Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security

Washington Post ^ | Monday, December 1, 2008 | Spencer S. Hsu and Ann Scott Tyson

[PghBaldy]

The ONE question I have, is what is to be when the US itself is under attack HERE? I could see the need for this, as it may have APPEARED to be the case on 9/11... THOSE situations and when we are invaded by outside military (such as Red Dawn type situation)... For other times, like natural disasters, I dont understand why the Guard isn’t enough.

[RinaseaofDs]

Works for Israel, at least until they started trading land for ‘peace’. Now they have the rocket attacks.

Indeed, the Japanese, in planning the invasion of the US, knew they had screwed up. The general in charge of all Japanese Imperial Forces once said, “Upon landing, we will find a rifle behind every blade of grass.”

In truth, CC permits ARE the most effective way of securing freedom.

[bmwcyle]

And law-and-order conservatives would be the first to back up and circle the wagon around the government.

I live close to DC. I can't see that happening.

[PowderMonkey]

"some cops forget not everyone is a thug."

It's like the old expression says, "when the only tool you have to work with is a hammer, every problem becomes a nail." When the Army gets tasked with imposing order on the American population, all civilians will be perceived as an opposing force.

[servantboy777]

Marshall law.....will mean, Marshall law.

[PghBaldy]

I agree. One thing I want to stress though (s I think all would agree)- I love our military- and our police...it’s just our politicians I dont trust. THEY are the ones who dont realize they are playng with fire. Their children and grandchildren will rue the day they fiddled with our security (by not controlling the borders etc) and allowed our Constitution to become ala carte, to only consider parts which advanced their cause, and discard the rest.

[Kirkwood]

I’m with you. Just saying that the groundwork for a military presence has already been laid out and accepted in the US. Some seem to think that it has not happened, but it already is happening and has been for years. The LANG were supposed to be here in NOLA for only a few months, and yet they are well entrenched into everyday life after 39 months. No one bats an eye anymore seeing military personnel pulling over cars on the freeway or making arrests.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

I just read an article that said the Marines have been working on this “domestic” force for some time now. I have often thought that the Marines at the officers level have a broader concept of what it means to, “protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.” They tend to think more individually and tend to have a higher degree of education.

The Marines have a tendency to seek traditional-valued individuals who are not in lock-step with “think-tank” mentality. I have valued those individuals I have met recently who range from Fine Arts majors (sculptors), business administration, lawyers — actually a diverse and absolutely charming group of men and women. They have completed their schooling (not joined to get it), and have opted to serve their country. It is to them that I turn to defend all you and I hold dear.

We gave thanks around our table this Thanksgiving for the safety this nation enjoys and the men and women who provide it. I got misty as I saw my son raise his glass to his brothers and sisters at our table. It was a Kodak moment to be sure. Then as he enjoyed left-over turkey sandwiches on Friday with his fellow officers candidate after a long run. I would trust him with all of your lives, and he loves all of you enough to protect them. Keep your mind at peace and your heart fixed on God.

[swordfishtrombone]

Things like this, and REX-84 and every other situational power-grab are going to keep eroding the line between the 3 branches until the Executive is the only one that counts for anything... in crisis or otherwise

“We can’t be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans...”
-Bill Clinton, 1993

[af_vet_rr]

Any mention of putting some troops on the border?

We are talking about George Bush, not Ron Paul. Bush does not want a military presence along the border, because we are good friends with Mexico, etc., etc., etc.

[af_vet_rr]

No one bats an eye anymore seeing military personnel pulling over cars on the freeway or making arrests.

I hope I never see this become commonplace across the US. It's absolutely pathetic that it would become common in even one area. A few generations from now, our descendants will curse our names for what we are letting this country become.

[Sharrukin]

This may explain why Robert Gates was retained by the team Obama.

Barack Obama
“...interview with the editors of the Army Times July 13: “I do think that Secretary Gates has brought a level of realism and professionalism and planning to the job that is worthy of praise. I think that the Pentagon is operating more effectively. I think he has improved greatly the relationships with the Joint Chiefs and the military generally.”

But what does Gates have to do with the concept behind the “civilian national security force”?

Gates invented the idea.

Last fall Gates began giving a series of speeches about the need to create a more modern State Department and a “civilian national security force” that could “deploy teams that combine agricultural specialists and engineers and linguists and cultural specialists who are prepared to go into some of the most dangerous areas alongside the military.”

Gates’ idea was big – seemingly as big as Obama’s $439 billion vision: “If we’ve got a State Department or personnel that have been trained just to be behind walls, and they have not been equipped to get out there alongside our military and engage, then we don’t have the kind of national security apparatus that is needed. That has to be planned for; it has to be paid for. Those personnel have to be trained. And they all have to be integrated.”

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=82253

[TADSLOS]

Consider this move and take into account the Joe Biden “Mark my words” campaign speech. It appears to me that the Feds have been tipped off to a mass terror plot on U.S. soil that is probably in its last stages of planning and preparation but can’t be preempted for whatever reason. SECDEF Gates has also recently directed a bottoms up review of Reserve Component capabilities and limitations. Gates is also staying on as Obama’s SECDEF for at least a year.

[BenLurkin]

Agreed

[rjp2005]

VERY IMPORTANT

This is absolutely critical - the Pentagon is saying - without saying it - that at least one - possibly more - of our cities is going to be hit with a terrorist nuclear attack.

They expect it to happen.

[af_vet_rr]

SECDEF Gates has also recently directed a bottoms up review of Reserve Component capabilities and limitations.

This was needed no matter what. NG/Reserve units have went through a lot of equipment, and have lost or left behind a lot of equipment in Iraq and Afghanistan. A lot of units were never prepared for so many deployments in such a short time span, and our reserve components are hurting in a lot of areas.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Ping

[af_vet_rr]

This is absolutely critical - the Pentagon is saying - without saying it - that at least one - possibly more - of our cities is going to be hit with a terrorist nuclear attack.

If this was the case, Bush would have secured our southern border instead of leaving it wide open in many areas.

[TADSLOS]

Yes, I understand that. The RC has historically been underfunded and under equipped, but this review is more specific to a homeland security mission, there is a distinct sense of urgency to it and it’s coming directly from Gates, not the service chiefs.

[calex59]

Isn’t it unconstitutional to have troops doing law enforcement work inside the US? Posse whatever it is? Why not just hire more Border patrol agents, shut down the border except for people with valid passports and send everyone else back, build the fence and jail all illegals who kill, maim, hurt, rape, embarrass or otherwise harm American citizens and legal residents.