Getting what you voted for
With the President ordering the closing of Guantanamo Bay, the question arises: what to do with the prisoners there?
Of course, there are some on the left that think they need to be released. This, despite ongoing reports of former detainees returning to terrorism.
However, let’s assume that the administration recognizes that the bad guys are bad guys and need to be kept locked up somewhere.
Some states are saying they don’t want them. And I agree. I don’t want my state housing them.
But, then again, my state voted for McCain.
I have a solution that ought to make everybody happy: Spread the Guantanamo Bay prisoners around among the states that voted for Obama. I mean, after all, he campaigned on the promise to close Gitmo. So it’s not like they didn’t know he’d do it, right?
Well, it was okay with them if he did. So much so that they voted him into office.
I’m for having those responsible for putting Obama into office having to put up with the consequences.
Here’s the plan: There are, by one count, 245 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. 28 states and the District of Columbia awarded 365 Electoral Votes to Obama.
Spread them out accordingly.
For each Electoral Vote for Obama, a state gets just over 2/3 (0.671) of a prisoner. Here’s the breakdown:
| State | Electoral Votes | Guantanamo Bay prisoners |
| California | 55 | 36 |
| Colorado | 9 | 6 |
| Connecticut | 7 | 5 |
| Delaware | 3 | 2 |
| D.C. | 3 | 2 |
| Florida | 27 | 18 |
| Hawaii | 4 | 3 |
| Illinois | 21 | 14 |
| Indiana | 11 | 7 |
| Iowa | 7 | 5 |
| Maine | 4 | 3 |
| Maryland | 10 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 8 |
| Michigan | 17 | 11 |
| Minnesota | 10 | 7 |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 |
| Nevada | 5 | 3 |
| New Hampshire | 4 | 3 |
| New Jersey | 15 | 10 |
| New Mexico | 5 | 3 |
| New York | 31 | 21 |
| North Carolina | 15 | 10 |
| Ohio | 20 | 13 |
| Oregon | 7 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 14 |
| Rhode Island | 4 | 3 |
| Vermont | 3 | 2 |
| Virginia | 13 | 9 |
| Washington | 11 | 7 |
| Wisconsin | 10 | 7 |
| 365 | 245 |
This could solve all kinds of problems.
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(54 votes, average: 4.93 out of 5)Tags: Gitmo, Guantanamo Bay, News, Obama, terrorism
January 30th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I’ve said it before, Basil me darlin’ you are da’ man and a bag of chips.
[Thanks! - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
“Basil for President!”
(I was going to vote for Pedro, but he lacks experience).
[Experience? When did experience matter? If experience mattered, Obama would still be shaking down businesses in Chicago instead of sitting in the Oval Office. But thanks. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
That’s a great plan if you live in a Red State, Basil. However, I don’t, so therefore it sucks!
However, in the Soviet State of Washington, I’d be willing to have them all chain-up, line-up and be shot. A 1000-round box of .762 should cover it, dontcha think?
[As long as you practice gun control. That is, hit what you're aiming at. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Fair enough. There are enough of us bitter clingers left in the Keystone State to take care of our friends from the religion of peace.
[As long as you're on the job, the rest of the state is safe. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I’m for having those responsible for putting Obama into office having to put up with the consequences.
I gave you a 5 just for that one….that one quote, not That One.
Why can’t we just send Obama and anyone who voted for him to Cuba or Europe or maybe Venezuela, since they want to be like them so much?
Then the rest of us can install Palin, Jindal, Rush, and Zo as our new leaders whilst we roll up sleeves and get to work walling ourselves in and living free and safe in a conservative, tax-free utopia. Put me to work, coach!
Sorry, tis been a long day and I been daydreaming again.
“Imagine all the pe-puuuuul, li-ving with-out Libs…..”
[When I first read your comment, I thought you said "send them to Europa!" I re-read it, and saw my error. Then I thought, "Europa. Hmmm." - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
P.S. “2/3 of a prisoner,” I like that. Who gets to do the chopping?
[Everybody gets a turn. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Sounds more than fair to me as I think Jimmy has a great plan ;D
January 30th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
No fair “rounding down” Nebraska. They’ll have to take their 2/3 of a prisoner just like everybody else.
[Good catch. My bad. Corrected. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
“This could solve all kinds of problems.”
Especially if they were all given community service sentences in Washington DC.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Well, Jimmy, if they’re sending their smelly butts to Washington, I’ll be there to help ya. I say we get the guys from McChord and Ft. Lewis in on the action, too.
Who’s providing lunch?
