The Republicans are hard at it, keeping America safe:
Moments ago, the House of Representatives narrowly defeated an amendment proposed by Rep. Martin Sabo (D-MN) that would have provided $1.25 billion in desperately needed funding for port security and disaster preparedness. The Sabo amendment included:
– $300 million to enable U.S. customs agents to inspect high-risk containers at all 140 overseas ports that ship directly to the United States. Current funding only allows U.S. customs agents to operate at 43 of these ports.
– $400 million to place radiation monitors at all U.S. ports of entry. Currently, less than half of U.S. ports have radiation monitors.
– $300 million to provide backup emergency communications equipment for the Gulf Coast.
Meanwhile, the Bush budget – which most of the members who voted against this bill will likely support – contains an increase of $1.7 billion for missile defense, a program that doesn’t even work.
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"I'll tell you why I can't put up with you people. Because you're BASTARD PEOPLE." -Corky St. Clair:
mvscal wrote:It's not "national security", you fucking douche.
Yet, that's what they are calling the iraq war. how's that work exactly?
You ship a container into this country, you pay a fee for security measures. It's that fucking simple and it doesn't shit to do with spending more tax dollars.
I agree with this, but beyond the container inspection just making sure our ports are safe and secure, period, and that is a national security issue.
Weren't you hypocritical fuckheads whimpering about out of control spending on another thread here. That's what I thought.
The S.O.S Act, H.R. 4899, mandates that all containers be scanned using the best-available technology, including scanning for radiation and density, before they are loaded onto a ship bound for the United States, and that all U.S.-bound containers be sealed with a transponder that would notify American officials of a breach before the shipment enters the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.
Sounds like a National Security issue to me.
They scan 100 percent in Hong Kong while we manage 1 percent. Have fun explaining that one to the voters during the next elections. Bring your "Republican Toadie Handbook."
mvscal wrote:
North Korea, Iran and Pakistan should teach you that importance.
how are those interceptor missile tests coming along?
I think it's been just about a year since the last failure, so I'm guessing Raytheon should have another dud on the launch pad in about 2 to 3 months....
My dad is one of the Senior Marine Engineers that control the Great Lakes Ports and he said Security needs to be amped up. I disagree the House of Reps defeating this bill. A little more emphasis needs to be made of securing what comes into this country.
