[Captain Peter Blood]

What is going on? Republicans have been working for at least 10 years to Kill this Department and De-Fund it. Now why is Bush set to increase it to it's highest levels in 20 years? It is this kind of idiocy from Bush that makes me wonder what he, and of course Rove, are thinking. Spending is up under Bush, all these new programs he is proposing, like the Prescription Drug bill, are exploding federal spending all out of control. My God if I want Nanny State care and massive spending I can vote for Democrats. Where in the Hell is the Republican Leadeship on this? There ain't going to be any Hollywood votes for this and this really is pandering to the lowest degree along with the Immigration idea!!!

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I'm getting in line for money. I can draw stick figure people. I'm an artist and I need a million dollars to share my "gift" with the world. I can also stand back and throw globs of paint at a huge canvas and "express" my vision of color. I am worthy to receive a large check to pursue my artistic passion. You other people simply do not see what I see through my artist's eyes. For a mere seven figure check, I'll share it with you.

[spodefly]

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS
FINANCIAL SUMMARY

SUMMARY OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FY 2002
Program and State Grant Funds $78,835,000
Challenge America $17,000,000
Total Federal Appropriations $95,835,000


Fiscal Year Total Funds
1966 $ 2,898,308
1967 $ 8,475,692
1968 $ 7,774,291
1969 $ 8,456,875
1970 $ 9,055,000
1971 $ 16,420,000
1972 $ 31,480,000
1973 $ 40,857,000
1974 $ 64,025,000
1975 $ 80,142,000
1976 $ 87,455,000
1976T* $ 35,301,000
1977 $ 99,872,000
1978 $123,850,000
1979 $149,585,000
1980 $154,610,000
1981 $158,795,000
1982 $143,456,000
1983 $143,875,000
1984 $162,223,000
1985 $163,660,000
1986 $158,822,240
1987 $165,281,000
1988 $167,731,000
1989 $169,090,000
1990 $171,255,000
1991 $174,080,737
1992 $175,954,680
1993 $174,459,382
1994 $170,228,000
1995 $162,311,000
1996 $ 99,470,000
1997 $ 99,494,000
1998 $ 98,000,000
1999 $ 97,966,000
2000 $97,627,600
2001 $104,769,000
2002 $115,220,000
* In 1976, the Federal government changed the beginning of the fiscal year from
July 1 to October 1, hence the 1976 Transition (T) Quarter.

[Sunshine Sister]

THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN ARE THOSE JACKASSES IN WASHINGTOM GOING TO SEE THIS! WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING OUR TAX DOLLARS GOING TO SUPPORT SMUT?

[Neenah]

I just came on line after hearing this news on the radio. I have not read the thread yet, but I can say one thing...I am MAD !!

Are there no standards left to fight for Mr. Bush ? Just WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR ?

The same old statements made in post after post on subjects questioning Pres. Bush, that it is better than the alternative, are getting more and more meaningless to me.

IS THERE ANY PERSON LEFT IN THE WORLD THAT WILL STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT?

....or should I just throw another $$ at the artist that took the cross and dumped it in a jar of URINE ?????????????

[The Old Hoosier]

Bush is insulting us, that's what's going on. He's apparently decided he doesn't need us.

To boost the NEA is not a major budget item, but it represents a direct slap in the face for conservatives, who have spent years demonizing it as the evil force it is.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> What is going on?

Bush has gone nuts.

[mhking]

The road to reelection is not paved with the pissed-off bodies of the core conservative constituency. I wish someone would tell the White House that....

At this rate, so many of us are gonna get pissed off that Bush will have to hang up any realistic possibility of reelection.

And if it happens, Bush will have no one to blame but himself.

[ambrose]

Bush is a Conservative Ping.

[Revolting cat!]

260 posts in 60 minutes! Who spilled the catnip around here?!

[freedom4me]

I think Ronald Reagan appointed Lynn Cheney as the director for the Nat'l Endowment for the Arts during his time in office. Perhaps, Dubya will increase the budget and put a patriotic conservative at the helm so that the money is used wisely.

[gatorbait]

First off, exactly how much is this"huge" increase? Secondly, this ain't Bill Clinton's NEA. Thirdly, how many of us here have discovered Drudge has had a few major misses? Do any of you recall when Rummy was shot all to pieces over an office for propaganda(I forget the exact name) .Well, if it's 20 mil USD spent in this direction, to play the psy ops game, so much the better.
Anyone here ever heard of the National D-Day Museum? Anyone of you support our vets types hear about this? Curious about this last one, but there is a reason for it.

[Maurice1962]

The way this President is acting in the last month, makes you wonder if he's nipping at the bottle again. Was listening to a radio program the other day interviewing an author who wrote a book about Laura Bush. Seems to me the first lady is coming out of her shell. According to the author she's not a conservative, pro-abortion and babies the brats.

When is the establishment going to say the Emporer has no clothes?

[babbabooeyToYall]

This administration is really trying my patience. If Drudge's story turns out to have legs, Mr. Camel's about to meet Mr. Straw and Bush-Cheney is about to lose one Virginian's vote to the benefit of Gary Nolan. Maybe with a Democrat in the White House, the GOP will remember that it's supposed to be a conservative party. I'm pining for '94.

[Revolting cat!]

[searchandrecovery]

I hope they buy some of those black velvet Elvis paintings for the White House. That would be cool. Hey, HEY - how about a signed copy of "Dogs Playing Pool" for EVERY CITIZEN (legel or not). I am so on-board with this program - what a great use of taxpayer money.

[vannrox]

CONGRESS SETS ARTS FUNDING INCREASE FOR 2004

House and Senate conferees on the Interior Appropriations Bill agreed late Monday, October 27, 2003, on a final spending measure to include $122.5 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a $6.8 million increase over the NEA's FY2003 budget of $115.7 million.

The arts appropriations legislation first passed by the House in July added $10 million in grant funds to the NEA's budget above the president's request of $117.5 million. The Senate passed its money bill before the August recess with arts spending at the president's budget figure, which included a small increase for administrative costs.

The House of Representatives is expected to pass the final Interior appropriations measure within a day or two, and the Senate will likely follow soon thereafter.

The additional spending for the NEA represents an important victory for arts advocates, since a similar increase in NEA funds for FY2003 was approved by the House and then eliminated by the House-Senate conference committee last fall. This year, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC) prevailed in convincing his fellow legislators that the increase in NEA spending was essential to the final appropriations package.

[Leatherneck_MT]

lol the drift into insanity continues unabated and at a rapid pace.

[lewislynn]

The reasons for staying home in November are pilling up at an accelerated pace as the day draws near.

[luckydevi]

sigh

[Revolting cat!]

Who needs art when we got TV?!