By ,
Published May 10, 2017
Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...
On the House
Talk about drinks on the house.
1.3 million of your tax dollars last year went to buy booze.
In fiscal year 2013, the federal bar tab surpassed $1 million for the first time.
$180,000 came in September, when, as previously reported on the Grapevine, the State Department went on a spending spree to re-stock the liquor cabinets at embassies as the government shutdown approached.
The Washington Times reports last year's purchases were 4 times what was spent back in 2005.
Jonathan Bydlak of the Coalition to Reduce Spending notes -- quote -- "You could say that Washington's quite literally drunk on other people's money."
Back to School
The writers of a workbook to teach Illinois middle school students about the Constitution appear to need a refresher course themselves.
A parent posted this picture on Facebook.
The lesson explains the Second Amendment as giving -- quote -- "the right to certain weapons, providing people register them and have not been to prison."
In fact, the Second Amendment declares the right to keep and bear arms, with no qualifications for kinds of weapons or criminal record.
School officials told the parent they'll reevaluate the curriculum.
Breath of Fresh Air
Finally, tourists concerned about dangerous levels of smog polluting Beijing can now breathe a sigh of relief thanks to bottled air.
The Daily Mail reports, officials are marketing fresh air supposedly captured from mountain regions of China to promote tourism there.
For now, the canned oxygen is free.
But China's president has recommended selling it in the future, because -- quote -- "Air quality is now a deciding factor in people's perception of happiness."
https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/grapevine-bottled-air-being-marketed-in-beijing