January 30th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
begin Mr. Burns voice Excellent plan! I’m glad I thought of that! end Mr. Burns voice
A better plan would be to place one or two of them with every Democrat in Congress.
[Works for me as a Plan B. One drawback: they might reproduce. I mean, the Democrats have been in bed with the terrorists for years. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
No, if they reproduce Nancy Pelosi will murder the offspring and say it some how benefits the economy.
[Ah, so that makes Plan B viable. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Sir, you have amazing ideas. Why aren’t you running for an office, or at least an advisor to an office? With enough terrorists blowing themselves up in their back yard, you would think even California would cease to be so liberal.
[Advisors? IMAO is chock full of them. You. Me. Everyone who comments. Frank J. and the staff. We are advising. We just need those in office to listen. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
(First Time Poster)
Intriguing post – I just wish everyone would put as much thought into the problem as you have – even if we all come up with a different solution at least we’ve thrown some critical thinking in to the mix.
Where to put them leads to so many possible outcomes when I ponder the closing of G-Mo.
Where and who should try them – under military or some pseudo-terrorist court system is really the more demanding question.
My solution though to the location and/or placement of all the prisoners is in the closest public housing unit to the White House & Congress. Whoever is living in the public housing now will be moved to more accommodating housing on tax payer dime (roll it in to the Porkulis Bill).
My solution is to put the G-Mo prisoners actually inside the hollow echo chamber of Wash DC. Security would be as maximum as it is at G-Mo – the only major difference is that BHO and his administration, the congress, and the justices can all go to the free live water boarding exhibits over their lunch.
[Wasn't the area that is now the District of Columbia once a swamp? There is a swamp down near where I grew up called the Okefenokee. Either swamp (the mess that is DC or the Okefenokee) would work for me. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Hey! Don’t go blaming West Michigan for the sins of Detroit! I’m not saying that we shouldn’t house our fair share, but make sure they get locked up somewhere appropriate. Like the governor’s mansion.
[As long as everyone does their part. - B]
January 30th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Oh Crud, we’re in California.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
[...] Now here’s the best idea I’ve heard all day: With the President ordering the closing of Guantanamo Bay, the question arises: what to do with the prisoners there? [...]
January 30th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I’m posted in the Peoples Republic of New Jersey. Things CAN’T get any worse here…highest every tax (property, retail, income), fee, insurance rate, whatever drains your wallet rate.
I see you have us in for 15 Gitmo gonzos. You know what…on behalf of all of our glorious comrades here in the Garden State, I would like to accept at least twice our allotted number. Hell, yes! Give us 30…no….40….uh..dammit give us 50 of ‘em! We’ll make ‘em comfortable, make sure they get good dental care, health plans, self-esteem counseling, and all the Oprah they can handle. Guv Corzine will make them all very welcome.
Bring it on, Basil! New Jersey will take every damn oppressed, sneaking, murderer you can spare!
Gawd, I feel good about myself!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Okay, I’m down with the plan with this caveat: as only 11 Hoosier counties actually went for Bobama, our 7 Gitmo graduates must be housed in those counties. Preferably the ones in and around Indy, or the lake shore counties. They want to be part of Chicago, anyway.
So I live in a state where 44% of the population is crammed into 11 counties. It’s okay. They can live like that if they want to. I’m happy out here in the open. Really messes with my federal representation, though.
Nice plan, Basil. Keep ‘em comin’!
January 30th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
NY gets 21? And with only 69 state prisons, that means there’s a good chance I’ll get one of them at mine! I checked our directives, and there’s nothing that specifically forbids waterboarding. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that permits it, either…
January 30th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
#18, Cactusod,
Since you’re in a generous mood, I, the self-appointed representative of the people of Pennsylvania west of Philadelphia, am willing to sell Philadelphia to our comrades in the glorious PPNJ.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
PPNJ = PRNJ
Me need sleep.
January 31st, 2009 at 12:22 am
My state went to Obama this time but went to Bush last time. Shouldn’t that give us some credit that we can use to decrease the number of terrorists we get?
January 31st, 2009 at 5:46 am
Sitting here in California my internal debate is whether our 36 should go to San Fran, Santa Cruz, L.A., Etc., where the terrorists are deserved but will be cared for, or to the many working, conservative counties, where the terrorists will be taken care of the way terrorists deserve.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:45 am
Are you nuts! Here in Minnesota we would treat the little darlings as National Treasures!
January 31st, 2009 at 8:20 am
I like this plan, let’s see if I understand the details; with 7 for Wisconsin that’s Mini-14 w/ 20 round mag 1 in the pipe, two the chest one to the head and I don’t even have to reload!
