Homeland Security Boondoggle

A Congressional Investigation Calls Into Question How Federal Money Is Being Spent

(CBS)  Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y. and Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., revealed a list of federal Homeland Security projects that put the "boon" in boondoggle — a series of taxpayer-supported programs that play like a punch line, CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports.

"The things we're reviewing today run from tragic to funny to somewhere in between," Weiner said Thursday.

For example, there was $7,000 for bulletproof vests for police and fire department dogs in Ohio; $8,000 for clown and puppet shows performed by fire safety officials in Wisconsin; $33,000 for customized trailers to be used at a mushroom festival and lawn mower "drag races" in Texas; and $200,000 for 70 security cameras to protect a remote Alaska fishing village — cameras, the town admits on its Web site, "mostly no one" watches.

"If we reach a point where a fishing village in Alaska is the target of al Qaeda, we are all in very deep trouble," Weiner said.

In recent months, CBS News has reported on dubious Department of Homeland Security spending in states like Montana and Arizona, giving rise to those who question a formula set by Congress that requires every state — regardless of risk — get a slice of the Homeland Security pie.

"Very quickly it became almost an entitlement," says James Carafano of the Heritage Foundation. "The 9/11 Commission warned about this and said this is in danger of becoming pork-barrel funding."

On Thursday, Weiner and Flake proposed breaking open the barrel with a public database that would hold states accountable for how they spend every Homeland Security dollar.

"This is an effort to make sure that money goes where it is actually needed, rather than be spread across the country by either formula or favor," Flake said.

Today's critique comes as Homeland Security is reviewing applications on how it will allocate nearly $2 billion to cities and states this year.

[sccrmom2]

I think that you were way off in using the example of the bullet-proof vests for police dogs in Ohio.

Why would you not want to protect them when they are trained "To Serve and Protect" just like their human conparts. I would guess that if you asked ANY K9 handler in the US, they would agree.

My question is, why only in Ohio??

[wgowan]

Sorry..money spent on bulletproof vests for police dogs is NOT A Boondoogle!!!

[wgowan]

Sorry..money spent on bulletproof vests for police dogs is NOT A Boondoogle!!!

[Cricketnc52]

This is about a story Katie Couric did on 3/1/2007 about Homeland Security. I agreed that everything they spend it on is ridiculous EXCEPT ONE. WHAT IS SO RIDICULOUS ABOUT PUTTING BULLET PROOF VESTS ON POLICE DOGS, AND PROTECTIVE VESTS ON FIRE DOGS? Don't they deserve the same protection as their 2-legged partners? These dogs put their lives on the line even more so than their human partners, yet you talked about giving them protection as if they didn't deserve the same consideration as the human officers. SHAME ON YOU, KATIE!!!!!! That one story is enough that I am rethinking my ever watching your show again. And don't hide behind just reporting what was given to you. You could have deleted that part, or at the very least, made a comment defending these brave and loyal dogs. If this is the way you feel about dogs and animals, then I feel very sorry for any pets you may have, now, in the past, or in the future.

[scott9445]

Katie...you and CBS News really stepped on your tail and put your paw in your mouth on this one. You should be ashamed of yourselves. We're happy for our tax dollars to go towards bulletproof vests for police dogs. They put their lives on the line every day. But there's one glaring difference between them and two-legged law enforcement...they never volunteered for this duty. The least we taxpayers can do is protect them. Have you ever had a dog in your life?
Scott & Shirley Lumsden

[Cricketnc52]

This is for Sccrmoom2. I completely agree. WHY IS IT ONLY IN OHIO THAT POLICE DOGS ARE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO PROTECT? I live in NC and would like to see EVERY police dog EVERYWHERE given a bullet proof vest, as well as every other dog in a dangerous profession be given the same protective gear that their human counterparts are given without second thought.

