February 8, 2010, - 1:47 pm
Boneheaded: J-No, Obama Shrink Border Patrol, Dump Elite Maritime Security
Remember all the FBI warnings we got that Al-Qaeda was planning attacks on America using aquatic tactics and scuba training? Remember the Goose Creek terrorists, University of South Florida students Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed, both of whom had ties to Islamic Jihad terrorist group founder and frontman, Sami Al-Arian? A little reported fact (which I reported on this site) is that they had scuba gear and oxygen tanks in their car, when they were caught by a South Carolina Sheriff’s deputy, and it’s believed they planned to carry out some sort of attack in New York. They took scuba diving training. Islamic terrorists have frequently used the waters surrounding Israel for attacks, as a means to sneak into the country, and as a way to send bombs onto the beach as recently as last week.
The Lesbionic Woman Cuts Border Patrol, Coastal Security
(Lesbionic Woman by David Lunde/Lundesigns)
And, now, Department of Homeland Security chief, Janet Napolitano a/k/a “The Lesbionic Woman,” at the direction of Barack Obama, made it that much easier for terrorists to carry out such ocean-based attacks, eliminating several elite Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Teams (MSST). She also wants to reduce the Border Patrol and decline finishing the “virtual” and physical fences at the border, so our southern border is also extending the welcome mat to Islamic terrorists. It’s amazing that with $56.3 billion, this wasteful government agency cannot afford to expand the border patrol, nor protect us from water-based attacks.
Check out the details of the DHS penny-wise, pound-foolish new budget:
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says her department’s $56.3 billion budget for next year, up 2% over this year, enhances security “across the board.” . . .
If Congress approves Obama’s proposals:
• The Border Patrol, which doubled to 20,000 agents during the Bush administration, would lose 180 agents through attrition. Border staffing would stay the same.
• A “virtual” fence of pole cameras and sensors aimed at stopping illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and terrorists on the U.S.-Mexican border, faces a $225 million cut from $800 million last year. That would delay implementation while a review of the fence, plagued by technical problems, is done.
• Five of the Coast Guard’s 13 elite Maritime Security and Safety Teams (MSST), created since 2001 to protect waterfront cities, would be eliminated. Obama is proposing cuts in New York City, San Francisco, Anchorage and King’s Bay, Ga.
• The existing 643 miles of concrete-and-steel border fence would be maintained but no new barriers would be built.
In the wake of the failed attempt to blow up an airplane bound for Detroit on Dec. 25, Obama’s budget for next year calls for $371 million for 500 more body scanners, 275 more canine teams and an unspecified number of new air marshals.
Yup, we’re trading in actual, necessary security for more expensive props of security theater.
Just because a guy tries to blow up a plane with his underwear, doesn’t mean Al-Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist groups won’t continue to try to sneak in their members through our borders and foment attacks from the sea and off the coasts.
Someone once said a cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. I beg to differ. That’s the outlook of a fool. And Janet Napolitano is a fool extraordinaire.
Tags: Aquatic security, Barack Obama, Border Patrol, border security, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, DHS budget, Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, Lesbionic Woman, Maritime Security and Safety Teams, MSST, shrinks Border Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, virtual fence
Schumer has already come out against this. He needs to distance himself from Obama because he is actually vulnerable in keeping his Senate seat.
I live on Staten Island and small red Coast Guard gun boats often pace the Staten Island ferries (usually 2 boats at a time). In addistion, when the threat level is up (or they know more than they are willing to share) there are often machine gun toting Coast Guard members aboard the ferry itself. I believe all that would be cut if Obama gets his way. I guess he wants to clear the path for his bretheren.
Bob on February 8, 2010 at 2:17 pm