KRT Wire: Outcry over port deal obscures real security issues, experts say

[PhilipShore]

Knight Ridder Newspapers
Outcry over port deal obscures real security issues, experts say
Feb. 22, 2006

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/politics/13936345.htm

WASHINGTON - Port security has gone from a backwater concern to a big issue since the Sept. 11 terror attacks. But now, experts say, the controversy over the Bush administration's approval of a Persian Gulf-based firm to run operations at six U.S. ports is diverting attention from real port security issues.

Officials who run America's ports say the ports are much safer than they used to be. But they also say they aren't getting enough money to keep them safe, and they charge that the federal government is dragging its heels on a much-needed background check and identification card program for 6 million transportation workers.

The American Association of Port Authorities estimates that ports need $5.4 billion over 10 years to upgrade security, but the Bush administration has budgeted $708 million. And this month, the administration took grant money for port security and combined it with other transportation security grants. That means ports will have to compete against mass transit for security funds, said Bernard Groseclose, the organization's chairman and the president of the South Carolina State Port Authority.

The federal government also is more than 18 months behind on a background check and identification card program for 6 million port and other transportation workers, such as airport personnel and truck drivers, Groseclose said.

[henslee]

1. Let's thank * for bringing this issue to the forefront albeit in a round

about way. That's my pres!!!

[Rose Siding]

2. Only 18 months behind on security checks?

GOP! GOP! GOP!

:banghead:

[peacetalksforall]

3. $708 mil budgeted vs 5.4 bil needed. You don't think they stole the

port money and have found this way, the UAE way, of covering it up. Get the UAE to pay so they can secure the money they stole to continue to operate their secret sub-government wars out of the eyes of COngress and the GAO?

Or were they just helping out Boeing with that aircraft order from the UAE in a very contrived laundering scheme?

By the way - are there any Arabic women executives involved in the heirarchy?

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. $5.4 billion over 10 years to upgrade security

.
.
.

Over 80 Billion per YEAR for the Iraq farce

Almost as if the US Admin WANTS another attack

Well,

come to think of it

The Admin sure got it's "mileage" outta 911 . . .

(sigh)

[Harper_is_Bush]

5. Ironic...this "outcry" has not "obscured" these other concerns...

but rather helped bring attention to them.

Bad characterization by someone.