Are we preparing for martial law?
As we watch corporate America stagger financially, and the polarized politicians try to respond, there is something else going on that we all need to be aware of.
For the second time since Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, an active Army unit –1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division — has been set up to quell civil unrest and do crowd control within our borders. And this time it’s a permanent mission.
The last time I checked, the use of the military in domestic activities was prohibited by law, with the exception of the National Guard units under the authority of the states.
So what’s going on? A recent report in The Army Times — “Army Unit to Deploy in October for Domestic Operations” discussed a new military unit that is now stationed in the United States of America.
The report stated that the 1st Brigade Combat Team would be deployed within the country and would work with civil authorities to “put down civil unrest.” On the surface this may seem benign, but this mission marks the first time an active military unit has assigned to NorthCom, the joint command established in 2002 to control federal homeland defense efforts and coordinate with civil authorities.
The commander of this unit, Col. Roger Cloutier, also said that his troops will be trained to use nonlethal weapons designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them.
This is another first; the first time a nonlethal package has been fielded the Army, according to Cloutier. Why does that make me uneasy? The package includes equipment to raise a hasty road block, spike strips for slowing, stopping or controlling traffic; shields and batons; and beanbag bullets.
The Army’s new “dwell-time” mission will be part of a force that includes elements from other military branches and dedicated National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support teams.
It doesn’t stop there. There will be Air Force engineer and medical units, the Marine Corps Chemical, Biological Initial Reaction Force, a Navy weather team and members of the Defense Logistics Agency and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
According to an Army Times interview, Col. Louis Vogler, one of the chiefs of NorthCom future operations, said, “Right now, the response force requirement will be an enduring mission.”
Very little has been said to the general public about this whole affair. I’d wager most Americans aren’t aware of this new strike force within our country. Are we closer to internal collapse than any of us realize? Why does the federal government feel the need for such a unit within our borders?
As It Stands, the idea that active duty soldiers will be used to control unruly civilian crowds is both terrifying and unconstitutional. (Dave Stancliff is a columnist for The Times-Standard)
Perhaps so few Americans know about this because the government has made no effort to advise or consult with its citizens. There’s been no official explanation for this action, nor has anyone in the White House told us what their plans are.
I’ve had enough of this administration’s attitude that the Constitution is just a piece of paper and that they’re free to do whatever they wish regardless of the limitations the Constitution places on their actions. The Bush administration is the most secretive one we’ve seen since Nixon’s. I’m equally disappointed that neither Obama nor McCain, both of whom must be aware of this action, haven’t bothered to step up and explain it to the American public. That indicates they are both either complicit or clueless. Neither possibility fills me with confidence in their potential presidency.
We need to demand full disclosure from our elected officials. Anything less is not acceptable, nor should it be. We elected this government, we pay their salaries. If they cannot perform the duties of office according to the Constitution they need to be replaced with those who will.
