Standish in the Line of Fire Posted by Adam Blickstein

Chris Bodenner over at Sullivan's blog flags an important story out of Standish, Michigan, where the possibility of turning the soon to be shuttered Standish Maximum Correctional Facility into a detention facility for Guantanamo detainees, has made the small town an epicenter for the often hyperbolic and politicized detainee debate. Of course it doesn't help the cause of having a rational and reasonable conversation over the issue when Pete Hoekstra, no stranger to politicizing national security debates, is also running for Governor. Which is why it shouldn't be surprising that a recent town hall there turned into a three ring circus replete with stark mischaracterizations and over the top rhetoric. According to the Washington Post:

"He [Hoekstra] told me things that really scared the heck out of me," Munson said. "He told me about soft targets and safe zones, that if they came to this country they would have rights, visitors and friends would come who could be jihadists."

Hoekstra, ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, told those in the crowd that they have much to fear if the detainees are transferred to Standish, a town of 1,500 about 150 miles north of Detroit.

But what is more striking about the coverage is the lack of balance in the Post piece as compared to the local Standsh paper, which covers the townhall with a far more skeptical eye then the Post, whose only counterbalance is a wavering local political official who asserted that federal officials said they "would not send detainees to Standish in the face of intense local opposition." But the the context and tenor of the town hall are important to gauging the overall coverage of the event and the issue, and the Standish paper includes a few extremely important points the Post misses:

Hoekstra was asked later if a federal detention center in Florence, Colo., which also houses terrorists, was ever the site of an attempted jailbreak by terrorists’ allies.

Hoekstra said that the Colorado facility, which he said only detains terrorists captured on American soil, not in foreign countries during wartime, had never had an incident like that.

And:

One person in the crowd, Brent Snelgrove, a Standish businessman, agreed that there was a lack of information, but showed displeasure with one-sidedness of the meeting.

“I’m disappointed in this panel,” he said. “I don’t see both sides of the conversation

“20 years ago I heard some of the same concerns… almost identical,” he added.

This is key. The Post's coverage makes it appear that, from the town hall, there is consensus in the commmunity that turning the Standish facility into a domestic detainee prison is a bad idea. There is not consensus:

The group wasn't protesting the prospect of Guantánamo Bay terrorism suspects coming to the town about two hours north of Detroit: They're picketing over their prison's scheduled closure.

The Gitmo detainees are welcome, if they keep the 604-bed prison in this city of about 1,200 up and running.

"If it keeps jobs in the community, it would be fine," said Dave Horn, 29, of Bentley, who was among those picketing over the scheduled Oct. 1 closing of the 19-year-old state prison.

But reading the Post's piece makes it seem like an open and shut case. And this has been the problem with both cable and print news coverage of town halls across America this summer: often the loudest, and most vocal, and usually most factually invalid arguments, get taken as gospel simply do to audible superiority. It's undercut the healthcare debate, but the detainee debate is almost more susceptible to this kind of action and coverage simply because the issue is far more visceral for folks, with good reason. But as Hoekstra said:

"It's possible that people will come to a different conclusion than I have," he said. "But this is too big a deal to make a decision based on only partial information."

Yes, Rep. Hoekstra, I agree too big a deal to make decision based on partial information, which is why it is essential the Administration put forth a clear and concrete plan (and strategy--both in implementation and media) so that the process of closing Guantanamo and transferring detainees is done so in a responsible, transparent and safe manner. But it is also too big a deal to imbue it with false information and political fear mongering, something Rep. Hoekstra seems to have no problem forcing to the forefront of the debate for his own political gain. And this kind of political grandstanding from a gubernatorial candidate in the context of closing Guantanamo will make it politically very difficult to utilize the Standish facility as a place to detain and possibly try terror suspects currently being held at Gitmo.

It's pretty clear that for the GOP, making "death panel" arguments across the political spectrum in order to incite public panic and skew the media coverage seems to be the only strategy they have left.

