Friends, my latest article praises DJT's recent brainstorm: the reopening of Alcatraz as a federal prison! Behold!
Trump and “The Rock”
President Trump made headlines recently for suggesting that Alcatraz, the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay, should be reopened to house the worst criminal offenders in America. It is a notion that boggles the minds of liberals – as everything Trump says and does tends to – but it would be a magnificent, if mostly symbolic, achievement, and one entirely in harmony with many of the central themes in the MAGA movement.
Alcatraz was, in its heyday, a legendary and forbidding prison fortress. Most famously, it housed Al Capone, perhaps the greatest criminal mastermind in American history. Its isolation made it incredibly secure – and mysterious. It fame and the lore associated with it inspired multiple Hollywood films, including Escape from Alcatraz, widely regarded as one of Clint Eastwood's best acting performances. Its closure in 1963, on the orders of Attorney General Robert Kennedy, came mostly due to the high cost of running an island prison, but also reflected the ethos of the 60s and 70s, which often assumed that “criminals” were victims of society and of the justice system itself. Alcatraz, in the days of Kennedy and Dirty Harry, was a symbol of cold, inflexible, cruel, and even corrupt “justice”, and its closure represented a turn towards greater leniency and compassion in the treatment of federal inmates. It wasn't long before federal prisons became colloquially known as “Club Fed”. In other words, they became sources of mirth rather than fear.
Trump and the MAGA movement, however, are unabashedly nostalgic for the days when America was great, and Alcatraz, a symbol of full-throated American justice, fortified with puritanical harshness, is exactly the sort of prison that Trumpers should want to revive. America was, after all, infinitely safer in the days when the FBI's Most Wanted were, when captured, alternately electrocuted or packed off to prisons whose very names conjured dread amongst criminals and ordinary citizens alike. In those days, it was assumed that the punishments meted out to those who violated federal law would always be swift, severe, and unquestionably just. Alcatraz was a powerful symbol of a justice system that enjoyed the confidence and support of almost all Americans, rightly or wrongly. Before the 60s, no journalist would have dared to blame judges, prosecutors, and policemen for society's ills, or to spin fairy tales about the nobility of the men who landed behind bars. America was an innocent place, in many ways, and Alcatraz was the towering penitential edifice that sealed and protected that innocence, and kept a long, straight, clean line between good citizens, like you and me, and the criminal maniacs who belong in cages, or, better yet, dungeons prudently located across the briny deep.
By all accounts, bringing Alcatraz back to life as a federal prison would be immensely costly and difficult. It would be worth those costs and difficulties, however, because America would be reaffirming its commitment to law and order, its respect for legitimate authority, and its collective belief in personal responsibility. We would be (re)incarnating these principles, moreover, in stark, physical form, and, more importantly, in a name – ALCATRAZ – that would once again reverberate in the hearts of evildoers.
Trump has been successful as a politician and as a leader because he understands that America's identity is as much a conglomeration of symbols as it is a list of lofty ideals. We cannot be a sovereign nation unless our border is secure and no one is brazenly strolling across it – thus, “the Wall”. We cannot be an economic powerhouse unless our factories are humming with activity and producing big, beautiful, awe-inspiring machines that the world wants to buy. We cannot be a vibrant, forward-looking society unless our cities are sprouting tall, cutting-edge buildings that are the envy of foreigners. And we cannot be a nation where justice and peace are secure unless our worst malefactors are locked away in dark fortresses, never to be seen or heard from again (at least, that is what the criminals must believe).
It is imperative, therefore, that Alcatraz be reopened as a federal prison, and that, on the doorstep of America's most liberal city, we affirm our collective disdain for those violent, anti-social elements that ought to terrify and disgust any decent, patriotic American.
Let's hope that Trump can get it done.
Dr. Nicholas L. Waddy is an Associate Professor of History at SUNY Alfred and blogs at www.waddyisright.com. He appears on the Newsmakers show on WLEA/WYSL.
Do you agree 100%, or only 99.99%??? Let me know!
