Who: National Science Foundation What: Gave a $460,000 taxpayer-funded grant to two Cornell University researchers studying how people manage their availability using modern technology, particularly in terms of the "white lies" people use to get out of social interactions. Why it's an outrage: That's a lot of money to spend on what any door-to-door salesman can tell you. And who wants to learn about social interaction from Cornell University researchers?

Where to vent: Call the National Science Foundation at 800-428-2189.