Bush Ignores Midwest Homeland Security N eeds

“The US Census Bureau just released data on per capita federal spending of antiterrorism dollars.

The bottom five states in per capita spending include Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

The foolishness of this spending pattern can be illustrated by the state of Michigan. Michigan has two of the most heavily traveled international border crossings in the nation, including the busiest US/Canada crossing. Michigan also has one of the largest Arab American populations. From my house in SE Michigan, I can drive to two nuclear plants and one of the nation's largest chemical industry centers.

Yet, the Bush administration decided that Mississippi should receive FOUR TIMES the national security dollars as Michigan. And North Dakota received almost THREE TIMES the national security budget per capita as Michigan.

Residents of the Midwest should ask themselves if they really want to reelect a president who cares so little about our region's homeland security needs.”

“Pork barrel?”

“Hey, Bear!

I like to hike at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. This hike brings me within a half mile of the Enrico Fermi II nuclear power plant. Another half mile away is a Canadian coastline filled with boat launches and one of the nation's biggest shipping channels.

The Coast Guard has like five people guarding Michigan's thousand-plus miles of coastline.

Also, I'd like for you to remember the attempted Al Quaeda attack on Seattle several years prior to 911. They filled a car up with explosives in Canada and tried to cross with in on the Northern border.

It's ridiculous that a state with more shoreline than any state except Alaska and a thousand-plus mile border with Canada should rank 46th in spending.

How is Bush going to stop anything from crossing?”

“LOL, more spin.

Yea, and Mississippi has one of the largest Shipyards in the nation, not to even say anything about all the Military Bases and Sea Ports that need protection.”

“Interesting info, RL. Thanks!”

“Class Warfare yet again.
I'm so sick of it.”

“Hey 4GStomp!

I'm not really talking to you. You live in a state that is going Bush. And Bush takes care of you because you are part of his southern base.

I'm talking to people in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Why on earth should upper midwesterners support this guy when we can so plainly see our local borders undefended?

Iraq is great and all, but what about HOMELAND security?”

“It's not an accident, BTW, that terrorist cells were uncovered in Buffalo, NY and Detroit, MI. Both are 15 minutes from the border.”

“Why should MY home be singled out as an example of 'pork'.
The Dems have written off MS, so they feel free to use it as a whipping boy. Typical Class Warfare.
Looks like your Senators and Reps have not been doing their jobs.”

“Have you looked into the statistics RL? It would seem worth digging into to see exactly why Michigan falls in where it does, yes? I know it’s harder than simply throwing rocks based on surface facts but it could be interesting too.”

“One of the reasons, Nigal, is that the federal government split large percentages of the new homeland security funds equally amongst the states. That means that Rhode Island and North Dakota are high and more populous states are low. It was in today's Toledo Blade.

I suppose that lots of this money was also going towards the South and West which have lived large on government military spending. Money attracts money, eh?

But who is going to stop the terrorists and their bombs from crossing into the United States? It'll be border guards and customs officials. Bush should fund them.”

““One of the reasons, Nigal, is that the federal government split large percentages of the new homeland security funds equally amongst the states.”

Didn’t you just state above…

“You live in a state that is going Bush. And Bush takes care of you because you are part of his southern base.”

This is looking like a no win thread. [slowly backing away] LOL!”

“G4Stomp!

The correct course of action when your representatives aren't doing their job is to vote them out. I am asking midwesterners to vote out a man - Bush - who has consistently underfunded our region in terms of homeland security funding.

I am doing exactly what you say I should do.

BTW, the funding mechanism that created such a crazy funding system was made law as part of the Patriot Act. That's the great bill that Bush keeps talking about in the debates.

Support the Patriot Act and doom the Midwest to chronic underfunding.”

“Nigal!

That's 40% of the mix. Bush had discretionary control of 60%. He decided not to spend it around here.”

“I know Tennessee gets a lot of Homeland Security money. They have to protect the Grand Ole Opry. Can't have that falling into the terrorist hands.

Oh BTW we have a little place called Oak Ridge. Anyone familiar with it.”

“My, my, Bush is all powerfull.
Complete control of our Nation's money. ;-)

Congress spends the money. Bush can't hardly do a damn thing without Congress.

Ewker, Oak Ridge, TN doesn't deserve any money! Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania need protection! ;-)”

“I am not sure about Ind or Pa but the borders do need protecting. Heck we allow anyone to walk on over.

Bush's policy on Homeland Security for the borders does suck. Go ask Geo what he thinks about it.”

“Know what Ewker? I agree.
...but I do not think Kerry will do any better.”

“SS, he may not but there is only one way to find out. It can't be any worse than what Bush has done on the borders.

AT least we agree on that topic :)”

“Yeah but Treebeard thinks ALL the money should go to New York City.”

“Prove I said that, Manuka! And that's a challenge!”

“Uh oh! Treebeard has thrown down his purse and put up his dukes! LOL!”

“No dukes. A simple cut and paste will do...”