[bmhillis]

I cannot beleive your shotty one sided reporting on this story! You have really stooped to a new low in journalism with this one. As a police officer, I am furious that you (CBS / Ms. Couric)and those two Senators think that police dogs are not worth a bulletproof vest. The amount of money put into the training of these dogs not to mention the time it takes to bond with the handler and the lives they save should alone warrant one! These dogs ARE police offcers to the men and women who work with them day in day out. They are just as valuble as thier human counterparts. I am sure you will hear from many other officers on this and we demand an apology from your figurehead ON AIR! Her comment at the end of this story just took the cake. [Bulletproof vests for police dogs? What can we do to put a stop to this?] The question is what can we do to put a stop to idiotic questions and comments like that!!! As far as the Senators, what was their names again,Weiner and Flake? Figures!!!!

[carbuncle3]

BULLETPROOF VESTS FOR DOGS SAERVING ALONGSIDE FIRE AND POLICE OFFICERS IS MOST CERTAINLY JUSTIFIED!!!

THESE ANIMALS ARE HIGHLY TRAINED AND NOT PETS...THEY GO WHERE THEIR HUMAN PARTNERS CANNOT AND THIS DISCIPLINED TRAINING PAYS OFF IN THE LONG AND SHORT RUNS....

SHAME...SOMEONE NEEDS TO "RE-RESEARCH" THIS SEGMENT AND APOLOGIZE TO OUR CANINE OFFICERS AND THE DEPARTMENTS FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM ON THEIR ROSTERS...

[ktrout001]

What the heck are you thinking ? What's wrong with vests for K9 dogs ? OK, OK, let's put aside the obvious that these dogs are highly trained and dedicated officers who would give their lives for their handlers. Let's put aside that these dogs are put into places that human officers can't or shouldn't be. Let's put aside that these dogs save lives everyday by going into harms way based solely on their partner officer's command with no regard for their own safety. Let's put it into something that every taxpayer can understand, These dogs cost alot of money ! Let's protect the investment !!!

There, they may be "only" dogs but they work awfully hard for their dinner every day. That's a whole lot more than I can say for most of congress.

[ncfireman1]

Is it worth $8000.00 dollars to teach children about fire safety. If clowns and puppet shows work GOOD. I guss that Katie thinks is is ok for a child to die from a fire. I am a volunteer fire fighter in rual NC (no tax money) to pay for firefighting equipment. It looks like Katie just wants us to burn up. It is cheeper to teach fire safety than rebuild a home or pay for a furnel of a young child.

[joannigary]

The Government has put aside a certain amount of money for Homeland Security. I certainly believe the dogs that have put their lives on the line to protect, serve and save us are more then worth it. Godspeed to them!

Day after day I am paying for health care, after school programs, additional schools supplies, alternative programs and needs of all the children in the United States. I don't have children and still I don't call this a BOONDOOGLE. It is what we do as Americans. I would certainly not want anyone to put their human child out to fight crime without a bullet proof vest. Shame on CBS News and Ms. Katie Couric

[sunny-r]

It is a sad day when Congressmen and CBS news are outraged at the thought of $7,348 being requested for bullet proof vests for working police and fire department dogs.
Surprisingly, Ms. Couric lumped the protective dog vests together with clown shows and lawn mower races and asked, "can anything be done to stop this?" Perhaps she might consider getting some first hand knowledge of police canine units before insinuating that police dogs don't deserve funding for protection in the line of duty.
.... and what can she do to stop this? - She can contact me, I will gladly send that Ohio canine unit the $7,348 that they need.... since it's clear that the CBS News team certainly never would.
sunny-r

[tink571]

One of the items on your list of boondoggles was bulletproof vests for police and fire department dogs. I could not believe that this was on the list. What we ask these dogs to do is nothing less the heroic and is an indispensable part of these departments. They will search for bombs, apprehend criminals and alert when drugs are present. They guard our boarders, airports, city streets and small towns, putting their lives on the line without hesitation. They do not ask for raises or better retirement benefits. They do their job selflessly with the reward being a game of catch. If CBS and the represent ivies think that protecting these dogs is a boondoggle, they need to look around Washington DC, the capital of boondoggles. Have an independent company investigate how taxpayer%u2019s money is spend by our Country%u2019s elected & appointed officials in D.C., then you will see what true boondoggling is all about. Our government should fund vests for all dogs that serve with our police and fire department as well as the ones that service with our Military.

