Tired Campaign Mantra - The Terrorists Are Coming (Again)

I was just reviewing the latest fear mongering blather coming from another one of Mr. Bush's talented executives, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who has brought us color coded fear warning alerts and airport security that requires that we remove shoes, water, and nail clippers from our possession before we fly, for a cool $500 billion per year.

He said, "European terrorists are trying to enter the United States with European Union passports, and there is no guarantee officials will catch them every time".

Chertoff's noted that the country is entering a potentially vulnerable period with the presidential nominating conventions coming up next month; the presidential election in November; and the transition to a new administration in January — all of which may be attractive targets for terrorists.

FYI, thankfully, this was his last scheduled appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee.

Demonstrating his far reaching understanding of human behavior, Chertoff said "that the more time and space al-Qaida and its allies have to recruit, train, experiment and plan, the more problems the U.S. and Europe will face down the road".

Interestingly, he hasn't noticed that the more time and money we spend on the gargantuan and impossible to manage Department of Homeland Security, the less we get for out shrinking bucks from this quagmire of bureacracy.

Chertoff said "The terrorists are deliberately focusing on people who have legitimate Western European passports, who don't appear to have records as terrorists. I have a good degree of confidence we can catch people coming in. But I have to tell you ... there's no guarantee. And they are working very hard to slip by us."

Chertoff reiterated his concern that terrorists could sneak radiological material into the country on small boats or private aircraft. This material could be used to create an explosive device known as a "dirty bomb."

Chertoff and other intelligence officials have delivered similar warnings before, and he offered no new information about specific threats or an imminent attack.

Chertoff stated that the Homeland Security Department has a strategy to protect against this small boat vulnerability and is testing radiation detection equipment in Seattle and San Diego ports. Chertoff said that getting out a regulation to pre-screen and enhance security of general aviation aircraft coming to the U.S. from overseas is one of his top priorities. He also said he expects to approve new radiation detection technology this fall.

So, let's see, six years, and we can't stop madmen from impersonating others unless they try to carry-on nail clippers and soda bottles. Wow, I'm impressed.

Chertoff dismissed any rumor that he is on a list of potential running mates for Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. but, that didn't stop him from using this final appearance to mouth the tiresome Republican fear-mongering line.

Chertoff's term as the country's second Homeland Security Secretary ends when a new administration takes over the White House in January.

For a farewell gift, let's give him a one-way ticket to Bikini Atoll, where he can spend the rest of his time cleaning up the nuclear radiation mess.

Goodbye Mr. Chertoff, and good riddance.