Obama cuts NY anti-terror funds, just 11 days after the attempted Times Square bombing

posted at 7:44 am on May 13, 2010 by Cassy Fiano
[ Obama ]   

After the attempted Christmas Day bombing, Obama stayed in Hawaii and played golf. His administration has botched the investigation of the Fort Hood jihadist. And now, we’ve had the attempted car bombing in Times Square. How did Obama handle that? He cut New York’s anti-terror funding just 11 days later:

Eleven days after the botched plot to bomb Times Square, the Obama administration on Wednesday slashed some $53 million from the city’s terror-fighting budget.

“For the administration to announce these cuts two weeks after the attempted Times Square bombing shows they just don’t get it and are not doing right by New York City,” fumed Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

To top it off, the news arrives as President Obama comes to town today amid buzz he will meet with the very cops who helped thwart the bombing.

Obama will also be tapping the city’s deep pockets for the Democratic Party.

“The President seems more interested in raising money for political campaigns than providing New York the money it needs to defend itself against Islamic terrorism,” said Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.), the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee.

Bingo, Rep. King.

This has apparently been in the works since December, but one would think that after New York was the subject of an attempted terrorist attack, he would reconsider. Even Chuck Schumer is astounded by this. Obama clearly doesn’t understand the concept of homeland security, and I’ve got a feeling that he probably wouldn’t care even if he did. He’s perfectly fine trying to squeeze more money out of New Yorkers for himself, but he isn’t willing to spend a little to keep them safe. If this administration, the most spend-happy administration in decades, isn’t willing to spend money on something, then you know it’s got to be low on their priority list.

Of course, they’re trying to dance around the issue, too.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Matthew Chandler begged to differ with New York’s interpretation, insisting his agency is “actively engaged in supporting New York City’s first responders and overall preparedness.”

He argued that in 2009, the administration gave the area more than $457 million for “terrorism and other threats.” He blamed Congress for appropriating less money for 2010, and an administration official said if New York includes the cash it got from the economic stimulus bill passed in 2009, it’s actually getting $47.3 million more than last year for ports and transit protection.

King was unimpressed by that math, arguing the stimulus cash is a one-time payout that won’t be repeated.

“That’s a story they’re coming up with at the last minute, because an hour ago they were saying they couldn’t give us the money because Congress only allocated $300 million,” he said. “Actually, Obama only asked for $250 million.”

It’s always someone else’s fault. It’s never Obama’s fault, or the administration’s fault. It’s because of George Bush, or Congress, or the ignorant hick Tea Partiers — anyone except themselves.

New York is the number one terror target, and our clueless president is cutting anti-terror funding. If you need the definition of an amateur who doesn’t care about protecting the lives of Americans, look up Obama’s name in the dictionary.

Cross-posted from Cassy’s blog. Stop by for more original commentary, or follow her on Twitter!

Blowback