Reports: US Still 'Dangerously Vulnerable'

[OhioChick]

Source: AP

Study: Bush Administration Missed Numerous Opportunities

POSTED: 5:09 am EDT September 9, 2008

WASHINGTON -- As the somber, seven-year anniversary approaches, a new study suggests that the United States remains "dangerously vulnerable" to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks, despite new initiatives prompted by 9/11. And a House Democrats' report says the George W. Bush administration has missed one opportunity after another to improve the nation's security.

The recent political rupture between Russia and the U.S. only makes matters worse, said Lee Hamilton, the former Indiana Democratic congressman who helped lead the 9/11 Commission and now chairs the independent group's latest study.

Efforts to reduce access to nuclear technology and bomb-making materials have slowed, thousands of U.S. chemical plants remain unprotected, and the U.S. government continues to oppose strengthening an international treaty to prevent bioterrorism, according to the report produced by the bipartisan Partnership for a Secure America.

The group includes leaders of the disbanded 9/11 Commission, the bipartisan panel that investigated government missteps before the 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

"The threat of a new, major terrorist attack on the United States is still very real," concludes the report to be released Wednesday, the same day a congressional commission will hold a hearing in New York on nuclear and biological terrorism threats.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/news/17426564/detail.html

[zanne]

1. Wash, rinse, repeat. nt

[fed_up_mother]

2. I'm sick of these "threats."

I'm sick of the scare tactics. I'm sick thinking that people will vote based on this crap. When are the American people going to wake up and realize they're being conned?

Even if we're attacked again, it's because the BUSH cabal has made us less safe, not MORE!

[peace13]

3. Yes, we are vulnerable and you can thank * and McPain for that.

They have systematically destroyed our armed services.

[liberal N proud]

4. Just like clockwork, Terra, terra, terra

It's election time and American should scared.

I am scared to death that McCain and Palin will get in office. Then we will truly need to worry.

[wandathewitch]

22. We should be scared

Of course we are vulnerable when we have arrogant leaders, though. I hope we can get better relations with the rest of the world in the future instead of trying to have power over other countries. Mrs. Moose

[ixion]

5. paranoid nation

cowering in the dark, armed to the teeth, shivering at the thought of a perceived threat... this is what we have become. :(

[bowens43]

6. All free nations are vulnerable. So what? nt

[Ghost Dog]

11. All imperialist nations, you mean? n/t

[CitizenPatriot]

7. I actually use this argument

to make the case for Obama.

I'm in a red state...But when certain people ask me why I am voting for him, I say "national security! We're in more danger now than we were six years ago, due to completely inept administration falling down on diplomacy, intelligence, and military strategy."

No one can argue, esp the military people, that bush et al got it all wrong. then I talk about the original talks re the Iraq war and how the generals asked for more troops at that time, but Mush/ McCain turned them down in order to sell the war to us. Now McCain wants credit for the "surge"? The generals knew they needed more troops from the beginning if it was to be successful. This was clear.
Then I mention we don't have Saddam. Why? McCain likes WAR. We've had war. badly strategized to boot and he agreed with these strategies. Gen Clark didn't agree.

yes, in some ways we are in more danger -- but because of the GOP.

Danger -- CHANGE CAMPS this one is killing us all (that is my message)

I don't agree at all with the way the GOP uses terror as a siren's call to their base and the rest of the terrified country. But eventually people get worn down and I'm not sure Level Orange is going to inspire fear and dread so much as anger anymore.

These guys are really incompetent -- I mean, they've been in office 8 fucking years and haven't made us ANY safer -- they've made us LESS safe with their cowboy bs and their swagger and bullying and failure to recognize we are not a superpower, as much as they like to sell that comic book fantasy to themselves and us.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Chile was a free nation until 9/11/73

following which the aggregate deaths as a direct result of the US backed coup are considered to be in excess of 20,000 which makes a few thousand pale into insignificance.

http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/mexico/usa/chile_1973.html

[Dover]

9. But...surely that big fence along the border with our enemies, Mexico, will keep us secure! n/t

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. That's because we've done nothing about the terror within...

aka Shrubby/Dick and their Gang of Thieves.

[New_England_Patriot]

12. This report conveniently comes out 2 months before the election

This same crap happened in 2004 with Kerry. Release scary "Oh my god be afraid" reports of how (not) screwed we are, scare the public, and vote for the Bush cartel or die.

Now this, conveniently 2 months before the election, the US is still vulnerable!! Run for your lives!

...right. :eyes:

[bdamomma]

14. welcome to DU New_England_ Patriot

they just keep on using the Rovian handbook. over and over again, shows you how insane these people are.

[bdamomma]

13. FEAR FEAR AND MORE FEAR.

to control the masses, won't these thugs in the WH ever stop, oh Cheney stirring the pot perhaps?

[wandathewitch]

15. Go back in history..Please..

It works. scare the people and they will comply. Mrs. Moose

[LynnTheDem]

16. That's ok; elect another republican so another 911 attack will hit, and who will

illegally invade another nation or three to slaughter more people to make more people despise us.

That'll keep us safe!















:eyes:

[Ian David]

17. How can we not be safe? Don't we X-ray our shoes? Isn't that enough?

Maybe we just have to x-ray all our shoes... every day... everywhere we go... whether we're getting on a plane or not?

Won't that work?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

18. Kick to combine.

[True_Blue]

19. Reports: US still 'dangerously vulnerable'

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States remains "dangerously vulnerable" to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks seven years after the 9/11 attacks, a forthcoming independent study concludes.

And a House Democrats' report says the Bush administration has repeatedly missed opportunities to improve the nation's security.

The recent political rupture between Russia and the U.S. only makes matters worse, said former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., who helped lead the 9/11 Commission and now chairs the independent group's latest study.

Efforts to reduce access to nuclear technology and bomb-making materials have slowed, thousands of U.S. chemical plants remain unprotected, and the Bush administration continues to oppose strengthening an international treaty to prevent bioterrorism, according to the report by the bipartisan Partnership for a Secure America.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jbb52zxvudou3fL2E5gORXnHHGDQD933ESJG0

[mike_c]

20. oh for fuck's sake-- this obsession with "security" is just fascist propaganda....

Give the people enemies, even imagined enemies, and keep them perpetually afraid. They'll lick the man's hand while he takes away the last of their freedom.

A free society must be an open society, so the best way to stay free is to stop creating enemies all over the world.

[gateley]

21. For the love of God -- Al Q just issued a 9/11 anniversary tape -- a NEW one,

according to Al Jazeera. It's been posted here twice and nobody blinked an eye. If it's valid, the government hasn't even acknowledged it, or if it has, it hasn't been covered by the media.