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Grapevine: More problems, more government committees
By ,
Published May 10, 2017
And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine…
Design By Committee
It has been said that a camel is a horse designed by a committee.
And committees -- are flourishing under the Obama administration -- costing billions of dollars.
For fiscal year 2014 -- the Congressional Research Service says 825 Federal Advisory Committees were active -- with almost 70,000 members serving on them.
The price tag?
$334 million.
Since 2010 the total cost of committees is more than $2 billion.
The Department of Health and Human Services operated the most groups with 264.
Besides being expensive -- the meetings have become less transparent -- with 71 percent held behind closed doors -- the highest percentage since 2004.
No Fun Zone
Zero tolerance policy in school -- strikes again.
A Cincinnati first grader was suspended for pretending to shoot an imaginary bow and arrow at recess.
In a letter home the principal explained -- quote -- "I have no tolerance for any real -- pretend -- or imitated violence."
The six-year-old's mother admitted she had trouble explaining the three-day suspension to her son –
"I can't stop him from pretending to be a super hero. I can't stop him from playing Ninja Turtles. I can't stop him from doing these things and I don't think it would be healthy to do so."
Old and Wiser
Finally -- from grade school zero-tolerance -- to political correctness in college.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has launched a "Think Before You Speak Inclusive Language" campaign.
Two terms that should not be used -- "man up" -- which the campaign says "reinforces masculine stereotypes that are unhealthy for everyone." and crazy - which quote -- "minimizes human emotion and those affected by mental illness."
The University insists the campaign is not about censorship -- but boosting awareness and starting conversations about language.
https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/grapevine-more-problems-more-government-committees