Amid all this talk about $700-billion bailouts, Senate Democrats have unveiled a $56-billion “economic stimulus” package–including $1 billion for a brand-new polar icebreaker. Sounds like an awesome polar icebreaker. Will it have volcano-lancing powers?

Seriously, I don’t have a clue about the merits of building a new polar icebreaker or how much it ought to cost. One of the major justifications appears to be improved oil exploration, which sure sounds good. But that might lead to drilling, right? Remember, this is a proposal from the people who don’t want to drill at ANWR or offshore, where hugely expensive polar icebreakers aren’t necessary.

Then there’s the cost. Shouldn’t Congress be looking for ways it can trim the budget, especially now? What’s the old saying? “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.” The senator who is reported to have said it, Everett Dirksen, has a big Senate building named after him.