Santorum bringing Chertoff & Rumsfeld to Pittsburgh

Here's a story about Tricky Ricky dithering around on a year old promise to help Pittsburgh keep the 911th Military Airlift Wing operating out of the beleaguered Pittsburgh Airport. As the story details, Ricky has let the project flounder for a year, not even assigned to any one particular federal agency, let alone having a funding stream established. See, Ricky couldn't squeeze any campaign contributions out of the military, so why waste his beautiful mind on the problem. But, NOW. . . . AH HAH! ! ! With brilliant timing, less than 2 months before the election, Ricky is suddenly sooooo concerned that he's going to bring not just Chertoff but also Rumsfeld to tour the 911th ! What a farce! They can play this game without assigning the project to DOD or DHS, and there still won't be any budget allowance for it, but lots and lotsa free, uber-patriotic press. Could there be an implied threat that if Santorum loses, bye-bye 911th?

www.post-gazette.com/pg/06265/724053-57.stm

Pittsburgh, Pa.
Friday, Sept. 22, 2006

Response center at 911th Airlift Wing still not off ground
Friday, September 22, 2006

By Jerome L. Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum yesterday said a lack of coordination among several federal agencies has slowed plans for a major national emergency response center at the 911th Military Airlift Wing in Moon. A year ago, the senator helped convince the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission to spare the 911th from closure. The commission instead selected it as the site for a "Regional Joint Readiness Center," which could play an important role in reacting to terrorist attacks or natural disasters across the country. It would be the first of its kind.

But, today, the project is still in its early stages. "Someone has to take ownership of this. That's been the problem to date," Mr. Santorum said after hosting a meeting on the issue in his office.
Two federal departments -- Defense and Homeland Security -- likely would play a leadership role. Mr. Santorum said he has had conversations with officials in both departments and he hopes one will step forward in the coming weeks.

The readiness center could some day have an emergency response headquarters at the 911th, which already houses eight C-130 cargo planes. UPMC Health System is also considering putting a medical facility there that would provide aid for victims of terrorist attacks who would be flown in from other parts of the country.


Officials haven't yet discussed a price tag for the readiness center. Mr. Santorum has invited Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to tour the 911th.

stooges, Rummy, Ricky, and Cherty and remind them that this is still a democracy.

:rofl: