According to a Newsmax.com report, the Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF) Association has decided to go for the federal homeland security pork barrel, and endorse John Kerry for President. Bob Carver, President of the FPF said that

Kerry has consistently championed legislation to provide our members with the right to collective bargaining and to improve funding [emphasis mine] and increase the number of America's firefighters, our training and to provide us with the equipment first responders need to serve the people of America in defense of our homeland in an emergency, natural disaster, or, God forbid, in the event of another terrorist attack.

The association endorsed George W. Bush in the election of 2000, but have now apparently decided to collectively line their pockets with homeland security taxpayer dollars.  It was only last month, that The American Thinker reported  on the strategy the Kerry camp would adopt to not only give the appearance of being tough on terrorism, but to also reward state and local government workers and first responders for their support by allocating homeland security dollars to gain their support. 

Kerry's speeches to groups of public health officials in Tampa, and medical first responders and firefighters around the country have apparently paid off handsomely.  The national—level International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

which represents 265,000 professional firefighters and emergency response personnel in every state in the nation, was the first union to endorse Kerry for president and has become a fixture on the campaign trail with gold and black "Fire Fighters for Kerry/Edwards" signs and shirts.

The unions and the state and local government workers know that only a 'President' Kerry can break the logjam of homeland security funds caused by their own incompetent planning and frivolous spending.  They don't seem to realize that this is not just another political favoritism racket.  The purchase of unneeded equipment, and inadequate planning and budget prioritization will have very real and horrible affects should, God forbid, a terrorist attack occur in their communities.

Posted by Doug  07 15 04