And here it is at World Net Daily:
https://www.wnd.com/2025/05/reopening-alcatraz-a-perfect-symbol-for-the-maga-movement/
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In other news, two nuclear-armed countries are trading potshots, and that's never good. Could war between India and Pakistan ensue? We hope not. Let cooler heads prevail.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj6868pdpw4o
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump met today for the first time, and the dialogue was mostly cordial. Carney seems to understand that "poking the bear" isn't in Canada's interests. I advise him to behave!
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4gw18753o
China and the U.S. are commencing negotiations that could lead to a deescalation of our ongoing trade war. I approve. Our trading relationship with China will never, I hope, return to what it was, but at the same time the spigot of Sino-American trade can't be shut off overnight. A compromise solution is best for all.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rgrejkvmjo
Finally, after an unexpected humiliation yesterday, Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz secured his grip on the office today. He eschewed an alliance with the "far-right" AfD and instead joined forces with the socialist SPD. None of this suggests that Germany will see fundamental changes anytime soon, unless by "fundamental" one means the intensified persecution of right-wingers.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: as one who worked 20 years in state prisons I agree with your fine essay 100%! It embraces the common sense which this Administration has restored to our national life. (Let's use the money saved by defunding the far left criminal loving NPR, PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts to restore Alcatraz to its exemplary and grim effectiveness. ) Hoorah for the law abiding and to earthly hell with vicious and unrepentant criminals.
ReplyDeleteRAY TO JACK
ReplyDeleteWorking at a reopened Alcatraz is just the job for you in your sunset years. I believe you worked in prisons as a librarian? Is that correct?
Ray from Jack: Yes that was my august title. Did spend two weeks in San Francisco Bay at the Treasure Island naval training center in 1970. Don't think it would be my cup of tea now though. I'd gladly advise them about how to set up an "appropriate" library for the thugs: no books on small boats or wise guys.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: What terrible, terrible irony in the possibility, advanced by some commentators, that India and Pakistan are the
ReplyDeletetwo most likely nuclear opponents in the world. Both countries were born of unprecedented nonviolent intent and India at least is experiencing widespread blessed prosperity. The thought of a nuke hitting one of the teeming cities in South Asia is far beyond appalling.
Puck, in MIdsummer's Night Dream, delighted in exclaiming " what fools these mortals be" but it may well aptly describe the human race to think that such a hopefully even unlikely prospect is but 10 minutes from catastrophic culmination. Lets hope the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction obtains and has the salubrious effect it had for awhile in the Cold War .
RAY TO DR. WADDY AND JACK
ReplyDeleteIf Alcatraz is reopened, let's hope no one is sent there on Trumped-up charges.
Dr. Waddy from Jack:American democracy is an ongoing experiment. It generated our Constitution, perhaps the most well conceived political document ever. But it has also, through cynical misuse of the Bill of Rights and often well meaning but overidealistic tolerance of the consequent anarchic dysfunction as " a price worth paying for freedom" , generated a regime of crime which rightfully shames us before the civilized world. This aspect of the experiment has more than run its course; the results are IN!
ReplyDeletePresident Reagan once said "there are no solutions, only choices". I don't think that is comprehensively true but when it comes to criminal "justice" it is a well taken maxim and I dare say most who have worked closely with criminals would agree. Oh a few irredeemable "touchy feelies" do survive the experience unreformed by common sense or any sympathy for crime victims. They are often inspired by detached academics who author works like "The Crime of Punishment". Unfortunately, they are often advanced to statewide and Federal supervisory positions by politically empowered higher authorities(eg. Governors) who have never spent a day in a putative "correctional facility." From their comfortable offices they excoriate those whose daily experience imbues them with undeniable understanding of criminals. N.Y. state's recent infamous injustice directed toward Corrections Officers for whom its official contempt is obvious and reprehensible, is a prime example.
Singapore is a good example of a country which long ago made this exceedingly simple choice: "we will not tolerate crime and criminals" PERIOD! We must make the same choice.
Oh, it CAN be done! Heroic Mayor Guiliani proved that in then criminally depraved NYC during his tenure. The example his common sense leadership set has been repudiated now in NYC with completely predictable lawless outrage common.
Restoring Alcatraz , symbolizing a corresponding, thoroughgoing regime of complete intolerance, unrelenting CONTROL, for and of, criminal behavior throughout Federal law enforcement , would confirm a promise to lawful America that never again, at least by our national government, will spineless indulgence and preference be shown to stone cold victimizers!
