Among the foremost threats to individual freedom in America is the abusive and oftentimes lawless behavior…
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More Legal Shenanigans from the Biden Administration’s Department of Education

Among the foremost threats to individual freedom in America is the abusive and oftentimes lawless behavior of federal administrative agencies, whose vast armies of overpaid bureaucrats remain unaccountable for their excesses.

Among the most familiar examples of that bureaucratic abuse is the Department of Education (DOE).  Recall, for instance, the United States Supreme Court’s humiliating rebuke last year of the Biden DOE’s effort to shift hundreds of billions of dollars of student debt from the people who actually owed them onto the backs of American taxpayers.

Even now, despite that rebuke, the Biden DOE launched an alternative scheme last month in an end-around effort to achieve that same result.

Well, the Biden DOE is now attempting to shift tens of millions of dollars of…[more]

March 18, 2024 • 03:11 PM

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Military and Professional Sports: Who Pays for What? Print
By Steven A. Castleton
Wednesday, November 11 2015
Congress should cut the pork barrel spending rather than cut programs that boost service morale, instill American pride in and appreciation for our service men and women and aid in recruitment efforts.

When it comes to discussing the relationship between the Department of Defense and professional sports, Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake have fumbled the ball.

Over the years, I have helped organize nearly 20 Military Appreciation Days hosted by the New York Mets, New York Islanders, New York Jets and Houston Texans, as well as events at MLB All-Star, Home Run Derby and World Series games.

In most instances, those events were attended by troops who had just returned from deployment or were about to deploy and leave their families for a year. As the father of three children serving in the Armed Forces, I know that the military personnel and their families are grateful for the recognition.

Politicians criticize the cost of flyovers, without considering all the facts. Borrowing a line from Mitt Romney, the “net net cost” is actually zero for most flyovers when we consider that the flight time for pilots and crews to fly over most sporting events counts toward their required proficiency or training hours.

Does it make more sense to fly over the ocean, where the only ones applauding are seals, or over a professional sports stadium, where the applause is from 70,000 to 100,000 proud Americans? As I am sure Senator McCain does, I know many pilots who decided to become fighter pilots after witnessing a military flyover at a sporting event.

 Politicians criticize the Baltimore Ravens for receiving more money from the military than any other team. Yet, if the politicians would open their eyes to the poverty, unemployment and rate of homelessness in the great City of Baltimore, they would realize that joining the military might be the only way many high school graduates will ever get a college education, job, or roof over their heads.

If the senators had done their due diligence, they would have learned that the military received almost four times the value on a $100,000 expense. That’s because the agreements with the military for flyover events include all the free add-ons, such as throwing the first pitch, promotion ceremonies on the field and other perks.
 
Ironically, if Congress wants the military to cut wasteful spending, then it should not tell it to “just spend the money.” According to a report by the Citizens for Government Waste, “Congress approved $120,000,000 for the continued upgrade of the M1 Abrams tank to the M1A2SEP variant. Over the objections of senior DOD officials, members of Congress have for many years been earmarking funds for the M1 upgrade program.”

Although the tank plant is located in Lima, Ohio, its suppliers are spread across the country, which helps to explain the widespread pork-barrel support.

In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on February 17, 2012, Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno told Congress that the U.S. possesses more than enough tanks to meet the country’s needs.

Since FY 1994, there have been 38 earmarks for the M1 Abrams program, requested by at least 13 members of Congress, costing taxpayers $908.6 million. As Congress continues to ignore the DOD, taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for upgrades to what Gen. Odierno described as “280 tanks that we simply do not need.”

Congress should cut the pork barrel spending rather than cut programs that boost service morale, instill American pride in and appreciation for our service men and women and aid in recruitment efforts.

Should the military be able to hold events and advertise for free at professional sporting events that foster their recruiting efforts? Ideally, yes, but probably not without allowing other worthy causes — like law enforcement, fire departments and other non-profits — to do the same.

Senator McCain said he did not expect to hold any oversight hearings on the issue; however, I encourage him to do so.  Perhaps only then will the politicians learn how little the military spent for all flyover and associated events.

Remarkably, the New York Mets charged nothing. The New York Jets charged nothing. The New York Islanders charged nothing. And in Houston, the team’s owner even paid for the BBQ. In fact, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, New York Mets owners Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz and Jeff Wilpon, and the Texans owner Bob McNair continually reach into their pockets to support the military. To say that they charge the military to be honored is an insult!

The National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision barring Pentagon officials from paying for military recruiting and appreciation activities at sporting events. The Defense Department has promised to end the practice. The National Football League has promised a full review of its policies and participation in the marketing programs.

Much like Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown, these actions betray our uniformed men and women, leaving them feeling unappreciated, and hinder the military’s ability to recruit. It’s beyond time for all of our legislators to support our military team.

Notable Quote   
 
"It's a rematch.President Biden and former President Trump each hit a key marker last week, clinching enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee of their respective party.The outcome of the general election will come down to a handful of states, as usual.The map maintained by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ lists seven contests as toss-ups."Read the entire article here.…[more]
 
 
— Niall Stanage, The Hill
 
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