| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
| Locked on 02/21/2009 5:45:34 AM PST by Admin Moderator, reason: |
Posted on 02/21/2009 12:26:19 AM PST by Boucheau
DES MOINES, Iowa – Following publicized reports that the Army National Guard was planning a military training exercise on the streets of a rural Iowa town, the commanding officers have called off the mock "invasion."
The Guard had planned a four-day urban military operation in tiny Arcadia, Iowa, population 443, sending troops to take over the town and search door-to-door for a suspected weapons dealer.
The exercise was designed as a mock scenario to give soldiers the skills needed for deployment in an urban environment, and military officials stressed that only households that consented to be part of the drill would be searched.
"It will be important for us to gain the trust and confidence of the residents of Arcadia," Sgt. Mike Kots, readiness NCO for Alpha Company, told Carroll's Daily Times Herald. "We will need to identify individuals that are willing to assist us in training by allowing us to search their homes and vehicles and to participate in role-playing.
"We really want to get as much information out there as possible," Kots continued, "because this operation could be pretty intrusive to the people of Arcadia."
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, however, told WND that the operation has now been "scaled back" and no longer involves an "invasion" of Arcadia.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
"search door-to-door for a suspected "weapons dealer".
"to give soldiers the skills needed for deployment in an urban environment"
"improve the public's understanding of military operations."
Why the hell does the public have to have an "understanding" of military operations? Since WHEN is this high on the military's list of frickin' priorities?
What the heck is going on? Can anyone tell me whether or not in the history of the US military they have conducted staged "mock invasions" of US towns?
"Weapons dealer"????? That fits quite neatly with a search for a gun owner/armed citizenry, does it not?
Who are these people?
I am a patriot and among the best friends the American soldier could hope to have in an average citizen. THAT's why I'm asking these questions.
WHAT THE HELL are they doing running military games in small-town America?????
This is more than a bit disturbing to me on its face.
Perhaps someone could enlighten me?
...creepy as hell.
don’t know what to say. thought these searches were illegal, but it seems everything goes these days.
Yes, that is very disturbing. Searching for a weapons dealer sounds like a real mission that could take place within our borders.
It’s for the children?
You seem to already understand FRiend. Yes, they’re conditioning the sheep.
What freaked me out was the “crowd-control measures” description. That sounds too much like an in-house operation for my taste.
Those who are interested in this topic should use this link to see reports of another exercise like this that took place in Monterey, California close to March 14th, 1999.
At the time there was a lively discussion on this forum regarding the event. I came down heavily against the exercise. Others thought it was a great idea, and thought it was supportive of our military.
There was also a report in 2008 about a training exercise in the South. Folks were also very supportive of that one. I wasn’t.
I don’t like the idea of our citizens being desensitized to full blown military operations on our soil. I also question the value of a mock assault on our cities, since I can’t think of too many cities outside the U.S. that are just like U.S. cities. Canada might fit. I don’t see Europe fitting. Africa? Asia? These places just aren’t brimming with small towns just like those in the U.S.
If there was nothing amiss, they wouldn’t have backed off.
“crowd-control measures”
Exactly.
I’ve been observing, but not buying into wholly, the theory regarding one-world government for years.
Why isn’t 0bama/Administration trying to help LIFT the spirits and confidence of Americans in regard to the economy?
Why is the government moving so fast and so fierce with tax hikes and regulation—DURING A RECESSION? Knowing full well these DEPRESS an economy?
Why after 30-some years of running do Fannie and Freddie fall—just prior to an election? Even after having been warned by the “oversight” committee of 50 people?
Why are they not slowing the onslaught of illegal aliens at our borders? Knowing full well that this dilutes the population of born-and-bred/integrated Americans who actually know something about the constitution and vote accordingly? AND knowing full well just how they will vote, by and large.
Just questions.
I have many more.
My take on it would be, if there was anything amiss, they wouldn’t have backed off.
I don’t see this as a sinister ploy by the military. I just don’t think they understand all the dynamics at play, when U.S. Citizens have to watch them conduct military activity on U.S. soil, especially one that entails them locating and securing weapons.
The house to house search activity, is just damned chilling IMO.
Yeah, there is this little thing called the 3rd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:
“No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
It appears "the public" understands the operation very well and does not approve.
Will coincidences never cease!
I’m a total supporter of our military, but this is all wrong in my book. Government always take advantage of the willing.
Or see how people on the internets would respond to the proposal and blog posts reactions/regarding it.
It is/was a good look at dynamics.
0_0
Ya know what’s creepier? When the news gets out....it’s cancelled....
You're slow to the show. As you can see "urban warfare training" (Google those keywords) has been going on in US cities and towns for some time, and far more frequently than most realize.
I get your point, but I’m not convinced it’s a valid one.
In one of my posts here, I mentioned there was another military ‘exercise’ in the south, I think 2008, but possibly 2007.
When I spoke out voicing concern for this, someone that lives down near where the exercise was taking place, explained to me that these exercises take place down there not all that infrequently. And they stated that the local folks love having the military use their town for training.
So I’m not at all sure there has been an eight year lapse.
I am a rabid supporter of the military. I respect our troops. I just don’t see exercises in our towns as a great idea.
If the national guard needs to become involved due to national disasters or some sort of civil disturbance such as riots, I understand.
Other than that, I don’t want them displaying their comfort at carrying out military activity inside our nation.
With Obama talking about creating a domestic wing of the military, I am ten times as adamant about this.
“I don’t see this as a sinister ploy by the military.”
I don’t think for a minute that those involved in the actual games are sinister. I’m not so sure about the “intellectual giants” at the top, though.
“The house to house search activity, is just damned chilling IMO.”
Whoa! I literally had goose bumps reading through it the first time.
Sure, let’s have the MOST POWERFUL MILITARY ON THE PLANET play war games in our town—enter AND SEARCH our homes and businesses, brush by our loved-ones and flex their muscle in our living rooms!
Two explanations:
1. A plan to contain and disarm Americans when the economy tanks, or some other such catastrophe.
2. The leaders have forgotten how we view the military and their proper place OUTSIDE our society. We are NOT to mingle with our military in such a way—FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
THEY ARE FOR DEMORALIZING AND KILLING OUR ENEMIES—THAT’S ALL!!!!—NOT TO HELP US “UNDERSTAND” HOW THE MILITARY OPERATES—an utterly ridiculous and unbelievable excuse for this outrage.
The US Military has no business “training” in and amongst the American citizenry—none whatsoever—it cannot be justified.
If they need a small town—build it. If they need citizens—hire actors, for God’s sake.
Unbelievable!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.