Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Roskam, Kirk Statement on Thomson

UPDATE: Note from a friend:
I sent e-mails to our Senators asking where will the Gitmo game receive medical treatment & how will they get there, but do not expect a response. Also asked Schoenberg & Coulson why we need them when all real decisions are made by administrative fiat. Don't anticipate a response from them either.
***
Rep. Peter Roskam (R-6th):
“The decision to move some of the world’s worst terrorists to Illinois is an ill-advised move that ultimately will be regretted. The proponents have failed to prove how this move will make America safer. Let’s be clear: the Administration is not closing Guantanamo, they are simply moving Guantanamo to Illinois. Illinois deserves a better Christmas present than hardened terrorists. ”
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th) via Sweet.

More. Joe Walsh, running in the 8th:
WALSH OPPOSES THOMSON/GITMO MOVE

Lake Zurich, IL, December 14, 2009 : Joe Walsh, Republican Candidate for
Congress in the 8th Congressional district has announced his strong
opposition to the Obama administration plan to move terrorist suspects from
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Thomson, Illinois. The facility at Thomson,
Illinois is an underutilized state prison that the state of Illinois has
offered to the federal government for purchase.

"I am opposed to moving terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay to Thomson,
Illinois. This move is being touted as a great economic development issue
for Illinois but I find it really pathetic that our state would be painted
as so desperate for jobs that it would become the home to terrorists. The
local impact on jobs is terribly overblown. This is a political move pure
and simple. I am also concerned that the same stigma and international
attention, mostly negative, could become focused on Northern Illinois,"
said Walsh.

"I think there are many unanswered questions about the impact of this move
on Illinois and the region. It is my understanding that Thomson, Illinois
will have the distinction of housing the largest population of terrorist
suspects in the country. There is also the unanswered questions about where
these terrorists will be tried and whether or not they will be allowed
visitors. I don't think that this is what the state tourism bureau had in
mind when looking for ways to boost tourism," said Walsh.

"Finally, I do not think that Guantanamo Bay should be closed in the first
place. The real reason the facility is being closed is because of the
stigma attached to it by the rest of the world and the political mileage
gained by closing it. We're at war...the rest of the world shouldn't be
dictating to us where we house terrorist suspects, and is this stigma going
to be following the terrorists to Illinois? I guess we will find out," said
Walsh.
Previous posts: How Will Importing Dangerous Terrorists Make America Safer?, It's like bulldozers in the night, They did it even before the hearing, Criminally Irresponsible Dems. Quinn. Durbin, Thomson Hearing 12/22, Protest

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