[elysiacw]

It is reasonable to spend homeland security money to provide safety for the security dogs. These dogs are expensive to train and buy, and most likely they cost a lot more then the 70 million dollars. Many security dogs do vital tasks such as sniffing out weapons, bombs, drugs and guns, and taking down suspects. I was shocked that after covering a story about making sure that our human hero%u2019s should be treated with respect they would dismiss these other heros!

It%u2019s honorable to protect those who protect us wether they be humans or humans best friends, I am dismayed that CBS evening news would not agree with me on this!

[lewiskenjodi]

Shame on you CBS. Police and Fire dogs are used to find drugs and bombs, in ways that humans cannot. They were used to find victims in the 9/11 disasters. If that's not homeland security, then I don't know what is. How long did these tax payer payed Represenatives spend digging up this information?

[skyk-2009]

you have to hand it to the Republican Party, they TRULY gave us the Best Congress and Senate Money could buy!

[dan2098]

"...and $200,000 for 70 security cameras... that mostly noone watches."

How much money our federal government wastes! And it is not limited to Homeland Security. Let's bring some people into office who will be accountable to the American People and spend ONLY THAT WHICH IS NECESSARY TO RUN THE COUNTRY and NOT A NICKEL MORE!!! I tire of Uncle Sam dipping his hands in my pocket without my permission for things that I don't really care about -- like $200,000 for security cameras in Alaska! What a waste.

[skyk-2009]

Now listen folks the POINT here is PRIORITIES. There are LIMITED funds and there are a LOT of problems this nation faces when it comes to homeland security. The POINT of the Story and the point of the investigation was the FACT that the PRIORITIES were MUCH greater in area's other than those being selected. Sure Kiddies could learn form Fire Clowns or Dogs could use a vest But WAS THAT more important than say a NUKE Plant or Airport Security? PRIORITIES PEOPLE... there are LIMITED funds and the FOCUS should be on WHAT and WHERE would TERRORIST attack, not teaching kiddies about Firemen or providing Shep with a vest! Geezzzzzzzz

[jwf512]

I was shocked and dismayed to see Representatives Weiner and Flake include bulletproof vests for police dogs in their tally of wasteful Homeland Security spending, but I was truly disgusted to hear CBS News agree with them. Eight billion dollars in U.S. taxpayer cash is hauled away in wheelbarrows in Iraq, and you're complaining about spending a lousy seven thousand dollars to protect first responders here at home?! If you don't understand that effective local law enforcement is crucial to protecting the homeland, then you're no better than the people who spent nearly thirty times that amount installing cameras in Alaska so they could watch the ice melt.
Katie asked Armen, "Isn't there anything we can do to stop this?" I'll tell you what I'm gonna do: I'm going to start getting my news from the other networks, and I'm going to try to convince my fellow Arizonans to boot Jeff Flake out the door when he runs for re-election.
Armen Keteyian and Katie Couric owe an apology to every police officer who has ever had a K-9 partner killed in the line of duty.

[townsend4311]

I am appalled at the suggestion that bulletproof vests for police and fire dogs would even be considered as misspending. It is absurd for one to consciously compare monies spent to protect our law enforcement canines to monies spent for clown and puppet shows, customized trailers used at a mushroom festival, and 70 security cameras to protect a remote Alaska fishing village (which the town admits no one watches). First of all, police dogs and fire dogs are not just dogs. These dogs are an essential part of public service who put their own lives at risk for the sake of ours. These dogs in fact go where no man could or would not go. They're the first responders in highly volatile situations when their human counterparts are in fear of their life. They were instrumental during Katrina and 9-11, not to mention the uncountable efforts made to protect society in everyday life. To not protect them with bulletproof vests is like not providing the same protection for our officers. I am further appalled by Katie's question, "Can this be stopped?" specifically and callously insinuating that any monies spent in protecting police and fire dogs are monies misspent. Before one makes such a premature determination, he or she should spend a night out with one of these canine officers and witness their true and honest dedication to what they do and what they do best-that is protecting you and I and the rest of society.

