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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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11

Supermax Neighbors Fear Gitmo Influx

Townspeople worry that transfer will make them a target for terrorists

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(Newser) – People who live near some of America's most notorious killers fear closing Guantanamo Bay will wreck their neighborhood, the New York Times reports. Residents of Cañon City, Colo., close to the Florence "Supermax" prison, worry the detainees will be transferred there, making them a target for terrorists and potentially prompting the terror suspects' families to move to their town.

"People here are good Christian conservatives,” said one resident who fears property values will fall, and that the detainees' families may themselves be Muslim terrorists. Others in the town, where the surrounding prisons have long underpinned the economy, note that nobody has ever escaped from the prison and believe the move will hardly be noticed. "Bring them on,” said one business owner. “I don’t worry a lick.”

The Administrative Maximum prison, the only one in the federal system, is seen in Florence, Colorado.
The Administrative Maximum prison, the only one in the federal system, is seen in Florence, Colorado.   (Bureau of Prisons)
President Barack Obama defended his plans to close the Guantanamo prison camp in a speech Thursday, saying it was safe to move the inmates to US prisons.
President Barack Obama defended his plans to close the Guantanamo prison camp in a speech Thursday, saying it was safe to move the inmates to US prisons.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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These people hate America; they truly hate America. Why would you want to bring them here? - Glen Morlan, a resident of Cañon City

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11 comments
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lo9an
May 23, 09 8:19 AM CDT
It must SUCK to live in FEAR! Why aren't these people scared of the general population at Canon City? You know, the man who kills people and eats brains! Reply
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Reader64481089
May 23, 09 9:39 AM CDT
lo9an, I wonder the very same thing and I do not think it is fear motivating this talk, it is pure political propaganda aimed at causing problems for the White House. For someone to openly say the "fear" a prisoner being brought to the ultimate of prisons while they have no problem housing a man who dined on brains among other notorious prisoners makes no sense at all and is pure hog wash. Reply
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Fondue
May 23, 09 9:47 AM CDT
I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.--- FDR Reply
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Timinator2K
May 23, 09 11:10 AM CDT
WHY??? Its a freakin' SUPER MAX! Reply
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LiberalJesus
May 23, 09 11:53 AM CDT
How a nation that leads the world in gun violence can be afraid of 240 people who may or may not even be guilty of any crime other than being sold to the Army and their ridiculous reward system without due process is a question that needs to be addressed. I wonder how those cowards in Colorado manage to covinvce themselves that as long as there are no prisoners from Gitmo that their world is safe? These coward and their NIMBY attitudes just demonstrates to the rest of the world what a cowardly bunch of people Americans really are. We are either cowards and all this fear is real or this is all about politics.....any conservative cowards wanna tell me which one it is? Reply
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