GOP Using $100M In Tax Payer Money To Preserve Confederate Submarine

[gatorboy]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14577313.htm

The cost of preserving and promoting the Hunley submarine has soared to nearly $100 million — thanks largely to a powerful politician’s behind-the-scenes work to steer public money toward his pet project.

The Hunley is one of South Carolina’s biggest financial undertakings in modern times. Not counting university expansion projects, the Hunley ranks behind only a few large road and bridge projects. It even exceeds the $62 million State House renovation in the 1990s.

Glenn McConnell, president pro tem of the state Senate, is the Hunley’s biggest booster. He also has been the driving force behind the spiraling price tag for the preservation and promotion of the Confederate sub.

[Caution]

1. While the money is outrageous, the Hunley is a significant piece

of history. $100million though?!?! are they encasing it in gold or something?

[rodeodance]

6. congress should have told them privatize this as they do with so much

else!

[warrens]

9. Probably encasing THEMSELVES in gold

In a manner of speaking.

[Caution]

11. certainly electoral gold!

But yeah I'd be curious to see what the GAO thinks of this one.

[MrModerate]

2. The Hunley is way cool as an example of American ingenuity . . .

However, $100 million is waaaaay too much. A decent museum/curatorial endowment should be possible for a fifth of that.

[Cyrano]

3. Well, they never know when they'll need it again.

[Lexingtonian]

12. ROFL!

Actually, with that kind of money they could just build a exact replica using platinum and diamonds, and fill it up with caviar. Would work about the same.

[MissB]

4. I think it is a great idea to save the sub.

Not too many subs from that era, confederate or not.

However, based on the article, it seems like McConnell is a poor choice to head up the preservation of the sub.

[theboss]

5. I have no problem with spending the money, in theory

But how does the amount compare to similar projects?

[grytpype]

7. It would be cheaper to just buy a new submarine.

[Catbird]

8. And what do we get for it? Not much.

It's even more of a boondoggle than is apparent from this excerpt. South Carolina already has Patriots Point, a nice site in the Charleston area on the bay where the Hunley would fit right in with other historic (or at least old) ships. But McConnell doesn't want it there; he wants it in North Charleston, not exactly a major tourist area.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. $100 mil? What are they doing - building a private ocean for it?

Sheesh.