Democrats want terrorists in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the major military epicenter on the East Coast. From shipbuilders to bases to the designers of nuclear subs, this is doubtless the defense hub of national security for America.
And, according to Democrats, a darn fine place to bring terrorists in from GITMO, including Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the mastermind of 9-11.
If the Obama administration gets its way, terrorists from Guantanamo Bay will find their way to Newport News and have their “trials next to our nations nuclear vessels,” as Sen. Tommy Normant put it.
Republicans are unified in their opposition to bringing terrorists to Hampton Roads (Quotes from the Daily Press here and here)
“I have grave concerns with trying the master-mind of the Sept. 11 attacks across the street from the design shops of our nuclear-powered carriers,” Congressman Rob Wittman.
Del. Phil Hamilton was “appalled it would even be considered to bring these terrorists to the geographic center of a densely populated region, one of great military importance to the United States and home to some of its greatest naval assets.”
Democrats haven’t said a thing, except for Congressman Bobby Scott who only said the decision is “the discretion of the executive branch.”
Thanks a bunch, Bobby.
Sen. Normant added “If the president’s administration is looking to try the prisoners in a state of the art courthouse, with tight security, a history of handling high-profile trials, and a non-biased pool of jurors, may I suggest they seek a change in venue to the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago.”
Let’s see if any Hampton Roads Democrat stands up for our nation’s security and for Hampton Roads and dares to tell Obama that terrorists and military bases don’t mix.
Category: Government
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[...] H/T – Brian Kirwin @ Bearing Drift [...]
Now, that is a kneejerk NIMBY reaction. So, which is your actual opinion?
1. Our jails shouldn’t hold terrorists? Odd, since American jails and prisons hold terrorists, gang leaders, organized crime bosses, and cult leaders now.
2. Terrorists shouldn’t be near military bases? Guantanamo Bay was and is a military base, so that don’t fly.
3. Holding a terrorist suspect in HR will make a terrorist attack here imminent. Do you think our military, police and sheriff’s departments are incompetent and can’t sense and stop a potential terrorist attack? Nice opinion you have of our law enforcement authorities, BK.
Fact is, some of these people have been held without due process for many years. It’s time to get them to trial, ship them off to the countries that have agreed to take them, and end this sad chapter. And one thing you should agree with, closing the GB prisons will save taxpayers money.
The issue is in actuality much, much bigger than people are making it. The real issue is that President Obama wishes to grant constitutional rights to TERRORISTS. As to the comment that Gitmo is a military base, seriously? Does someone really need to explain to you the difference between a prison base in Cuba and Norfolk Naval Station, where we develop and house the largest portion of the US nuclear fleet on the east coast?
JeffConn, Chicago should suit ‘em just fine.
Guantanamo Bay is not a prison base. It is a Naval base (established 1903) with a prison in it. Big difference. And coincidentally, Norfolk Naval Base also has its own prison, that deals with dangerous or violent criminals.
There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of military people with access to weapons, hundreds of armed airplanes/jets, and dozens of ships with heavy weapons in Hampton Roads, plus the Seals! How can any other location be safer? No terrorist would try to hit Hampton Roads, or they would have already tried. It’s too high risk.
By the way, none of the detainees are terrorists until they go to trial. They are just detainees, denied of their Geneva Convention rights.
Put ‘em up in your house then
What’s up with: “Democrats haven’t said a thing, except for Congressman Bobby Scott who only said the decision is “the discretion of the executive branch.” Thanks a bunch, Bobby.” What’s up with that? Rep. Scott also asked the Dept. of Justice to review all security matters (see bottom). You skipped that of course.
Why don’t you go find out what Mark Warner, Glenn Nye, Randy Forbes, and Jim Webb are up to on this issue? Make a phone call, maybe even do some actual reporting. You fixate on Rep. Scott but at least he can manage a simple press statement. Where are Nye, Webb, Forbes and Warner on this? Surely they have press secretaries: Webb 703-573-7090, Warner: 202-224-2023, Nye: 757-326-6201 and Forbes: 202-225-6365.
And did you bother to read the bottom of Rep. Scott’s statement:
“I have asked the DOJ to provide me with information to show that the Department is aware of all the (security) issues, and is making all considerations necessary to fully address them, including the sensitive issues associated with the Northrop Grumman Shipyard.”
And with that he’s done more than any of the other 10 members of the VA delegation.
Lauren, I could forward your questions to the Daily Press reporter who wrote the article. For some reason, I guess he didn’t have a statement from any of the legislators you name and he didn’t write about Scott’s last paragraph of his statement.
And my post stands firm. Every Republican who issued a statement denounced bringing terrorists to Hampton Roads. Scott, the sole Democrat mentioned, asked for information that security issues are being addressed. That doesn’t sound to me like he’s opposing it. That sounds to me like he is open to it happening.