Weather-forecasting groundhog brought into Pennsylvania 'pork' fight
CAPITOL HILL The world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, has taken a trip to Capitol Hill, where he was instantly labeled "pork." Phil's shadow traditionally predicts how long winter will last. The rodent rode to the capital from Pennsylvania to help Congressman John Peterson defend the 100-thousand dollars he put in Congress' 2005 spending bill for a Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center.
Spending watchdogs and anti-tax groups are howling. Peterson's fellow Republican, Jeff Flake of Arizona, says the museum fits every definition of political pork.
But Peterson, flanked by Phil, museum officials and an AccuWeather executive, said the money will help draw tourists to the economically strapped region.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|