Video: White House pretty sure re-sodding the Mall will create jobs or something
posted at 9:20 pm on January 27, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via Breitbart. And to think, I once imagined The One’s jobs plan would involve little more than makework duties like cleaning parks.
Actually, the Mall funding’s just a tiny part of the stimulus — $200 million out of what’s now approaching $900 billion — but, just like they did with the contraception stuff, the GOP’s seized on it as a particularly media-friendly illustration of how much pork’s in the bill. The Blue Dogs are nervous about it too, with Jim Cooper singling it out (along with $50 million for the NEA) as a particularly egregious example of non-stimulation. And just as I’m writing that, Politico reports that the provision’s expected to be dropped tomorrow. Exit question: Anything else in the bill we can showcase as especially porky and ill-conceived? Didn’t I read something about a monorail…?
Blowback
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And according to a CBO study, only 17 bucks worth of sod will be available before 2010.
Chuck Schick on January 27, 2009 at 9:23 PM
isn’t there 4 billion dollars for an ACORN front?
AdrianG on January 27, 2009 at 9:24 PM
“Mon-o-rail!!!”
“What’s it called??”
“Mon-o-raillllll!!!!”
Pasalubong on January 27, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Giving up the easy stuff while the big hitters in the package stay safely hidden away.
Even so, $200 effin million bucks for resodding; these pols really do think it’s Monopoly money, play money.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Did he have his teeth in?
dangitt on January 27, 2009 at 9:25 PM
If Major Garrett’s gonna be the only actual journalist allowed near these people for the next four years…we’re in trouble.
malan89 on January 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Oy vey.
Pave the Mall, put ten cent walking meters every ten feet in an inescapable grid (horizontal and diagonal) with a toll collector at each.
There – I’ve created a buttload of jobs and income.
Ugly on January 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Spend it. Spend it all. The quicker the better. The stimulus will be a stimulus alright. It will stimulate the lemmings into jumping off the cliff.
Limerick on January 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
MONO-RAIL!!!!!
Lance Murdock on January 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Hence Obama telling the GOP to sod off?
Terrie on January 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Gibbs is a flaming nitwit and a hack. He’s perfect for the Obama administration and I, for one, welcome his stupidity as the face and voice of the President.
Jaibones on January 27, 2009 at 9:30 PM
So far we’ve gotten $500 million stricken from the bill, right? Let’s see what else we can get out.
amerpundit on January 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Hey, re-sod now, and after the million Pro-Lifer march, it will need to be re-re-sodded, and after the Million Conservative March… Well, let’s just say sooner or later the re-s will be in the billions.
RalphyBoy on January 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
For that much they could use Astro Turf or Biden’s hair plugs.
diogenes on January 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Gibbs is in a photo-finish with Scott McClellan for the title of “Worst Press Secretary Evah“.
BrianBoru on January 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
We don’t have a plan, but… don’t panic!
Cr4sh Dummy on January 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
The dems launched a petition, on Drudge, against Limbaugh. We should launch one to tell the morons in Congress what we think of all this waste.
Entelechy on January 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
” $500 million stricken from the bill”
1/2 of 1% — w00t!
:-(
Buckaroo on January 27, 2009 at 9:35 PM
$200 million for a job that will most probably be done by about 20 guys and heavy equipment? Or was Obama planning on hiring a couple thousand people with shovels and rakes?
Was this even put out to bid or do they already have someone in mind?
GarandFan on January 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Petition? I’m in.
Ugly on January 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
“BrianBoru on January 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM”
dee dee myers doesn’t rate?
:-)
Buckaroo on January 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Y’all think you can stop this? Really?
With what? Letters, tea bags, PJ Media?
That is an iceberg ahead and this ship ain’t stopping.
Limerick on January 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Nat’l Endowment for Arts or
Nat’l Education Ass’n?
Either would be awful.
jgapinoy on January 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Wow, I know Obama is a complete idiot when he doesn’t have a teleprompter, but you know his handlers are seeing what a disaster this Gibbs guy is, and will be upgrading The One’s software soon with something that will cause him to fire this moron soon.
