Another bogus "Homeland Security" handout

"Homeland Security" is and always has been a joke. It is literally impossible, despite so much sound and fury and hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent, to do anything but marginally improve the ability of government to respond to and manage large scale attacks.

But the politicians and others saw a gigantic opportunity post 9-11, and in the best spirit of good old American greed, any number of agencies, schools, and businesses have been working like mad to get their slice. I'd hazzard to say that if 25% of the money has any tangible effect, it would be a miracle.

The least we should expect the government to do is to try to ensure that the money, and there's LOTS of it, gets spent in ways that actually improve our security. I mean, they should at least give the appearance that there's been some thought involved.

Now, in addition to East Moline getting tens of thousands for "Homeland Security" and having the fire department spend it on equipment to exhaust diesel fumes out of the firehouse, Scott County just got a handout as well.

They received $12,500, a nice chunk of change to be sure. And just how are they spending it to ensure that Scott County residents are safer against a terrorist threat? Why of course they're buying an incredibly expensive "thermal imaging" unit for the Sheriff's office like the other cool cops have. They say it will make it easier to catch bad guys who might be running through a corn field at night. One might think a helicopter with a nightsun spotlight might do almost as well, but, ya gotta have this high-tech stuff or the other cops will laugh at you I guess.

Oh, and did I mention that the Scott County Sheriff's office already HAS a "thermal imaging" unit? Well they have. This one, they say, will be "supplimental."

It's Christmas boys and girls. Pick out a toy and we'll buy it for you.