Last week one the Harrison columns offered figures concerning the Massachusetts share of the Iraq War costs to date, some $3.9 billion in fiscal year 2007, and for purposes of comparison illustrated uses to which that money otherwise could have been put.  An ongoing counter was added to the right side bar of this site showing the rate at which the cost of the war continues to accrue.  Among the alternatives the $3.9 billion could have funded was 65,456 port container inspectors for one year.  We also asked the question of how much safer the United States would have been with those inspectors than Mr. Happy in the White House says we are after having “toppled the Sadam Hussein regime.”

With no claim of prescience, it seems others are as acutely concerned with the answer to that question.  Today’s news carries a story from the Associated Press with the headline “Investigators find gaps in port security,’ and come to find out the answer is, well,  not so much.  A Department of Homeland Security program to strengthen port security has gaps that terrorists could exploit to smuggle weapons of mass destruction in cargo containers, according to a report being released today.

The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a federal program established after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to deter a potential terrorist strike via cargo passing through 326 of the nation’s airports, seaports and designated land borders, relies in large part on the cooperation of private sector businesses.  Over 8,000 in number, these importers, port authorities and air, sea and land carriers are granted benefits such as reduced scrutiny of their cargo. In exchange, the companies submit a security plan that must meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s minimum standards and allow officials to verify their measures are being followed.

An earlier report had found many of these companies were enjoying that reduced cargo scrutiny without the required full compliance reviews by the U.S. Customs, which is a division of the Department of Homeland Security.  This new report found that Customs officials were still unable to provide assurances that these companies were in full compliance.

As mind boggling as it may sound, companies simply have to file a plan with Customs, one that contains all the “magic words” required, and suggest ” . . . there’s nothing to see here, move along” as Obi Wan did with his Jedi mind tricks in the first Star Wars movie.  As we all know, those Jedi tricks work only with the feeble-minded, so no need for us to worry.

Over 80% of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.  Those Americans don’t necessarily agree with each other, and most probably have their own thoughts on what the right direction is, but it is instructional that the figure is so high.  Everyone has their own story to tell, also, about why they hate Washington, DC.  Let’s connect some of these dots, though, to see if we can agree on one aspect of this AP story and its consequences.

There aren’t any rational Americans who worry about our country being invaded by the Sunnis or the Shiites from Iraq.  They do not possess missiles that can reach the United States, continental or otherwise, and have no means, let alone desire, to invade.  Given the choice, they would likely opt to remain in Iraq.  However, there is a real possibility some extremist might attempt to smuggle a weapon of mass destruction into the United States through one of our ports or across one of our borders.  Who is there to protect us?

Over $523 billion has been spent fighting people who pose no particular or immediate threat to our country, and who do not have the means to invade or attack us from Iraq.  Yet, we leave ourselves exposed at our weakest points by underfunding port inspectors.  Even more irresponsibly, we rely upon what some might call the “honor system” from among importers and carriers to protect us from attacks far more possible and scary.

Yesterday we celebrated and prayed for the lives of those who fought so bravely for our country in past wars.  Sadly, there will be new names added to the list to be recognized at next year’s Memorial Day celebration as the war continues. It’s time for those in charge to be as smart about our country’s defense as our soldiers are brave.