“Manuka's right - your hyperinflated sense of self-importance is enough to make the rest of the country gag.”

“my gut feeling is that if something happens it will be to the smaller towns. By hitting smaller towns they will be sending a message that we are vulnerable anywhere.

IMO we need to stop letting people enter this country. I realize we are a melting pot of different culture's, religion's, and languages. We are use to welcoming anyone into this country. But it isn't like it use to be. Its a different world out there now. Maybe it is time to stop opening our arms to the world!”

““No dukes. A simple cut and paste will do...”

OK, just don't kick me in the nads. LOL! I do remember you saying that you thought NYC wasn't getting it's fair share due to it's target rich status but I personally never say you say you wanted all the money.”

“Whatsamatter, Mutt? Haven't antagonized me lately? Haven't fed your own ego by hurling insults enough either? Believe, there isn't a person on here that hasn't come to the realization that you are a prick, so why don't you think up a new act, little boy?”

“Ewker's got it right.”

“I know, Nigal. Just couldn't resist the urge to see him silent, as he is currently...”

“Damn Mutt. Do you have to be a smarta$$ all the time?
You would be much more effective in your communications with others if you would tone down the personal attacks.”

“He can't, GGGGS. It's all he has. Talk about self-importance?”

“Yep, stomper I do. I couldn't live without a weekly dose of the Trees' frenetic histrionics. People wound up so tightly are entertaining!”

“IMO we need to stop letting people enter this country. I realize we are a melting pot of different culture's, religion's, and languages. We are use to welcoming anyone into this country. But it isn't like it use to be. Its a different world out there now. Maybe it is time to stop opening our arms to the world!”

Words of wisdom my good man. I am for 100% enforcment of our imigration laws. If someone is here ilegally the only thing they have a right to is a bus ride to the border.”

“I've heard of Oak Ridge. Tried to get a job there.

Stomper - I wasn't singling your State out as an example of Pork. And, of course, Pork crosses all party lines. I was suggesting some states get more funding based on Political power.

That is a fact, no?

RL has a point. It's the same with illegal aliens. Everyone is busy shoring up the Texas border and doesn't pay attention to the number of illegals walking across the US/Canadian border.

Now with that said, I like that we welcome all to our country. the number of exotic babes in DC is amazing! Almost paradise. :)”

“I can pluck Treebeard like a guitar string and watch him quiver with self-righteous indignation. I AM THE PUPPETMASTER!

LOL!”

“Just wondering...How many people reading this thread have relatives who are immigrants to the U.S.?

Why did they come to the U.S. and when?”

“Mutt, now you are just being an a$$hole, LOL.

Treebeard, my friend, and I say this as a friend, what he says about YOU letting HIM get to you is true. Ignore his bad behavor please.”

“pink, times are different. You didn't have people coming into this country to destroy it. You had people coming who wanted a better way of life. That is changing. They are coming here now wanting something for nothing..again IMO”

“My family is a mix of English, German and Cherokee Indian. Some of the Turners came on the Mayflower and the rest came in later. Not sure when.”

“The problems with Mexico I don't see changing.
The Repubs want the dirt cheap labor.
The Demos see them as more Demo votes.”

“I didn't post to this thread until Manuka brings me into it. The I ask for corroboration. (Histronics yet? I didn't think so!) And this nasty excuse for a human being spouts this drivel? Res ipsa loquitur! The thing speaks for itself.

Seriously, Mutt. I have some advice for you, since you are SO bothered by me and my wife. Very simple. Shut the f_ck up! That's all it would take. Shut up. Please put me on ignore (which is where you are going after this post, since you never have anything important to add to a discussion anyway). Can you do that? Thank you kindly...”

“Consider him ignored, Gopher brains!!”

“Pink -

My Maternal side has been here forever. My Paternal Grandparents were WOPs.

I'm very mild mannered and gentle but Stereotype me as a Daigo and one call will have you swimmin wid da fishes, Capisce?
last edited: 10/13/04 9:07:35 AM”

“There! he looks better with that little plus sign next to him...”

“LOL ;-)”

“I had a discussion on this with a young man from Cali the other day. When I stated my desire to see all immigration laws enforced he laid a guilt trip on me (he’s a Frum Jew) and he asked, “So what you are saying is my 83 year old grandfather should have to go back to Romania then?”. I asked him if he was here illegally and he hemmed and hawed and finally after about 10 exchanges he admitted his family was keeping him illegally. I simply stated, “You just answered your own question young man.”.”

“What's a Frum Jew?”

“What's a "Frum Jew"??????

Enforcing immigration laws is a good way to keep out the undesirables, the poor, the destitute........”

“I also think we should have one language in this country...ENGLISH

If I was to move to another country I would be expected to learn their language.

I really get tired of calling places and having to choose if I want the call in English or Spanish.

A local hospital ran a TV commerical in Spanish. I called the next day complaining about it. I must not have been the only one. That commerical never ran again.

hard to believe a Democrat is saying all of this...lol”