Don Young: Jackass Extraordinaire
In case you hadn't heard about it already, Representative Don Young (a Republican from Alaska) has an earmarked sum of money totaling close to $500 million dollars that's set aside to build 2 bridges in Alaska. (just for the bridges. He has a total of over $900 million earmarked for transportation repairs and renovations throughout Alaska.) One of them is connecting a city to an island with about 50 people (no lie) that's already accessible by ferry with a bridge estimated to be roughly the size of the Golden Gate. The other is a literal bridge to nowhere that connects Anchorage to literally 1 guy (just above a town with literally 22 people). As stupid as this sounds, here's the kicker. After Katrina, FEMA has asked for the money back in order to help pay for the Gulf Coast repairs. Young has not only refused to give the money back, he nearly shit a brick.
"They can kiss my ear!" he said. That's a direct quote. DIRECT QUOTE.
This jackass claims that he already helped by helping to raise $500,000. Yes, Don Young, $500,000 is roughly the same as $500,000,000! Jackass.
(In case I have any friends from Alaska reading this, I'm not criticizing Alaska. Just this one jackass. Best of luck with that island of 50 people.)
Here's the story from the Alaskan Daily News, which I can't figure whether they support Young or denounce Young.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/6988027p-6889112c.html
Here's the Salon's article
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/
which includes some really good numbers breakdown and this fabulous quote:
"Included in the bill's special Alaska projects is $231 million for a bridge that will connect Anchorage to Port MacKenzie, a rural area that has exactly one resident, north of the town of Knik, pop. 22. The land is a network of swamps between a few hummocks of dry ground. Although it may or may not set the stage for future development, the bridge, to be named 'Don Young's Way,' will not save commuters into Anchorage any time, says Walt Parker, a former Alaska commissioner of highways."
Btw, it's worth noting that in the Salon article there are people who live in these 2 towns who believe that the money SHOULD go to Katrina victims and not Alaska. That means it's just Don Young who wants to build these bridges. THESE POINTLESS BRIDGES. Jackass.
(Oh, and Gordo: check out the Bozeman, MT reference in the first article!)
"They can kiss my ear!" he said. That's a direct quote. DIRECT QUOTE.
This jackass claims that he already helped by helping to raise $500,000. Yes, Don Young, $500,000 is roughly the same as $500,000,000! Jackass.
(In case I have any friends from Alaska reading this, I'm not criticizing Alaska. Just this one jackass. Best of luck with that island of 50 people.)
Here's the story from the Alaskan Daily News, which I can't figure whether they support Young or denounce Young.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/6988027p-6889112c.html
Here's the Salon's article
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/08/09/bridges/
which includes some really good numbers breakdown and this fabulous quote:
"Included in the bill's special Alaska projects is $231 million for a bridge that will connect Anchorage to Port MacKenzie, a rural area that has exactly one resident, north of the town of Knik, pop. 22. The land is a network of swamps between a few hummocks of dry ground. Although it may or may not set the stage for future development, the bridge, to be named 'Don Young's Way,' will not save commuters into Anchorage any time, says Walt Parker, a former Alaska commissioner of highways."
Btw, it's worth noting that in the Salon article there are people who live in these 2 towns who believe that the money SHOULD go to Katrina victims and not Alaska. That means it's just Don Young who wants to build these bridges. THESE POINTLESS BRIDGES. Jackass.
(Oh, and Gordo: check out the Bozeman, MT reference in the first article!)
posted by Chris "Krang" Yang | 10:35 PM
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