Murtha wrong on detainees

We thought the idea was to keep terrorists out of our country. How silly of us.

Fortunately, U.S. Rep. John Murtha has shown us the error of our ways.

The Johnstown Democrat says he'd have no problems having suspected terrorists being held at a military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, incarcerated in his western Pennsylvania district.

Murtha told Fox News the detainees are "no more dangerous in my district than in Guantanamo" and that there is ''no reason not to put 'em in prisons in the United States and handle them the way they would handle any other prisoners.''

Ah, sorry, but we still don't buy that argument.

Certainly, there are many dangerous criminals in area prisons, including many who have no qualms about killing or raping. These people need to be locked up, sometimes permanently, for the protection of society.

But no matter how heinous their offenses, terrorists are an even bigger danger because their intent is to indiscriminately kill as many people as possible and to destroy our country and our way of life - often because they believe their religion demands this and they will be rewarded in heaven for their martyrdom.

Even most murderers in our prisons aren't that deranged.

Because of the threat they pose, suspected terrorists are the types of individuals who need to be kept isolated so they don't try to get other inmates to act out or to try to communicate with those on the outside in an effort to organize attacks.

That's difficult to do in a regular prison. Despite the best efforts to have high security, it's no secret that our prisons constantly are trying to stop of flow of drugs, weapons and other items into the facilities.

Does Murtha really believe that suspected terrorists wouldn't try to use similar tactics to carry out their murderous intentions?

And those who don't believe the detainees pose a real danger might want to consider the case of a Saudi militant who was released from Gitmo after being detained for six years. Said Ali al-Shihri now is a top deputy in the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida, a U.S. counterintelligence official has confirmed. A militant Web site also has acknowledged al-Shihri's involvement.

Al-Shihri is not alone. Less than two weeks ago, a Pentagon spokesman said 61 former detainees - about 11 percent of those released - are suspected of rejoining terrorist activities.

Still want those Gitmo detainees to come to western Pennsylvania?

Want to sit next to one at a Johnstown Chiefs game?

Of course, Murtha easily can advocate bringing the detainees into the United States given that he doesn't really have to worry about them coming to his district because there is no facility to handle them locally.

But even if there were, we believe such casual pooh-poohing by a congressional leader of the danger these detainees pose poorly serves the nation and his constituents.