Ill. Prison May House Gitmo Inmates

Obama Administration Eying Near-Empty Prison to House Detainees

(AP)  The Obama administration may buy a near-empty prison in rural northwestern Illinois to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay along with federal inmates, a White House official said Saturday.

The maximum-security Thomson Correctional Facility, about 150 miles west of Chicago, was one of several evaluated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and emerged as a leading option to house the detainees, the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because a decision has not been made.

President Barack Obama wants alleged terrorism suspects from the controversial military-run detention center in Cuba to be transferred to U.S. soil so they can be prosecuted for their suspected crimes.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has been hinting at a possible new use for Thomson, and he issued a statement saying he would hold a news conference Sunday to outline those plans.

Quinn's spokeswoman Marlena Jentz did not return a phone message from the AP Saturday.

Thomson was built by the state in 2001 with 1,600 cells, but budget problems prevented it from fully opening, and it now houses about 200 minimum-security inmates.

It is unclear how many Guantanamo detainees - many held without charges since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan - would be transferred to Illinois or when. Obama initially planned to close the Guantanamo Bay prison by Jan. 22, but the administration is no longer expected to meet that deadline.

If the Federal Bureau of Prisons buys the facility, it would be run primarily as a federal prison, but a portion would be leased to the Defense Department to house a limited number of Guantanamo detainees, the White House official said. Perimeter security at the site would be increased to surpass that at the nation's only Supermax prison, in Florence, Colo., the official said.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's second-highest-ranking Democrat, said in a statement Saturday he would support the plan. He said the prison would house fewer than 100 Guantanamo detainees and would have a "significant positive impact on the local economy" by generating more than 3,000 jobs.

Thomson Village President Jerry Hebeler said the move would generate desperately needed revenue for the town of about 500 residents near the Mississippi River.

"It's been sitting there for eight to nine years and our town is like a ghost town," Hebeler said of the prison, adding that a tavern recently closed and a planned housing development fell through. "Everybody moved or got different jobs."

Some lawmakers opposed the idea of terrorism suspects being brought to Illinois.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Northbrook Republican running for Obama's old Senate seat, circulated a letter among elected officials asking them to write to Obama opposing the plan, saying bringing Guantanamo prisoners to the state would make it a target for terrorist attacks.

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, whose district includes Thomson, said he adamantly opposed the proposal and that he has consistently joined with a majority of his colleagues "in fighting efforts to bring these terrorists onto our shores ... where they could one day be released into our communities."

Guantanamo Bay "is set up to house these dangerous terrorists, and they should stay there," said Manzullo, an Egan Republican who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat, said Kirk and other Republicans were "pandering to irrational fears" and that closing the Guantanamo Bay facility would strengthen national security because al Qaeda used it as a recruiting tool.

Phone and e-mail messages left with Jim O'Connor, a spokesman for Illinois Sen. Roland Burris, were not immediately returned.

Thomson is not the only U.S. town that had hoped to lure Guantanamo detainees. Officials in Marion, Ill., Hardin, Mont., and Florence, Colo., also have said they would welcome the jobs that would be generated.

[douloscross]

All other factors aside for the moment, does anyone see the coincident that the Obama administration is apparently favoring his home state for this prison? When other states have prisons sites, and unemployment as well?

[wheatfield2]

Everyone needs to google "utube bombshell obama khalid"

Bill-HR 6166-Barack Hussein Obama states, as a senator in 2006, that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is going to get "full military trial with all the bells and whistles", and that Guatanemo was the best place for the terrorists. This, and other false statements, are what voters based their allegience when election day arrived in 2008. Were all his statements and pledges a scam?

Forked tongue...

[wheatfield2]

I am disheartened to see so many Jihad sympathizers here.

[wheatfield2]

Obama asks Congress to wait on Ft Hood and is now bringing the terrorists to our homeland.

"""President Obama and his attorney general Eric Holder Acquiesced to the wishes of the # 2 global terrorist, Khalid Sheik Mohammad ( the Mastermind of 9/11) by agreeing to globally televise his trial in a venue that will aid in the recruitment of future members of radical Islam and garner Khalid the best chances for a mistrial or acquittal. Sensitivities run deep in this administration and Barack Hussein Obama, a fellow Muslim, is trying hard to make certain that he is seen as sympathetic to the high level Al Qaeda terrorists who have so valiantly served their cause in destruction of innocent American civilians' lives in their quest for global Jihad against non-Muslims."""

"""On an eight-day Asia trip, Obama turned his attention home and pleaded for lawmakers to "resist the temptation to turn this tragic event into the political theater."""

What do you think that TELEVISING the trials of these terrorists will mean??? Can you imagine the circus THIS will be??? Why would this be allowed?? Obama wants America to stifle the murders of our citizens, yet can't wait to broadcast trials of the murderers to gain sympathy?? What disrespect to our victims and families of terrorism.

