Popcorn factory is one of 8000 terrorist targets in Indiana

[Ladewig]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2186855&page=1

July 13, 2006 — The Old McDonald Petting Zoo in Woodville, Ala., doesn't seem like a target for terrorists.

"No one would strike here because we're so remote," said Sherry Lewis, co-owner of the farm.

But this farm filled with goats, bunnies and roosters is in the Homeland Security Database, a list of 77,000 possible terror targets that includes power plants, bridges and stadiums.

That's not the only unlikely potential target on the list. Others include the Annual Mule Day Parade in Tennessee and the peaceful, historic Bok Sanctuary in Florida, an 80-acre garden.

Many people who live in these communities and work at some of the "targets" on the list are bewildered.

"I have absolutely no idea how we may have gotten on that list," said Robert Sullivan, president of the Bok Sanctuary.

[snip]


When the department recently cut funding to Washington, D.C., and New York City by 40 percent, many accused the department of distributing funds based on politics, not need.

"I think some places clearly padded their lists," said New York's Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer. "There were no real standards."

[more]

Indiana 8,591 potential terrorist targets,
New York 5,687 potential terrorist targets
California 3,212 potential terrorist targets

We have limited resources to allocate to public safety and the a**hats in Indiana are padding the list while funds to New York are being cut.

I think we could put a sizeable dent in the U.S. deficit if we charged citizens $100 to kick a congressman in the rear. You could put me down for 2 DeLays and 1 Lieberman.



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ETA: added link

[Darat]

I don't get this how could some areas "pad their lists"? Surely this list was complied by security experts? And even if they could influence the lists somehow why would anyone?

[Donks]

I don't get this how could some areas "pad their lists"? Surely this list was complied by security experts? And even if they could influence the lists somehow why would anyone?
Funds. Thre more targets on your area, the more funds that go there.

[Amapola]

Well, listen - the Amish guy that owns that popcorn factory, with 5 employess, has the explanation. “Maybe because popcorn explodes?”

Here's a link. (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/12/washington/12assets.html?ex=1152849600&en=46e2bb27a141496b&ei=5087%0A) I don't know if it is the same one you had, but it has the same basic info.

eta: OK when I just read this there was no link in the OP!!

[BPSCG]

They're targeting popcorn factories???

Now they've gone too far...

[Lisa Simpson]

It's too bad Orville Redenbacher is dead because he would sooooo kick terrorist ass.

[Psi Baba]

Quick, someone photoshop Muhammed wearing Jiffy Pop on his head.

[shemp]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2186855&page=1



Indiana 8,591 potential terrorist targets,
New York 5,687 potential terrorist targets
California 3,212 potential terrorist targets

We have limited resources to allocate to public safety and the a**hats in Indiana are padding the list while funds to New York are being cut.

I think we could put a sizeable dent in the U.S. deficit if we charged citizens $100 to kick a congressman in the rear. You could put me down for 2 DeLays and 1 Lieberman.



______________
ETA: added link

If you'd make it a kick in the nuts and the money goes to JREF, I'd be glad to clean out my life savings.

[BPSCG]

Someone explain to me one more time why we need to repeal the Bush tax cuts to balance the budget...?

[drkitten]

I don't get this how could some areas "pad their lists"? Surely this list was complied by security experts? And even if they could influence the lists somehow why would anyone?

The list is typically compiled by local security experts, in conjunction with local politicians, and then the various local lists get merged into national lists at various levels. Think of it this way -- you live somewhere like Kent, right (that's about as South-East UK as it gets before it turns into France)? Suppose you had to compile a list of -- oh, let's say the best pubs to watch a World Cup match or something like that. I suspect you could name me a half dozen spots in Kent alone --- and maybe one or two in all of the North. So I wouldn't ask you where the best places to drink in Yorkshire were; I'd ask a local. And if it weren't for this level of padding, it would make sense.

But being put on that list gives local politicos (and law enforcement) a chance to ask for more money for "anti-terrorism" purposes, even if it just goes to buy another patrol car that they've been wanting. Because "the database is used by the Department of Homeland Security to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars in anti-terrorism grant money," it's good to be in the database.

[BPSCG]

Here's another thing that bugs me about this whole deal. Local politicians here have their britches in a twist because their anti-terrorism funding isn't as much this year as it's been in past years.

Seems to me, that in the years since September 11, 2001, localities should have been addressing the most expensive, most high-profile security issues first, and that once you've, say, put luggage explosives scanners in the airports, you don't need to do that again. So why are you demanding more money every year? I didn't think the danger from terrorists was increasing every year (we haven't had any more September 11ths), so why does the budget have to increase every year?

[shemp]

Here's another thing that bugs me about this whole deal. Local politicians here have their britches in a twist because their anti-terrorism funding isn't as much this year as it's been in past years.

Seems to me, that in the years since September 11, 2001, localities should have been addressing the most expensive, most high-profile security issues first, and that once you've, say, put luggage explosives scanners in the airports, you don't need to do that again. So why are you demanding more money every year? I didn't think the danger from terrorists was increasing every year (we haven't had any more September 11ths), so why does the budget have to increase every year?

Um... because that's what politicians like?

[WildCat]

It's too bad Orville Redenbacher is dead because he would sooooo kick terrorist ass.
There's a machine gun under that bow tie!

Darat - that's a funny joke you made about Congressmen relying on experts to decide what is a terrorist target. ;)

[WildCat]

BTW, it's not just any popcorn factory. It's an Amish popcorn factory!

[Tony]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2186855&page=1



Indiana 8,591 potential terrorist targets,
New York 5,687 potential terrorist targets
California 3,212 potential terrorist targets

We have limited resources to allocate to public safety and the a**hats in Indiana are padding the list while funds to New York are being cut.

I think we could put a sizeable dent in the U.S. deficit if we charged citizens $100 to kick a congressman in the rear. You could put me down for 2 DeLays and 1 Lieberman.



Can chages be made against these people for fraud?

[Regnad Kcin]

Can chages be made against these people for fraud?Terrorist lover.

[Lisa Simpson]

BTW, it's not just any popcorn factory. It's an Amish popcorn factory!

Yeah but, who doesn't hate the Amish? With their beards and black hats and no buttons...

[Tony]

Here's another thing that bugs me about this whole deal. Local politicians here have their britches in a twist because their anti-terrorism funding isn't as much this year as it's been in past years.

Seems to me, that in the years since September 11, 2001, localities should have been addressing the most expensive, most high-profile security issues first, and that once you've, say, put luggage explosives scanners in the airports, you don't need to do that again. So why are you demanding more money every year? I didn't think the danger from terrorists was increasing every year (we haven't had any more September 11ths), so why does the budget have to increase every year?

You're just now finding out that politicians use fear to get what they want? 9/11 has become the biggest cash register for politicians and defense contractors in the new America.