Chemical Plant Security

The New York Times ran an editorial today under the heading Secretary of Homeland Insecurity. Yes, they were questioning Chertoff the Jerk Off's commitment to safety. On this occasion the Times was calling him on his refusal to put any rules in place to protect chemical plants around the country, and in many cases advocating for weaker rules.

This is an area of some concern in many communities. This is certainly an issue in New Orleans. I was cycling along the levee in Gretna the other day and couldn't help but notice how easy it would be to breach security at some of the facilities along there. Specifically, I noticed several tanks which I assume contained oil or gas (they were in an Exxon compound) located only yards from the levee and separated by a feeble looking chainlink fence. It wouldn't take much imagination from a terrorist to attack one of these.

Given the obviously lax state of security at these facilities, we need to see leadership from government rather than pandering to campaign contributors. Just like the Port deal, the government can preach the gospel of fear and the need for unwarranted wiretapping, and then capitulate to big business when it's convenient.