National Desk

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

WASHINGTON


BUSH SIGNS HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING BILL


President Bush signed legislation yesterday that gives the Department of Homeland Security about $33 billion to shore up the nation’s borders, inspect incoming cargo, protect potential terror targets, and train first responders.


Mr. Bush signed the bill before leaving the White House for New Jersey, where he delivered a campaign speech in which he attacked Democratic Senator Kerry on a wide range of national security questions.


Homeland Security Secretary Ridge and members of Congress were among those looking on for the brief Oval Office signing ceremony open only to news photographers.


Later, speaking in Marlton, N.J., Bush said the law will improve national security through outlays for port security, Coast Guard patrols, the federal air marshal program, anti-missile technology for aircraft, foreign visitor inspections and security at chemical facilities, nuclear plants, water-treatment plants, bridges, subways, and tunnels.


The ranking Democrat on the House Select Committee on Homeland Security said Mr. Bush has done too little to secure the nation. Rep. Jim Turner, a Democrat of Texas, cited deficiencies in the inspection of cargo for nuclear and radiological material, the lack of a comprehensive terrorist watch list, and the small percentage of airplane cargo that is screened for explosives.


The committee’s chairman, Christopher Cox, a Republican of Calif., countered: “Instead of making partisan attacks, it is time for Democrats to check the facts. Today, America is safer than it has ever been before.”


– Associated Press


WEST


SCHWARZENEGGER BREAKS WITH GOP IN ENDORSING STEM CELL FUNDING


SAN FRANCISCO – Governor Schwarzenegger endorsed a $3 billion bond measure that would fund human embryonic stem cell research, breaking with California’s Republican Party.


Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, also endorsed a separate ballot proposal yesterday to dump political party primaries, a change he said would send more moderates to Sacramento, the state capital.


The endorsement of the stem cell research measure comes at some political risk for the governor, who campaigned against California going deeper into debt when he unseated Gray Davis as governor in last year’s recall election.


“California has always been a pioneer. We daringly led the way for the high-tech industry and now voters can help ensure we lead the way for the bio-tech industry,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said yesterday.


The endorsement puts Mr. Schwarzenegger at odds with the state Republican Party, which officially opposes Proposition 71, and perhaps the Bush administration, which has limited funding of the research.


“It’s a surprise given the economic challenges facing the state,” said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College who is voting against the measure. “Social conservatives might be unhappy, too, but he was never their favorite anyway.”


– Associated Press


NORTHEAST


SON OF POLICE UNION BOSS ARRESTED IN ALLEGED BAY STATE H.S. PLOT


PLYMOUTH, Mass. – A high school student whose tip about a planned Columbine-style massacre landed his friend in jail was arrested yesterday and charged with being a conspirator in the plot.


Joseph T. Nee, 18, a senior at Marshfield High School whose father heads the main Boston police union, pleaded innocent to conspiracy to commit mass murder and promotion of anarchy. He was ordered held without bail pending a hearing Thursday. Mr. Nee’s tip to police had led to the September 17 arrest of his friend, 16-year-old Tobin Kerns.


Acting on information from Mr. Nee and two other unnamed witnesses, police said they uncovered evidence of a plan to carry out an attack that would coincide with the sixth anniversary of the Columbine shootings and that students, teachers, police officers, and firefighters were identified as targets. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Nee was part of the plot and that he understated his role when he contacted police, prosecutor John McLaughlin said.


“There is physical evidence here of more than just a high school kid looking to get back at the people who tormented him,” Mr. McLaughlin said. Mr. Nee’s attorney, Eric Goldman, said there is no evidence linking him to the plot.


– Associated Press

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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