Military authority at local levels?

Breitbart.com ^ | Sep 25 11:13 PM US/Eastern | JENNIFER LOVEN, AP

[tjbravo]

Bush indicated that he wants more authority for the armed forces in natural disasters. The military is barred by law from performing any domestic law enforcement functions

Bush first broached that idea in a speech to the nation from New Orleans last week.

The president said he wants to examine whether the Defense Department should take the lead in a natural disaster "of a certain size" as it would after any terrorist attack. "That's going to be a very important consideration for Congress to think about," he said.

[wyattearp]

Imagine Bill or Hillary with the ability to use the military domestically.

I don't have to imagine it. Do Ruby Ridge, Branch Davidians, or Elian Gonzalez ring a bell?

[Sergio]

Do they ring a bell? I've got tinnitus my friend.

Best Regards

Sergio

[NJ_gent]

"The president said he wants to examine whether the Defense Department should take the lead in a natural disaster "of a certain size" as it would after any terrorist attack. "That's going to be a very important consideration for Congress to think about," he said."

The military may have control over a given area within the borders of the United States when no rightful civilian authority is capable of functioning within that specific area. So long as local, state, or Federal authorities are capable of carrying out orders in that area, any military personnel and action must be directly controlled by civilian authorities. The last thing we need is Army tanks rolling through the streets of Chicago next time there's a minor flood.

[NJ_gent]

"I don't have to imagine it. Do Ruby Ridge, Branch Davidians, or Elian Gonzalez ring a bell?"

The FBI and ATF don't hold a candle to the capabilities of the United States military. The US military could make the examples you cited look like picnics by comparison. This is not something we want to see in this country.

Good God, didn't anybody see The Siege?

[sarasmom]

NO!
Before we consider such an outrageous idea why don't we pass a constitutional ammendment requiring standard DOD basic security background checks on all levels of elected and appointed officials prior to them holding office?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I luvya, W, but mess with my Constitution too much and I'll put you on the same list I have Janet Reno on!

[A Texan]

100% agree. It use to be if someone is ineffective in their job you replace them. Not anymore, now its throw money at it and "the Federal government will save us!!!"

I am really starting to have some serious doubts about our political party.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

There are some links about this latest effort in DC, media pushing greater military control for "safety" reasons. One of them is to this FR post: "Northern Command General Endorses Posse Comitatus Review". That last is from 2002.

[johnb838]

What an honor it would be to have a bullet from the Dear Leaders rifle fall on ones head and kill one.