GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Pentagon should postpone base closures, Kerry says

• 3994
  

  Many bases should be closed to reduce hazards to the environment and conserve tax dollars. Whidbey Island Naval Air Station from the 1940's is one prime example. The civilians are disturbed at all hours of the day and night with the noise from jet aircraft. Whales in the Puget Sound are dying from low frequency sonar. The base is one of the most polluted in the US. Unused jet fuel allotment is dumped from the air. Why does the military continue this menace to the civilian population? Complaints about aircraft noise and pollution fall on deaf ears. Communities should embrace base closings as an opportunity, benefits have been proven, communities have enjoyed prosperity. Shock and awe and million dollar missiles to blow up pick-up trucks is not effective against terrorists. Where is Osama bin Laden? We need diplomacy and intelligence.

  M. D. Anderson Posted March 25, 2004 12:29 AM
• 3943
  

  BRAC has gone too far already closing military bases. I do agree that many that have been closed or realigned should have. But far too many people not using common sense and taking a look at history have been on the BRAC panels and the result has been a US military that is now stretched way too thin to carry on the missions that are demanded of them. Future BRAC's should be suspended.

  James M. Doherty Posted March 23, 2004 7:51 AM
• 3939
  

  Kerry has no clue! Bases should have been closed years ago. The current situation around the world has little to do with base needs. Most Army bases are not maintained and should be closed as a hazard to everyone on them. Navy bases may be a single building. The Air force bases are generally large and many obsolete. The number of troops has little to do with the number of bases but is better related to the size of the base and the ability to build new housing and facilities for troops. Saving the old facilities is ridiculous. Buildings were built in the 1940's and not maintained - many are held together by the paint! The old buildings cannot take computer equipment, wires run on walls and cielings and are exposed to the public and not secure or efficient. Many old buildings cannot be air conditioned properly and no longer hold heat well.

  Kerry needs to focus on relevant issues because he has to beat Bush. Trying to label the base closure on Bush is ridiculous and shows he is ill prepared for the office himself. He needs to get onto things he knows about like public health insurance, and issues of jobs and trade. His military background does not prepare him to know anything about base closures and that should be up to the military leaders not the politicians.

  GovExec.com reader Posted March 23, 2004 6:14 AM