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WORD COUNT
311
MAY 21, 2008
GUESS WHAT’S
AMERICA’S TERRORIST TARGET – by Jim Hightower
Once again, DHS - the
Department of Homeland Security - is showing why it's worth the
megabillions of tax dollars we pour into it.
DHS has funded an academic study to determine which U.S. cities are most
vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Of the 132 urban areas analyzed, which
one do you think is numero uno in terms of danger? Washington, DC? No.
New York City? Uh-uh. LA? Not even close.
Get ready for a bombshell: It's Boise, Idaho.
Yes, bucolic Boise - with 200,000 easy-going residents, a western
outdoorsy ambience, and a skyline that tops out at 20 stories. As the
director of The Boise visitors bureau put it: "Is this a typo or what?"
The Washington Post reports that the study is the product of four years
of work by three professors using a series of mathematical formulas. The
researchers examined not whether Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda allies
would want to attack a particular city, but rather, if they did, how
well the place could withstand the attack. Geophysical hazards ranked
high in the professors' formulations, so Boise's vulnerability to
wildfires and floods apparently earned it the top ranking. Just light
one match, said the lead professor, "and you're all set."
Of course, since this is a DHS product, the rankings were conveniently
color-coded - green for the least vulnerable, yellow for those at
middling risk, and on up to red for. well, for Boise. Still, locals are
puzzled by their sudden star turn in the national security game. Indeed,
a sales person down at the Fancy Pants boutique said, "I'm less scared
than I am confused." Well, yeah, and imagine how confused folks are in
New York and Washington!
Meanwhile, our stalwarts at DHS are not saying how much money this
terrorism study cost us taxpayers. I'm sure they think that information
would aid the terrorists.
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For more information on Jim Hightower’s
work – and to subscribe to his award-winning monthly newsletter, The
Hightower Lowdown, visit
www.jimhightower.com -- A photo of Jim Hightower is available
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