Two Items in Bush's Speech Should Concern All Of US .....

[Blackhatjack]

Bush announced increased detention facility beds, like those being constructed by KBR. He also mentioned high-tech ID cards.

Both of these concepts once rolled out could and probably would be applied to American citizens as a whole. Does not bode well for those who expect freedoms and liberties to be reserved to the citizens, and not depend on the Government to tell us what we can and cannot do while we are under constant surveillance.

[Firenze777]

1. i had same reaction

he made the extra 'beds' sound so homey. like aunt bee would be right over with her pot roast. no mention of detention camps that no one knows where they are, how many they hold, or how you ever get released.

[hopeisaplace]

4. exactly my thoughts...or inviting..after crossing the desert there's a bed

waiting for you.

[MercutioATC]

2. Show me ONE detention facility being built by KBR.

It's a contingency contract ...nothing more. The government does hundreds of these.

It does NOT mean that KBR is now, or ever will build a single detention facility.

[Bluebear]

6. Oh, that's more comforting then.

As long as it's only a contingency contract.

[MercutioATC]

9. Do you know what a contingency contract is?

In this case, KBR has agreed that IF the government has a need for detention facilities, it will build them to a certain specification at a certain price for the length of the contract.

As I said, the government hands out hundreds of these...many are never needed or fulfilled.

[Bluebear]

10. Yes, I am familiar with the term.

[MercutioATC]

12. Then you understand that it does NOT mean anything will ever be built.

...so people are getting their panties in a bunch over the POSSIBILITY that the government MIGHT build detention facilities at some point in the future for a fixed price.

Does that about sum it up?

[Bluebear]

20. So you think they are just adding more "beds" per cell?

"For many years, the government did not have enough space in our detention facilities to hold them while the legal process unfolded. So most were released back into our society and asked to return for a court date. When the date arrived, the vast majority did not show up. This practice, called "catch and release," is unacceptable and we will end it.

We are taking several important steps to meet this goal. We have expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more."

====

It's pretty clear to me, but if you think it's important to point out that no more facilities are actually planned, have at it.

[MercutioATC]

21. Dunno. The fact remains that KBR has not built one single facility.

I'm just suggesting that some people stop talking like they have.

(and, once again, pointing out that until they do this is just one of the many "contingency contracts" the government enters into every year....most of which are never acted on)

[Toucano]

18. Bush just said more detention facilites will be built.

Sounds like they might be activating the contingency contract.

That's what has people justly concerned.

You are correct about it not having happened yet.

[MercutioATC]

19. I thought he said more "beds" will be added...

...that could easily mean adding beds or expanding current facilities, but you could be correct.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

13. Mercutio, I empathize with your defense of KBR detention facilities.

I just don't agree. MKJ

[MercutioATC]

14. I just think the issue is all hype.

...and people are posting as if KBR was already building the facilities. The fact is that they're not...and they might never build them.

[rodeodance]

3. these detention facilites have been mentioned a lot lately.

[greenbriar]

5. ....hum

First Bush and Gonzales came for the terrorists, but I was not a terrorist, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the enemy combatants, but I was not a combatant, so I did not object. Then they came for the protestors resisting "free speech zones" near Bush campaign rallies, but I was not a protestor and so I only voiced my unease.

If we - and our elected representatives - do not speak out now, loudly and forcefully

[zulchzulu]

7. Is your neck implant Repug or Democrat?

I got the Indy implant in a dark alley...works great.

[rustydog]

8. His mommy invests in private prisons....

[sipnsail]

11. Bush to send 6,000 Guard troops to border, add beds to detention centers

http://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news


"We've expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more." Bush to send 6,000 Guard troops to border, add beds to detention centers 15 May 2006 "...Up to 6,000 Guard members will be deployed to our southern border... We've expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more... A key part of that system should be a new identification card for every legal foreign worker. This card should use biometric technology, such as digital fingerprints, to make it tamper-proof."

[jerry611]

15. Those two are the least of what worries me

With all these unskilled workers coming in...you can say hello to layoffs and pay-cuts. Especially if you don't have a skill or a degree. You are going to be screwed royally.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

16. Hey man! I was born in east LA!!

I don't have my ID! I'm just here to pick up my cousin! I don't even speak spanish, man!


props to Cheech. :)

[originalpckelly]

17. The ID Cards must be applied to all of us if they are to work...

How would someone determine an employee wasn't an illegal?

It may not be an official government law, but businesses will make people get the IDs if they wish to apply for a job. The only way to ensure they aren't tamper proof is to have some sort of database to check against, with biometrics in the database. National ID here we come.

Whoever is orchestrating this is very brilliant and is playing on our fear of immigrants.