Another "Thank you" to Bush: "AP IMPACT: Foreign insects, diseases got into US"

[WinkyDink]

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Dozens of foreign insects and plant diseases slipped undetected into the United States in the years after 9/11, when authorities were so focused on preventing another attack that they overlooked a pest explosion that threatened the quality of the nation's food supply.

At the time, hundreds of agricultural scientists responsible for stopping invasive species at the border were reassigned to anti-terrorism duties in the newly formed Homeland Security Department — a move that scientists say cost billions of dollars in crop damage and eradication efforts from California vineyards to Florida citrus groves.

The consequences come home to consumers in the form of higher grocery prices, substandard produce and the risk of environmental damage from chemicals needed to combat the pests.

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-impact-foreign-insects-diseases-got-us-070735077.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Smirk." - xCommander AWOL (R)

[Divernan]

2. Whistleblower who saved California citrus industry was demoted for sidestepping DHS supervisor!

One agriculture inspector who defied authority was demoted, despite being credited with saving California's citrus industry from the potentially devastating effects of canker.

While working at an international mail center outside San Francisco, the inspector found a package destined for Ventura labeled "books and chocolates." Inside were 350 citrus cuttings from Japan that were infested with canker, which has killed more than 2 million trees across Florida but does not exist in California.

He showed it to a supervisor, who, according to the Congressional Record, replied: "Look, we are here to protect the country from acts of terrorism. What do you expect me to do?" The inspector sidestepped the supervisor and called the USDA. The resulting investigation ended with arrests and the incineration of 4,000 potentially infected trees that had been growing at an unregistered nursery in a prime citrus region.

But within a month, the whistleblower was demoted to search through the dirty laundry of passengers returning from foreign trips.

[WinkyDink]

6. Let's face it; the Bush Crime Family is un-American at its core.

[City Lights]

3. Junior was a clusterfuck. Everything he touched turned to shit.

Rec'd.

[Supersedeas]

4. Accountability -- the media will not be keeping track

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. But, but, but we prevented another attack!

:sarcasm:

[WinkyDink]

7. I never "got" why our Presidents from Truman to Carter were never praised for preventing another

Pearl Harbor.

But BUSH, who ALLOWED WTC TO HAPPEN BY HIS APATHY AT BEST, gets PRAISED!!!!!!!

He sure catapulted the propaganda.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Well the propaganda arm of the republican party

did push it, using techniques first developed by Goebbels...