Ray from Jack: In all probability , in my career I met persons innocent of the crime (s) for which they were incarcerated.Having had direct access to their "rap sheets" (I was required to make copies of them) I know most of them were nonetheless much repeated criminals and I don't think we ought to waste much sympathy on them. But among them very probably were some completely innocent of crime and the injustice done them , through a legal system which provides almost unprecedented protection for the rights of the accused ,was nonetheless heart rending!
ReplyDeleteBut. . . so also is the killing and maiming of those in the foreign armed forces we fight in wars. Most of those people are lawful patriots doing their duty. But dire necessity and sometimes our national survival nonetheless requires us to do them defeat and sometimes, destruction.
Yes, we must , as far as we can, strive to prevent unjust prosecution and conviction but not at the price of the danger to the law abiding which obtains in the U.S. today. We must make the hard choice, analogous to combat directed at opposing armed forces, to defend ourselves! The true perpetrators of this onerous necessity are none other than criminals themselves and nobody else.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: We must also be ready to give generous compensation to those for whom it can be established they were mistakenly prosecuted and punished . That is, if they are not habitual offenders; if they are, then let them endure that hazard of their occupation.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: What a historic day! What a thrill to see it transpire in such a hallowed setting.
ReplyDeleteI was astonished when Saint John Paul II was elected and , wow, we could not have known then how very much more historic that would prove to be . I think its a tossup between "JP II" and Churchill as to who was the greatest man of the 20th century. What do you think? I know you have plausible misgivings about Churchill. Other readers, what do you think?
I hate to say it but I was certain the "American" MSM would find a way to sneer and they did not disappoint. "Why, he was only elected because he was the LEAST American possibility. Besides, he's Peruvian " (yes he does hold dual citizenship). And of course his vital examination by the Inquisition of political correctness commenced with haste. From the sublime to the ridiculous all in one day!
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Not a great day for the far left: exceedingly important trade deal with the UK , brought about by DJT's assertive competence. And when pathetic radicals sought to disrupt exam week at Columbia with routine expectoration of antisemitism and all purpose hatred, well, gee. . . Columbia actually took action against them, no doubt grudgingly but who cares? Now, will Columbia follow through and boot the presumptuous students and prosecute the pros? If they don't they have to know what to expect from this President. Funny how that works.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these very favorable developments continue confirmation of the fact that we have one hell of an hombre President!
Jack, I'm very glad to hear that you agree with my position re: Alcatraz! You know, the more I think about it, the more I believe that it might be best to reopen the prison AND maintain Alcatraz as a popular tourist attraction. Why? Because we need scary prison fortresses AND we need the public to know about them and quake with fear when their names are spoken. Granted, if my plan is adopted, we'll need a pretty stout wall or fence between the prison part and the snack bar...
ReplyDeleteRay, my hope would be that some senior Dems will languish at Alcatraz eventually. After all, the platform of the Democratic Party amounts to grand larceny, at best, and high treason, at worst.
Hmm. John Paul II as one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century? I'd say that's a tough sell, since the practical power of the Papacy is miniscule, but then again he did play a major role in goading the Poles to rebel against their commie masters, and who can say whether the fall of communism would have happened throughout the Soviet Bloc if the Poles hadn't gotten the ball rolling??? I say again: hmmm.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I know that having been in the most restricted areas of Attica put the "skeer" in me. I wasn't planning a life of crime but seeing what the law can do to offenders wised me up. If society does a lot more of what its doing there, there will be fewer offenses to address.
ReplyDeleteTake it to the bank: for many offenders, places like Attica and Alcatraz are simply occupational hazards. The appropriate response to that reality, readily discernable by people who KNOW, like Corrections Officers, is to throw away the key.
Let American corrections take two paths. First, for those who can be corrected, a one time chance at a demanding and highly disciplined temporary regime of realistic , true correction. For those whose viciousness is clearly manifested: lifetime separation from lawful society.
Jack, I fully agree that, for some, the best society can do is "throw away the key". For others, "correction" may be possible. For still others, maybe, just maybe, we can deter them from wandering down the path of criminality to start with, by trumpeting the pitfalls thereof...
ReplyDelete