Stardate 20010704.0708 (On Screen): With the promised closing
of the Vieques bombing range looming, they're looking at using part of Padre Island on the coast of Texas instead. Padre Island is similar to the barrier islands along North Carolina; it's more than two hundred miles long and extends all the way from the Mexican border up to north of Corpus Christi. The section they're considering using is more or less near 27 degrees N latitude.
And inevitably, all the usual suspects come out to explain why it can't be done there: noise, danger, environmental damage, migratory birds, endangered species. I don't hold out much hope for this happening unless there is a specific act of Congress which bypasses all the normal regulatory mechanisms. (discuss)