RightWinged on January 27, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I would hold off on sodding the Mall until after the New Revolution.
Guardian on January 27, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Nuclear power plants will create jobs. Drilling for oil will create jobs. These things also create a return on the investment and have a real benefit to the population on top of the job creation.
- The Cat
MirCat on January 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Yes, it’s called “neighborhood stabilization activities” and will fund groups such as ACORN (to the tune of over $4 billion). The entire stimulus package is just a pre-text to more Democrat spending…and eventual socialism.
BTW, I think calling or firing off an email to your Senator or Congressman is the best bet right now (as opposed to online petitions). Do it, and do it often.
dugan on January 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
P.S. You don’t get new carpet because your friends just come over and trash it.
MirCat on January 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Republicans just aren’t very good at this game.
So what if they get the Democrats to remove a few billion dollars of pork? The Democrats and Obama will still get bigger government and more government programs.
After a few items are removed from the bill, the Republicans will claim the bill is now acceptable and vote for it.
huckleberryfriend on January 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Unbelievable that the same people who whined and cried about Bush stealing 2000/2004 elections with no proof what-so-ever have no problem funding a group that has been shown to deal exclusively in voter fraud.
Republicans Object to Stimulus Dollars for ACORN
Republicans say voter registration and community groups like ACORN could be eligible for funding under the Democrats’ economic stimulus bill
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/27/republican-leaders-raise-concerns-acorn-stimulus-dollars/
Why is this corrupt group who specializes in voter fraud even being considered for anything.
Just another example of this pork bill being nothing but more “pay to play” from the democrats.
I hope the Republicans stay strong and hang this pork fest of a bill around the democrats neck where it belongs.
Baxter Greene on January 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Yes! Let’s continue with the GOP Queensberry Rules! Just because we have our neck chained to the floor doesn’t mean we give up our principles. He gouges your eye, you keep your punches above the waist. He pulls off your left leg you wait for the bell to ring and look for a band-aid.
That’s the spirit! We’ll show ‘em!
Limerick on January 27, 2009 at 9:46 PM
The weak-kneed GOP should be screaming about the ACORN funding. These idiots think that playing ball will help them avoid getting buried. Just wait until they have to run for re-election againtst an heavily financed criminal organization, ACORN. That organization has to be purged from our society. Besides, ACORN funding has nothing to do with stimulus.
BuckeyeSam on January 27, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Spending is not stimulus. Spending is, well, ya Know, spending. So simple even Caroline could figure it out.
tarpon on January 27, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Unfortunately, that won’t happen because the Democrats are aligned with the Green lobby… And Republicans don’t have the cojones to push it.
Cr4sh Dummy on January 27, 2009 at 9:50 PM
i don’t know … a bunch of law abiding citizens standing on out on the mall with their firearms might help start to get their attention.
AZ_Redneck on January 27, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Lets see,
‘O’ Zero business’s started up,
Zero Employee’s,
Zero taxes paid,
Zero dollars to the Treasury!
——————
So,in essence,it’ll be a ‘Drain’!
And after 60 years of ‘Failed Liberal Policies’,
their pretty sure,this policy will be the ‘ONE’
that works?
canopfor on January 27, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Great. Only $800,500 million to go.
Hollowpoint on January 27, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Entelechy on January 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Um, I already did that. Sign it!
DaveS on January 27, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Btw,the late night talk radio talkers
and experts are saying,their is no economy
fix,
its a Titanic,and there’s ‘Sweet F/A ‘that
Hopey can do!
Except,flushing American hard earned tax payers
dollars down the ‘biffy blues’ in a swirl!
canopfor on January 27, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Oh yea you see that is what obama and the leftists
have in store for all of americans
For your future you will all end up becomming
Gardeners
Tending to the lush liberal landscapes
in the mall
My oh my what a grand vision
and how many Gardeners will be then replaced
by ALL of the Illegal mexicans the dems make into
instant presto Citizens
Why all of them
you racist bastards you cant expect for the messiah
obama the magnificent one to actually
Give you living wage jobs??
What are you nuts
those jobs are all reserved for
Mexicans or anyone who isnt
WHITE..
jcila on January 27, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Was this even put out to bid or do they already have someone in mind?
