The Washington Monthly's Monthly journalism award

Washington Monthly, May, 2004

"How We Got Homeland Security Wrong" Time March 29, 2004

Perhaps the most arresting thing about Ripley's brilliantly reported. cleverly written story about me absurdities of the homeland security grant system is the photo of the Cheyenne, Wyo., Haz-Matteam weaning globular silver space age suits, paid for by the Department of Homeland Security and designed to help pick up after chemical spills Ripley's narrative picks up an old Monthly narrative:even new federal funding streams are subject to the same old rules of pork-barrel politics. Thus, writes Ripley, [T]he vast majority of the $13.1 billion was distributed with no regard for the threats, vulnerabilities and potential consequences faced by each region." Hence, Alaska has been awarded $58 per capita for homeland defense, while New York gets only $25. The best-funded state per capita is Wyoming, which has enough federal dollars to buy" enough protective hazmat suits for every police officer, sheriff's deputy and coroner in the state.

The monthly Journalism awards presented each month to one or more newspaper, magazine, radio, or television stories (or series of stories) that demonstrate a commitment to the public interest. We are particularly interested in reporting that explains the successes and failures of government agencies at all levels and of other institutions such as the media, corporations, unions and foundations that contribute to the existence or solution of public problems. Please send nominations (including a copy of the article or broadcast text) to The Washington Monthly Journalism Award, 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20005. Or email us at editors@washington.com.