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Homeland Security
To the Editor:
Your May 1 editorial "Real Security, or Politics as Usual?" ("An Insecure Nation" series) begins by stating that terrorists "must be encouraged by the government's ineptness" in distributing homeland security money.
Efforts are under way to provide better security for all Americans, and your editorial ignores the complexities of homeland security in a large and diverse nation.
You also ignore the fact that no state is immune from terrorist threats. We must place emphasis on protecting high-risk areas while recognizing, as Robert S. Mueller III, the F.B.I. director, said recently, "America is awash in desirable targets."
We have introduced legislation that doubles the amount of financing targeted to protect high-risk states, ensures that first responders in all states get the equipment and training they need to achieve minimum preparedness, and requires states to assess their risks.
Our bill enjoys the support of states large and small and was reported overwhelmingly out of committee.
We agree that homeland security financing must not become just another barrel of federal pork. Recognizing that we face an enemy who will strike wherever there is a vulnerable target is not politics as usual - it is reality.
Susan M. Collins
Joseph I. Lieberman
Washington, May 18, 2005
The writers are, respectively, chairwoman and ranking member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
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