GarandFan on January 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
We know they won’t be white guys.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 10:01 PM
The dems launched a petition, on Drudge, against Limbaugh. We should launch one to tell the morons in Congress what we think of all this waste.
Entelechy on January 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
There are several floating around already you might check http://www.readthestimulus.org
goat on January 27, 2009 at 10:04 PM
this is almost like a reality show
“when kids play president”
joey24007 on January 27, 2009 at 10:05 PM
We’ve overcome asinine government policy before (Amnesty Bill, SCOTUS nominees, Border Fence, etc..) by organizing and orchestrating massive letter and phone call campaigns.
It is time to do it again.
Ed, AP, Michelle, Rush: YOU have the microphone and an audience. Let’s roll.
BobMbx on January 27, 2009 at 10:06 PM
with all the
bullshitfertilizer emanating from the capitol it’samaing they need to resod at all!reliapundit on January 27, 2009 at 10:07 PM
We’re on the fast track to “Idocracy”.
rplat on January 27, 2009 at 10:08 PM
One million workers, each planting one blade of grass at a time, should employ them for a year on the Mall.
Sod off, Obama!
profitsbeard on January 27, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Not only that through leases, royalties and taxes it would also bring in well over a trillion dollars to the government
goat on January 27, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I have a feeling I’m gonna get really tired of this guy pretty quickly. And what’s with everyone associated with Obama (including Obama himself) always referring to “our” presidency? Isn’t it Obama’s now? Everything is “we” and “us’and “our”. It’s like Obama’s afraid to make his own.
Big John on January 27, 2009 at 10:09 PM
!We spent $225 million on a new Monorail in Seattle and it’s aweso…..oh wait.
ronsfi on January 27, 2009 at 10:14 PM
“Reconditioning the national mall will create jobs, probably through spending in small businesses.”
Please spend in my small business! I know absolutely nothing about landscaping but I’m sure I could “recondition” the national mall with $200M. I’d create a hundred or so jobs with that. And take home about a $190M profit…
This spending frenzy is getting way out of control…
beancounter on January 27, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Astroturfing,one blade of grass at a time!
Outstanding!
canopfor on January 27, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Is it true that Obama’s stimulus plan includes 200 million in NIH funding to investigate treatments for “cello scrotum” too?
Fundamental Fred on January 27, 2009 at 10:16 PM
buy me a macbook, wont ya?
thatll stimulate the economy.
blatantblue on January 27, 2009 at 10:17 PM
ronsfi on January 27, 2009 at 10:14 PM
LOL, we’re never going to see a useful monorail here.
DaveS on January 27, 2009 at 10:19 PM
II say again,,, if spending a trillion dollars on sod and all this other garbage will create growth and jobs,, spur the economy and all that,,,, then why not just spend about$400,000,000 in sending checks of $1,000,000 each to every adult in America.Then,, since all the adults will be millionaires,, end all the government programs for the poor to help pay,, since they will no longer be needed.
If the government can create jobs, create all this growth,, do all this good in the nation by just spending money to help people out of poverty and so forth,, send every adult $1,000,000 and make us a nation of millionaires!
I want to hear these Democrats explain why that will not work,, yet spreading sod will!!
JellyToast on January 27, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I don’t know, but I have a feeling that if this is kept up there won’t be a bill left.
ddrintn on January 27, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Well…. at least they are thinking BIG… whew, for a minute there I thought we were in real trouble. Must take care of that trampled grass. It’s not like it will re-grow on it’s own with a little water and sunshine, possibly a little seed where really needed.
Hog Wild on January 27, 2009 at 10:24 PM
At this point, I have no doubt Obama is smoking grass
SouthernGent on January 27, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Mr. Gibbs reminds me of Scott McClellan.
Hope he performs just as brilliantly…
And whatever happened to old Scotty? Looks like the press is done using him. Nothing more to get out of him.
