March 19, 2010

- Billings, Montana

Housing Detainees

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By Katie Ussin

Story Published: Apr 23, 2009 at 7:22 PM MDT

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM MDT

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BILLINGS - Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday it is too early to speculate on any particular U.S. jail or facility that could end up housing detainees from Guantanamo Bay.

The Two Rivers Detention Center in Hardin has expressed interest in accepting Gitmo prisoners. President Barack Obama has said he plans to close Guantanamo by next January and determine where to place the 240 people held there.

The executive director of the Hardin jail said the 464-bed facility is secure enough to jail the terror suspects, "We understand that this is a long shot at best," said Greg Smith. "Really what we're asking for is for them to come out and just take a look at our situation and see if it would be a fit for them."

Smith said there has been mixed emotions from the community on the news of possibly of housing the terror suspects in Hardin.

Meantime, all three members of Montana's congressional delegation issued statements Thursday saying they do not support bringing Guantanamo prisoners to Montana, but do support the jail in finding viable contracts.

The U.S. Justice Department said right now the Gitmo Detainee Review Task Force is determining whether each prisoner will be prosecuted or sent overseas.

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Saturday, Apr 25 at 9:47 PM alicia wrote ...

I can see the republican party's tactics of fear are working well in our state. OMG! Let's all freak out when it says in the story it's a long shot. This probably won't even happen, kids. The economy argument is bull. This won't help Hardin. Unless you count every man, woman and child buying up weapons and ammo like mad. And unless you count all of the al quaeda operatives that will surely flood the area. I say send them to Texas. Then they wouldn't want to escape.

Saturday, Apr 25 at 10:09 AM Buster wrote ...

This is just another tactic the government is using to make people think from what their real intentions are. F.E.M.A. has been constructing containment sites thru out the U.S. with 3 million coffins at the ready and our president is talking about the new world order. Terrorist in Montana,I don't think so,the only terrorist and the only ones going into that prison in Hardin is all the ones that are not recieving the mark! Wake up people and look up!!!!

Friday, Apr 24 at 10:12 AM Pelletier wrote ...

I dont know if you guys have seen this, but the rest of the United states has. mt justice info is a letter to the pres. I was sent this site in a chain email, where the guy actually predicted this was going to happen. If you havent seen this letter, it will clear up a lot of things for you.This isnt a partisan subject but Montana is tied directly to the White house. What is going to happen to our tourism when this gets out? Please check out the rest of the story and report it.

Friday, Apr 24 at 9:03 AM CONCERNED MOM wrote ...

Montana is not the place to bring these kinds of people here. Closing guantomimo is asking for trouble, obama bin laden has no idea what he is about to do. I believe that Hardin needs something to help with their economy, but bringing terrorist to this part of the country is not the best idea. That will bring extremists from all parts of the world to our back yard, is that the kind of thing we want here, personally i am not into the whole going shopping and my car get blown up!!!

Friday, Apr 24 at 8:36 AM Donna wrote ...

Guantanamo Bay is just another thing that the bama lamba has screwed up. these people dont belong in Montana, we have enough problems!Leave them where they are. They complain about getting beaten and treated bad no one ever seems to mention why they are there in the first place. Because they are bad people, and because they like to blow things up!

Thursday, Apr 23 at 6:16 PM Marcus wrote ...

I would say the owner of that facility has ties to the terrorist.. maybe he sympthizes with them. Two Rivers Authority could be funded by terrorist... All I have to say is dont expect any of your prisoners to live if you house terrorists.. the right to bear arms is great in this nation. I can see montanans sitting outside the fence with high powered rifles waiting for runners.

Thursday, Apr 23 at 4:50 PM mike wrote ...

When you have the US govt buying prisoners from warloads,why would you assume them to be terrorists. Next thing, be careful what you wish, you have that memo from DHS that makes a good part of US citizens terrorists

Thursday, Apr 23 at 4:32 PM concerned wrote ...

It would be a lot cheaper for tax payers if you just use bullets!!! Its not like they value life anyway!!!

Thursday, Apr 23 at 3:47 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Why Montana..let us be serene and terriost free..who dreams up this crazy stuff...nut case....no terriost here ever..dummies

Thursday, Apr 23 at 2:51 PM Gitmo Guard wrote ...

SEND THEM THERE!!! Here in gitmo these guys have it made! The things they get away with is truly unreal! I say send them to a REAL American prison! Let them mix up in the general population and give them a reason to fear. Im sure our American prisoners will make them feel right at home;-)

Thursday, Apr 23 at 12:03 PM lynn63 wrote ...

I can't believe Hardin City Council what are they thinking. Why would they want terrorist in their community. What if the Taliban comes to break them out. Will they bomb Hardin? How Stupid can they be.

Thursday, Apr 23 at 10:12 AM concerned mom wrote ...

NO WAY!! That is just asking for trouble!! I do not want those type of people in the area of my home, and my children. Stick them somehwere else!!!

Thursday, Apr 23 at 9:38 AM Jay wrote ...

Didnt You Read. "Built to MAXIMUM SECURITY." We have nothing to fear.

Thursday, Apr 23 at 9:27 AM julio wrote ...

No way! think of the bad people to move into the area to be close to these terrorists.

Thursday, Apr 23 at 9:21 AM chris wrote ...

I hope these guards and staff at the jail know what they are getting themselves into!! all i can say is good luck!!

Thursday, Apr 23 at 6:42 AM jake wrote ...

Six gun up. These morons are nothing to be feared. Lock them up in Hardin. It really doesn't matter.

Thursday, Apr 23 at 6:40 AM Jon wrote ...

Bring 'em on. If they escape. Good hunting!

Thursday, Apr 23 at 6:34 AM Chris wrote ...

So Hardin is going to sell out! WEAKEN Montana. Please make sure you put up a real tall fence and have very well armed security forces. Don't need them getting out of Hardin to other neighborhoods.

Thursday, Apr 23 at 12:48 AM Rob wrote ...

NO! We do not need this in Montanta.

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