Admittedly, when I first heard of the bill I was completely supportive, who wouldn't be based on the title? It connotes an Eliot Ness kind of mission doesn't it? Gang Bill. Over the last year however, I have been watching this and other bills loaded with these grants. I have also been following the money right to the doors of the recipients.

  Case in point, New Bedford is called the Whaling City, known for its fishing industry but the sharks are really doing the business dealings here. There are more not-for-profits or NFPs in any given square mile in this city than there are Portuguese cociola sandwich shops on the Southcoast. The synergy generated between these  leftist politicians and their counterparts found usually as directors of these social programs categorized as not-for-profit organizations is amazing. The self-created army of campaign volunteers who give the incumbents the upper hand during election season for the big returns of grants and other money pulled down from Boston via reps such as Steve Canessa, (D) Antonio Cabral and state senator (D)Mark Montigny. If left unchecked, this mutual ripping off of the taxpayer will be perpetuated and grow stronger, adding more not-for-profits or ‘NFP’ organizations. The politicians get their campaign army and the army gets fed and nurtured..to grow some more.

Getting back to the Shannon Grant, as I'm sure you'd like to get some examples of what I am claiming here. Lets examine who is getting the dough here in New Bedford;

 The Immigrants Assistance Center  $20,000.00

  Brick by Brick $17,940.00
 
  Artworks! $8,000.00

 The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board  (not verified)

Then there are other groups who raise an eyebrow if not drop a jaw when examined closer
 

 Third EyE Unlimited: ($35,801.00) This NFP claims to present to the area youth an alternative to street life by teaching them a positive message through what is described as a movement in the social justice direction. I have become increasingly disturbed at what may being taught with taxpayer funded money in this organization. For example, did you know your money, thanks in part to grants like the Shannon, can help to produce a rap video like the one created here below,and performed by a rapper group called "Busted Fro" titled, "Secret Eyes"? In this song, among other disturbing "positive messages" is a claim by "Tem Blessed" otherwise known as Temistocles Duarte Ferreira, that the murders that occurred at The Bombing of the Oklahoma City Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, actually made him glad and that he has a "right to be hostile" against America and in particular the FBI!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpMjtt6aKqk&eurl=



While the founder of Third EyE, Ben Gilbarg claims the video was made in 1999 and free of government funds, it is found on the website as late as May 14, 2007 and safe to assume tht the taxpayer helps to fund the website where this video is offered.  It also seems to me the funder (the US taxpayers) should have some authority over the content produced when publicly funded.  By the way, Congressman McGovern has written to New Bedford Mayor Lang to plead for Third EyE Unlimited be given a second day for their annual hip-hop event at Buttonwood Park this summer. The Mayor has declined.