U.S. Is Losing Focus on Terror Fight, Panel Says

[cthrumatrix]

U.S. Is Losing Focus on Terror Fight, Panel Says

Associated Press
Tuesday, December 16, 2003; Page A35


The effort to protect Americans from terrorism "appears to have waned" since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as both the government and its citizens worry more about the latest disaster or health crisis, a federal commission said yesterday.


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"Americans have very short-term memories," said commission vice chairman George Foresman, deputy director of Virginia's office of preparedness. "People are dealing with the reality of their lives today."

Commission members outlined several problems: The Homeland Security Department is trying to merge 22 agencies. Federal officials have not given clear directions to state and local governments on what they need to do in the anti-terrorism effort. And the private sector, which owns many power plants, the nation's commercial air fleet and other critical elements of the infrastructure, needs to be brought into the planning.

"The momentum appears to have waned as people, businesses and governments react to the uncertainties in combating terrorism and to the challenge of creating a unified enterprise," the report said.

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2976-2003Dec15.html

SO when shrub says he's protecting the "homeland"...the press should reply.."funny, this report says you are not".

[Dover]

1. That's because "terrorism" was the excuse NOT the focus.....

Their focus has always been on other more lucrative issues and that has not wavered.

[Kolesar]

2. If Terrorism as an issue wanes, then 43* loses his best issue

and his best tactic--instilling fear into Americans.

[cthrumatrix]

3. Exactly....shrub lies again....dems should use this when campaigning

let the "people know".

I know that terra is a "trojan horse" for other....but it's shrubs game...and he clearly is not protecting the US like he SAYS.

[xchrom]

4. i'm shaking my head

how can anybody think bushco was ever interested in the war on terrorism -- the office of homeland security wasn't even a republican idea -- and now it's merely an excuse to abuse and fuck things up.
if bushco touches it -- it will break.