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Daschle Says Americans Need More Than Duct Tape
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said on Wednesday the Bush administration must do more to protect Americans against a suspected increased risk of terrorist attacks than urge them to seal a designated room with duct tape and plastic sheets.Daschle's right: I've never thought duct tape would stop a Democrat. "This administration has to do a lot better," said Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat. "They have to do a lot more than tell people that the responsibility is now on their shoulders." Tell us something we don't already know. With a possible war with Iraq looming and the U.S. government having raised the risk level of terrorist attacks based on intelligence reports, U.S. authorities this week recommended that every American home have at least three days' worth of food and water in case of a chemical, biological or radiological strike. Officials of the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security also said families should designate a room where they could gather in the event of such an attack and have duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal it. The recommendations have generated plenty of anxiety as well as some ridicule as Americans flock to hardware and office supply stores to buy the items -- just in case. It's the American way: find the humor while getting the job done. Sen. Robert Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat and a leading opponent of war with Iraq, took the Senate floor on Wednesday and declared: "The mood of the nation is grim... People are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur," Byrd said. "Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection." Daschle charged that the administration made a mistake when it opposed efforts earlier this year to provide an additional $5 billion for homeland defense. The money would have been used on a number of fronts, from hiring more FBI and Customs Service agents to better equipping and training local police and firefighters. Or it could have been spent on more boondoggles that would have pumped money into favored Congressional districts. Daschle said Democrats would make a renewed effort to increase funding and called on the administration to back it. "It shouldn't even be a fight," Daschle said. "If we're going to be providing the resources to our defense forces, as we should ... we ought to be willing to commit the resources to protect our own people." Tom, old boy, we're managing. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson told a congressional hearing on Wednesday that the government has improved defenses against a bioterror or chemical attack, including by recently putting some medical response teams on alert. Asked about recommendations that homeowners stock up on duct tape and other emergency supplies, Thompson said: "Ask (Department of Homeland Security Secretary) Tom Ridge." Posted by: Steve White 2003-02-13 |
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