Why has the Military not arrived?( Vanity )

Me | 09/01/2005 | Me

[devane617]

Looks like government enforcement of any kind has abandonded NO? What's up with that? I travel the area frequently and know several military installations in the area. Why have they not taken those personel with their weapons into NO and areas? Am I missing something? They should have had a military presence within 12 hours.

[jwalsh07]

The term "martial law" does not appear in Louisianas code or constitution however the Governor is given wide latitude when "declaring a state of emergency" to suspend civil liberties etc under the Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act of 1993.

Hope that helps to muddy the waters about the Big Muddy. :-}

[jwalsh07]

There are already 2800 NG in NO.

[jjs]

We are definately not liberals but my hub has been saying the same thing all week..."why is this taking so long?" What does this say for any disaster? Too much red tape! jennifer

[general_re]

It's that damn Napoleonic Code, isn't it? ;)

[jwalsh07]

Damn French.

[Les_Miserables]

There are already 2800 NG in NO.

not armed mps but now they are on the way.

[DJ MacWoW]

"why is this taking so long?" What does this say for any disaster? Too much red tape! jennifer

Where are aid workers to stay? What will they eat? Think about. There has to be all those resources gathered PLUS aid for those stranded. Can you TRY and grasp the immensity of this?

[Les_Miserables]

I think it was "within" the next three days but I was typing while he was talking so I could be mistaken. If they shoot all the bad guys in three days I guess they could leave.....;>)

[Les_Miserables]

Not sure why most of the folks who jumped all over you with examples of NG presence don't understand but those people were not armed! They had no law enforcement role and were only equipped to provide assistance not provide police power. I took your question to mean why have the Feds not deployed to assist in quelling the violence and lawlessness. That has been my problem as well. All of the malarkey about how that could or couldn't be done is now just rhetoric. Bush has moved, late, but he moved and that was the essence of the debate. I'd like to think they are watching the Blogs and chats and responding. I think FR has influence beyond our little board so we need to keep pointing out forcefully those issues that need addressing. I applaud you for your courage at asking the question especially in Bush land and your patience in putting up with the grief dumped on you. Hang in there. Don't become a sop to the Bush worshippers crowd. When something needs fixed lets make a stink about it. Like for example the Southern Border debacle which Bush has yet to even blink at.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

OK then don't vote Republican .. bye.

Fact of the matters is the President has not called for martial law since WWII and only about half a dozen times before that including the Civil War.

State Governors have the responsibility along with local authorities to maintain order, and only if they can't should the President even think about it. So far I don't see this as worse than Miami in the late 80's or Watts or Detroit. Local cops, Sate Troopers and the guard will regain control and the feds need to stay out.

[devane617]

Les, I assure you and everyone else that my question was sincere. However, after the first few flame responses I suspect herd mentality took over as is the case on many threads. The tone of replies is set by the first few responders.

I saw, along with the rest of the world, how the Coast Guard was rescuing people by the thousands. I also saw all the looters and violence. Not being familiar with military matters, it was puzzling why we did not have military trying to save lives and property., by stopping the violence.

At least I know next time not to concern myself with the safety of my fellow citizens, and bow to the military/political crowd.

[MadMaxCutlass]

Way to weather the storm, boys. Hang tough! Many run from flamers but you stood firm and argued your points. Whether I agree or disagree with your question is not the issue. What I salute is you standing your ground.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

WWL TV Live Feed:

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco just announced in a press conference that no less than 40,000 troops will be pouring into Louisiana for support and to restore order. Reinforcements of police and soldiers are coming into New Orleans as well from other parts of Louisiana and around the country. Troopers from Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, and Kentucky are arriving and have been deputized with arrest powers from the State of Louisiana.

An additional 250 police officers are currently moving into New Orleans this afternoon to add to the 1,100 New Orleans officers currently on duty. They have received "tons" of reports of looting including the looting of hospitals. Swat Teams have been sent to the scenes and found nothing. As a result, authorities are asking that people be careful to not report inaccurate information as it pull personnel away from critical needs.

[Les_Miserables]

I'll vote my concience I hope you do the same.
The fact is armed military force has been used by the President to quell the LA and Detroit riots, and immendiately after hurricane Andrew the ARMED NG was directed to deploy to maintain law and order before they were deployed to assist in S&R. The point is guns were needed in NO and were not being deployed and that was a predictable event and Bush and the Governor of LA should have been all over it way ahead of today. As we debate your Posse Comitatus Act and the nuance of the term Martial Law shots are still being fired in NO and the NOPD nor the unarmed NG has control of the city and the NG MPs are only "on the way" Check's in tha mail? It will get better when they get there but if you don't think they are needed; if you think this desn't rise to your standard of Detroit, LA or Miami, you are just flat wrong. It is perfectly clear the Governor of LA is just not up to the task and she had already failed two days ago...meeting your criteria. Turn on your TV. Wake up.

[Les_Miserables]

Thanks Max, do I get my ice cream now? ;>)

[Les_Miserables]

Maybe she should run for governor of Texas.

[billnaz]

Chris,

That was a very good and very informative post. I've also been involved in planning and executing troop deployments, from sending a platoon of soldiers from one side of Fort Hood to the other all the way up to deploying a division from CONUS to an overseas area. Like you said, it's not easy.

I wonder if even our most readily-deployable asset, the 82nd Airborne Division, could execute as quickly as the military-ignorant poster wants. It's been a while since I've been involved in troop deployments. Do you or any other military-savvy Freepers know how quickly the 82nd's Division Ready Brigade is expected to go wheels up after notification? I'll bet it's at least twelve hours, if not more.

[section9]

I'm told that Ready Brigade has been placed on Alert Status. Assume that they pile into their C-130's. It will take them several hours to get to NOI. Ready Brigade needs to be brought into NOI and road march into the Superdome area in a visible show of force. A couple of Strykers would be nice to have, as well.

I suspect that the lead time has been cut down due to the fact that Ready Brigade has been placed on alert, but the brigade needs supplies for at least a week of self-sustained operations.

They will need to liase with people who have airboats, etc. to get around.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[jjs]

Yes, you are right. jennifer

[KC Burke]

Hey partner, you haven't really gotten your baptism here if you haven't been flamed to death a time or two.

It is a rite of passage.