Posted on 12/15/2009 5:26:06 AM PST by bestintxas
The Obama administration’s plan to move terrorist detainees from the security of Guantanamo Bay to a little-used state prison in Illinois is being hailed by supportive Democrats as a boon for local economic development. Even if the development were truly a boon — and it’s more a boondoggle — that would not come close to justifying it. National security is not a shovel-ready jobs program. It is the first duty of government, and it would be senselessly imperiled by transferring trained jihadists into the United States.
Like much unpopular or embarrassing news, the transfer plan leaked late on a Friday. It appeared in the form of presidential memorandum drafted by Eric Holder’s Justice Department. Once approved by the president, the memo would direct Holder to “acquire” (as in purchase) the Thomson Correctional Center, about 150 miles west of Chicago. Defense Secretary Robert Gates would then, “as expeditiously as possible,” relocate the remaining 200-plus Gitmo detainees to the TCC.
The prison is a $145 million white elephant. When Illinois was comparatively flush with capital, it built the 1,600-bed penitentiary to stimulate the depressed Mississippi Valley town. But the state is now a basket case. Budgetary woes have squeezed law-enforcement funding, and local politicians — including former state senator Barack Obama — have insisted that alternatives to incarceration be found, even for violent offenders; as a consequence less than 10 percent of the TCC’s space is currently being used. Naturally, Obama’s home-state Democrats are thrilled by the prospect of having Uncle Sam take the TCC off the state’s hands. Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn issued a statement rapt at the prospect of “generating up to 3,800 jobs” and “injecting more than $1 billion into the regional economy.”
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
We are told that there is nothing to fear, as the security will be tight.
We were also told the same thing for access to the White House, yet two party-crashers were able to get in.
Should we trust the same people telling us this now?
Look at the bright side ....I understand the land up there is pretty flat. Great firing lanes for varmint hunting.
All we need to know is that if it’s bad for our country, the scum will implement it.
It will be fun to watch when the profesional protesters start showing up in town. This from the Carrol county website;
“The Sheriff’s Office is staffed by twenty-eight personnel that investigate complaints of criminal activity, operate a county jail, provide emergency 9-1-1 dispatch to persons in need of assistance, and ensure security of the courts and other offices in the courthouse.”
Will ‘northcom’ div. of the army be called in to defend the prison? Thus creating an authorized breach of ‘posse comitatus’ ?
Perhaps they can also use the rest of the facility for ‘re-education’ of us citizens who don’t tow the line.
Can’t we just put them in a prison ship offshore, outside the 13 mile limit? With scuttling charges ready to go in case of a break out or riot?
'Gitmo by the Lake'Okay. let's clarify one thing - it won't be by the Lake. It'll be right on the Mississippi River! Well, not 'exactly' right 'on', but about 850+/- yards away. And those yards are covered by a heavy stand of trees (Forrest). There's also a road 500 ft from the river that goes DIRECTLY to the prisons perimeter.
Now I don't want to give AQ any credit for high IQs, or smarts, but Navy Seals or Army Special Forces could launch an attack from the Mississippi and breech the outer perimeter of this 'correctional center' in about ten minutes. And overtaking mostly minimum wage, unarmed guards, is a no brainer. (M-16/ AR-15/ AK-47 beats nightsticks every time)
This place is on the outer edges of nowhere. When I Googled its location I couldn't believe the close access from the Mississippi River.
Any one of these detainees could escape and have his own kind of Huckleberry Finn adventure...
Is the governor of Illinois banned from pardoning federal prisoners? Else we might see these terrorists on the streets soon after they get to IL.
“I do not comprehend the basis for your editorial enhancement of the original article’s title.”
The situation is this: It is certainly not encouraging that a President who cannot keep uninvited amateur guests from his home is going to be able to keep the worst of the worst terrorists behind bars with motivated individuals who would like to set them free.
It is short of impossible that any could escape under the present situation at GITMO. Why even think of bringing them here on our soil if remotely they can be set free?
The President’s PRIMARY responsibility if to keep the citizens of this country safe.
Do you think this would make America safer if the possibility exists they could escape?
How could such a possibility turn American soil into Killing Fields?
No comparison can be imagined.
It is still a dumb idea to close GITMO for many reasons, but not this one.
Try what is happening right now in the Sudan after Muslims come after a predominantly Christian culture.
No comparison to what is starting now here?
All you have to do is wait. Maybe you’re right. Then again, you might not be.
I for one will fight the perversion we have leading this country that is undermining our Constitution and way of life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
