Responding to criticism over cutting
New York City’s funding for homeland security, Department of Homeland Security officials explained that
New York has no national landmarks:
New York has no national monuments or icons, according to the Department of Homeland Security form obtained by ABC News. That was a key factor used to determine that
New York City should have its anti-terror funds slashed by 40 percent---from $207.5 million in 2005 to $124.4 million in 2006.The formula did not consider as landmarks or icons: The Empire State Building, The United Nations, The Statue of Liberty and others found on several terror target hit lists. It also left off notable landmarks, such as the New York Public Library,
Times Square, City Hall and at least three of the nation's most renowned museums: The Guggenheim, The Metropolitan and The Museum of Natural History.
So just what does DHS consider to be national landmarks? Let’s take a look at the budget:
Alexandria, Indiana: The World's Largest Ball of Paint ($12 million)
Niland, California:
Salvation
Mountain ($16 million)
Alamo Heights, Texas: Barney Smith's
Toilet
Seat
Art Museum ($10 million)
Dedham, Massachusetts: The Museum of Bad Art ($31 million)
Key West, Florida: The Chicken Store ($7.5 million)
Alliance, Nebraska: Carhenge ($25 million)
Soap Lake, Washington: The Giant Lava Lamp ($143 million)
