[VN Boards Archive]
Welcome to the Vault Network forum archive.

This is not a complete archive, time didn't allot us the opportunity to properly backup the majority of the boards deemed "expendable". Most boards on this list have at least 20-40 pages archived (non-logged in pages, 15 topics per page).

Popular boards may have as many as 250 pages archived at 50 topics per page, while others deemed of historical signifigance may be archived in their entirety.

We may not agree with how the board shutdown was managed, but we've done what we could to preserve some of its history in lieu of that.

Please enjoy the archive.
~ Managers, Moderators, VIP's, and regular posters.
Author Topic: I really like local investigative reporting.
Bonzoboy1 
Posts: 7,090
Registered: Aug 1, '08
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 7,015
User ID: 1,312,136
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/02/07/congressman-questions-port-of-la-about-vip-yacht-after-kcal9-investigation/

Congressman Darrell Issa from Washington questions why the port of Los Angeles owns a 73-foot yacht called the Angelena, and why they’re using taxpayer money to refurbish it.

“I do sometimes question why they need a VIP yacht at all,” says Issa.

KCAL9‘s Investigative Reporter Davd Goldstein discovered the port using $489,000 in federal taxpayer stimulus money to outfit the Angelena with two hybrid engines.

“This is the American people’s money that was borrowed in stimulus,” says Issa. “It was supposed to create net new jobs. Could that half a million dollars have been used better? Was this really just show without substance? And we think the Port Authority has a lot to answer for.”

Port general manager Geraldine Knatz raced down the hall and avoided Goldstein’s questions about the yacht. But she can’t dodge congress.

Representative Issa shot off a letter to Knatz after our investigation. As chairman of the committee on government oversight and reform, Issa wants to know why the stimulus money was used.

“This appears to have no net new jobs,” says Issa. “And obviously half a million dollars gone.”

This is the sort of thing local reporters should do, not just regurgitate press releases. A city yacht, really? I wonder if there was anything, anything at all, that money could have been better used for? I wonder how much of the stimulus money was used for things that didn't directly create jobs?

 

-----signature-----
Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often and for the same reason.
Link to this post
Yukishiro1 
Posts: 38,362
Registered: Sep 20, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 31,453
User ID: 718,633
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
What does create jobs in your mind?

 

-----signature-----
(none)
Link to this post
Bonzoboy1 
Posts: 7,090
Registered: Aug 1, '08
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 7,015
User ID: 1,312,136
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
I know outfitting a yacht with two hybrid engines didn't create a single new job so it is pretty clear the money was misappropriated.

 

-----signature-----
Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often and for the same reason.
Link to this post
Yukishiro1 
Posts: 38,362
Registered: Sep 20, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 31,453
User ID: 718,633
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
What would create new jobs?

I'm curious.

I think your statement is wrong.

I do think hybrid engines are probably not an ideal way to create jobs through government spending because a large % of the moeny gets diverted into material and design costs rather than labor costs. If you want to create jobs it would be more efficient to pick someting with higher labor costs and lower material costs. But the idea it has no impact is puzzling.

 

-----signature-----
(none)
Link to this post
GrilledCheez 
Title: The Lord's Balls
Posts: 37,872
Registered: Mar 22, '06
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 26,537
User ID: 1,125,840
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
The funny thing about this thread is bonzo is taking the dig the ditch with spoons approach.

 

-----signature-----
Another word for expensive is successful.
Link to this post
Thugoneous 
Title: Watching Caliente, BRB.
Posts: 6,060
Registered: Nov 2, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 5,795
User ID: 734,292
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
I don't think he answered your question because it wasn't pertinent to the discussion he was starting. His post was about stimulus money wasted by the port authority and how local news can do a lot of good when it shines light on corruption.

The answer to your question "What creates jobs.": Prayer and Magic.

 

-----signature-----
Lady, people aren't chocolates. D'you know what they are mostly? Bastards. Bastard-coated bastards with bastard filling.
Link to this post
paulg_68 
Posts: 30,961
Registered: Jul 27, '09
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 30,669
User ID: 1,364,918
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
Subsidies create temp jobs at the expense of long term jobs.

coffee

 

-----signature-----
If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc
"Everyone has a chance to become rich." - Groucho48
"Most of the human wealth on earth exists between the ears of live human beings." - theredkay1
Link to this post
Manegarm 
Title: European Imperialist Good Guy
Posts: 33,712
Registered: Aug 11, '03
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 32,596
User ID: 829,780
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
No wonder your nation is shit, there's so much corruption and stupidity at all levels of your government..

start at the top and cleanse it with fire and you will be fine.

 

-----signature-----
Europa Eternita!
"Damn, Manegarm; you are HAWT!! " - Taolynn
"To the everlasting glory of the infantry, Shines the name Shines the name of Rodger Young"
ALWAYS ANGRY, ALL THE TIME!
Nein mann ich will noch nicht gehen
Link to this post
Urk_VN 
Title: Orderly Randomizer
Posts: 8,320
Registered: Oct 30, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 7,922
User ID: 733,088
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
So if they used taxpayer money, does that mean the public can use that boat?

 

-----signature-----
(none)
Link to this post
Bonzoboy1 
Posts: 7,090
Registered: Aug 1, '08
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 7,015
User ID: 1,312,136
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
Urk_VN posted:
So if they used taxpayer money, does that mean the public can use that boat?


Only if you are his aides, one of them always has to carry the Mayor's breath strips so it is a tough job.

 

-----signature-----
Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often and for the same reason.
Link to this post
Abaddon_Ambrosius 
Title: Retired Theurgist TL
Posts: 25,187
Registered: Dec 21, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 25,057
User ID: 568,022
 Subject: I really like local investigative reporting.
Add this yacht, the engines, and the ongoing maintenance and staff to the list of 'things government should not be paying for'.

Seriously, after the worst financial crisis in forever, a city still owns a YACHT??

Yeah. We REALLLY felt the pain in a way that changes attitudes, here.

Not.





The US is doomed.

 

-----signature-----
In the immortal words of Socrates - "I drank what?"
"God you guys suck at the internet - how can you fail to locate porn?!" - Eternal_Midnight
"Knowing means nothing." - Fat-badger
Link to this post
© 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Powered by PHP