June 1, 2006

Department of Homeland Security snubs Statue of Liberty

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Flying over Manhattan and seeing the Statue of Liberty has always been a thrill for me. It is difficult to think of New York–or for that matter, the United States–without thinking of the beautiful Lady Liberty. Unless, of course, you are the Department of Homeland Security. According to DHS, New York has no national icons or monuments, which is why DHS funding was cut for the city.

New York City funding was cut by 40%, from $207.5 million to $124.4 million. In addition to dismissing the Statue of Liberty as a monument or icon, DHS similarly dismissed the United Nations Building, the Empire State Building, and the city’s library and major museums. Oh, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has asked DHS secretary Michael Chertoff to explain how the agency arrived at the conclusion that New York had no notable icons or monuments. I can’t wait to hear his reply.

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WE CAME UP SHORT.

We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

So we urgently need this specific ask, what you're reading right now, to start bringing in more donations than it ever has. The reality, for these next few months and next few years, is that we have to start finding ways to grow our online supporter base in a big way—and we're optimistic we can keep making real headway by being real with you about this.

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