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Return to Article: Chertoff: Terrorism arrests justify shift in security funding

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  "Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday the arrests of seven men for allegedly planning terrorist strikes in Chicago and Miami justify the department's recent decision to spread urban area antiterrorism grant funding to more cities around the country."

  Look at the top twenty terrorist arrests since Sept. 11 and you will find that most do not end in a conviction for any terrorist activities! This is Chertoff and the administration attempting to shift the flow of public thought to their spending desires. Most terrorist arrests do not result in convictions on terror activities! This is the administration's way of obtaining funds to buy votes by spreading money among their friends and supporters. This is similar to the HUD executive who only awards contracts to Bush supporters!

  The vice president and the administration continue to say that we have had no terrorist attacks since Sept. 11 and that proves the worth of their illegal phone taps and money tracking. Well Mr. VP, we have no elephant attacks either so keep up the good work. What a crock!

  Taxpayer Posted June 28, 2006 7:30 AM
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  How many explosives and weapons did the FBI seize in this latest case? Were there any links to any known terrorists? While I commend the investigative efforts by the FBI that led to these arrests, the fact remains that these seven "wannabes" may have had the desire, but apparently not the wherewithal, to carry out their plans. I am sure that there are many in this country who feel like these misfits do, yet to spread precious dollars everywhere dilutes the whole anti-terrorism campaign. We know where terrorists have attacked, and where they still want to attack us. Just because some morons profess a desire to harm us, doesn't mean that the whole country has to go on high alert. Let's put our money where there is credible intelligence of real threats, not imagined or wishful ones! The billions of taxpayer dollars spent thus far on homeland security have not all been spent wisely, and much has been wasted, especially with the needless creation of the bureaucratic behemoth known as DHS. Unfortunately, that only leaves us with much less funding to prepare for the next real attack(s).

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 26, 2006 3:34 PM
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  Congratulations Mr. Chertoff. I'm glad to hear to you finally got a grasp on the bloody obvious. While I take nothing away from the devastation and ensuing aftermath of 9/11, it's about time the infamous hierarchy in DHS finally woke up and recognized that sleeper cells are, and have been, active in numerous other locations in the country and can strike at any time when least expected. The battle whine has always seemed to rally around "what New York wants, New York should get." Looks like there's more target rich environments waiting to get hit other than the Big Apple. Now, the questions that remain are: "How much more funding will go to these cities? How will it be spent? What enforcement actions will be contemplated to weed out these maggots? The list could go on.

  The rules of engagement have changed.

  The Gunny

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 26, 2006 10:08 AM
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  As a gratefully retired federal law enforcement officer who witnessed Sept. 11, I feel that all DHS monies should go only to larger cities. Who in the terrorist world wants to hit some cowtown in Wyoming? I'm not disparaging the people, but the old saying "more bang for the buck" seems to be holding true here. Larger cities with extensive infrastructure (subways, airports, trains, etc.) have historically been the targets of choice. Just precisely why does a small volunteer fire department in the heartland need a biohazard response truck? Put the money where the proven need is, period.

  GovExec.com reader Posted June 25, 2006 1:07 PM