Friday, August 7, 2009

Relocation of Guantanamo Bay Detainees



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-This week we focus on the transfer of detainees from the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The administration is looking to relocate prisoners to the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., or a state maximum-security prison in Standish, Mich., that is scheduled to be closed. First, we speak with Leavenworth mayor Shay Baker about Leavenworth officials opposing the use of Fort Leavenworth to house the detainees. They argue the facility in Cuba should be kept open.
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-Next, we speak with national security and foreign policy expert, John Wohlstetter. According to him, President Obama is learning the hard way that campaign rhetoric may not be reality and may not make sense for national security. Wohlstetter says, "Closing Guantanamo will necessitate creating one or more Guantanamo prisons on American soil."
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-To finish up this week, we speak with the Stanish, Mich. city manager, Michael Moran. Standish Maximum Correctional Facility is scheduled to be closed, which would mean approximately 300 people would lose their jobs. We speak with Moran about why Standish officials, prison employees, and residents want to keep it open at all costs, even if it means becoming the new home of Guantanamo Bay detainees. We also discuss the two American journalists who are safe at home in the U.S. after Bill Clinton secured their release from North Korea.
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