Nonprofits get Federal Anti-Terror Funding (surveillance cameras, etc.)

[barbaraann]

Church-State Issues Divide Jewish Leaders
By Caryle Murphy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 20, 2005; Page B01

Thirty-one nonprofit organizations in the Washington area, including 14 synagogues and eight hospitals, have received federal grants ranging from $26,000 to $100,000 to fortify their facilities under an anti-terrorism program that has divided Jewish leaders and drawn criticism from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The grants are part of a $25 million nationwide program that Congress approved last year and recently renewed for fiscal 2006 to protect nonprofit groups deemed highly vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
...
A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said that the program is unnecessary and that the department tried unsuccessfully to have the money taken out of its 2006 budget. State and city officials already had the authority to award their federal homeland security money to nonprofit groups, including religious ones, and creation of the fund forced officials to set up a new disbursement system, said department spokesman Marc Short.
...
Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), who with Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) sponsored the legislation creating the program, said the federal funds protect "hospitals, schools, community centers, synagogues and churches from terrorist violence."
...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101902316.html


This sounds like some of the funding battles between Congress and the Pentagon over local pork projects.

[kurth]

1. We need to guard Goodwill stores against terrorism

The same way billions were spent on farm states.

It's well known that Al Qaeda has always wanted to blow up large tracts of soybean. Now they want to blow up old children's bicycles in Goodwill depots too?

[barbaraann]

5. Or the Salvation Army - since it's faith-based.

n/t

[Kagemusha]

2. On the face of it, it's a legitimate issue...

Can't expect nonprofits to put lots of donated money into this stuff but it's in the public interest.

Now if there's details that make this fishy, then that's another thing.

[400Years]

3. how in the hell is turning America into an Orwellian surveillance society

in the public's best interest? Gimme a fuckin' break. :eyes:

[saigon68]

4. Walmart needs protection too.

[wordout]

6. Walmart needs

looted.

[northzax]

12. security is a private issue

if there is a serious threat against an instution or a person, then protection can be provided for the duration of the threat. But public funds should not be spent on capital improvements at religious sites. Unless every non-profit, including religious groups, get the same amount. If a synagogue, or a mosque, or a church needs additional security against a vague threat, it needs to come up with the money from non-governmental sources.

[Solly Mack]

7. "hospitals, schools, community centers, synagogues and churches from

terrorist violence."


and Mosque? They don't rate protection from home-grown racist terrorists?

interesting...

[barbaraann]

8. good catch.

It took me less than a minute of searching to find this:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/islam_in_the_us/42700

[Solly Mack]

11. Funny how I almost never (if ever) see these attacks on the news

Yet a quick search, as you've stated, will yield results of such attacks

and to release the suspect so quickly - for so small a bond.

Shameful

[northzax]

13. there was a mosque in baltimore that made the list. nt

[Solly Mack]

14. but it didn't make the quote

which is what I was referring to - hence my quoting the quote

and yeah, it matters

To leave Muslims out in your words and thoughts (regarding the topic) can't possibly make Muslims feel accepted...or exempted from the prejudicial belief that all Muslims are terrorists. All Muslims are not terrorists and our language should reflect that


So while it may not seem like a big deal to non-Muslims who will never face that particular stereotype/discrimination...it does matter.

[Realityhack]

15. well I would agree with hospitals...

even ones that are religiously owned. Seems like a fair thing to protect such facilities. They are vital in any terror response and tend to have a bunch of radioactive material around. A minimal amount of assistance to them would not bother me.

But churches??? WTF?

[wordout]

9. Headline should read "$25 million given to jewish groups"

cause that's what the article is about. Just imagine the WORLDWIDE outrage if this money was given to protect mosques, or southern black churches (a better use of the money imo).

[barbaraann]

10. Someone needs to motivate Sen. Mikulski about other threats as well.

“I became unglued. I had to remove myself from the small tour, go off into a private place in Auschwitz, cry in a way that shook my very soul. And when I left there, I thought, now I really know why we need an Israel. And that is why I will fight so hard to ensure the survival of Israel. I know its importance. I know why it exists. I will always fight for the survival and the viability of the State of Israel. My support is unabashed and unwavering.

http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=750

[MisterP]

16. well, they've already approached the Minutemen

and a news article called them "agents" already...

[MountainLaurel]

17. Faith-based homeland security

If these programs are as effective as the social services ones a friend has been evaluating, we're fucked. You think the percent of monies going to administration at places like the Salvation Army is bad, try a rate of 75 percent of grants going to admin infrastructure.