Politics > Politics-USA > Bush's Homeland Insecurity chief sez chemical plants are in danger but does nada.
| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Harry Hope" |
| Date: |
11 Aug 2003 09:54:51 AM |
| Object: |
Bush's Homeland Insecurity chief sez chemical plants are in danger but does nada. |
As hard as it is to believe, the chemical industry has refused to take
adequate precautions to safeguard its facilities and surrounding
communities.
The Bush administration's homeland security efforts since the Sept. 11
attacks have ignored this highly vulnerable sector.
The White House was silent last summer while industry lobbyists
scuttled federal legislation that would have required chemical
companies to address their vulnerability to attack.
In March of this year, the General Accounting Office issued a report
urging passage of legislation to require the industry to assess its
vulnerability to terrorism and, where necessary, require corrective
action.
The Bush administration and its congressional allies nevertheless
ignore Corzine's security solution.
Even worse, the White House and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) are
pushing a separate and far weaker bill, one that would leave millions
of Americans vulnerable to chemical terrorism.
Incredibly, the Inhofe bill provides for virtually no oversight or
enforcement of safety requirements.
The Inhofe bill would not require companies to replace dangerous
chemicals -- which might pose tempting terrorist targets -- even when
safer technologies are available and affordable.
The chemical manufacturers say that they will consider making their
processes safer.
If Inhofe's bill were to become law, only the chemical industry would
breathe easier.
From The Washington Post, 8/11/03:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42185-2003Aug10.html?referrer=emailarticle
Business as Usual for Chemical Plants
By Gary Hart
Monday, August 11, 2003; Page A17
The government has failed to plug a gaping hole in homeland security:
our vulnerable chemical plants.
The 15,000 facilities around the country that produce, use or store
significant quantities of toxic chemicals present attractive targets
for terrorists.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 100 of
these plants, especially those near urban areas, could endanger a
million or more Americans if attacked.
In 2001 the Army's surgeon general reportedly ranked this health risk
second only to a widespread biological attack.
Earlier this year the National Infrastructure Protection Center warned
that al Qaeda might target chemical facilities in the United States as
part of its terror campaign.
And Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has said that the
administration is concerned that terrorists could turn a chemical
facility "into a weapon."
___________________________________________________
Don't y'all feel safer now that Bush's Homeland Insecurity Secretary
told ya that terrorist could turn a chemical facility into a weapon?
What else do ya expect the guy to do, face up to the big chemical
company Bush campaign contributors? Of course ya wouldn't.
Harry
.
|
|
|
Related Articles |
Bush is not defeating terrorism, but spreading it like a virus.
IT in Vietnam: Nascent capabilities but low cost
The Afghan opium war heats up. But where's Osama, Georgie?
Re: I Really Love Dean, But...
National Guard denied Bush's transfer to Alabama but he just left.
Democrats descend into usual namecalling - but this time against other Dems
Bush wants to be re-selected but doesn't what he'll do if he is.
Re: 4,000 Missing Antiaircraft Missiles in Iraq, but mass destruction is impossible
| Re: I want to ask you the most important question of your life. The question is: Are you saved? It is not a question of how good you are, nor if you are a church member, but are you saved? Are you sure you will go to Heaven when you die? The reason s
Old Soldiers Proud of Their Scars, but Unsure They'd Join Today.
There are NO "REASONS:" A murderer DESIRES to murder and to torture - but 'Destructive Cowards' refuse to know that
Re: Democratic National Committee has raised more than $28 million, but it won't help them in 2006 or 2008.
Canada does nothing but support terrorist groups
Hey, Bush, did you say that you're bringin' democracy to Iraq? Well......but.....um..........
Military in Louisiana, but...
|
|
|
