US Firing Plans for Great Lakes raises concerns

[mtp51]

For the first time, Coast Guard officials want to mount machine guns routinely on their cutters and small boats here and around all five of the Great Lakes as part of a program addressing the threats of terrorism after Sept. 11.


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/us/16lak...amp;oref=slogin (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/us/16lakes.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin)

[REDJIM]

Thanks for the post, mtp.

This is surely a conundrum created by the need to protect borders of the U.S. from terrorist incursions.

Theoretically, there could be a copy-cat U.S.S Cole type attack launched against freighter traffic on any of the Great Lakes from any shoreline marina; U.S or Canadian-landed.

Then again, private and commercial fishing and tourist business on the Great Lakes is a very vital industry to tens of thousands of people on both sides of the waters. Is that at jeopardy? And for eons, both Canada and the U.S have proudly trumpeted the fact that the common border is the largest(longest) "undefended" border in the history of civilization.

Where each of us falls on this issue should be well thought out, and not knee-jerk based on our political persuasions.

[deangreenhoe]

Yup, this is big local news. I think it's about time we had some sort of military protection from Wisconsin in my area. :lol:

But seriously, what's the point of them being out there if they aren't armed? I think right now the biggest local concern is over closing off parts of the lakes periodically for live-fire training. People are used to being able to travel the lakes when ever and where ever they please.

[bodega]

So Deano, what have you done that they now need to arm their boats up in your neck of the woods B)

[deangreenhoe]

So Deano, what have you done that they now need to arm their boats up in your neck of the woods [/b]

Oh, it's not me. I'm not the the one going out on the lake wearing helmets made of cheese.

I can understand the concern, though. The Great Lakes have thousands of miles of uninhabited and remote shorline where someone could probably launch some sort of amphibious attack. I'm just not sure how they would get the materials to those locations, or get them past the Canadians, or why they might think it a good idea to attack Cheboygan.

But hey, ya never know? :huh:

[weblet]

Ahhh, but first they have to get past Larry.... I think he's on sub patrol....