Americans Are Not Safer

Tornado Death Toll in Greensburg KS Hits 10. The Governor was quick to point out that the recovery efforts will be difficult because much of the National Guard's equipment and manpower is in Iraq. Apparently 50% of the trucks are there and 12% of the manpower.

'I don't think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower,' Sebelius said. 'The real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg, because the recovery will be at a slower pace.'

"White House spokesman Tony Snow rejected the criticism, saying the National Guard had equipment positioned around the country to respond to disasters when requested by states. 'There's been an enormous amount of help on the scene already, frankly, when it comes to what's been going on with the tornado. FEMA has certainly been actively engaged, and the administration is doing whatever it can,' Snow said at the White House. 'And if there's a need for equipment, it will arrive.' Five trailers to house displaced families have arrived, and 20 more are on the way, said FEMA Director R. David Paulison. He said if his agency can house 80,000 people on the Gulf Coast, it can handle 1,000 people in Greensburg."

See they did such a good job on the Gulf Coast, a small Kansas town will be easy. The point is that due to the war, the ability of states to respond to emergencies, natural or manmade, is worse than it was before. It's been almost 6 years since 9/11, you think it would have improved.

And while we waste time in Iraq, we've forgotten about bin Laden. US News reports U.S. spy agencies say al Qaeda's top leaders, once on the run, have regrouped. "When President Bush talks about Osama bin Laden these days, it's usually to rally support for the U.S. effort in Iraq. Last month, he told an audience that bin Laden and his al Qaeda network "have made it clear they want to drive us from Iraq to establish safe haven in order to launch further attacks." But over the past year, U.S. intelligence agencies have completely revised their assessment of al Qaeda and reached an alarming conclusion: Bin Laden already has a safe haven-in Pakistan-and may be stronger than ever."