Republicans ride to the rescue of closing bases

[spinbaby]

I'm seeing it already on the local news in Pittsburgh: The local 911th Air Wing is slated to close. Santorum is already on the job, working to save it. Soon, I'm sure we'll have a save, a grateful public, a few more votes. I'm sure this will be happening everywhere a base is slated to close in a red district where someone supportive of * is up for reelection soon.

[tk2kewl]

1. of couse...

it's set up that way. the thugs save the day and get a feather for the next election.

how many of the base closing in thug-land are in areas where reps or senators are up for reelection in 06? i guarantee every one of those will be miraculously saved

[Horse with no Name]

2. Kay Bailey is coming to the rescue of deeply red

Texarkana.
I never thought of the "save...gratitude....re-election" scenario.
Of course that is what this is all about.

[UCLA Dem]

3. Yea. Big surprise. Hope the Dems are on this.

[rkc3]

4. Said that three months ago when this shit started.

The repubs have already protected these bases in Pittsburgh the self-righteous prick will come out smelling like a rose.

[spinbaby]

7. I seem to recall the 911th being "saved" before

At least twice, maybe three times. I think they only slate it for closing in order to "save" it.

[Zodiak]

5. Wow

Damn...that's smart as well as evil. Those red staters sure do have Stockholm syndrome badly, so it is a brilliant strategy to apply. I really didn't see that coming, thinking instead about the 50 billion dollars saved vs. the 50 billion dollars the Pentagon just asked for (since Rummy is in charge of both numbers).

[wakeme2008]

6. Do not think so

This is Rummy's list that HE wants closed not some list submitted to him.

For the most part most will be closed just because Rummy wants them closed.

[ComerPerro]

10. I think you're right, but I could see the GOP doing something like this

Set up bases for closing in Republican areas so that the GOP Rep or Senator can come along and "save" it, thus getting themselves re-elected.

Or maybe close bases in Dem areas so they won't get re-elected.

Wouldn't be the first time the administration has played politics with people's lives and national security, and it certainly won't be the last.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. You may be right

So far in Texas we've had two statements.

Gov Rick Perry
"For more than a year, Texas officials have been working aggressively to position our military installations as vital to the overall mission of the U.S. military," Perry said in a statement. "Our goal will be to convince federal officials of the importance of these bases to the war on terror and the overwhelming support from communities all across Texas for our men and women in the military so that those bases remain open."


Rep Ralph Hall(R) His district houses the Red River Army Depot and the Lone Star ammunition plant

"We're at war and fighting a terrorist that hates us, and both those facilities have been the difference in wars in the past and will be the difference in wars of future," he said. "I think it's a mistake, and we are going to look into it, and we have to take them on."


They threatened to close Red River in the last wave of closers and after the republicans came to the "rescue" :eyes: it remained open.

[bleedingheart]

9. That has to be it

[spinbaby]

12. Melissa Hart's in on it, too

She and Santorum had a lovely photo op at the 911th. It was just on Channel 4.

[bleedingheart]

14. of course.....the neocon twins....want the spotlight!

Post something about this in the PA forum...this is the kind of stuff that Santorectum will be doing until the 2006 election...

First they take something away...and then ole pRicky will ride in on his white horse to "save the day"...from his own stupid party.

[warrens]

11. This will be interesting

Under the rules, Congress accepts them ALL or votes the whole closing schedule down. Pass the popcorn, because Rummy and his thugs are going to go ballistic.

[MrMonk]

13. "Kneel before me and I will keep your bases open"

[Stinky The Clown]

15. The base in Groton has a Repug congressman

He was on teevee bleating all day. And he's on the Armed Forces subcommittee. He had no idea this was coming?

[Disturbed]

16. Maybe some of the bases need ..

to be closed and the local areas can develope the land for more useful and productive puposes?

[Stinky The Clown]

17. All truly duplicative bases should be *considered*, but Groton

is a unique one. See this thread for a very brief discussion:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3652855#3652977