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No Icons, No Monuments Worth Protecting
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ShareJune 01, 2006 12:18 PM
New York has no national monuments or icons, according to the Department of Homeland Security form obtained by ABC News. That was a key factor used to determine that New York City should have its anti-terror funds slashed by 40 percent--from $207.5 million in 2005 to $124.4 million in 2006.
"All I can tell you is if you look at their worksheets, and it says that New York City doesn't have any high visibility national icons ... I mean, I don't have to list the Brooklyn Bridge, the United Nations, Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and the Stock Exchange," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in response to ABC News' questions.
The formula did not consider as landmarks or icons: The Empire State Building, The United Nations, The Statue of Liberty and others found on several terror target hit lists. It also left off notable landmarks, such as the New York Public Library, Times Square, City Hall and at least three of the nation's most renowned museums: The Guggenheim, The Metropolitan and The Museum of Natural History.
"I think the facts are clear," Bloomberg said. "What they've really done is taken what was supposed to be threat-based and just started to distribute it as normal pork."
The form ignored that New York City is the capital of the world financial markets and merely stated the city had four significant bank assets.
New York City is home to Chase, JP Morgan, Citi Group, The New York Stock Exchange, The Commodities Exchange, American Express, George Soros funds, Michael Gabelli's funds, Lazard Frere and Salomon Brothers, to name just a few of the more prominent banking interests located there.
"Any threat-based analysis would show that New York is the top of the terrorist target list," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told ABC News. "We're also a location that experienced two successful attacks, almost 3,000 people were killed here, four other attacks that were recorded ... Every place has vulnerabilities, but clearly, New York is still target number one.
"The process they used is also somewhat bizarre. They basically subcontracted it out. They, as an agency that has 180,000 employees, they went outside, and (used) some sort of peer review, and those people were not privy to any intelligence information ... The, the whole process is really kind of unfathomable to those of us who need this funding."
The formula did note a commuter population of more than 16 million around the city twice struck by fundamentalist terrorists and twice more targeted in plots halted in pre-operational stages. It noted the more than eight million residents and the largest rail ridership in the nation - more than five million. It is those commuters and rail riders who are expected to suffer most from the cuts since mass transit is listed on most DHS alerts as the top terror target. (Click here for the Strategic Threat Document obtained by ABC News.)
The report lists as classified "visitors of interest destination city," immigration cases, suspicious incidents and FBI cases. New York City is home to the largest FBI field office in the country, which actively monitors 24/7 the Iranian Mission. The city has also had the most significant terror trials in the nation and is home to one of the largest air hubs in the nation.
June 1, 2006 in Homeland Security | Permalink | User Comments (222)
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What ever happened to "We are all New Yorkers today"? Funny how quickly we forget that NYC is terrorist target number 1, and has already had 2 terrorist attacks. I guess what they say is true, that the middle of this nation could care if New York and California fell off into the ocean.
Posted by: Eric K | Jun 1, 2006 1:00:44 PM
It doesn't say who authored this report, but clearly he/she needs to be promoted. Outstanding analysis.
Posted by: surly | Jun 1, 2006 1:01:18 PM
The sad thing? I can't tell whether surly's joking or not.
Ah, well. Heck of a job, Mr. Chertoff.
Posted by: David C | Jun 1, 2006 1:16:27 PM
Yeah, well... too many goddamn Democrats in NYC, hmmm?
JF
Posted by: Jaime Frontero | Jun 1, 2006 1:18:16 PM
Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey
Posted by: nanshan | Jun 1, 2006 1:19:41 PM
This is as shameful as it is unsurprising. What would have been very obvious to your readers five minutes after the attacks of 9/11 is beyond the grasp of this Administration, five years after that tragedy. I wonder how much money is being spent to protect the Alamo, the Grand Old Opry, Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church, and the Dallas Cowboys. Not to mention major Republican campaign contributors.
One could make the case that a sizeable majority of at-risk sites are in blue states or blue areas. But those aren't places Republicans would seem to be eager to protect.
Posted by: Mike | Jun 1, 2006 1:22:15 PM
See all the money we're saving for security by wire-tapping?! Now we can return that money to the rightful owners of this country, the rich. There is a price for civil liberties after all. Thanks George "I'm above the Law" Bush!
Posted by: Dan | Jun 1, 2006 1:24:35 PM
I don't know who put this report together, but don't blame "the middle of the nation". Some of us care very much about the East and West coasts sinking into the ocean (we're generally opposed to the idea).
Posted by: Bob | Jun 1, 2006 1:27:16 PM
Yeah,,,again, Bush's pathetic administration shows its ignorance "Mission Accomplished"! How 'bout some medals boys, I gots a sack full if ya ain't against me.
Posted by: Dale | Jun 1, 2006 1:28:31 PM
Is there anyone, anywhere in the DHS who has a clue about what they are supposed to do and how to do it? Such absolute incompetence is beyond belief.
Posted by: KenoshaMarge | Jun 1, 2006 1:29:15 PM
This is so insane that it seems as if this government *wants* another attack to occur in NY.
Let's see... UBL is still loose, but Pakistan gets a pass, with our forces in Iraq instead. The madrasses in Saudi still churn out hatred, but the Saudis get a pass, too. On to Iran, even though Pakistan already has nukes, and is a bullet away from UBL having those. And now this.
Almost makes one believe in some of those 911 conspiracy theories, huh?
Posted by: Logan Waters | Jun 1, 2006 1:36:18 PM
For Eric:
1. Where does 'The Buck Stop'?
2. Where is Texas located?
Posted by: Roger P | Jun 1, 2006 1:39:55 PM
The most famous icon in the world with the most icons in the world, New York City, is not an icon or has no icons?
There is a scientific explanation for this.
In Washington, D.C. there is no gravity, instead the place sucks!
Posted by: KEVIN SCHMIDT, STERLING VA | Jun 1, 2006 1:45:01 PM
It also failed to report that NYC did not support the reelection of Bush, and when the RNC held its convention coincidentally in the same city as the 9/11 WTC attacks, the cityfolk did not welcome the conventioneers with open arms. Nor was the port of NY available for private RNC parties.
Posted by: lizzie | Jun 1, 2006 1:48:51 PM
With all due respect, Eric, I think some bureaucrat is to blame rather than the middle of the nation. I find this article very disturbing and almost unbelievable. Clearly, these funds are going to pork barrel projects rather than where they belong.
Posted by: Jay M | Jun 1, 2006 1:50:54 PM
Gee, just guessing here, but could the fact that this city is just chock full of Democrats have anything to do with this?
Posted by: K | Jun 1, 2006 1:52:32 PM
If the Statue of Liberty isn't a national monument, what is?
Are there any in Los Angeles (outside of Graumann's Chinese theater)? Does Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco qualify?
And how about Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia--wait, the Liberty Bell is there, Dallas, Houston, Miami (the Fountainbleau?) and Las Vegas (Caesar's Palace?)
What I want to know is was this reported drafted by someone who lives or has lived in the United States?
Posted by: Harvey Ardman | Jun 1, 2006 1:53:21 PM
I don't think "heckuva job" even covers it. This is a truly inspired job. I feel so safe today in my 40 story office building in the middle of the NYC financial district. Thanks guys!
Posted by: NB | Jun 1, 2006 1:53:23 PM
So, do I at least get a 40% tax refund now?
Posted by: here right now | Jun 1, 2006 1:57:13 PM
Is the statue of Paul Bunyon out west on the list? I just want to know how to measure this administration's priorities. How about the world's biggest Walmart?
Posted by: Jeffrey Sweet | Jun 1, 2006 1:58:21 PM
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