Report: White House neglecting bioterrorism

[ericire12]

If he doesnt want to waste a good crisis, why would we think that he would want to avoid one

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is working hard to curb nuclear threats but failing to address the more urgent and immediate threat of biological terrorism, a bipartisan commission created by Congress is reporting today.

The report obtained by USA TODAY cites failures on biosecurity policy by the White House, which the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction says has left the country vulnerable. The commission, created last year to address concerns raised by post-9/11 investigations, warns that anthrax spores released by a crop-duster could "kill more Americans than died in World War II" and the economic impact could exceed $1.8 trillion in cleanup and other costs.

The government's efforts "have not kept pace with the increasing capabilities and agility of those who would do harm to the United States," the report says. "The consequences of ignoring these warnings could be dire." Says commission Chairman Bob Graham, a Democratic former senator from Florida: "The clock is ticking."

White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said protecting the nation from deadly weapons is among President Obama's "top national security priorities."

Among the commission's criticisms:

• President Obama's National Security Council has no senior political appointees with a biodefense background. "That was not the case in the Clinton and Bush administrations," the report says.

• Programs created after the 9/11 attacks to develop and buy vaccines and drugs to prevent and respond to a biological attack are not being funded adequately. Although the report is critical of the White House on this topic, Congress has the power of the purse. The report cites a funding shortage for a program to ensure there are enough drugs to respond to a bioterrorist attack.

The Obama administration asked for $305 million in its fiscal 2010 budget request. "Insufficient by a factor of 10," the report says.

• Disease surveillance programs fall short.

The government needs to invest in rapid diagnostic tests to "improve the nation's ability to treat people by providing a more timely and accurate diagnosis" — something that can be critical to treating the victim of a biological attack.

Shapiro says the government is spending $3.5 billion to protect the public from the H1N1 flu and is "carefully evaluating" broader "all-hazards" spending.

Commission Vice Chairman Jim Talent, a Republican former senator from Missouri, says: "The fact is, it is only getting easier and cheaper to develop and use biological weapons. ... It is essential that the U.S. government move more aggressively."

[tombogan03884]

 The POS in Chief is consistent, do nothing GOOD for America and do as much as possible to turn it into a socialist shit hole.

[Johnny Bravo]

The POS in Chief is consistent, do nothing GOOD for America and do as much as possible to turn it into a socialist shit hole.

+1

[JC5123]

Ignoring bioterrorism, focusing on DOMESTIC terrorism. (their words, not mine) They feel threatened by all of us "right wing extremists" pushing back against their march to socialism. In their eyes a bioterrorist attack would get rid of some of the opposition. So not really a bad thing...

[Hazcat]

If a bio attack does happen it will be YOUR fault!  All you right wingnuts got in the way of the Messiah and his plans so He had to waste His time on YOU instead of protecting the country!

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

  When are the so called citizens of this country going to at least PRETEND to be free men and start butchering these treasonous  co#@su#%ers  ?   

[JC5123]

 When are the so called citizens of this country going to at least PRETEND to be free men and start butchering these treasonous  co#@su#%ers  ?   

When people start to wake up and realize that at least for the time being we still are free men. That is probably not the root of the problem. The problem that you are refering to is the same problem that we have in Washington. It's a lack of leadership. If you give the citizens a banner, they will flock to you. I will make no promises, but I aim to give free men a chance to make something of their lives WITHOUT government interference.

[Rastus]

Bioterrorism is not an issue.  Don't you guys get it+  Dear Leader and his complicit agents (Nancy, Schumer, Reid, etc.) have everything they need to protect themselves and their families from bioterror.

You don't count.  Get over it.  You guys should understand this simple fact, quit whining.

Domestic terrorism is the real threat; everyone knows if the Brits had focused on the domestic terror issue sooner they could have extracted benefits from their colonies much, much longer.  Didn't you learn anything from history?

Obviously Dear Leader's priorities are exactly where then need to be to help ensure a continuance of power for the party.

[MikeBjerum]

This is just one more of many downfalls of recent elected officials.  Part of the greed for power and recognition cycle is to get tunnel vision and respond to the squeakiest wheel and polls.  Because of this we have laws that address a four inch nail, in a 2x4, exactly 3.25' in length, mill cut on one end and broken on the other, laying in the left hand tire line, of the middle lane, on a six lane road.  Rather than having a law that says it is illegal to not contain your load ... Period.

Our leaders, today, are too wrapped up in not offending foreign rulers and citizens to protect our own land and citizens.  They are so busy trying to narrow everything down to the point that only the most obvious will be looked for or found that they are missing the big picture.  We need a leader that says "we won't put up with any crap from anyone, anywhere, anytime!"  I can't remember the show or the actors, and I know it was a drama not real life, but in a situation where our gov. was in crisis unfriendly nations started making trouble.  The message from the leaders to the foreign leaders was "Don't mess with us tonight!"  Why can't some idiot in DC learn that phrase and grow the balls to mean it?

What was it grandpa used to say when teaching me problem solving?  "You have to be able to see the forest for the trees."  In other words, you can't get so wrapped up in problem 1, 2 or 3 to forget there is really only one major problem with 15 parts.