Portsmouth shipyard (Kittery, Maine) & Conn Submarine Base to stay open

[papau]

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BASE_CLOSINGS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-08-24-12-53-33

Aug 24, 12:53 PM EDT

Panel Overrules Feds on New England Bases

By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Overruling the Pentagon on two of its biggest requests, a commission reviewing base closings voted to keep open a shipyard and a submarine base in New England that military planners wanted to shut down.

The panel also spared three other major facilities, in Texas, California and Louisiana, against the Pentagon's wishes.

But it was New England that got arguably the biggest victories of the day: the commission voted to save two of the Navy's oldest facilities - the Portsmouth shipyard at Kittery, Maine, and Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. Together, the bases are considered economic engines of their region and elected officials from Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut lobbied intently for months to save them.
<snip>

The commission did, however, decide to close Naval Air Station Brunswick in Maine, rather than drastically reduce forces there as the Pentagon wanted. Commissioners argued that savings could be realized more quickly if it was shut down altogether.
<snip>

[MaineDem]

1. Now it's only a partial disaster in Maine

Personally, I think it's a better deal to close NASB rather than realign it. But it's still a major blow to a large area. And if anything happens to Bath Iron Works we're in deep shit.

[papau]

5. BIW was purchased by General Dynamics in 1995- I suspect it is

safe- now that it is Corporate and private!

:-)

[FormerDittoHead]

2. Is this the price we're paying so Joe Lieberman can keep these open?

I suppose Liberman will chalk these up as "victories" as he works to serve Republican interests... I understand these were major economic centers, but what's the TOTAL price we've ALL had to pay?

Perhaps it would be better if we shifted these billions of dollars into something that was directed to a POST cold war economy. When the terrorists start using nuclear subs then I'll see the sense in keeping these bases open rather than spending the money in the same area for making things that would actually help our troops or solve other problems (ie: scientific research)...

[progressivebydesign]

3. Gosh.. what do Maine, Connecticut, and Texas have in common?

Anyone know, besides being spared closings???????????

Um. George Bush. That's the connection.

[calico1]

4. Bush hates CT.

So that had nothing to do with the decision, I'm sure. I think they just had people on the panel that were really thinking. We got a lot of visits to the base. Group ones and individual members. Plus the State people lobbied and fought like hell. Trust me, GWB couldn't care less about CT or what happens here.

[MaineDem]

6. I read on a GOP site...

...that the Portsmouth Shipyard would be saved in return for the Maine Senators' votes for Roberts.

Now we know none of this is political so this rumor must certainly be false. Right?

[mainegreen]

7. Hmm, lets see

The shipyard is protected by 4 republican senators (2 NH, 2 ME) in states that could go blue at any time. No politics here, move along. This is not the shipyard your looking for.

(Not that I'm not glad it was saved, though)

[bpilgrim]

10. hey!

we are blue :evilgrin:


well, more than 1/2 anyways :P

:hi:

peace

[bpilgrim]

9. 50/50

from the cheap seats ;->

peace

[bpilgrim]

8. phew - rummys probably scratch'n his head goin, "now thats a KNOWN-UNKNOWN

what good is all dem dare OLD boats gonna get us... in frick'n nuclear combat, idiots!" DHR


http://media.globalfreepress.com

peace