Your tax dollars at work: The bus to nowhere — er, I mean the casino

This article is not new but worth including as a post-4th of July reminder that our dear government can go overboard in fighting the scourge of terrorism. Colorado Springs, by the way, is one of the most conservative cities in Colorado, if not in the country. It has historically been a center for anti-tax activism.

Gamblers' shuttle gets terrorism funds

May 23, 2008
BY PAM ZUBECK
THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

Colorado Springs-based Ramblin Express, which shuttles gamblers to mountain-town casinos, including Cripple Creek, has received $382,000 in anti-terrorism grants.

The most recent grant, for $184,415, was announced this month as part of the Department of Homeland Security's $844 million Infrastructure Protection Activities program.

Ramblin Express' grant is among the $11.2 million allocated to the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program, which is intended to assess risks and prevent attacks on that part of the nation's transportation system.

It's not clear what threats Ramblin Express is addressing or what the grant money has gone for because the company's owner, Todd Holland, couldn't be reached for comment.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency official said in written responses to questions the Ramblin Express' money is for vehicle security and GPS systems. FEMA also said spending is monitored.

(More here. Opinion from the right-leaning editorial board of the Colorado Springs Gazette is here. Opinion from the left-leaning Colorado Springs Independent is here.)