Never fear…

…is here!

This week the story is over at the TSA...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two senior House Democrats called Thursday for an investigation into Transportation Security Administration spending after a new report documenting lavish spending by the agency was released.

Reps. David Obey, D-Wis., and Martin Sabo, D-Minn., sent a letter to Richard Skinner, the Homeland Security Department's acting inspector general, asking for audits of TSA contracts.

Some particulars...

...a $350,000 fitness center with a towel laundry service for 79 employees who work there, $500,000 to acquire artwork, silk flowers and other items, and refrigerators that cost $3,000 apiece.

…not to mention...

...improper use of government purchase cards, and unethical and possibly illegal activities by federal employees.

…and…

...nearly $500,000 on an awards ceremony for its employees and $418,000 for an office suite for its then-chief, John Magaw. The agency also paid for job recruiters to stay at lavish hotels, sometimes for weeks at a time.

Just think what all that money could have accomplish if it had been directed toward securing transportation…or simply providing it. Consider this...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Several senators on Thursday criticized President Bush's proposal to give Amtrak no money next year, while the railroad submitted a request to Congress for $1.82 billion.

Happily, it appears that the Congress isn't ready to leave Amtrack high and dry, but exactly how outrageous Bushco's been on the subject is pretty clear in the face of this remark...

"How did the administration come up with such a ridiculous proposal?" asked Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., subcommittee chairman. "I was extremely stunned and disappointed that such a proposal was made."

Still, an outrage isn't a always a scandal. "...unethical and possibly illegal activities by federal employees." Now that's a scandal, and the profligate spenders at the TSA earned this week's entry.