The brig at GITMO existed far before AL-Qaeda were detained there. When the Bush/Cheney administration needed a media restricted area without foreign government intervention for the CIA to conduct illegal torcher is when GITMO came to light. It was expanded to meet the increase in inmate population. Also upgraded to meet security requirements of maximum security. I don�t know about senator DeMint and the rest of the "NOT IN MY BACK YARD WHINERS" , I served 8 years in service and as a Vietnam veteran and a proud South Carolinian, I have more faith in the ability of the military to provide the public security  from these thugs. George Darley