Bush Demands Less Security

Here's a new and daring anti-terrorism strategy from our Fearless Leader:

AUGUSTA — Maine anticipates losing half its federal homeland security funding under the 2005 budget signed by President Bush last month. Art Cleaves, director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, says he expects to get $11 million in 2005, down from a $22 million allocation in 2004.

While there are many considerations that can and should affect how anti-terrorism dollars are allocated to states, Maine does have a rather extensive and desolate border with Canada; that alone should disqualify it from having its security funding cut. And I'm probably not the only person who remembers some of the 9/11 hijackers sailing blithely through the screening process at the airport in Portland, Maine.