THE "STRONG ON TERROR" MYTH

Bush is still supported by too many people, in large part because they believe he is effective in protecting us from terrorists. This delusion is part of another, larger GOP myth: that only they can be trusted with national defense. Bush's popularity is being hurt by the debacle in Iraq but I think we also need to turn attention to his failures on homeland security. Here's just one example:

Bioterrorism Response Hampered by Problem of Profit
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff WriterSunday, August 7, 2005; Page A05


In 2000, the Pentagon's Defense Science Board concluded that to successfully respond to a bioterrorist attack, the United States would need 57 specific drugs, diagnostic tools and vaccines. At the time, only one was available.

Five years later, officials say that number has increased to two.

Despite the promises of the drug industry after the 2001 anthrax attacks, and last year's passage of the $5.6 billion Project BioShield bill designed to speed development of new products, officials say the nation is scarcely any better protected than it was in 2000.