A Change in Strategy at the Department of Homeland Security

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Columbus, Ohio, used homeland security money on body armor for firehouse dogs. Newark, New Jersey air conditioned its garbage trucks. The State of Wyoming and North Pole, Alaska--which got $500,000 to protect just 1700 people, get more per capita to prepare for terrorism than New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. Now, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says funds to fight terrorism aren't "party favors to be distributed as widely as possible," asserting that "tough choices" will have to be made based on the real risk of attack by terrorists. What is the state of homeland security more than four years after September 11? Making News: Media Reports ---Miracle' Mine Rescue before Tragic Truth Is Told For three hours last night, family members thought 12 of the 13 men trapped in a West Virginia coal mine had been rescued alive. Then came the stunning news that only one had survived. Greg Mitchell, editor of Editor and Publisher, America's oldest journal covering the newspaper industry, describes how early reports turned out to be so tragically wrong.Reporter's Notebook: How Big Is the Abramoff Scandal?In Florida today, a former Republican lobbyist pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud in connection with his purchase of a casino boat line, but it's yesterday's pleas in Washington that will resound on Capitol Hill for a long time. Now, Speaker Dennis Hastert and President Bush are among those transferring Jack Abramoff's contributions to charities. Ron Brownstein of the Los Angeles Times has more on what may be a scandal of historic proportions.
Columbus, Ohio, used homeland security money on body armor for firehouse dogs. Newark, New Jersey air conditioned its garbage trucks. The State of Wyoming and North Pole, Alaska--which got $500,000 to protect just 1700 people, get more per capita to prepare for terrorism than New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. Now, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says funds to fight terrorism aren't "party favors to be distributed as widely as possible," asserting that "tough choices" will have to be made based on the real risk of attack by terrorists. What is the state of homeland security more than four years after September 11?
  • Making News: Media Reports ---Miracle' Mine Rescue before Tragic Truth Is Told
    For three hours last night, family members thought 12 of the 13 men trapped in a West Virginia coal mine had been rescued alive. Then came the stunning news that only one had survived. Greg Mitchell, editor of Editor and Publisher, America's oldest journal covering the newspaper industry, describes how early reports turned out to be so tragically wrong.
  • Reporter's Notebook: How Big Is the Abramoff Scandal?
    In Florida today, a former Republican lobbyist pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud in connection with his purchase of a casino boat line, but it's yesterday's pleas in Washington that will resound on Capitol Hill for a long time. Now, Speaker Dennis Hastert and President Bush are among those transferring Jack Abramoff's contributions to charities. Ron Brownstein of the Los Angeles Times has more on what may be a scandal of historic proportions.

International Coal Group

Mitchell's article on reporting of wrong rescue news

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduces risk-based formula for urban areas security initiative grants

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission)

Pincus' article on Pentagon expansion of domestic surveillance activity

House Speaker Hastert dumps Abramoff donations, UPI on

President Bush's re-election campaign to give Abramoff money to charities, Reuters on

Los Angeles Times article on Abramoff agreement to cooperate with federal officials

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Warren Olney