TNGent, I think all here who have served, or are serving in any capacity understand exactly that "IF" the military are given and should follow unlawful, unconstitutional, orders against the citizens of the US, then the two would be in opposition.
Stagger is an alarmist, I read no posts in here about desperately wanting for the scenario to happen. No one in their right mind would "want" it, but there are some that it is, albeit a remote possibility. Most servicemen are young, and therefore impressionable. The fear and the obedience that military discipline and life instills makes it a very realistic for them to just follow orders.
Many many servicemen do not even think about the Constitution, or laws. They are there serving, and doing whatever their jobs in the military are. I can say that for myself, and I can say that for nearly all the people in my reserve unit, as well as all the active folks whom I met and served with in Iraq. Military personnel are dreadfully ignorant of the USC, and other important American documents. Why? Because many Americans are dreadfully ignorant of the USC and important American documents, not to mention history.
To chastize everyone here in a simple black and white grouping is incorrect, and negligent to the extreme. You can recognize that dreadful scenario and still be a patriot. As a matter of fact, recognizing that enemies can very well have the possibility of holding some sort of official position is the first and greatest thing a true patriot can do. We are not perverting the founder's beliefs so much as he hasn't read and understand them.
No one here has their fingers on their triggers waiting in their underground bunker for the day. The times we are living in now, do not exemplify the day.
As far as checks and balances go, did you ever think that they could just ignore them? You can see it today even if on a small scale. A Washington DC official recently remarked in the Washington Post regarding the neighborhood checkpoints "I'm not worried about the Constitutionality of it". How about the double standard that I mentioned between anyone in an official capacity and a mere citizen. How does a mayor who is known to have smoked crack repeatedly get reelected? How does the many other incidents of officials behaving in a capacity not becoming of their positions get off with seemingly nothing, whereas you or I will definitely be fined and or imprisoned?
Did you guys hear about the recent firing of a FL police captain who threatened a coffee store employee that police resources would take longer to arrive in a situation if they did not continued to give him free coffee?
All isolated "minor" incidents of power abuse, which is why I nor anyone else here stated they want that day to come.
This is why I find it so funny that amongst the posters in this thread, numerous people, including myself, who have served in some form, disagree wholeheartedly with Stagger's comments. I can't see how he is coping with these members in his black and white world, for since they served, they can do no wrong, but since they disagree philosophically with him, they are his enemies.
It sickens my stomach as well to hear him utter the words honor, and integrity.
Instead of hearing it from me, you guys should check out the writings of General Smedley Butler, one of two Marines to earn two Medals of Honor. This man has been there and done that, and he tells of it in his book "War is a Racket" how it was all for business interests, not for the rosy ideals of freedom and democracy, not to protect American citizens.
Here's another did you know: a group of very wealthy, very powerful conspirators tried to enlist Butler and Marines of his choosing to assassinate FDR. Fortunately, he did not go through with it...he reported this to Congress but nothing was done about it.
Thank you for pointing out the warnings of Eisenhower .300H&H, people like him and Butler would still be considered unpatriotic according to some here.
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