[athena514]

I can't belive that someone would think bullet proof vests for our working sevice dogs is a waste of money. They are a living being thus they deserve to be treated with care, let alone the service they provide for our country.

[vincan-2009]

We like our dogs, but the report was right on. Can't any government agency conduct themselves for the safety of Americans? Can't they behave honorably?

[vincan-2009]

We like our dogs, but the report was right on. Can't any government agency conduct themselves for the safety of Americans? Can't they behave honorably?

[j0hnwi11iams]

As oversight sets over the horizon, the theives become more and more brazen. The problem is NEGLIGENCE, the kind of negligence that allows friends of the administration to LOOT AT WILL.

[bluestardad]

The Question is what are the Democrats going to do about it. They have shown to date that they are blow hard cowards that talk a good fight but cannot come thru. America had hoped for more from them. More Stalling tactics from the Cowardly Democrats! Time to change Democratic Leadership NOW!

But if you remember this very reason is why Steny Hoyer was selected over John Murtha for the Leadership position. Bush can push Hoyer to do what Bush wants, Hoyer is Bushs Man.

Write your Representatives and Senators!
SHOW THEM YOUR DISDAIN OF THEIR COWARDOUS ACTIONS WHILE OUR TROOPS ARE DYING!

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Here is the House Speakers email address:

[e-mail]

[bildooreilly]

Republicans and Democrats are a CRIMINAL GANG, they waste our money just so they can claim they need to tax us more and more... if you really want to see the waste just go look at the billions of our tax dollars they've given to the hundreds of foreign countries that hate our guts. Can't you fools tell you're being used by these political gangsters in both parties? Can't you see they're robbing you of over 1/3 of your income? Are you idiots that freakin cowardly and ignorant to face up to the truth... I bet most of you will go vote for the democrats and republicans next phony election... you deserve the government you get, and most of you morons are proof of it, too bad the few of us that actually can think for ourselves gotta put up with it too.

[macusweil]

Sadly, just like the money to rebuild Iraq DHS money has been a GOP slush fund in the years since 9/11. War profiteers like Cheney and criminal minds like Tom Delay have handed out money right and left (mostly right) to their supporters and cronies.

500,000,000,000 to rebuild Iraq, what about rebuilding NYC & NO !!! Ground zero is still nothing more than a hole in the ground after all this time!! and much of NO is still a ghost town.

[crater7]

MAN! I CANNOT BELIEVE I MISSED THAT LAWN MOWER RACE. I BET IT WAS IN CRAWFORD.
MY WIFE INFORMED ME THAT THE DOG VEST IS NOT A WASTE OF MONEY. WELL,(IF I WANT TO EAT DINNER TONIGHT,I GUESS I BETTER AGREE) ITS THE LEAST EVIL OF THE WASTED FUNDS.

I can not believe that CBS News thinks that paying for bullet-proof vests for K9's on the police force is a waste of taxpayers money! I'm appalled that you think that way. Do you know how many hummans Police K9 dogs save a year? How many missing children they find a year? How many drug arresets K9 units help make? Do you know how much time, money, and effort it takes to train a police dog? And the government only spends $7,000 in Ohio for these vests? How much in one human life worth? How many more human police officers would lose their lives each year if it wasn't for their K9 PARTNER's?

I think you should have interviewed some police departments before you said $7,000 is a waste of taxpayers money.

