Some of you longtime readers may remember that way back in 2000 I had a website (a pre-blog, if you will) called Porkwatch dedicated to blowing the whistle on the forced redistribution of public dollars to targeted special interests.

So, I love this new blogger initiative from Glenn Reynolds and N.Z. Bear to find money for Hurricane Katrina victims. Reynolds explains:

Identify some wasteful spending in your state or (even better) Congressional District. Put up a blog post on it. Go to N.Z. Bear’s new PorkBusters page and list the pork, and add a link to your post.

Then call your Senators and Representative and ask them if they’re willing to support having that program cut or — failing that — what else they’re willing to cut in order to fund Katrina relief. (Be polite, identify yourself as a local blogger and let them know you’re going to post the response on your blog). Post the results. Then go back to NZ Bear’s page and post a link to your followup blog post.

The result should be a pretty good resource of dubious spending, and Congressional comments thereon, for review by blogs, members of the media, etc. And maybe even members of Congress looking for wasteful spending….

Here in the pork-laden state of Maryland, I’m targeting the $3 million in taxpayer subsidies earmarked for the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. Nice guy, nice cause. But like Neal Boortz says:

I thought foundations were for private, charitable foundations. And since when is Cal Ripken’s dad hurting for cash?

The Ripken Foundation raises money to teach baseball to disadvantaged youth. Seems the public subsidies would be far better spent helping the children and families of Katrina get back on their feet.

Add your fat-cutting suggestions here.

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Reader Victor R. writes:

Ms. Malkin: In regards to Mr. Boortz’s comments about Cal Ripken Sr.–some might thin[k] his comments in poor taste, since Mr. Ripken died in March of 1999. However, please know I agree I–*we*–shouldn’t be paying for that stuff. I’m sure Cal Jr. could raise that amount, and more, in just a few weeks. I realize you didn’t post this originally; I am also sending this info to Mr.
Boortz.