General: U.S. Military Doesn't Want Police Power

Reuters Via Findlaw ^ | 24 july 2002 | By Charles Aldinger

[habaes corpussel]

General John Keane who is a real good guy and a soldier and Rummy have their heads screwed on right about this issue. So get off it Joe Biden. The US Military does not want your form of Government.

[Destructor]

Imagine this: The sound of automatic weapon fire followed by someone shouting "Freeze!"

I don't want the military to have Police powers either. However I'm not opposed to using the military to patrol the U.S. Mexico border.

[weikel]

Ill play devils advocate the military is more conservative then any of our civilian sectors of government and the American electorate. We're heading towards communism if we keep our current system into place but if the military were to overthrow the government I think that would stop. I think the army is the only thing that can stop socialism in this country its too entrenched in our current system.

[habaes corpussel]

"Ill play devils advocate the military is more conservative then any of our civilian sectors of government and the American electorate. We're heading towards communism if we keep our current system into place but if the military were to overthrow the government I think that would stop. I think the army is the only thing that can stop socialism in this country its too entrenched in our current system."

A military Coup? Your right the Military is way to Conservative for getting involved in police powers. They are also too conservative for a coup. No I think you would see Military leaders resigning before attempting a coup.

[section9]

Once the military becomes overtly involved in the political process, it becomes a partisan of one side or the other. It could never represent the whole people in the defense of the Constitution once it became a partisan.

General Washington laid down his commission before the Congress for a good reason. He understood the temptation of Arms and Power, and was wise to resist it.

The Army continues to follow his example to their great credit.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[habaes corpussel]

Agreed on the boarder issue and they have can put troops on the boarder. All it takes is a finding and an Executive Order.

[Fred Mertz]

Good for General Keane speaking with common sense clarity.

[weikel]

In Chile the military under Pinochet overthrew Allende who was trying to create a communist dictatorship. The liberals have won within our current system so I admit if the military threw out the socialist I'd cheer.

[xzins]

I don't want the military to have Police powers either. However I'm not opposed to using the military to patrol the U.S. Mexico border.

We should combine a Border Guard and the Coast Guard, have a draft that requires service for 1.5 years from every young american. A "GI" bill would accompany that service.

They will be trained in police action relevant to border patrol. They will be an internal border police and not our military. Our military should focus on and train on "real war" -- high intensity, mid intensity, low intensity, etc.

The heavy military should only be used internally in the instance of armed invasion OR cautiously used if some gang/crime organization acquires heavy artillery/tank/air power.

[RightWhale]

Amazing how quickly Blue Bellies can become hated.

[lideric]

The Posse Comitatus laws should not be changed.
I don't see why the border states (Az, Tx, Ca.) will not put their own national guard on the border to prevent illegal entry into the country. Also, we need to pass and enforce laws against employers hiring illegals: $5000/illegal first offence, $12000/illegal + 90 days in jail for 2nd offence.

[weikel]

Our founders never wanted a Democracy. Democracy is just mob rule and always leads to socialism. Right wing dictatorships aren't totalitarian those are left wing dictatorships.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship." Alexander Tyler

[TADSLOS]

General Keane is a bright light. Thank God he will be our next CSA.

[weikel]

A draft in addition to being a bad idea unless absolutely neccasary as it dilutes the quality of the military and fills it with unwilling people is unconstitutional via the 13th amendment.

[He Rides A White Horse]

bttt

[habaes corpussel]

"In Chile the military under Pinochet overthrew Allende who was trying to create a communist dictatorship. The liberals have won within our current system so I admit if the military threw out the socialist I'd cheer."

Not totally correct. We overthrew Allende. We set up the Communications network for Pinochet. We threw our support behind Pinochet. Our Government was no where near what Chile was under Allende. As a former Army Officer I would not want to see the Military in control of our Government. It would have to get a heck of a lot worse before I would even start thinking about something like this. Yes we are having a lot of problems. Yes there are political forces working aginst our Constitution. But we are no where near the need to have the Militay take control of our Government. This would be insane and the end of our Republic.

[cynicom]

Bush and ridge ought to get a clue from Rumsfeld and the general. They will forge ahead however.