This morning I was listening to a call-in show on Howard University's radio station, WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington, D.C. One of the callers had a fascinating comment about the shooting rampage that occurred in Alabama the other day. Here is a link to news story about the shooting http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE52A01D20090312

The caller noted that there were military personnel in the streets within 45 minutes after the first call for help. He said that we should be very concerned that the military had such an effective response plan ready in such a small, rural, nothing town. He asked rhetorically, if they have a plan ready for that podunk hole-in-the-wall, think of the plans they have to take military action in the rest of the country.

He also noted that this sort of military presence in our streets seems to always happen when a Democrat is in the White House. I wasn't sure that he meant by that, but I assume it was a swipe against the military.

I have no idea whether his information was true, but it was a fascinating comment, IMHO.

BTW, for those in the Washington, D.C. area, I recommend WPFW. Aside from a wide variety of music, they have some great left-wing commentary that you won't hear elsewhere. For you right-wingers out there, and you know who you are, tune in to WPFW. It will get your blood boiling. Great listener supported station. I send them money every year.

There were troops from Ft. Rucker, AL that responded to the shooting--I saw pictures of that last night on the news. What I heered locally, was that there is an exception to the (?)'06 changes to posse comitus that allows armed response during natural disasters and terrorist attacks, and the soldiers got deployed under terrorist attack. The local NPR station here claimed the soldiers were doing traffic control only and had been issued non-lethal weapons b/c the terrorist attack definition was a stretch. 'tsall I know.

Personally, I have no problem with it--I think Rucker is about 20 mi. away from Samson and Samson, according to your uppitty black source () is a podunk redneck town, that likely has a podunk, ineffective police force--why not use the resource?

I have a lot of colleagues who went to Howard law, and one of our US District Judges did too.

get used to it. Everything is a terrorist attack.

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1984 300TD

JD,

WPFW doesn't broadcast in your area, but you might be able to listen to it on-line. The 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. weekday show is right up your alley - "Democracy Now!" with Amy Goodman. Guaranteed to get you fired up in the morning. In fact, next time I give money to WPFW, how about I do it in your name?

What was the caller talking about with his reference to the military being in the streets anytime we have a Democrat president? I can't figure out what connection he was trying to make.

Sounds like he was trying to Democrats like to use the military against Americans.

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1984 300TD

Or was he saying that the military gets more aggressive when someone from the "other" party is in the White House? I have no idea.

Whatever the back story, it is BAD for the citizens. All the POTUS has to do is say "terrorist attack", and we have the military in the streets? Marshall Law?
Wow, bad news indeed.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Agree. Bad law. Bad precedent.

It's nice to see Federal troops walking the streets of the South again, reminds me of the good old days, I love a good reconstruction.

Ohhh, you like federal troops called out for a local law enforcement issue. That's a strange commendation.

Did the POTUS have anything to do with the Alabama incident?

Is the POTUS CinC or a figurehead?

C in C, which does not mean that he gets involved in every decision to deploy troops. My question was whether the decision to deploy troops (if those are the proper terms) in Alabama was made at the local level?

Does it really matter?
It was not intended as a slam at the current President.
Whenever government can use US Military Forces in civilian matters, against US citizens, it is time to worry.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

No officer would contravene Posse Comitatus without command approval and no general officer would issue the order without policy approval from the civilian side. If that statement is not accurate then there should be enquiries to say the least. I would promote courts martial.

If there's a sneaky little "finding" in the White House allowing this level if crap it need to be brought into daylight and snuffed. I hope the ACLU gets involved. This is far more insidious and threatening to our democracy than a manger scene in a town square.

One more thing: I'll bet it's a Bush finding hold-over from the reaction following 9/11.