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GAO: U.S. Vulnerable to WMD Attack

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Posted on Feb 28, 2007

Despite spending billions of dollars, the United States is woefully unprepared for an attack involving either chemical or biological weapons, according to a report recently declassified by the Government Accountability Office. The strain of the Iraq war has contributed to problems with staffing, equipping and training the military units expected to respond in the event of such a crisis.

Bad Guys:

Few terrorism experts doubt that we’re going to get hit by a biological or chemical attack. Recent strikes by Iraqi insurgents using chlorine gas underscore the concern. That’s why Washington has spent billions of dollars preparing for such an event. But two reports quietly declassified last week suggest that the backbone of any U.S. response—America’s military units—are alarmingly unprepared.

The reports are by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’s investigative agency, which is typically careful in its language. (Consider the title of one report, the modestly named Management Actions Are Needed to Close the Gap between Army Chemical Unit Preparedness and Stated National Priorities.) But reading between the lines, it’s clear that investigators, who analyzed preparedness data for 78 Army chemical units, were disturbed at what they found. As one report put it, “Most Army units tasked with providing chemical and biological defense support are not adequately staffed, equipped or trained to perform their missions.”

Particularly in the National Guard and Army Reserve—key to any U.S. homeland response—chem and bio units “are reporting the lowest readiness ratings—meaning that they are not considered sufficiently qualified for deployment,” according to the GAO. The reason: critical shortages of trained personnel and key equipment, made worse by transfers to support the war in Iraq.

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By Dan Noel, February 28, 2007 at 9:13 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The federal government has traditionally been a hotbed of incompetence, arrogance and hypocrisy. The W administration merely pushed these “values” a little further.

Now, this sad situation may be another neo-con bonanza: excellent reasons exist to divert more federal dollars towards “security” and to drive “us the people” into panic.

The trick is to make this state of affairs appear as merely the result of a few innocent mistakes for which no high-ranking official is truly responsible.

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By Kathlyn, February 28, 2007 at 3:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

IMPEACH THEM ALL - and don’t forget Joe Lieberman.

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By Nick Scotto, February 28, 2007 at 1:17 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The only terrorists we have to worry about live in the White House.

I predict bush will pull off another “terror” attack, but much bigger than the one he did on 9/11, blame it on Iran, bomb Iran, declare martial law, cancel the 2008 election and keep himself in power.

At that point we can read about the USA in the history books...or whatever bush calls history....because it will cease to exist.

Demand impeachment and a new, real investigation into 9/11...it is our only hope!

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By Quy Tran, February 28, 2007 at 10:57 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

U.S. is vulnerable to everything and not only WMD.

But the most vulnerable to us is this criminal administration which only knows how to lie to American people.

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By Jeanine Molloff, February 28, 2007 at 9:10 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Why is anyone surprised by this administration’s shameful lack of preparation?  Not only are we vulnerable to chemical or biological attacks; we are equally vulnerable to additional nuclear, cyber(infrastructure including national power grids and information mining systems), and monetary market attacks.  Appropriate preparation and safeguards have not been implemented or even offered. 
Just this winter, we witnessed massive power outages throughout the country, with the power grid unprepared for any backup contingency.  State and local munincipalities have received homeland security funds for ‘after the fact’ assistance--but have not authorized the purchase of massive standby generators for public shelters.  Instead we are offered ‘mock attacks’ and ‘staged responses’ but no real protection or proactive planning.  This is not difficult; it just takes the will to do the job. 
Yesterday, the Dow Jones plummeted because of a so-called computer glitch which resulted in a failure to document accumulated sales.  That is the official rumor.  It could also have been a cyber-attack on our financial markets by China.  By the way; the computer glitch was reported to have originated in China.  HMMM.  Such a possible cyber-attack could result in more sell outs of our national properties and we could become a vassal state.  Seems to me the multinational corporations are more of a terrorist force than the ‘terrorists.’ Cyber attacks on infrastructure such as power grids or money markets which deprive people of a livelihood--can harm more people than planes ramming into skyscrapers.  (Not to demean the events of 911; the victims have my constant sympathy and support--but we need to think not react at this time).
Our nuclear power plants have no real security to mention.  The ‘security’ is so lax that an unarmed person could easily break in and do anything.  The lack of real security is a matter of public record---even on the moronic mainstream media.  To date; nothing has been done to correct this situation.  The corporations have free reign, when the government should be protecting the public. 
As long as the two party system pervades our politics; we will have no real choices and no real accountability.  Multinational corporations control politicians on both sides of the political aisle.  If they didn’t then we would have the needed preparation and protection.  Our power grid, money markets, nuclear plants, scientific facilities that house chemical and biological agents are owned and run by multinational corporations who intend to deny the public any accountability.  Congress has the power to regulate these entities, yet fails to do so.  We don’t need any more congressional inquiries that lead to fraudulent reports; we need the truth and real accountability and transparency from our government.  Anything else is unacceptable.  If another attack occurs; the true culprits will not only be the perpetrators but also the congress, the president and these multinational corporations as well.

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By George S Semsel, February 28, 2007 at 8:25 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Surely it must be clear by now that Bush’s policies have been a gross failure both at home and abroad. After all the lives lost and monies spent in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Taliban has not been stopped and Al Qaeda is, according to reliable government sources, stronger than ever. Furthermore, as the GAO notes, we are less prepared than ever for attacks upon the homeland. In the private sector so cherished by those responsible, they would have been impeached long ago. Too bad the Democrat are too busy covering their own butts to take any viable actions.

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By GW=MCHammered, February 28, 2007 at 7:44 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Want fries with your lies?

 BUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEBUSHCHENEYCONDIROVE
BUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEBUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEB
 BUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEBUSHCHENEYCONDIROVE
      LIESLIESLIESLIESLIESLIE SLIESLIESLIES
      LIESLIESLIESLIESLIESLIE SLIESLIESLIES
      LIESLIESLIESLIESLIESLIE SLIESLIESLIES
 BUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEBUSHCHENEYCONDIROVE
BUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEBUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEB
 BUSHCHENEYCONDIROVEBUSHCHENEYCONDIROVE

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