[stn_sage]

by chevyhotrod November 16, 2009 8:58 AM EST
stn_sage,
"and the fact they blindly started the current ongoing two wars...Iraq and Afghanistan."

Brain child, you should go back and look at the approval rating of President Bush for 2001-04 with regards to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The only yellow bellies are the ones who cried foul when the enemy started to fight back.

My response: the public's approval was based upon LIES, sir! Had it not been so, this approval would have not existed. As reality became known, his approval sank 'like a lead weight'! He got out of office with a 22 to 28% approval rating depending on which you cite!

And, GOP leaders errantly assumed, there would be no resistance! After nearly SEVEN years of fighting, it has not concluded, nor is it likely to, in the foreseeable future.

...Bush spent 2 years trying to get Suddam to disarm, do you call that blindly?

My response: Baloney! They made NO serious attempt to get him to disarm!
In fact, they constantly 'tweaked his nose' to provoke him! Cheney set up his own intelligence group in the White House to 'cherry pick' info to prove Saddam had WMD when the State Dept said he had none!

---Who's the yellow belly coward that would not go after the people who killed so many on 911? And I not talking about Iraq.

My response: Mister, it's NOT about 'going after the people who killed so many on 911'...it's about 'going after the TRUE perpetrators!'

...It not about being fearful of shackled prisoners, it's about giving them rights that only applies to citizens of the United States.

My response: It's about giving them rights as P.O.W.s, to be formally charged and tried, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, which Bush and Cheney and the GOP, ignored! Yes, even the right of trial belongs to prisoners, and is NOT the exclusive province of U.S. citizens!

...Go back and read some history books on WWII and see what we did to win that war.

My response: I have read more history books on WWII than you could possibly know! I suggest..YOU follow your own advice!

...General Patton would be mopping the floor with a yellow belly much like yourself. Maybe you need a good slap in the face to wake up.

My response: I don't believe General Patton would have any problems with me...though, from your bravado...it's likely he would with you!

... by the way, these terrorist are not poorly educated or underfed. Most of them have advanced degrees in engineering sciences and get fed much better than any time in their filthy lives.

My response: Wrong! The leaders ARE educated, the rank-and-file are not!
And, yes they are being fed regularly in prison, but that doesn't excuse or make up for the fact, they've been kept there without charges or trial for YEARS! And, I for one, do NOT fill qualified to arbitrarily surmise the total value of THEIR human experience to refer to it as, 'their filthy lives'!

Bless you, sir...for your obvious humanity, Christianity, and restraint from 'rushing to judgment' on the lives of these men! God bless, you!

[chevyhotrod]

blah, blah, blah, blah, I have heard all these arguments before.

lies, lies, lies.....every intelligent agency in the world thought the same as we did, including past US administrations about WMD in Iraq, including the UN.

Bushs approval rating dropped as is should for massive debt and spending. The same will happen to this administration if is does not stop the spending.

"rushing to judgement", Kalid Shak Mohammad has already plead GUILTY.

When in WWII did we house foreign prisoners of war within the United States. Did we bring Nazi's to the states for interrogations" Did we bring Nazi's to the states as prisoners?

The war tribunals that Bush set up were based on FDR model and the Supreme Court thru it out. The congress approved a new systems and the Supreme Court was ok with it and Obama stepped in and stopped it.

We are talking about the leaders, most of the rank-and-file have already been let go or sent back to their original counties of orgin.

[stn_sage]

To chevyhotrod:

I'm not going to prolong this discussion, but I would point out:

1. "Every" intel agency in the world DID NOT think the same as we did!
In fact, we were warned by a couple allied nations intel grps, that the info was HIGHLY suspect! Those warnings were IGNORED, sir!

2. His approval ratings dropped for ALL these reasons; TWO phony wars, massive debt he ran up, the declining economy, on and on and on!

3. Reread your comments! Your statement in toto, is a 'rush to judgment'!

4. During WWII, no 'large scale' P.O.W.s movements were effected that I remember reading about; though, individuals were brought here during the war; after the war, THOUSANDS of Germans who served in the Germany Army and were Nazis were brought here and given jobs unfortunately, under false pretenses!

5. The systems you talk about were nothing more than 'Kangaroo courts'!
Those in the court system here knew it, Obama knew it, and the rest of the world knew it! THAT's why it was stopped!

6. THOUSANDS have finally been released...after spending years in jail without charge! They were sent to places who would have them, NOT necessarily their countries of origin! A couple of the men remaining appear to be leaders, most probably are NOT...in my opinion!

Mister, I suggest you 'gloss over' the facts too readily! Did you work FOR or under the Bush administration? You very easily could have!

Perhaps, the court will ignore the evidence, find these men guilty, and give them the death penalty! In that case, I'm sure you would be completely satisfied! But, don't be dissatisfied if they make an attempt at legitimate justice and procedure!