SteveMG on January 27, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Well, that really inspired confidence. What are we waiting for? Get that bill through right away otherwise grass may grow before we can lay it!
javamartini on January 27, 2009 at 10:33 PM
worst president ever…
joeindc44 on January 27, 2009 at 10:34 PM
For a couple of months maybe. They talk about this nonsense while real projects are stymied. The BP refinery where I live has a $1 Billion ten year expansion project that can’t get going. Every time they get their permits (a monumental task to begin with) some environmental groups get a judge to order an injunction. This has been going on for three years. Point is there are lots of projects like theis all over the country. Most of them using private money, not government handouts that come with really big strings attached. Bit the government gets in the way. Some ones priorities need changing.
Tommy_G on January 27, 2009 at 10:35 PM
At this point,I have no doubt Obama is smoking grass.
SouthernGent on Jan 27,2009 at 10:27PM.
SouthernGent:Me thinks its not grass!
Hopey is smokin,’Republican Ballots’!
Hehe:)
canopfor on January 27, 2009 at 10:39 PM
How about for every dollar amount they drop from the “stimulus” it goes towards tax cuts? Heck, let’s just skip straight to Limbaughs literal compromise proposal with the added caveat that every bit of spending is out there in the open for everyone to see.
aikidoka on January 27, 2009 at 10:40 PM
The stimulus package will fail because Keynes himself admitted he was wrong about things in 1936.
It will fail also because it hands out too many fishes, teaches too few how to fish, provides too little R+D for improved fishing poles and does nothing to mitigate taxation and regulation of fishing pole producers. So to speak.
This is by design. If Bama is to have a third term, and a fourth, he has to have a lot of people dependent on his distribution list for favors and handouts. That is how Chi town Dems work. When Peter depends on Bama to rob Paul to support Peter, you have to be dumber than dirt to guess who Peter will vote for when the election comes.
Harry Schell on January 27, 2009 at 10:45 PM
$650 million for digital TV coupons
600 million for new cars for the federal government.
I’m sure you don’t want me to keep on going the whole bill ooozes with pig stench
Brat4life on January 27, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I call the big one Bitey.
Infidoll on January 27, 2009 at 10:57 PM
We need to start a pool on how soon Gibbs is fired.
rockmom on January 27, 2009 at 11:54 PM
I watched that mess of a press conference by the anointed one’s best and brightest and have to say that he made McClellan look good.
jukin on January 27, 2009 at 11:55 PM
I’ll take Valentine’s Day.
Limerick on January 27, 2009 at 11:58 PM
LOL…best comment I’ve read all day, and the perfect metaphor for the whole monstrosity.
ddrintn on January 28, 2009 at 12:02 AM
For being hailed as the best press secretary ever, he turned out to be just a turd.
Dasher on January 28, 2009 at 12:08 AM
They think that it is their money.
Johan Klaus on January 28, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Being from Chicago’s south side I’m amazed Zero hasn’t proposed to have the Mall paved over with Mafia concrete. Special Joliet formula. Made fresh Daley (sic).
viking01 on January 28, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Sorry if it’s already been said, but it was water slides.
R D on January 28, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Are we sure that they weren’t talking about Sodomy on the mall???
bullseye on January 28, 2009 at 12:39 AM
BINGO!!!! ANd were what? Like fives days into it? It took a bit more time to fully realize what an epic failure Scott was.
Topsecretk9 on January 28, 2009 at 1:45 AM
GOP…why should we be replacing cars for the government, when everyday taxpayers can’t afford to buy them?
Topsecretk9 on January 28, 2009 at 1:49 AM
I keep telling my husband this guy makes Scott Mc look smart. Gibbs stutters more than Obama.
Rapunzel on January 28, 2009 at 1:58 AM
Obama better pay for the damn sod. With two million loonies tramping over it for 48 hours, dumping 2 tons of trash on it, and urinating on it during the inaugural, I can’t imagine how anything could have survived! Funny how the “green” crowd conveniently forgot the rules!
hopefloats on January 28, 2009 at 2:42 AM
Spend Trillions, and Plant grass and hire some landscapers………. OK.
…….. Drill for oil, shale, and coal, and sell it to the world market employing millions, generating Billions, and paying off the debt………..
………….. bad.
Got it!
……… just wanted to be sure.
