Biparisan agreements are not dead, they are thriving in Washington DC as both parties look for new ways to lift every last dime from the taxpayers, while putting the country in more danger and creating larger gaps in National Security. Oh and just for fun let's toss in increased danger of biological hazard, all so two Representatives, a Congressman and Senator can increase their prestige and power.
Oh and did I mention their is no need for such an expenditure as this? Read on.......
Well, remember that infamous "bridge to nowhere"? Remember how in 2006 Democrats were returned to power because of the general public's dissatisfaction with the corruption brought in by the Republicans? As much as despise the Republican Party, I will be fair in my critique and lay blame not at their feet per sae, I mean after all they learned from the Democrats, although in the end that is not a justification for putting your own personal interests above that of your office, your oath to serve this nation, and our national interests. Don't worry about change folks it's business as usual with the Democratic leadership as well.
The Department of Homeland Security now has a short list of locations it is considering for the building of a 451 million dollar bio terrorism research institute. One of the apparent top locations being considered is Flora Mississippi. Ok, so what's the big deal you ask. Well it seems the short list of six locations was narrowed down from recommendations by a group of experts from eighteen to six, Flora was rank seventeenth. In other words the group of experts assembled to study possible sites (at tax payers expense), and who traveled to all eighteen sites (at tax payers expense) though Flora Miss. was about the worst possible place to put this prestigious research center.
Well Undersecretary Jay Cohen of DHS received the report and recommendations and somehow, rather then pick the top six recommended sites, number 17 got bumped way up on the list. Talking Points Memo (TPM) reported this strange process today, and took the time to contact DHS. The explanation given by Amy Kudwa, press secretary for DHS flaunts all logic and seems to say to the rest of us "your too stupid to understand this process". Her statement is as follows:
Amy Kudwa, press secretary from the Department of Homeland Security, cited
Mississippi's "unique contributions" rather than its "existing resources" as the
reason Cohen dismissed the higher-ranked candidates.
"The farther we get in
the process, the more we use a qualitative judgment process," Kudwa explained in
response to questions as to why the assessments based on a set group of criteria
and a panel of experts had not been used.
"Qualitative judgement and unique contributions" as opposed to another site that might have "existing resources"? Let's get real here, I am not ignorant as this under qualified spokeswoman seems to imply. The "unique contributions" afforded by Mississippi is a Congressman named Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2nd) Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and a Senator Sen. Thad Cochran, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee that oversees DHS money.
One of the five top purposed sites was Beltsville, MD. This area has Aberdeen Proving Grounds the top laboratory in the country for biological weapons, ARL, Army Research Laboratory, and a multitude of other federal research laboratories. Then there is the schools surrounding this area including John Hopkins, George Washington Univ., Georgetown, Catholic University, University of Maryland, the list gets longer.
The top two selection/search criteria for finding a location for this new facility was "a comprehensive research community that has existing research programs" and is "within proximity to skilled research and technical staff with expertise . . . and within proximity to training programs to develop skilled research and technical staff". Apparently some political hacks felt that should count against the Maryland site. Their response was that the "high density of skilled personnel would create a lot of competition, so it would be harder to find good people in Maryland then anywhere else." Let me understand this now........because Maryland already has the top people that are most highly trained and skilled you won't be able to find staff to fill your new facility's employment needs?
Here is an idea of how Flora represents itself with a mission quote from Flora's Chamber of Commerce. "Promoting Economic Progress While Maintaining Small Town Charm." Per Wikapedia in 2000 Census figures for the town of Flora's population was 1,546. Flora is located in Madison County Miss. which boasts a population of 74,674. There are no major universities nearby. Yes, we'll find a good crop of scientists and medical professionals there.
This is just one small example of how Congress wastes the taxpayers dollar, at the same time ensuring that government produces at best minimal results in the areas we hold government responsible for. It also shows that pork along with corruption is alive and well in a bipartisan manner. Oh and before I forget, no one has asked if this facility is necessary. We have Aberdeen as mentioned earlier, Ft Detrick, the CDC aling with others, so what's the rational? Could it be that the most poorly managed and run agency in the government just wants an added source of funding? If this facility is to have more biological toxins we could ask why?
I called both the Senate Office of Senator Cochran and Rep. Thompson for comment, strangly enough there was no one available to give me insight into this story. Both offices have promised to get back to me and I will update you should I get a response.
Cross posted from idealthoughs