A "valuable tool"

As proof positive that the United States is rapidly becoming the dumbest smart nation on the planet, the National Asset Database, which lists potential terrorist targets in the U.S., speaks for itself. In an article about an examination of the database by the Inspector General of the DHS, this morning's New York Times notes:

It reads like a tally of terrorist targets that a child might have written: Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo, the Amish Country Popcorn factory, the Mule Day Parade, the Sweetwater Flea Market and an unspecified "Beach at End of a Street"...

In addition to the petting zoo, in Woodville, Ala., and the Mule Day Parade in Columbia, Tenn., the auditors questioned many entries, including "Nix's Check Cashing," "Mall at Sears," "Ice Cream Parlor," "Tackle Shop," "Donut Shop," "Anti-Cruelty Society" and "Bean Fest."

As you may have guessed, the list is used to help determine the allocation of federal antiterrorism grants, which, you should recall, were slashed by as much as 40 percent for New York City and Washington, D.C. in May. And in typical, Bush Administration fashion, this obviously idiotic database was immediately defended by a DHS spokesperson:

"We don't find it embarrassing," said the department's deputy press secretary, Jarrod Agen. "The list is a valuable tool."

Between you and me, Jarrod, this list isn't the only tool (see definition #5) at work in Washington these days...