On second thought...

Here's something that escaped my attention when it happened:

WASHINGTON - Three weeks before London's bus and subway bombings, a Senate committee voted to slash spending on mass transit security in the United States, a decision sure to be reversed when Congress returns next week.

Good idea. Also in the category of well-considered second thoughts, Joe Scarborough last night asked a question we should all ponder:

Have we taken our eyes off the ball again on terrorism and instead focusing on things that aren't as important?

This via The Daily Howler which, with its customary and sometimes disquieting interest in the facts of the matter, ran down Joe's show from the night before:

Full list of segments on Scarborough Country—July 6, 2005:
*Interview with NBC’s Ron Blome in Aruba.
*Bullying interview with John Merryweather, former Aruban diplomat.
*Interview with Linda Allison, aunt of Natalee Holloway.
*Interview with Paul Reynolds, uncle of Natalee Holloway. (The program was now half over.)
*Interview with Tim Miller, who is searching for Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
*Video clip of Steven Groene, speaking about his kidnapped daughter, Shasta Groene.
*Interview with “legal expert” Stacey Honowitz about the Shasta Groene matter.
*Interview with Bernie Goldberg about his latest liberal-bashing book.
*Live pictures of Hurricane Dennis.

Rarely is the question asked, is our media learning?