Most people would agree there are many instances when tax dollars could be better spent. The NIH (National Institute of Health) gets a big question mark for providing $387,000 to provide Swedish massages to rabbits. The two year study was to learn "how to identify the most optimal application of massage therapy to treat human muscle aches and pain." Did Senator Coburn have a valid question in asking why didn't they conduct the study on humans instead of rabbits?

That same report shows the NIH shelling out $371,000 to study whether moms love their dogs or their own children more. Researchers used brain scans to measure how they react when faced with a similar choice: their child or their dog. In summary, while both elicited joy, mothers viewed children as requiring more complex and permanent responsibilities. Dogs were viewed as companions with less stressful bonds. Do you know anyone who prefers their dog over their children or any other humans?

Not to be outdone, the National Science Foundation awarded a grant of $856,000 to train three mountain lions to use a treadmill. This was to study their use of energy while hunting. If that sounds odd, the NSF had awarded a previous grant to study the ability of shrimp to walk on treadmills. The reason given was to understand how bacterial infections and poor water quality affect their movement, respiration and immune system. Have you ever pictured mountain lions on a treadmill?