Domestic Security Since 9/11 Is Barely Better, Schumer Says

[sabra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/05/nyregion/05schumer.html?_r=1&oref=login&pagewanted=print

Domestic Security Since 9/11 Is Barely Better, Schumer Says

Domestic security remains mediocre at best, and in some ways has barely improved, since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Senator Charles E. Schumer said yesterday.

Over all, Mr. Schumer gave efforts to make the nation safer from attack a grade of C-, about the same as the marks he assigned in similar exercises in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Of the 12 areas he examined in a report, he said a few remained particularly bad: security for mass transit, shipping ports and chemical plants; the use of devices that can detect explosives and other weapons; and grants to law enforcement authorities and firefighters.

“A promise was made to the American people that after 9/11, every step would be taken,” Mr. Schumer said, standing near the rim of the enormous pit at the World Trade Center site. “Unfortunately, too much of that promise remains unfulfilled.”

Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, said, “We have, ultimately, finite resources” that are used to focus on the most serious threats. For instance, he said, “if we were to inspect every container that comes into our country, ports would shut down.”

[Robbien]

1. Domestic security isn't barely better, it is worse

Got to love those DHS guys. They use the same tired excuse of the impossibility of inspecting every container as their reason for doing nothing to improve security.

[truthisfreedom]

2. bushco expanded government simply to consolidate more power, not to make

us any safer.

[savemefromdumbya]

3. Democrats have to keep saying this every day as Bush plays the terra card