Posted on 12/03/2013 9:18:59 AM PST by stevie_d_64
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/02/the-police-industrialente_n_4372272.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592
In my book on police militarization, I have a section on the role pop culture has played in blurring the line between cops and soldiers, particularly with the onset of reality(ish) shows like A&E's Dallas SWAT or Spike TV's DEA. Over at the blog Gun Culture 2.0, sociologist David Yamane looks at a bizarre new reality competition on the Outdoor Channel called Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T., which features SWAT teams from across the country competing in a number of SWAT-like competitions for a $100,000 prize. As Yamane describes it, "ETU is basically 'Survivor' set in the world of police special forces."
Of particular interest is the show's sponsorship by the Swiss gun manufacturer SIG Sauer. Yahame points to this commercial which apparently often airs during the show, and makes no effort whatsoever to distinguish cops from soldiers, or the police from the military.
Before anyone passes judgement on this thread, please take a moment to read a snipit of this...
I have not found anything in this to be something that doesn’t expand upon what some of us already know, but it is something that illustrates a continued effort to demonstrate a desire to intimidate, control, and at a moments notice take away our freedoms and liberties...
The source, in my opinion is not as damning as it has been in the past...
This is something folks need to see, regardless of the source...
Just my opinion...
I agree. The theme of Police Militarization has been a source of many excellent discussions and debates on FR. I would add that the militarization of police forces have also lead to a certain sense of militancy or belligerence among police forces.
Check your watch. It's 1775.
Thanks LV...The posting of the original thread didn’t really alow the linking of the URL because of previous mishaps from the source...
I’m not caught up in that debate, so much that I am more concerned about the content of this particular issue...
Sorry, mine says 11:30
;-)
But I see your point...hehe
You can add 20+ years of television indoctrination as well. How many police/crime dramas show cops regularly breaking the law (warrantless searches, etc) in order to ‘get the bad guy’.
Prepping the sheep for the slaughter, turning them into passive, obedient morons.
Most of what I can see as an immediate abuse is the importation of out of jurisdiction police forces to “assist” local police in enforceing the law and other un-Constitutional edicts from the local authorities, and maybe even the Feds...
Case in Point New Orleans (Katrina), of which we know all to well the abuses and over stepping of the boundaries by the “imports” that DO NOT have any compulstion about doing these activities because of their lack of compassion to the local population, no attachments or knowledge of the local mindsets, much less the laws of that particular area (state)...
Thats one of the big booger-boo’s with me...
For some time on FR I have commented that when the orders are given, the police will obey them. The worst people to listen to are those who say “That can’t happen here.” That’s what the average German of 1928 would have said. But people in paramilitary organizations are conditioned to follow orders. We are pre-programmed for it.
Example: I personally know one of the officers of the Durham PD who was acting at the direction of Jerry Nifong on the Duke Lacrosse case. I was told that Nifong was everything we thought he was, and worse. I was told that the officers did not agree with or like the orders they were receiving; they thought they were wrong. But they had been given search warrants signed by a judge.
They carried them out anyway.
There is certainly an “us against them” or police and civilians attitude that has developed.
They used to protect and serve the people, they have become protectors and servants of themselves and the state.
It used to be that the police were civilians, not a domestic army.
Outstanding point!!!
But the bigger picture is it’s also led to escalating wide spread distrust of cops.
Years ago Americans saw those in law enforcement as a needed arm of government to go after real bad violent people and to protect our borders. A growing number of Americans now see cops as punitive agents of the government, out to seize their assets and gain further control at any cost.
All the kings men if you will.
‘...called Elite Tactical Unit: S.W.A.T., which features SWAT teams from across the country competing in a number of SWAT-like competitions...’
Ive watched that a couple times. If these guys a truly representative of SWAT teams we’re in danger for our safety..and probably liberty. Their gun handling/shooting skills are at best mediocre and its ‘bro’ this and ‘bro’ that (the Thin Blue Line baloney on steroids). They make a lot of excuses for their lack of discipline. Theyre certainly not the defn of a solider but seem to want to live in that world. Basically, theyre a gang of civil servants w/ a distorted view of the world and their role in it. OTOH Im sure the pols are happy for a ‘military’ to impose their will on the unwilling. It seems if all this goes to a logic conclusion the end wont be a happy one.
Excellent posting! Its spot on...
Back then, the Redcoats WERE the King's Law Enforcement arm.
That's the whole point behind all the writing against allowing a federal "standing army" to exist. Federal Law Enforcement, plus the federalized, and federal-money-dependent local police, ARE the "standing army" the founders worried about.
Balko’s book is well worth the read. It is well documented and speaks to erosion of Constitutional standards for law enforcement that should concern every conservative.
Bingo! / Bump.
Seen the show also.
Cops are not your friend.
They do practice swat actions in the middle of L. A. and the spectators applaud when it is over.
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