What Schumer doesn't understand is that these are the very areas for which citizens of his own state have been leaving in droves to relocate. That's why Atlanta, with nearly five million residents, is home to the Centers for Disease Control, the world's busiest airport and the largest telecommunications infrastructure in the nation.
And it's no secret now that Atlanta, home to the tallest building in the nation outside of New York or Chicago -- right behind New York's Chrysler Building -- was considered a major target following 9/11. Throw in CNN's headquarters being located in Atlanta, and I think there's a fairly good reason, beyond peanuts, to bring this area up to speed with those cities that have, to now, enjoyed the lion's share of urban security funds.
The same can be said for Jacksonville, Fla., which is rapidly becoming a home to many of America's top corporations. Its metro population is growing rapidly -- here come those New Yorkers again -- and its commercial and naval ports are critical to our nation.
As for Alltel Stadium, it's probably not an icon, but it's been host to a Super Bowl, and likely will be to more. Doesn't an emerging "Big League" city deserve a seat at the table of protection?
Omaha. Well, if nothing else, the man who owns much of America, Warren Buffet, lives there! Moreover, need I remind Sen. Schumer that a little military organization known as the Strategic Air Command is located in this critical part of our nation?
Doubtless, Schumer would wonder if wheat or livestock are more important than a New York building. Well, Omaha matters, too, senator.
And then there's Louisville. A New York website took a shot at "protecting Churchill Downs" being somehow more important than protecting New York. Have they ever heard of Fort Knox?
I truly do love New York. But as I've written before, some of its business and political leaders need to learn there's the rest of America out there, and it's important and well worth defending. The peanut farmers rest their case, Mr. Schumer.
