Department of Bonehead Security

Today's New York papers have headlines about the Department of Homeland Security cutting New York City's share of anti-terrorism funds. The NY Post's says: "Terror? What Terror?" and the NY Daily News is demanding that the DHS head Michael Chertoff be fired. I find it truly amazing that places like Louisville, KY, Charlotte, NC and Milwaukee, WI are getting substantial increases (Louisville over 70%) while here in New York City it is being dropped over 40%, from $207 million to $124 million.

Do I really need to point out what happened in this city on a sunny September morning in 2001?

What in God's name are these people at the Homeland Security using for brains?

And exactly how many people have been killed in terrorist attacks in Louisville the past five years?

Is it a coincidence that the guy who chairs the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee (Hal Rogers, a Republican), just happens to represent Louisville?

And is it also a coincidence that Newark and Jersey City are receiving massive increases in anti-terror spending (79% increase), and that New Jersey just happens to be Chertoff's home state?

Of the 46 cities that got special grants, New York City ranked 23rd per capita, about $16 per person, while Fort Lauderdale, Florida is about $67 per person.

Unbelievable. Politics rules the day again. These people won't wake up again until there's another disaster on our hands.