Seven Percent Solution on January 28, 2009 at 3:13 AM
That’s what I’m saying. He’s Radar O’Reilly to Obama’s Hawkeye Pierce.
Captain Scarlet on January 28, 2009 at 3:22 AM
Don’t worry folks, we’ve got this. We can’t send or receive emails but trust us with 800 billion. We promise we will fix your economy for you… I love this nitwit!
sabbott on January 28, 2009 at 5:45 AM
At this point, I have no doubt Obama is smoking grass
SouthernGent on January 27, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I disagree, SouthernGent. That kind of thinking can only come straight out of a crack pipe; perhaps with an LSD chaser.
SKYFOX on January 28, 2009 at 6:06 AM
Let’s see. So far the inaugural for Obama cost approximately 170 millions dollars. When you add another 200 million for this so called “re-conditioning” (or is that re-sodding) we come up with a grand total of 370 million dollars. And this is a conservative estimate since anything involving the Federal government winds up costing at least double and it doesn’t account for interest rates paid to the foreign bank we have to pay to pony up the bill.
Something doesn’t add up. What a surprise. The Washington Mall is approximately 309 acres which equates to about $650,000 per acre. For re-sodding? I’m seeing prices of about 10,000 per acre which would equal 3,090,000 dollars. Quite the mark up for this project but then again we are talking about: a) Democrats b) Obama and c) the Feds. I can only guess that they’re going to create a “Sod Corps” along with its own department.
It hasn’t been more than a week and these guys are already way out of control. The amount of waste and pork is rising exponentially in this country and there is no motivation to put on the brakes by either party it seems and it will only add up to our mounting debt. The idea that this boondoggle (one of many attached to this
stimulusliberal wish list bill) will also create jobs is a complete fabrication and harkens back to the days of Jimmy Carter.We’re in for a rough 4 years.
Mr Gus on January 28, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Dont this remind you of a teenager who has stolen a credit card from their parents and when on a spending spree?
grapeknutz on January 28, 2009 at 6:22 AM
Obama is interviewing Auntie Zeituni for the sodding job, she’s illegal you know, and needs cash.
malkinmania on January 28, 2009 at 7:12 AM
It’s busywork for all those “we’re not making any wage concessions” UAW types. Somebody has to buy their crappy products so they can justify their existence (and the multi-billion dollar taxpayer infusions into their failed business model).
As for the $200M re-sodding plan, I thought that number was a typo when I first saw it. The mall is not that large; as another commenter noted, it shouldn’t cost more that a few million to take care of it all. I guess the other $197 million is for all the Democratic graft and fraud that will naturally be involved. Pathetic.
AZCoyote on January 28, 2009 at 7:21 AM
No, it’s not their money — they already took their cut off the top. Their money isn’t going anywhere except out of the reach of the IRS.
It’s our money and they know it and they are wallowing in the sheer pleasure of that knowledge.
Peri Winkle on January 28, 2009 at 7:29 AM
These people are sooooo clueless.
If this “job” is a government job it will last 10 yrs plus!
Otherwise this puts people to work for 2 weeks max. IDIOTS.
IF THEY DO THIS, LETS ALL GO TO THE MALL WITH GRASS KILLER AND SPREAD IT ALL AROUND, HEEE HEEEEEE.
Mercy4Me on January 28, 2009 at 7:48 AM
Gibbs will be gone within 60 days. To spend more quality time with his family and pursue other interests. We thank him for his service.
abcurtis on January 28, 2009 at 7:50 AM
Yeah, there doesn’t need to be any greasy dirt on this clown; He’s going down on his own inability to speak coherantly.
anniekc on January 28, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Think the Democrats know to at least put “Green side up” in the provison?
44Magnum on January 28, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Wish they wouldnt put a white guy up there to spew all this idiocy, but eh just my preference, not saying anything.
johnnyU on January 28, 2009 at 8:43 AM
“1.8 Million people on the mall”……?? Weren’t those estimates of attendees @ the Inaug. wildly embellished? If 43′s press sect. had uttered that stat, David Gregory would have been all over him like white on rice! Geeesh…..
Tom66 on January 28, 2009 at 8:48 AM
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