J. Edgar Hoo-hah

Noting that the FBI budget had grown by more than $1 billion since 2001, the report said: "What we got for these increases is debatable."

That's from last month's harsh Senate assessment of the FBI, as discussed in today's WashPost.

This isn't to suggest that the FBI won't get more money--more money even than President Bush wants to give it. A House-Senate team is close to recommending that the FBI get $4.3 billion this time around, some $45 million more than the prez suggested.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) told the Post "this is not the time to hold the FBI back or not fund them." (Alas that time is never right.) Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the primary author of the damning Senate report, doesn't anticipate slowing down the gravy train anytime soon, saying that J. Edgar's boys are in for a "significant increase" this budget cycle.

What color is the budget alert system on again?