Some interesting Homeland Security data-read it and weep

[NMDemDist2]

Bush Administration cut $150 million for first responders. The Bush Administration cut Homeland Security spending by $150 million for 2004. This budget does not provide enough money to give emergency responders adequate training and resources – even though they are on the front lines. The Bush Administration rejected a $200 million proposal to adequately support first responders – at the same time asking for $290 million in spending for first responders in Iraq. “Senate Digs into Iraq $87 Billion,” Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2003; “The War Against Terrorism: Working Together to Protect America,” U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, March 4, 2003

GOP rejects funding for 1,803 additional Arizona first responders. Congressional Republicans rejected a proposal to hire 100,000 additional first responders nationwide, including nearly 1,803 in Arizona. At the same time the Bush Administration supported $290 million in spending for first responders for Iraq. “Senate Digs into Iraq $87 billion,” Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2003; “Republicans Reject Extending Unemployment Benefits, Hiring 100,000 Police, Fire and Security Personnel,” U.S. Rep. George Miller Press Release, March 27, 2003

Bush calls for $1 billion in cuts for Homeland Security in secret budget planning document. In May 2004, a secret budget planning memo became public. In the document, Bush called for $1 billion in Homeland Security funding. These cuts could pay the salaries of more than 23,700 police officers or more than 28,000 firefighters. Source: http://www.salary.com ; Washington Post, 5/27/04

Bush 2005 budget cuts 15% from Department of Homeland Security grants for federal assistance to local law enforcement, including first responders – COPS funds are sliced by 80%. “The budget also includes $3.6 billion for state and local agencies, including local police and firefighters, which is more than $800 million less than the 2004 budgeted amount.” Washington Post, 2/2/04 & 2/3/04; Associated Press, 2/2/04

Bush 2005 budget cuts nearly $1 billion in Homeland Security grants for local law enforcement. “Total homeland security grants sought for state and local agencies are down $975 million in the proposed budget from last year’s figure to $1.4 billion. Requested funding for state and local training, exercises and technical assistance is down $142 million -- from $320 million in FY 2004 to $178 million.” source: UPI, 2/2/04

Bush cut $5 million in Rural Firefighter Training Grants. source UPI, 2/4/04

Bush cut $250 million in FIRE Act programs, - a 33 percent reduction. The FIRE program sends money directly to local fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel. source: National Volunteer Fire Council newsletter, http://www.nvfc.org

[Deja Q]

1. Fine. Let the terrorists destroy corporate offices.

If * wants to hand out insane tax breaks to those leeches instead of spending the money to defend this country, it seems fitting where the terrorists should strike.

Of course, more corporate offices worth the money are in India or China anyway... :shrug: :eyes: All of these cuts merely affect the people, not the corporate interests.

[NMDemDist2]

2. yeah sucks doesn't it

I probably should have put this in GD so it would get a read or two

[G_j]

3. that is pretty devastating

do you have a link?

[NMDemDist2]

4. it is from a myraid of sources, look at the end of each paragraph for

sources.

[NMDemDist2]

5. sorry, the formatting was hiding the links, fixed now n/t

[G_j]

6. thank you!

I may try to use some of this in a LTTE.

[NMDemDist2]

7. that's why I have it, It's from ACT 4 Victory to use in LTTE since Ascroft

changed his schedule at the VERY LAST MINUTE to avoid us protesters today in Phoenix