Although we should have a plan “C” since Castro wants Git-Mo back, give it to him, just leave the prisoners there for him to deal with.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:21 am
Just give them all to Berkley.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:37 am
Brilliant! And as a Nebraskan, I propose putting our one in Ernie Chambers’ district.
January 31st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Send the 7 for Wisconsin to my house, I will be perfectly willing to “take care” of them.
(Although I will have to reload for the last 2, my 12-guage only holds 5 shells)
January 31st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
#21 Mark
You are a cruel man. To even suggest adding YO! Philly to our loooong list of baggage and hanicaps is just…..well….evilly brilliant. You have a clear mean streak in you…..I like it!!
I would love to see a corrupt Philly City Council member (Dem) go toe to toe with a corrupt NJ state representative (Dem). THAT would be a celebrity Death Match..
Let’s get it on!
January 31st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I favor sending them all to California. Specifically, to Alcatraz. You’ll have to change the name to make attacking it harder (I think Gitmo, right or wrong, became a polarizing *name* to people even if they knew nothing of the base). Have the US Navy buy the island, give it a generic name (US Naval Penitentary at San Francisco Bay), and retrofit it with modern security measures. Best case, Obama wins the US international brownie points with his symbolic move of closing Gitmo, while moving them to another facility that offers most of the same advantages. Worst case, it doesn’t get done, but one of the most liberal parts of the country has to do some soul searching about what it means to have enemy combatants stashed so close to your back yard.
January 31st, 2009 at 5:57 pm
thanks a lot basil, first republicans in blue states (like me) are living amongst a swarm of stinking, lazy, good-for-nothing hippies, and now we have to add terrorists to the mix?
although illinois is responsible for obama, so maybe i’ll just move out and we can put all of them here. i like the alcatraz idea too though
January 31st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Send them right back where we caught them.
EXACTLY right back where we caught them.
In the middle of a war zone, only this time wearing their stylish orange prison jumpsuits.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I say just release each and every one of them unconditionaly.
Keep in mind, I didn’t specify an altitude.
February 1st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
“This, despite ongoing reports of former detainees returning to terrorism.”
Now now, you and I know that they weren’t terrorists before – we “radicalized” them. Blowback, blowback!
Speaking of which, CAN we blow these guys back to Europa? I hear there’s water there…somewhere. They’ll be fine.
[They were on the battlefield because they were lost; they should have made that left turn at Albuquerque! : ) - B]
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:49 am
I don’t want to deal with any f’ing terrorists, my county in CA voted for McCain, put them in San Fransisco or Berkley, lets the gays and liberals deal with them(especially Berkley, that’s what they should get for trying to kick out the Marines)
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:45 am
Basil,
As an official apology for having so many hippies / commies move into our state from the Peoples’ Republic of Kalifornia and vote in not only “The One”, but Harry Reid, on behalf of the formerly solid red state of Nevada, we except your proposal. Please have the former guests of Gitmo delivered to Mustang in August for our annual automatic weapons shoot. Since Nancy Pelosi is most likely to hire their “recipients” into high ranking government positions in the Kremlin of Kalifornia (Sacramento), we will also accept their “guests” on the same date and the same location. We can always use more targets.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 am
States have not had any rights since the War of Northern Aggression, why should we accept this disaster to be thrust upon us?
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
Hey, could we leave North Carolina out of this? I think we actually voted McCain because all this “vote early” shenanigans had Obama people voting like five times each. And Obama barely squeaked by here.
And I say we just let the terrorists loose in France.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 am
Keep in mind one issue is that “Blue States” tend to have Blue Cities in otherwise purple-to-read states. And guess what parts of those states they put the prisons in? Yep.
Personally, I’d put them in a very, very red state supermax so that the retribution hits Reaver proportions as quickly as possible. We’ll show you terror, Achmed!
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Yeah, the obvious solution is to put our new orange-clad visitors into solid red states with libertarian gun laws.
One weekend of “open season” in Idaho, Kentucky, Georgia, or Mississippi oughta take care of any and all terizts.
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
You left off the state you live in.
Very clever.
However, I would imagine people in Idaho are more prepared to deal with git-mo prisoners than most other states.
[Obama got zero Electoral Votes from my state, therefore we get zero Gitmo prisoners. Oh, I've never been to Idaho. Went to Iowa once, but I hear it's not the same. - B]
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I notice Wyoming didn’t get one. I guess that’s our reward for sending a 100% Republican delegation to DC. However, we could put a few up in Yellowstone to wash the volcano.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:54 am
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11533761
May 19th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
[...] them across the country according to Basil’s brilliant suggestion at [...]