War on Terror II: Old McDonald's Farm Is Safe

In yet another instance of the Bush administration's War on Terror seeming more like bad outtakes from "Alice in Wonderland," the National Asset Database on potential terrorist targets is so screwed up that Indiana, with 8,591 potential targets, had 50 percent more sites than New York (5,687) and more than twice as many as California (3,212), making the Hoosier State the most target-rich place in the nation.

Among the targets identified in a critical report by the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general is Old MacDonald’s Petting Zoo in Woodville, Alabama and two lucrative Tennesse targets -- The Mule Day Parade in Columbia, Tennessee (see photo) and Sweetwater Flea Market near Knoxville.

Other targets include“Nix’s Check Cashing,” “Mall at Sears,” “Ice Cream Parlor,” “Tackle Shop,” “Donut Shop,” “Anti-Cruelty Society” and “Bean Fest.”

Even people connected to some of those businesses or events are baffled at their inclusion as possible terrorist targets.

Larry Buss, who helps organize another target, the Apple and Pork Festival in Clinton, Illinois, told The New York Times that it:

Seems like someone has gone overboard. Their time could be spent better doing other things, like providing security for the country.

Indeed.

TERROR ALERT SEASON ALERT

Josh Marshall over at Talking Points Memo reminds us that the Republican Party finds itself more vulnerable than at any point in nearly 15 years, which means that it is probable the rate of terror alerts and foiled plots will increase as Election Day approaches.

That was the pattern in the run-up to the 2004 president election as was evidenced by the pattern during the comparable period last year, which was supiciously devoid of alerts and plots.

Anyhow, Josh is inviting input about what you think is coming down the pike in the next few months. You can comment here at TPM Cafe and see what other folks are saying, which is well worth a peek even if you don't put your oar in the water. (Registration is required to comment but not to read.)