Fire Fighters Association Wants Homeland Security Funding Bill Signed

Recent news reports have also shown that commercial airlines have recently received a memo from the NSA and Homeland Security regarding an increase in the last several months of strange things being confiscated by airline security agents, such as bars of cheese with wires sticking out of them. The memo says that these confiscated items could indicate that terrorist groups are testing the security levels of U.S. airports and trying to plan an attack. Cheese bars have about the same consistency as plastic explosives.

Critics of the reports say that these memos are routine, with nearly 100 having already been sent out this year alone. The also say that the NIE report, which has now been declassified, does not reveal anything unusual or unknown and is subject to political spins.

"We appreciate the efforts of Senate and House leaders and the Committee appropriators who are fighting to add significant resources to the SAFER program, which helps communities put first responders on the streets, and to the FIRE Act, which provides the training and equipment
that will allow our nation's firefighters to respond effectively to the next natural disaster or terrorist attack," said Schaitberger.

Sources:
International Association of Fire Fighters (PR Newswire), "Fire Fighters Urge Approval of Homeland Security Funding Bill"
USA Today, "Bush threatens to veto extra spending"