Very nice. I am a bit surprised I haven't heard of this before....?
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BIG GOVERNMENT STRIKES AGAIN
The Posse Comitatus Act prevents most uses of the United States military in
civilian law enforcement applications.
However, House and Senate Appropriations Bills, if approved in their current
form, would wipe the Posse Comitatus Act out. The Department of Defense
would be authorized to deploy military troops in cases of anticipated or
actual terrorist attacks. Local law enforcement agencies would no longer be
required to reimburse the federal government for any local use of military
equipment.
That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to redefining the
military's domestic mission. In June, the House voted to allow the military
to directly take over border patrol duties. The measure, attached to the
2000 Defense Authorization Bill, was written by Ohio Democrat James
Traficant. It also gives the military the power to prevent entry of "drug
traffickers and terrorists," and allows military inspections of "cargo,
vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the U.S." The bill is
currently in joint conference committee.
What's dangerous about deploying the military in case of terrorist activity
is that the Secretary of Defense can mobilize troops in the mere event of a
terrorist threat. And what would constitute a terrorist threat? Anything the
Department of Defense says is a threat. Anything from Basque separatists to
so-called religious "cults" or militias who have too many guns for their own
good.
Is the news media covering this one? Of course not. Do you care? Probably
not. But do you want to see tanks rolling through the streets of your town
on a mission that's ambiguous at best?
------------------
--------------
BIG GOVERNMENT STRIKES AGAIN
The Posse Comitatus Act prevents most uses of the United States military in
civilian law enforcement applications.
However, House and Senate Appropriations Bills, if approved in their current
form, would wipe the Posse Comitatus Act out. The Department of Defense
would be authorized to deploy military troops in cases of anticipated or
actual terrorist attacks. Local law enforcement agencies would no longer be
required to reimburse the federal government for any local use of military
equipment.
That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to redefining the
military's domestic mission. In June, the House voted to allow the military
to directly take over border patrol duties. The measure, attached to the
2000 Defense Authorization Bill, was written by Ohio Democrat James
Traficant. It also gives the military the power to prevent entry of "drug
traffickers and terrorists," and allows military inspections of "cargo,
vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the U.S." The bill is
currently in joint conference committee.
What's dangerous about deploying the military in case of terrorist activity
is that the Secretary of Defense can mobilize troops in the mere event of a
terrorist threat. And what would constitute a terrorist threat? Anything the
Department of Defense says is a threat. Anything from Basque separatists to
so-called religious "cults" or militias who have too many guns for their own
good.
Is the news media covering this one? Of course not. Do you care? Probably
not. But do you want to see tanks rolling through the streets of your town
on a mission that's ambiguous at best?
------------------