Research

The Washington Times is reporting today that ACORN’s Louisiana office is receiving a $1 million grant from Homeland Security for fire prevention.  This absurd grant comes on the heels of the House and Senate voting to cut off federal funding for ACORN after videos emerged showing ACORN employees advising two undercover individuals about prostitution and tax evasion.  With this grant representing 80 percent of federal funds Louisiana is set to receive for fire prevention, why isn’t the money going to places like … oh I don’t know … fire departments?  When ACORN was asked to explain why they are receiving the funds they simply criticized Louisiana Senator David Vitter, who is voicing opposition to this grant.  They apparently cannot come up with even a semblance of a story on why they deserve the funds.

This isn’t the first time the federal government has wasted funds meant to fight fires.  In September, the Forest Service had intended to give Washington, D.C. almost $3 million in stimulus funds for forest fire management. Instead, the money was used to “restore public parks and watersheds.”  Meanwhile, Southern California was dealing with a forest fire that damaged 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest.  Logic would lead one to believe that maybe states like California had a more pressing need for the funds.  Fortunately, in this situation the Senate realized the ridiculousness of D.C. getting the funds and voted to prohibit the Forest Service from giving the money to D.C.