THE TANCREDO/CLINTON ACT WILL FIX IT:

Canada Security Net Full of Holes (BETH DUFF-BROWN, 12/15/04, Associated Press)

Canada's security net is full of holes, with most border crossings guarded by a lone staffer and airport security so lax that missing security badges and uniforms recently turned up for sale on eBay.

A new Senate security report calls for reform, a boost in defense spending and improved cooperation with the United States. Canadians have relied too long on luck to avoid a terrorist attack, it says, scolding: "Unfortunately, luck is notoriously untrustworthy."

The 315-page report by the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defense, the first released under the year-old government of Prime Minister Paul Martin, said most of Canada's 160 land and maritime border crossings have only one person at the posts.

"The potential damage to the Canadian economy and other consequences that would come with allowing a terrorist to infiltrate the U.S. through Canada are massive," the report said.

Securing the 4,000-mile border is paramount, to prevent terrorist attacks and protect some $1.4 billion in trade each day between the North American neighbors.

Given that Canada no longer even funds its own defense forces the U.S. will certainly have to pay for these massive upgrades. Luckily, now that we're all concerned about "border security" that won't be a problem, right?

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 15, 2004 8:05 PM