Moats, Ducks, and Nappies

First, some background:

BBC: MP expenses row explained

Most MPs have to live in two places -- in their constituencies and in London where they attend Parliament. They are allowed to claim expenses to cover the cost of running a second home. Details of what has been claimed on second home expenses have never been revealed before the Daily Telegraph got hold of a leaked copy of all the claims. Many MPs have been accused of extravagance, of over-claiming and avoiding tax on home sale.

Now, for the Front Lines/Homeland Security angle:

Douglas Hogg -- who repaid £2,200 [$3,433] apparently claimed for clearing a moat at his country estate -- says he will not fight the next election. [What, nothing for boiling oil?]

The tourism minister claimed £25,411.64 [$40,000] for security patrols at her London home after she was mugged.

Because so many terrorists target the tourism minister. It's not about ordinary crime, of course, because London is a safe place for tourists to visit. Really.

Not security-related, but thrown in for entertainment value:

A Tory MP is to retire after admitting he claimed a £1,645 [$2,567] 'duck island' on expenses - as two Labour ministers face questions over capital gains tax.

The Telegraph suggested the immigration minister had claimed for nappies and women's clothing when submitting requests for expenses. It said it was unclear how these items had been justified because parliamentary rules only allowed payouts for items which were 'exclusively' for MPs' own use.

Patriotic Booze

An e-mail I recieved:

From: "Jim Beam"
Subject: Introducing The Commemorative Operation Homefront Special Edition Bottle

Just in time for Military Appreciation Month, Jim Beam® is honoring America's heroes with limited-edition bottles of its No. 1-selling Bourbon. ... The specialty bottles will hit the shelves on May 25th, Memorial Day, and they'll be available through the Fourth of July. Each bottle will be wrapped with a custom label bearing the stars-and-stripes logo of Operation Homefront.

So, are you going to buy a bottle? Or do you hate freedom?

Search for a Blind Hiker

The Potomac Valley Rescue Group (PVRG) deployed a team of five volunteers (including DisasterMan) to join a search for a missing hiker in George Washington National Forest. The hiker, a legally blind, 41-year-old male, was found uninjured three days after the search began. Photos