Recent reports demonstrate just how little Homeland Security means to Republicans like George Bush and Robert Ehrlich. Security at the Port of Baltimore is seriously under funded due to the $19.9 million cut in Homeland Security grants for the State of Maryland in President Bush's fiscal year 2006 budget. Police patrols at the port are insufficient and many of the alarm systems and cameras are broken. Even more frightening, U.S. Coast Guard units responsible for Baltimore are in shambles due to insignificant resources and aging, ineffective equipment.
The Port of Baltimore is a critical link in our nation's trade and transportation network and it is vital to our national security that it be protected. Unfortunately, President Bush has failed to realize this and has put the safety of millions of Americans at risk.
One would hope that our Republican Governor, Robert Ehrlich, would put the safety of Marylanders over his lockstep loyalty to this far-right wing President. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The Governor has failed to use his close relationship with President Bush to ensure that the Port gets the resources it needs to function in a safe manner. But perhaps that too much to expect from a Governor who instigated the ouster of a nationally-respected Port administrator and putting the management of the Port in the hands of a politically connected professional ice dance with no maritime experience.
If you are from Maryland, please help by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper or The Baltimore Sun or The Washington Post. It is essential that we do everything we can to bring this vital homeland security issue to the attention of the public.
Thank you,
Terry Lierman
Chair, Maryland Democratic Party