Border security becoming less secure under Bush watch

[wuushew]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 — A $20 million budget shortfall is forcing cuts at U.S. ports of entry that could impact security, MSNBC.com has learned. The deficit has led officials to make a series of security compromises that include replacing INS inspectors with their less-qualified, lower-paid Customs counterparts on heavily trafficked Sundays and holidays. U.S. officials, who announced Tuesday a plan to merge these inspector jobs into a single position, denied that the current cost-saving measures weaken security in any way.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/957968.asp?0cv=CB10

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

1. U.S. Customs lays off 27 at Mich. borders

Unbelievable !!!!!

Bush has billion$ & billion$ to spend on contracts to give to Haliburton, yet not a few thousand to keep our borders safe. But then again Haliburton is still paying Cheney over $1 million per year as VP, BUT border guards do not give Bush campaign millions like Haliburton does.

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http://www.freep.com/news/mich/home27_20030827.htm

Detroit Free Press

U.S. Customs lays off 27 at Mich. borders

Move comes as holiday, Sept. 11 near
August 27, 2003
BY CECIL ANGEL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

As the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches and the Labor Day holiday nears, Michigan's borders have 27 fewer customs inspectors.

The U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection told 27 of the 242 inspectors across the state not to report for work.

No other state has seen such cuts, according to Frank Stanczak, president of the union that represents the workers, Local 46 of the American Federation of Government Employees.

The inspectors -- six at Port Huron, eight at Sault Ste. Marie, six at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and seven at the Ambassador Bridge -- said their supervisors told them Aug. 20 that they were being laid off and to apply for unemployment benefits.

more......

[gratuitous]

2. Well, it's clearly Clinton's fault

I'm just not quite sure how it's going to work out to be Clinton's fault, but it will be.

ON EDIT: Naturally, these cuts will not weaken security in any way, according to government mouthpieces, and MSNBC doesn't see fit to press for an explanation of that transparently bogus statement.