Comments

[Ugg london]

This is very beauty article, I like it, thank you!
To the word you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[r4i revolution gold]

Hi,
As far as I know Myles Standish State Forest encompasses thousands of acres of sprawling Pine Barrens, ponds, trails, woodlands and open spaces along the southern sections of Plymouth and Carver.The Friends of Myles Standish State Forest (FMSSF) was created to help preserve the area’s natural resources, especially the coastal plain kettle pond that are extremely sensitive to trampling.

[SesliChat]

Im a peaceable fellow, but Ive been saying for YEARS- its well past time to go to War with Mexico & make them take Texas back.
Thank You For sesli sohbet seslisohbet Sesli Chat

[viagra cialis levitra]

I can provide you with contact information for several fire spinners
in the general geographical area of Vermont. Would you be willing to
accept this as an Answer?

[handbag online]

hlm
Hobo handbags generally replica handbags work best in solid colors, as we've seen from many celebrities, although animal prints designer handbags do work on occasion but if, and only if, the bag is a solid print. Typically, a hobo authentic handbags handbag is too large to have embellishments and ornaments all over. Otherwise, the handbag sale simply looks tacky. In the hybrid of styles on Whitney Port's handbag, designer handbags sale she keeps a solid black style that's embellished with fringe on the bottom of the bag and laced-up sides. The bag itself works as a high-end western bag or as rocker chic and clearly stands out from Port's casual look.Finding a western-style Chanel handbags sale hobo handbag for the average person isn't difficult, however. One option, if you can handle the less space, is to go with a retro slouch purse decked with fringe, as seen in this link from Western
Chanel handbag online Express, a western wear store. The bag maintains the solid black color with only one embellishment from a concho. The fringe, additionally, lines the front of the Chanel handbags online bag instead of the bottom. As western style has become a common fashion trend for this upcoming season, such handbags combine high-end fashion with traditional western style.

[sesli sohbet]

Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading

[hiphop]

Türkiyenin ilk Hiphop Sitesi Hiphop, Gekko G Fan Sitesi Gekko G, Mask animasyon thank you very good site

[hiphop]

Türkiyenin ilk Hiphop Sitesi Hiphop, Gekko G Fan Sitesi Gekko G, Mask animasyon thank you very good site

[porno]

This has been the problem with both cable and print news coverage of town halls across America this summer: often the loudest, and most vocal, and usually most factually invalid arguments, get taken as gospel simply do to audible superiority, porno izle .

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

SesLiSohbeT siteleri arasında ekol bir adres SesTonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin SesTonum 'tıklayınız..! SesLiSohbeT Ve SesLichaT adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak SesLiSohbeT yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

SesTonum
SesLichaT
SesLiSohbeT

[watches]

I suppose it is thethickness of Replica Jacques Lemans that insulates the movement.The luminosity of tReplica Jaeger LeCoultre is great; large hands and markers ensure plenty of room for luminous paint, and I seldom found myself wishing the Holotype glowed more brightly. The 12 o'clock arrow on the bezel is also painted and glows like a torch, a nice Replica Levis for timing events in less than ideal light. Esthetically, the yellow dial is so much better then I had guesed it would be. I usually stick to black dials on most of my Replica Longines, but I thought I would give the yellow dial a try and I am very glad I did. It is bright and seems to be a semi gloss that reflects just enough light that it stands out from the PVD case.   The bracelet Replica Mont Blanc the case in every way. It is thick, solid, quiet, smooth, and didn't pull a single hair from my wrist. All of the links are screwed together so sizing the bracelet is Replica Movado. A quick word of warning: the screws do not seem especially tight from the factory so I recommend sizing he bracelet then tightening each link completely (my failure to do so cost me a tiny screw). You might even consider a little Loctite 242 (Replica Omega). The fold over clasp has a push button release, and has a very secure fliplock. The end links are solid and secured by 24mm screws.The packaging on the Holotype is far more then one would expect. My unit shipped in at tan colored faux leather travel case that houses the watch, warranty card, manual, tools, rubber strap, and polishing cloth.

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
Buy aika gold
Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service!

Cheap aika gold
In the 2 years we are in this field , AIKA Goldbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[knockoff handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, 219704, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM