More on the London Terrorist Attack and Related US Topics

From the Counterterrorism Blog. They've posted a bunch of good links all around the topic.

I especially noted this article on "Not a matter of if, but when" from Mark Houser. He discusses the environment where this has been growing and how the government has become embroiled over the various political issues related to Moslems and terrorism. The political correctness thing looks to be causing serious problems.

Political correctness is hampering counterterrorism investigators, Radu said.

"Not that Scotland Yard is incompetent, but there are political brakes put on them by the government, by the media and by the general atmosphere," Radu said.

Unfortunately, I'm doubting there will be any change in that. Also, there is a statement on how this may be an indicator of coming troubles in the US.

For Kohlmann, yesterday's attacks could presage more violence close to home.

"Europe, I tend to see it as a harbinger of what's coming here to the United States. Madrid, I think, was the first warning. I think this might have been the last warning, and I worry that the next one might happen here on American soil."

Lovely. Especially with security issues related to things like this still being worked on.

"Chemical facilities are at the top of the terrorists' target list, and I thought it would be helpful for the full picture to be presented," Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., said in an interview Tuesday.

I take this with a grain of salt since it's from that blow-hard Markey. Everything is at the top of the terrorist list according to him. Airplane cargo, nuclear power plants and now chemical facilities. He may actually be right with this statement this time. Chemical plants are a softer target than nuclear plants or airlines these days. And lest we forget what can happen we shouldn't for get Bhopal.

The ATSDR has a report on how communities should assess chemical plant hazards related to terrorism, though this report doesn't go any further in recommendations for security.

The General Accounting Office has a report on the topic that recently was issued (April 2005) on topic. The GAO has a whole page of terrorism related reports that you may wish to peruse for fun. I found this statement in the report interesting:

Only about one-sixth of the 15,000 facilities with large amounts of dangerous chemicals are covered by federal security requirements. About 2,000 community water systems and 238 facilities that are located on waterways and handle “bulk liquid chemicals” must conduct vulnerability assessments, among other things, under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002 and the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, respectively. However, the federal government places requirements on chemical facilities to address accidental releases, which may also reduce the likelihood and mitigate the consequences of terrorist attacks.

A number of federal and industry efforts are underway to enhance chemical facility security. DHS is developing a strategy to protect the chemical sector, identify high-risk facilities, and integrate chemical sector protection efforts into a national program. With no authority to require facilities to improve security, DHS has provided the industry with financial assistance, information, and training, assessed facility vulnerability, and recommended security improvements. About 1,100 facilities participate in a voluntary industry effort in which they assess vulnerabilities, develop security plans, and undergo a third party verification that the facilities implemented the identified physical security enhancements. The extent to which the remaining facilities are addressing security is unclear and the extent of chemical facilities’ security preparedness is unknown. In this context, a comprehensive national strategy to identify high-risk facilities and require facilities to assess their vulnerabilities, among other actions, would help to ensure that security vulnerabilities at chemical facilities are addressed. [emphasis mine]

I'm finding DHS to be a truly lame organization. I wonder if they can advise legislation to put these security measures in place and force the industry to comply. I can imagine that there will be huge resistance from the industry. I wonder what the liabilitiy related to a terrorist use of their facility would have on them.