[hungry1968-17]

by chevyhotrod November 16, 2009 9:06 AM EST

What about bipartisanship? working with both parties?

Fox News is the only legitimate News source, go ahead and read the New York Times and only get one side of the story, the only thing you will be is misinformed, as usual.







There is NOTHING that Obama can do, to work with the GOP. NOTHING. They WILL NOT agree to ANYTHING. Their ONLY GOAL is to stop ALL progress by this administration - period. Even if America is harmed in the process.

Fox isn't a "news source"; they're "info-tainment", like Jerry Springer or the National Enquirer, but not nearly as believable.

[chevyhotrod]

It is kind of hard to work with someone when you change the locks on the doors and won't let anyone in. You keep saying there in nothing Obama can do? From your point of view, much like when Bush was in office, the only goal was to stop all progress by his administration, much of the same, just a different day.

example: tort reform has been acknowledge by everyone that it would reduce health care costs, but the trail lawyers have Obama and the dems in their back pocket, good for America? Good for the democrats?

Allow insurance to sell across state lines? Interstate commerce, good for America consumers? Good for the democrats to control who sells to who?

Go ahead and attempt to make Fox news something that it isn't. You listen to your left wing news sources and you will only hear what you want to hear.

Fox News is #1 in all markets and time slots for cable and it must really make people like you upset?

Their ratings are going through the roof in all demos. I'm just waiting for Obama to bail out his news groups and papers, that should be funny/fun to watch.

[hungry1968-17]

by chevyhotrod November 16, 2009 8:37 AM EST
hungry,
They are talking about buying the supermax prison, how much will that cost? How many prison guards are going to be hired, what about transportation cost? Security while in transport?

They have already spent millions on upgrading Gitmo, wasted money for a political purpose. Chicago politics at it's finest.

Sometimes you really don't think at all hungry.







The prison is already built, so it won't cost anything.

"How many prison guards will be hired?" Why not just use the guards they already have at Guantanamo Bay, and just transfer them to the new prison?

"Security while in transport"? See the paragraph above.

"Transportation cost?" How much money do you think it costs to ship food, clothes, medical supplies, etc, etc, etc to Guantanamo EVERY SINGLE DAY? Wouldn't a "one time" transfer to America be much cheaper than supplying a base that is essentially "overseas"?

[chevyhotrod]

it's free yeppee, it's free yeppeee

why does the left always say it doesn't cost anything, then when the bill comes due we are always curious about the cost?

[hungry1968-17]

Where and when did I say that it was "free"?

Do you believe that lying gives you credibility?



I simply said that supplying a prison in Illinois, would be far, far, far cheaper than supplying one "overseas".

Try to keep up, junior.

[hungry1968-17]

by chevyhotrod November 16, 2009 8:32 AM EST
No lobbist in my administration?
No tax increased for anyone under $200k?
No earmarks?
No signing bills for 5 days?

and he is just getting started






When did he say "no earmarks"?

Whose taxes were increased?

What are the restrictions that he placed on lobbyists? It affected them AFTER they leave the administration, didn't it?


This is what you get for listening to Fox News.

[chevyhotrod]

hungry,

that's what you get for being ignorant.

Taxes were increase for anyone who smokes 10 days after being in office, which effects the poor the most.

he said no earmarks many times on the campaign trail.

he said no lobbyist in his administration, you want to twist it, go ahead.

I notice you didn't respond about the no signing bills for 5 days.

What about bipartisanship? working with both parties?

Fox News is the only legitimate News source, go ahead and read the New York Times and only get one side of the story, the only thing you will be is misinformed, as usual.

[AOCGUY]

Chevy - If Fox is the only legitimate news source why are you on the CBS site? Seems to me a waste of one's time checking on an illegitimate news site.

[wheatfield2]

Please google "utube obama bombshell khalid". You wlll see what he said about the Guatameno prisoners. Obama said on the senate floor: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is going to get "full military trial with all the bells and whistles" in September 2006. He stated Guatameno was the best place for the terrorists. This, and other false statements, are what voters based their allegience when election day arrived in 2008. Were all his statements and pledges a scam? You must watch this!

[wheatfield2]

President Obama and his attorney general Eric Holder acquiesced to the wishes of the # 2 global terrorist, Khalid Sheik Mohammad ( the Mastermind of 9/11) by agreeing to globally televise his trial in a venue that will aid in the recruitment of future members of radical Islam and garner Khalid the best chances for a mistrial or acquittal. Sensitivities run deep in this administration and Barack Hussein Obama, a fellow Muslim, is trying hard to make certain that he is seen as sympathetic to the high level Al Qaeda terrorists who have so valiantly served their cause in destruction of innocent American civilians' lives in their quest for global Jihad against non-Muslims.