Pete

[luvny-2009]

peteao I also agree but not sure it was CBS but maybe Anthony Weiner and Jeff Flake. Not sure how expensive the vests are either, may be saying they only needed $2,000 or $3,000 for them but yes they are very important to our Police and Fire rescue.

Yeah those lawnmower races must have been awesome, bet Bush had one in it. Not sure he drove it though cause he may not have a license yet from his DWI

[frankinaz]

Similar to the Romans, our elected and appointed officials of this country are fiddling while the empire is burning. Sadly, the joke is on us-the common American taxpayer, not to mention the costs and expenses of "Homeland Insecurity!" Another Pearl Harbor or 9/11 attack is not a matter of if, but when-given the numbers of people who illegally enter and remain in this country without any type of background, criminal, or terrorist organization checks.

luvNY, CBS had the option of agreeing on some of this stuff or not. They could have reported that they didn't think the $7,000 was a waste of tax payers money for bullet-proof vests for K9 dogs. At the end of the story, Katie mentioned the $7,000 for bullet-proof vests in a negitive way, like she agreed with it being a waste. Hopefully there will never be a "bad guy" running around in her back yard with a gun and the K9 unit shows up and the dog does not have a protective vest on. She may feel a little different then if that dog is shot and killed while trying to save her and her neighbors.

Pete

[kaleb_brown]

For one i'm sick of the Dem. and Rep. crying and playing the blame game. If your gonna run the country I live in and I help pay for, you need to grow up. I believe some teens could run this country better. So on this bullet proof vests for dogs, and clown shows, and puppet shows, i have some news for the NEWS. A K-9 UNIT is just as important as a HUMAN OFFICER. When a K-9 unit is attacked we charge the criminal with the same crime as attacking a human officer. A K-9 has devoted it's life to criminal investigation also. WE SHOULD PROTECT AND VALUE OUR FURRY PROTECTORS AS WELL AS OUR HUMAN PROTECTORS. Also, I am a teaching Pre-K through 1st grade at the moment and our fire department brought a clown show and puppets to school to teach the children SAFETY, hmmmm of all things. Shouldn't we protect our children as much as possible over ourselves? THEY ARE OUR FUTURE! And whether we like it or not, our only problem is not terrorists and foreign attacks on America, our problem is child abuse, abductions, molestation, rape and so on. WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!

[keta5]

I am disgusted with Ms. Couric and her "investigators" opinion that a mere $7000.00 is a "waste" of Homeland Security money to protect our Canine officers. I applaud OHIO for thinking of ALL their officers safty. Canine officers are a very important part of law enforcement. Along w/ their human partners they also protect and serve us and should be afforded at least the safty of a vest. If your "investigators" would look outside their box they would see that most often the Canine Officer is the 1st sent into any dangerous situation, these vests also assist them in being able to distract the perpator & act in the situation longer and not being "taken out" with the 1st shot, thus giving our human officers protection & more time to react to the situation. You would not say our human officers that put their lives on the line for us don't deserve vests why would you say the Canine officer that serves you the same way does not deserve a vest??? You may also want to ask the K9 handlers how much of their minamal paycheck they receive for their thank less job is put into extra saftey measures & medical care for their Canine partner due to the agency they work for refusing to. Good job OHIO. As I am not as lucky as you Ms. Couric, to rest peacefully behind a gated community with an abundance of sercurity I am thankful for ALL of my officers and their safty is very important to me.

[lbartlett3]

I, too, think that $7000 to protect police and fire dogs is reasonable. Could your reporter think of no questions to ask regarding this money? How many vests and how much per vest? Does Ohio have an unusually high number of service dogs? I believe the Ohio prison system has inmates training dogs; does this cause any troubles for the police departments?

Indianspolis recently had a police dog shot and killed and local school children raise money for vests for other police dogs. Maybe Steve Hartman should take a look at this issue.

