Census Bureau Has Already Wasted Millions of Dollars

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Losing Count

A government audit says the Census Bureau has already wasted millions of dollars in preparation for the 2010 headcount, and that could multiply unless the agency imposes tighter spending controls.

The Associated Press states that the Commerce Department report found $3 million was spent on more than 10,000 census workers who were paid $300 apiece for training, but quit or were let go before they could perform any work. Another 5,000 people collected the same training payment and then worked a single day or less costing $1.5 million. Employees also overbilled for travel costs.

Investigators actually approved of the Census Bureau's $133 million advertising campaign, including that $2.5 million Super Bowl commercial.

Ride Rage

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was involved in an altercation with a fellow passenger on an Air Canada flight Monday.

Spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom says Romney asked a passenger seated in front of his wife to move his seat upright during takeoff: "The passenger became physically violent. Governor Romney did not retaliate but instead allowed the airline crew to respond to the incident."
The plane returned to the gate and the passenger was taken into custody. The Romneys had been in Vancouver to watch the Olympics.

To Coin a Phrase

The managing director of Chile's mint has been fired after it was discovered he sent thousands of coins into circulation with the country's name misspelled.

The coins were issued in 2008 with "Chile" spelled "Chiie". The error was not noticed until late last year.

Season of Sacrifice

And finally, church leaders in Britain are encouraging parishioners to go green during this Easter season, calling for a carbon fast for Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday.

iInstead of giving up traditional vices like chocolate, the bishops are urging people to spend a day without their cell phone or iPod. Other suggestions include eating by candlelight and flushing the toilet less often to help save the planet from climate change.

— Fox News Channel's Lanna Britt contributed to this report.