In Washington, there are a few standard rules of engagement. Rule 436 is “if you are going to spend taxpayer dollars on lavish vacations, do not make a mocking video boasting that you will buy those things the agency can’t afford and “never be under OIG investigation.” This week the Office of Inspector General (OIG) proved the difference between rap and reality — it issued a damning report on the $820,000 spent by Public Buildings Service’s western region at the M Resort Spa and Casino in Henderson, Nevada.
The report has already caused the resignation of General Services Administration chief Martha Johnson. Johnson previously dismissed two deputies and suspended other career employees over the affair.
The report on the conference of this tiny agency within the General Services Administration contains an incredible list of excessive items, including more than $6,000 on commemorative coins, $8,000 on a “yearbook” and $3,200 for an in-house mind reader. What struck me most was the over $130,000 on pre-convention preparation, including visits to the proposed sites that cost $100,000, with another $30,000 for catering. It also included a consultant contract for $12,000 to help find a location they would repeatedly visit. I fail to understand why our federal building employees cannot find a resort on their own, particularly when resorts have staff to facilitate such conferences.
I am happy to report that this trip to Canada and Vermont was brought in at a cost less than $820,000, though we did order a second helping of Frickles last night. Nevertheless, I have asked our guest editors to investigate all of the expenses of this trip in our commitment to a transparent public-regarding blog. (I will note that the over-consumption of maple syrup was done yesterday without the knowledge or approval of the parents in the Depot Restaurant in Randolph).
Source: CNN
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http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-best-of/deep-fried-pickles-recipe/index.html Fried pickles are okay but fried okra is much much better.
Gyges,
From the “Frickle Chicks”…
http://fricklechicks.wordpress.com/category/cooking-from-scratch/
This type of government waste is rather the norm than the exception. Amazingly, the Obama Administration is now using their old tired line of “blame Bush.” This is the type of activity that occurs when a government has become to large. Obviously, our nation is there.
Jeff Metz
http://www.mostly-right.com
Gyges,
Most people use a dill chip of some sort. I’ve seen both crinkle and flat cut used, but the cut seems to have less impact on how the batter sticks than the wetness of the pickle when you start the process. Part of the key is getting a pickle that’s moderately fresh so the centers are firm. Since fleshiness of the pickle is important, you can also use a thicker cut. As anon nurse suggests, homemade are probably best because you have total control of the product. If I was going to start off the shelf, I’d use Vlasic or some other quality pickle from as new a batch as you could find.
One of those rare blogs… Talk of torture followed by a question about Frickles… 😉 (I’ve never had one, but I’m guessing that some homemade dills would “fry up” best… but what do I know…)