GITMO Detainees to Rural Mid-America - Illinois Bound?

The good folks at Thomson Illinois should talk to the good folks at Leavenworth Kansas (see earlier article)…

When the chance surfaced to increase one of its longest and most successful community enterprises “housing some of the nation’s most dangerous inmates” they rejected the opportunity. Early in the discussions about the closing of GITMO the state’s political leadership, of all stripes, linked arms and essentially said “not in my backyard”. What were their concerns; Terrorist prisoners making an old-fashioned jail break, Terrorist sympathizers making a frontal attack on the Federal Pen or Fort Leavenworth’s military prison, the specter a demographic change as families and friends of the Terrorists moved closer to their loved ones? None of the above.

They had seen some of the most notorious American “bad guys” on their doorsteps but none had the potential to attract an organized effort to spring their incarcerated guests. Housing the Terrorists would attract some future action which would place the town at risk. Attack and hold hostage one of the town’s Child Care Centers, Hospitals or Churches. There is little doubt that, as seen in other locations around the world, there is no limit to their cruel behavior in the quest to reach an objective.

Potential sites for GITMO detainees relocation have enjoyed a lot of interest. State Governors and Senators, safely tucked away from up-front and personal exposure, eyeing the “pot of gold and political advantage” enthusiastically support “in my state but not in my backyard” decisions. Local communities have initially responded favorably to prospects of job creation and merchants see potential growth in their businesses followed by the sobering reality that their communities would never be the same.

The backlash against trials for “high profile Terrorists” in New York has now centered on the enormous expense associated with the unknown length of the trials and the ever-present avoidable dangers to the public in general and the Prosecutors, Witnesses, Jurors etc. in particular.