U.S. ports vulnerable to terrorists, probe finds

[cal04]

Source: AP

A Department of Homeland Security program to strengthen port security has gaps that terrorists could exploit to smuggle weapons of mass destruction in cargo containers, congressional investigators have found.

The report by the Government Accountability Office, being released Tuesday, assesses the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a federal program established after the September 11, 2001, attacks to deter a potential terrorist strike via cargo passing through 326 of the nation's airports, seaports and designated land borders.

Under the program, roughly 8,000 importers, port authorities and air, sea and land carriers are granted benefits such as reduced scrutiny of their cargo. In exchange, the companies submit a security plan that must meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection's minimum standards and allow officials to verify their measures are being followed.

A 2005 GAO report found many of the companies were receiving the reduced cargo scrutiny without the required full vetting by U.S. Customs, a division of DHS. The agency has since made some improvements, but the new report found that Customs officials still couldn't provide guarantees that companies were in compliance.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/27/port.security.ap/index.html

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I think the Democrats have been saying this for years!
DEMOCRATS DEMAND REAL SECURITY AT PORTS AND BORDERS
http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=258469&

Dean credits Democrats for derailing Dubai port-manage deal
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060312/news_1n12dems.html

[Yael]

1. Well, if we had sold them to Dubai, we wouldn't be worrying about that now, would we.

:sarcasm:

[cal04]

3. I was just looking for an article on that

and found one

[SpiralHawk]

5. Lots of republicons still think that was a good idea -- selling ports to Dubai

No doubt because republicon cronies would have somehow stood to make Massive Profits, while screwing America. As usual.

[Yael]

6. And then use the fear factor to keep the plebes at bay.

:crazy:

[JCMach1]

9. Yeah, but look how wonderfully safe we are now... WORSE than if Dubai World

had taken over and improved facilities and security...

This is a case of you GET what you ASK for...

[JCMach1]

8. Let's see sell off the asset to companies with no capital to improve them!?!

Farking brilliant...

[ixion]

2. land of the free and home the brave? not anymore. now it's

land of the enslaved and home of the terrified. :(

[Vinca]

4. But in February, 2009, if there is a Democrat in the Oval Office,

he or she will be blamed for an attack coming from a previously ignored port. Count on it.

[Triana]

7. bu$hit has made a farce & a pretense about security...

..while having done pissy little about it - besides giving al Queda a nice new breeding/training ground - Iraq - and making us LESS safe than we've ever been.

But his friends in the mil-ind complex have wrested control of Iraq's oil away from the Iraqis and made billions in profit (gov't money pouring into private corps) - and they will continue to profit from this godawful mess - so in that sense - bu$hit has been a blazing success. That is, after all, what *resident Moron has set out to do and he has succeeded.

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. How many of our ports are under effective control by foreign powers?

I remember an issue some time ago where a company owned and controlled by the Emirate of Dubai had gotten the contract for a major US port. When there was considerable public outcry, the US government said, "Not to worry, they already control several other major US ports."

When asked how this was not a very serious threat to US security, the federal government shrugged its collective shoulders and said, "It just isn't."

[bdamomma]

11. everything is vulnerable in this country including us.

let's get these SOB's out!!

[LynnTheDem]

12. But it's only been 7 years since George W. bUsh was warned about this.

He can't do everything at once. After all, he's quite busy losing 2 wars and trying to lose a third.

[TomInTib]

13. I am too hung over to type much...

but I know someone whose company makes the ultimate in cargo scanners.

These things can pick up a rodent running around in a container, and they sell them to every first-world country on the planet - save for one.

The Good Ol' USA.