Posted on 07/13/2005 7:47:08 AM PDT by beyondashadow
Analysis shows GOP-controlled districts have been largely shut out of equipment grants.
Towns in legislative districts dominated by Trenton's ruling Democratic Party got 93 percent of all the state Homeland Security equipment grants over the past three years, an analysis of the grants shows.
Since the grant program began in the spring of 2002, towns in Democratic-controlled districts have received more than $21.3 million of the money disbursed by the state, while towns in Republican districts got just $1.6 million, according to a review of grant lists supplied by the governor's office.
< snip >
Sources in the state Attorney General's Office said the awards go more often to towns in Democratic districts because they have more targets.
"It's where the critical infrastructure is," said one law enforcement official. "Critical infrastructure tends to be in older, more urbanized areas rather than suburban areas."
A Star-Ledger analysis of the grants, however, shows several cases in which suburban communities in Democratic areas got grants, while similar communities in Republican legislative districts didn't.
< snip >
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Amazing is correct.
Well, that's odd..
Why would the Islamofascist terrorists attack their allies?
"Sources in the state Attorney General's Office said the awards go more often to towns in Democratic districts because they have more targets."
Ridiculous! Unless they're referring to tangible property. Because those who give aid and comfort to terrorism are not it's targets.
Let's be blunt.
Most anti-terror money will go to
1. Newark Airport
2. The bridges and tunnels
These are all in Democratic areas. Nobody is going to be setting off bombs in fox hunting country in South Jersey.
That was my first thought too, Sam. And I'll add to your list the ports of Newark and Elizabeth and the surrounding refineries. All in solid blue areas.
Yes, exactly.
In New Jersey, ALL of the prime targets are in solidly blue areas. Newark Airport, the bridges and tunnels, the ports of Elizabeth and Newark, Jersey City financial district, the refineries along the Turnpike...
So this article is ridiculous.
Paterson springs to mind.
What about Jersey City?
What'd they do with the money? Build Mosques and outreach centers?
Anytime Dems get ahold of money, you can bet there were things bought that had nothing to do with Homeland Security.
Law Enforcement and Firemen all have wish-list catalogues of things they really, really want, just because someone else might have one.
*snort* Ok, THEY said it, not me.
But in all seriousness, if you look at where NJ's industrial centers and transportation hubs are located and take a demographic of each area, you'll find that the vast majority of the people (and therefore the politicians) are democrats.
As a NYC commuter riding the trains daily, I agree that the prime terrorism targets are all in blue territory. And I absolutely agree that's where money should be spent.
However, I'm not aware of any prime targets in Camden, whose district received more than $1 million, while Atlantic City received nothing.
I was just mostly surprised that such an article even made it to the front page.
Camden is just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia and has the huge Ben Franklin Bridge. It has a port area. It is a natural transportation hub from the Penn Turnpike to the NJ Turnpike and has a priority for that reason.
Homeland security is not another name for pork barrel government spending.
The money should go where there are real security issues, not just passed around district by district. If the airport and tunnels are in Democrat neighborhoods, that's a good place to spend on security.
>>>Since the grant program began in the spring of 2002, towns in Democratic-controlled districts have received more than $21.3 million of the money disbursed by the state, while towns in Republican districts got just $1.6 million, according to a review of grant lists supplied by the governor's office.
Aw come on. Newark purchased some nifty new garbage trucks with that homeland security money.
Most anti-terror money will go to
1. Newark Airport
2. The bridges and tunnels
Absolutely, I agree 100%. No argument from me that money should be sent where it's needed most. I was simply surprised that such an article beat out Karl Rove for front page space in a liberal NJ paper!
But didn't Newark spend something like $300,000 of homeland security money on air conditioned garbage trucks? Make me wonder what Camden --well-known for its corruption-- is buying! ;)
Well, it's New Jersey.
Yes. This is why their is a fight for more H.S. monies. NJ isn't spending the monies on security. Newark even took port money to dump it into the stadium Sharp James wants.
NJ politicians see it as a free for all.
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