How much would it take to protect U.S. railways, subways and other public transit systems from the kind of devastating bombings that shook London’s Tube and killed scores on Thursday?
In 2003, the American Public Transportation Association told Congress that although transit agencies had already spent $1.7 billion on security upgrades since Sept. 11, an extra $6 billion was needed for enhanced communications, detection and surveillance systems and the operating budgets for them.
But since 2001, the federal government has spent a measly $250 million for mass transit security, and another $150 million or so is in the pipeline.
That might change after the Madrid and London bombings. Clearly, al-Qaida understands just how vulnerable public transit is because of its miles of rails and access points.
We can still make it much more difficult for them and perhaps thwart plots and save lives. Given the economic devastation caused by any terrorist attack, transit security is surely worth a larger investment.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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6 Comments
Randy, None of those expenses would be necessary if things like were to stop.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/11/international/middleeast/11mideast.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1121091354-Y/xOaRT2mtAUTAT/35QnTg
Like, ya, Ed is right again. Like if the Islamic butchers would, like, stop killing infidels,then, like, we could spend our money on old folks homes instead.
Samisdat, You’re right. If we stop killing them, then they, like, stop killing us. You’re real smart.
a measly $250 million for mass transit security, and another $150 million or so is in the pipeline?
Why is this not enough? Yeah! American Public Transportation Association has their interest and want every dollar they can get out of the government. It’s the oldest game in the book. Ask for 20 times what you really need and hope you can get at least 5 to 10 times what you need.
At least the government will have the money to pay for increased security thanks to the Bush Republican passed tax cuts!!http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_us&refer=us&sid=aZgwyLsWjDDc
Jimmy, I read your link. Goodness, a mere 325 billion dollar deficit? Looks pretty good after 412 billion last year. Of course the expenditure for the war in Iraq isn’t included in the budget. Neither is the money being used out of Social Security. Heck, I say we need another tax cut for rich folk.