[Loyal Buckeye]

I agree. The troops can, however, "show" force just by being present in the neighborhoods. I'm also sure they can return fire if fired upon.

The only thing they can't do is arrest people.

[Terabitten]

The troops can, however, "show" force just by being present in the neighborhoods. I'm also sure they can return fire if fired upon.

The only thing they can't do is arrest people.

They can't arrest them per se, but the troops can detain them, tie 'em up with zip cuffs, and hold them until police or whoever actually arrives to read them their rights, etc., and actually arrest them.

[don-o]

The only thing they can't do is arrest people.

And they should not be delivering food and water.

[patriciaruth]

I'm also sure they can return fire if fired upon.

I believe Governor Blanco would not allow the regular military under President Bush to bring weapons into Louisiana.

Only the National Guard under her control have weapons.

Someone will have to do more than find an article that states otherwise as there is a lot of misinformation going around.

It'll have to be an authoritative article from a trusted source that talks to this point before I'll believe otherwise.