State panel vote paves way for sale of Thomson Correctional Center to federal government

[SpartanDem]

Source: Chicago Tribune

A panel of state lawmakers recommended closing a little-used prison in northwest Illinois on Wednesday, giving Gov. Pat Quinn political cover to sell the facility to the Obama administration to house terrorism suspects now held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The 7-4 vote by the state Commission on Governmental Forecasting and Accountability means the state can sell the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government as soon as mid-April.

Quinn and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have promoted the plan as a way to bring federal money and jobs into an economically depressed part of the state, though Republicans argue the move has not been thought through and could make Illinois a terrorist target.

In a statement released after the vote, Quinn and Durbin said they were pleased the panel endorsed the sale and said they would not have supported the idea if it would jeopardize the safety and security of the country and the state.

White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage said the vote marks "a critical step forward in the process of safely and securely closing Guantanamo"


Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/elections/chi-thomson-hearing-07-jan07,0,7186283.story

[murielm99]

1. The media is trying to make this move look controversial.

Believe me, it is not controversial.

I live not far from Thomson. In fact, Thomson is in our sports conference. I have gone there to see my daughter compete in basketball and track.

Thomson is a dying town. They want and need the prison. Most of the residents there are overjoyed that this move has been made. They are looking forward to the jobs the prison will bring to the whole area.

The only ones yelling about it are wingnut republican politicians who complain about everything Democrats propose. If a republican was in office and wanted this done, they would support it. Wingnuts are so stupid.

[SpartanDem]

2. At least your Dems didn't cave to media fear mongering

which more than can say for our idiots that fought to keep the prison and jobs out this state.

[murielm99]

4. We even had a (republican) state senator who broke with his

party and came out in favor of the prison sale. He is not up for reelection at this time, either. He might just be someone who represents the interests of his constituents rather than marching to the party drum.

There may be a few good republicans here and there.

[grytpype]

3. +1000

[kayla9170]

5. More Jobs Being Created by the Obama Administration

Which is a REALLY GOOD THING!!!

[BP2]

6. I'm torn on this one. I want Gitmo closed but

if we're trying to stop abuse, bringing them to an American prison is probably not the way to do it.

[winyanstaz]

7. Is it really closing a prison if all you are really doing is moving?

I hope that these people finally get a chance to have some justice and that the American people get to find out how they got there and why.
I am hoping that by bringing them onto American soil we can do the morally right thing and give these prisoners a fair trial.
If they are found guilty..let them stay in prison. If innocent, set them free..but for heaven's sake...don't bury people in prison forever with no trial..that is just wrong no matter who it is.
As for jobs...I can only speak for myself but I would rather live on the streets or clean out the barns then help keep people in prisons. Especially people that were denied trials and tortured. I couldn't live with myself if I became someone that could do something like that.