Weak on Security: Washington must do more to protect America

Dallas Morning News | Editorials:

"The members of the panel investigating the Sept. 11 attacks issued their final report card yesterday, and everyone in Washington headed for cover. And with good reason. The commission handed out poor security grades on everything from insufficient cargo screening to nukes on the loose."

Despite President Bush's dwindling popularity, the one trait Americans still admire most about him is his steadfastness of purpose. It is ironic, therefore, that his obsession with war against Saddam Hussein distracted him from doing the things necessary to protect our nation's borders and homeland. The war in Iraq has drained our country, militarily, financially, politically. It is hard to imagine how this nation can draw the resources and gather the will needed to turn things around, but we must. Otherwise, those poor security grades will result in national failure.