[keta5]

One last thing, forgot to tell you I will no longer be seeking CBS as my news source, whether you think so or not there has been alot of discussion about this comment made by you, Ms. Couric and reponses I have heard her at work are of the same opinion as mine, they will not longer seek your news station for informaion either. And as for you and the few others, Canine officers are VERY important for Homeland security as they are for everyday security. Shame on you Ms. Couric and CBS, I will be watching ABC awaiting them to report your apology that is certainly due to our Canine Officers.

[teresac6]

I was extremely disappointed and digusted with your comments of how it was wasteful to provide protection to canine police officers. How dare you say that about these animals? Search and Rescue dogs as well as police dogs are vital to public safety and deserve any protective equipment we can give them. You have just lost me as a fan, both professionally and personally. I suggest that you get a dog and maybe that will spark a tiny bit of compassion from you toward these wonderful creatures who would die to protect and to serve.

[teresac6]

I was extremely disappointed and digusted with your comments of how it was wasteful to provide protection to canine police officers. How dare you say that about these animals? Search and Rescue dogs as well as police dogs are vital to public safety and deserve any protective equipment we can give them. You have just lost me as a fan, both professionally and personally. I suggest that you get a dog and maybe that will spark a tiny bit of compassion from you toward these wonderful creatures who would die to protect and to serve.

[j-whitman]

HSD has a long way to go yet,,, According to thier own reporting & investigations, HSD keeping America safer for the 1st 4 years was mostly HYPE. They are still wasting billions.

[csmith1948]

Don't shoot the messenger! Not seeing the Kouric report (can't stand her), but reading the story, I don't think any news organization has an option to agree or not with a point of view. It's called reporting! The story is about waste! We do not need another pork barrell apparatus. The dogs and the clowns are in Washington. BTW, dogs don't devote their lives to criminal investigation, they are tools. Let's protect more human lives by spending Homeland Security money more effectively!

[sharilari]

I am not a regular viewer of CBS Evening News and only just found out about this story from a co-worker. I WILL tune in tonight to hear Ms. Couric's apology to all public service personnell, their K-9 partners and animal lovers in general for the thoughtless comments about spending money for their protection. A more fitting and sincere apology would be for CBS AND Ms. Couric to get the checkbook out and personally outfit K-9 officers across the United States with the gear they need for their continued safety.

[wackykaky]

I am just mortified that Ms. Couric and crew think that purchasing vests for our canine officers is a waste of money. I, too, will be waiting for a retraction on the comments made towards our furry friends helping to keep us safe not only in our home towns but airports, bus stations, etc.
What were you thinking??????

[sparkylafs]

Reporting practices by CBS over the Homeland Security Boondoggle may end my lifelong relationship with CBS News. CBS has filtered the report to appear scandalous for the entertainment factor. I work with Fire and Police Departments across the country that use %u201Cedutainment%u201D as a teaching medium for safety education. This includes, puppets, clowns, magic, songs, skits. More research would have revealed that teaching children using these skills have proven results in retention of messages reflected in reduced injuries and fatalities. There are many more children hurt and killed by fires, guns, lack of helmets and seatbelts than there are Acts of Terrorism in this country. The puppet/clown monies in question are actually part of the FIRE ACT GRANT, which has been in place long before 9/11. Administrating this fund was moved from US Fire Administration to Homeland Security. This money was never intended to be used for Anti-Terrorism in the first place. Get your facts correct before you report. Another interesting note, in the past year, the CBS Morning News reported a heart-warming story about a 5-year-old girl who saved her mother%u2019s life because of the firefighters who recorded music and performed puppet/clown programs in their schools in Colorado Springs. A positive on the CBS Morning News becomes negative on the CBS Evening News. Contradicting their own reporting. Just reiterates what we%u2019ve always known, don%u2019t believe what you hear on the news!

[donbl1]

Having done some driving here in Texas, I suspect a chunk of Homeland Security money has been spent on local law enforcement to increase speeding revenue for the local regions. Seems like there have never been so many police on the freeway and they are ALL looking for speeders.

