This Adds Up

SQUEAL FACTOR Perhaps the budget surplus is to blame for all the pet projects that were tacked on to the $288 billion defense bill after its Senate approval. Smart Trucks may well be worth $3.5 million. But, as protesters John McCain and Phil Gramm pointed out, some others smell a bit porky:

--$4 million to track California desert tortoise population

--$8.5 million for the Ernest Gallo alcohol research center

--$2.8 million to spruce up the office furniture at the Defense Language Institute

--$15 million to protect Revolutionary War boats at the bottom of Lake Champlain from invading zebra mussels

--$3.5 million on that most pressing of national security issues, artificial-hip research

1. Sarah Palin's Breakout Night
2. Searching for Palin's 'Hot Photos'
3. The Man Behind Palin's Speech
4. Why Disasters Are Getting Worse
5. Mayor Palin: A Rough Record
6. Can Palin Escape the Parent Trap?
7. Call Of the Wild
8. In Wasilla, Pregnancy Was No Secret
9. Understanding John McCain
10. McCain's Prickly TIME Interview