[Al_U_Card]

From your "friends" at the DoD

Troops may be trained in non-lethal tactics, but they are not trained for what they may have to deal with in domestic situations, said Gene Healy, a vice president of the conservative think-tank Cato Institute.

Healy said civilian police and, if circumstances are extreme, National Guard troops under the command of state governors should keep the peace.

"Federal troops should always be a last resort, never a first responder," he said.

Critics also point to a General Accounting Office study in 2003 that found that domestic security missions put a strain on a military stretched thin by two simultaneous wars, and that a unit's readiness for combat is reduced if the members have to take time out to respond to an emergency at home.

The U.S. military "is not a Swiss Army knife," ready to fight the Taliban one week, respond to a hurricane the next and put down a major political protest the third week, Healy said.

The Army says the non-lethal training is an outgrowth of missions that troops have faced around the world in recent years.

"We need a lot more in our toolbox in order to deal with angry people on the street," said Col. Barry Johnson of U.S. Army North.

Lets "hope" that there is no reason for civil unrest anytime soon...

[helene_t]

During the riots in Los Angeles, the National Guard was used, right?

I wouldn't worry too much about this.

[Al_U_Card]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States military's Northern Command, formed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, is dedicating a combat infantry team to deal with catastrophes in the U.S., including terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Don't forget that the army responds to the Commander-in-chief...

http://edition.cnn.c...unit/index.html

It also helps to explain why the FEMA emergency shelters are surrounded by barbed-wire fences and they have restraints and shackles bolted into their floors.

It is only a matter of time until the US converts to a milcorp dictatorship.

[kenberg]

I am not sure I understand the concern. Healy appears to be stating the obvious. Oversimplifying a bit, the Marines are trained to kill adversaries. If you have a domestic disturbance, one that is fueled more by emotion than by any plans for serious insurrection, I can see that a different approach might be preferable. As near as I can see, that's all he is saying.

[Al_U_Card]

I thought that (whats left of) the constitution had restrictions on how the army can be used on US soil.

[kenberg]

Ah, I see. You are concerned about the "last resort", preferring "no resort". I was missing your point. Keeping the Army out of civil disturbances is in everyone's interest, including the Army's. I can't say that I am very worried here, but at least I understand (or I think I do) what you were getting at.

[Al_U_Card]

Just too many "coincidences" as far as Homeland Security and the use of draconian powers to apprehend "situations".

When they are deregulated, they will do just about whatever they please and damn the consequences. We have the proof.

[luke warm]

Al_U_Card, on Oct 4 2008, 08:51 AM, said:

Just too many "coincidences" as far as Homeland Security and the use of draconian powers to apprehend "situations".

When they are deregulated, they will do just about whatever they please and damn the consequences.  We have the proof.

yep... but we shouldn't be surprised, the feds have been usurping powers from the states (people) for many generations now... it might be too late
edit: i wanted to add that this has been done with the peoples' willing compliance, in most cases

[Al_U_Card]

And it is clear that the State National Guard is no match for the feds...