Politics could kill Phila commuters, police

[Patiod]

Although 26 cities will share $92.8 million from the U.S. Department of Justice for improving the nation's emergency preparedness, Philadelphia was turned down in its bid to get $6million to improve underground radio communication. Even though Congress could come up with money to help cities like Pocatello, Bismarck, Davenport and Las Cruces, it could find a penny for the 5th largest city in America.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/12698365.htm

<snip>
"...Pocatello ($1.9 million), Bismarck ($2.3 million), Davenport, Iowa ($2.2 million), and Las Cruces, N.M. ($981,360). 'Right in the crosshairs of terrorism," quipped Councilman Frank Rizzo, regarding the smaller cities to receive grants. 'If I don't know where Las Cruces, New Mexico is, I doubt that a potential terrorist would either," said Rizzo, a member of the public safety committee. "It's called common sense to me that we need to fix the most vulnerable places first.'"

<snip>

"More than 20 miles of transit tunnels, used by SEPTA subway, Regional Rail and elevated lines, crisscross the city.

"We thought after the subway bombings in London, someone would see that it would make sense for the fifth-largest city in the United States to have first responders who were able to communicate underground," Brennan said."

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This infuriates me, because I'm down in these tunnels every day - there are only a few, narrow, stair leading from the train platforms to the station, and then stair leading up to the street, and I would be lying if I didn't admit that images of Barcelona sometimes cross my mind as I'm waiting to get onto the first set of stairs. You can't tell me this isn't pork politics.

[Frances]

1. Is this the Rizzo who is a Republican?

nt

[Patiod]

2. I knew people would pick up on that

He's former mayor Rizzo's son. Got the Rizzo name, but not the charisma. Kind of dopey.

[Frances]

3. Thanks for the info

It's ironic that such a "good" Republican has no influence with this administration. Just another example of how Republicans manipulate "dopey" Americans who think they are identifying with a party that will protect their interests.

[obreaslan]

4. A very big concern of mine as well...

I come into the city every day from South Jersey to work. Not to be morbid, but there are tons of potential targets. the fact that the Fed won't provide assistance is criminal. Maybe it will take a Republican to get them to open up the big wallet. :grr:


It's Pennsylvania's fault because they voted for Kerry. How dare they!!!! :sarcasm:

[Patiod]

6. That's precisely what I thought - we're being "punished"

Sick, sick, sick.

The article in the paper version of the Inquirer provided a chart of all the cities which got funding. Most of them were "red", as far as I could see from glancing over them.

[malachi]

5. I'm sure that it had nothing to do with the fact that 78% of Philidelphia

voted for Kerry. Yeah, right. $6 million! That's nothing. This admin is the most evil in the history of the US. Basing the amount to spend on people's safety on the way that they voted in the election. The monkey and his gang have done this before on numerous occasions on the East Coast. Time to oil up the guillotine!