
In Hawaii you can show your state driver’s license or state ID card or if you live in Hawaii your State of Hawaii ID Card which is better known as “Kama’aina card” or Hawaii driver’s license (you are not required to get a Hawaii driver’s license until your mainland license expiries). A senior citizen discount can be up to 50% off (senior age 50 and up in Hawaii).
Some corrections to Sammy and Ken:
For one thing, the money involved in the report is not “your and my tax dollar.” It’s from the Development Fund for Iraq, mainly consisting of Saddam money and other Iraq-derived funds.
For another thing, the United States hasn’t had direct control over the money since June 2004, when it went to the Iraqi Interim Government, with various oversight from U.S. and international bodies.
This is not to say that better controls shouldn’t have been pursued, but it’s hardly an Bush administration (much less a GOP) issue as much as it’s an international issue centered on a complex and volatile region.
How quickly we forget, after Gen. Petraeus and the Bush administration developed the strategies that have made Iraq much less of a problem since the former president left office, that the years prior to 2008 were chaotic and challenging times of war.
It’s enough to make one suspect an effort of the current president’s allies to cast people’s eyes backwards, again, before the upcoming election.
Justin,
Your comments are so noted but this is not the first time under GOP leadership this has happened.
The Pentagon is unable to properly account for 8.7 billion dollars out of 9.1 billion in Iraqi oil revenue entrusted to it between 2004 and 2007.
Of that amount, the military failed to provide any records at all for 2.6 billion dollars in purported reconstruction expenditure, according to a newly released audit that underscores a pattern of poor record-keeping during the war.
Iraqis are still angry about the failure to account for a separate 8.8 billion dollars in Iraqi oil revenue spent by the U.S. led Coalition Provisional Authority in 2003 and 2004.
This brings the grand total to $17.5 billion dollars!!
What is happening to our tax dollars?? More $1,000.00 hammers or $2,000.00 toilet seats???
Your statements indicate it is alright because it is only Iraqi money, The U.S.A. is on the hook for that $17.5 billion dollars. That means you and I and all U.S. taxpayers have to replace it plus the current U.S. debt from fighting the war!