Here's a classic example of Bush's priorities. He found all sorts of money in the budget to give tax breaks to the wealthy, but when it comes to homeland security, he's trying to cut as many corners as he can.
Some background: there are chemical weapons storage sites in Richmond KY and Pueblo CO that need to be dismantled for two reasons: (1) as a matter of safety, as the Cold War-era weapons are deteriorating; and (2) because the United States is obligated to destroy them by 2012, due to the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty.
(More below the fold...)
The Bush budget has severely underfunded these projects. According to the
Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader:
The Pentagon agency responsible for the destruction of chemical weapons at Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County and in Pueblo, Colo., will receive $31 million in fiscal 2006. The two sites will share the money.
The agency was in line to get about $250 million. The bottom line for the depot: A cut of about $110 million.
Because of the budget deficits, they're actually considering transporting these weapons across the country to existing incinerator sites. (Shipping aged chemical weapons via the nation's highways? What could possibly go wrong?) From the Pueblo (CO) Chieftain:
The Pentagon has come under criticism from local officials and Colorado's Congressional delegation for revisiting the transportation question, and Wakefield admitted that moving the weapons would require a change in federal law or an order from the President after the determination that there was a national emergency.
(Emphasis mine)
The MSM has been almost completely silent on this. Fox News actually covered this story, but they left many details out. I know, it's hard to believe that such a reputable news organization would omit any details!