[coffeysmith-2009]

I agree with Pete. I simply cannot believe that anyone would view $7000 as a waste of money when protecting ANY law enforcement or fire department member, whether that individual has 4 legs or 2. Those animals put their lives on the line everyday to protect their handlers and the public, and they deserve to be protected and respected. Not to mention that $7000 is a drop in the bucket compared the the amount of time and resources that go into training theses animals and their handlers. I think Katie and CBS News owes someone an apology.

[bootsatcfd]

What about the positive side? The firefighting gear, thermal imagers, haz-mat preparedness, replacement of obsolete equipment, the training our 1st. Responders have gotten from this funding. The dogs we are protecting are as much a part of the PD as the officers themselves. Maybe our friends would volunteer and sniff out a bomb or run after a fleeing suspect pocketing a gun. These dogs are saving the lives of our officers. As for the funding of clown shows for teaching our communities about Fire and Life Safety behaviors, this is a must. With the latest reported NFPA fire statistics reporting 3,675 Civilian Fire deaths, 17,000+ civilian fire injuries and $10.7 billion dollar in property loss, I would say there is a great need for prevention and fire safety education, just another form of terrorism. Our local fire department also received funding several years ago for it%u2019s characterization (clown) Fire and Life safety program and they have several reported life saves that were due to children knowing what to do because they were taught by several of these clowns you were making fun of. Many of these life saving programs would not have been possible if our Federal Government hadn%u2019t stepped in and made a contribution. They failed to talk about all the non-funded Federal requirements they keep placing on our communities. For once they did something right by helping make our communities a safer place and providing a small amount of funding to help meet some of these requirements.

[ccccorner]

My family just had the displeasure of watching the story on wasteful spending on this evening's newscast. While we would normally applaud the effort to uncover wasteful spending, the tone of this story from the beginning was concerning. Do you have a problem with the government equipping dogs with bullet-proof vests in general or just from this department? I really don't understand the inclusion of this expenditure on their hit list. Are the dogs%u2019 lives of no value because they're just dogs? Who cares? I care, as I'm sure do many others, and not because they are highly trained and that training is very expensive, but because they are risking, without any choice in the matter, their lives for their human friends. They deserve our full protection, just like any other officer of the law, but if you want to take your cold empty heart view, look at it as protecting an investment, those dogs aren't cheap. I will never watch Katie Couric or the CBS evening news again. Walter would never have been so cold.

[copnref]

I am also a safety clown...I must say whoever does your research needs to be replaced...this article makes you look stupid...I am very disappointed in this type of reporting,,,

Sender

[ke4won]

Your staff members who generated this story and did the research for it should be FIRED. The is nothing more than BIAS journalism. When you hire a new staff maybe you can have them get the fact right. Anything purchase in the name of public safety is always expensive. A pair of fire gloves worn by firefighter inside a burning building cost nearly 100.00. The helmet worn 375.00. The spec's required in manufacturing to keep public safety people safety makes everything expensive. Public education is the corner stone in reducing injuries and saving lifes. Maybe your staff can research the documented lifes that have been save as a direct result of clown and puppet shows to small children. Look at the reduction in loss of life due to fires. When the clown program first begin in the late 1980's fire deaths in the US were over 6000. Now there under 4000. Look at the amount of outdated and unsafe fire suppress equipment that has been replaced by this grant program. Look at the increases in the level of training that has been made possible throught this grant program. You should take the spot light off these isolated screw ups and put it on the overall good that has been possible because of this grant program.

[hermit22]

CBS is back in the doghouse now.

if CBS news would have put the site address in the article for the ALASKA site, maybe 200,000 people would click in to see!

it would be fun to see a polar bear waddle on by. maybe a moose? birds? a real eskimo? the world is TIRED of California beaches! and NY times square.

for all the free advertizing Obama has been given on t.v., it would be nice to see Alaska get a second in the news.