The Posse Comitatus Act was passed in 1878, just after the end of the Reconstruction following the Civil War, and prohibited the federal government from using the military for domestic law enforcement purposes except in very rare cases. Per Wikipedia, the Act was a political concession to Southern states, withdrawing the Union military forces that policed ex-Confederate states during the Reconstruction.
A couple months ago, the Department of Defense announced it was assigning a full-time Army unit to be on call to facilitate military cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security in the event of another terrorist attack.
A report in the Army Times last month first brought the domestic deployment to light. The Army's 3rd Infantry Division 1st Brigade Combat Team became the first unit assigned permanently to Northern Command.
According to the Army Times report, the Team would be on-call to respond in the event of a natural disaster or terror attack anywhere in the country, or they could be used to "help with civil unrest and crowd control." (Link)
This clearly raises issues with respect to the Posse Comitatus Act, but even more troubling are recent reports a U.S. Army War College professor has written a report asserting military intervention would be required in a number of domestic scenarios.
The author warns potential causes for such civil unrest could include another terrorist attack, "unforeseen economic collapse, loss of functioning political and legal order, purposeful domestic resistance or insurgency, pervasive public health emergencies, and catastrophic natural and human disasters." The situation could deteriorate to the point where military intervention was required, he argues.
The author of the report notes the proposals are his alone and don't represent U.S. policy, but it's also certain the report has been read throughout the Defense Department. But economic collapse? Loss of functioning political order? Purposeful domestic resistance? That's one terrifying slippery slope. And not in keeping with American values.
Comments
“God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion…and what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people reserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms…The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of the patiots and tyrants” Thomas Jefferson
Get ready for martial law.......it's just around the corner.
NWO 911 inside job
www.loosechange.com
Thanks Bush
Great reporting. Thank you for bringing these important issues to light to the citizens of the US. It's high time! If people only knew, and they should, what rights are being stripped away that are not being told in the press! We have a right to know and you as reporters have not only have the right but an obligation to deliver it.I hope more will follow in your footsteps.
Thank you again Jay for speaking truth to power in such a comendable way.
What is it about the Posse Comitatus Act these power freaks dont understand? Willful, flagrant violations of the Constitution and usurpations of power. Insurrection. A silent Coup. Treason. That carries a stiff penalty. "Congress shall have the Power to declare the punishment for Treason,". But Congress itself is adhering to the Enemy and giving aid and comfort. The silence of Congress is tacit approval. Who now to enforce the laws of the Union and suppress the insurrection? There is only one enforcement arm, The Militia.
Usher in the New Year with solders in the streets of America. What a fine little fascist paradise we have become. Get use to seeing machingun toting skin head jackbooted Nazi's on your corners. Your papers pleeze.
Happy New Year, One and ALL
John Galt
Thomas Jefferson stated,"There should be a revolution every generation." And we are long over due. After the attacks on 9-11 my Oma (German for grandmother)said while watching the footage,"This is just like the Reichtstag,just like Dutchland in the late 30's." And seeing how she managed to escape Nazi Germany I took this as a valid point. Since she has passed, the very same ploys that the Nazi's used in Germany are being used here...on us, today. The Nationalization of the U.S. auto industry. Homeland security, illegal arrests, military tribunals, roadside check points,forced inoculations, warrantless wire tapping,Media propaganda, and preemptive war. Now Obama is announcing his plans for a youth coalition. If history has taught us any thing it is that we have learned nothing from history. Yet the mind numbed, beer swilling populace just ignores the signs and follows the pied piper into the bowels of tyranny. As Ron Paul stated, "We are being Nationalized with out a whimper." And those of us that see the financial take over of this nation for what it truly is, are looked upon by the MSM as lunatics or traitors. yet it is they whom are the traitors. Trading our sovereignty for tyranny, and our prosperity for destitution.
Nice work, Jay.
You don't suppose those creating the civil unrest would be the very ones shafted by the FRB/Treasury's bailouts (aka "Looting of America")?
One can just hear the elites, as they sip Stolis in front of a fire at their upscale private clubs, sneering -sotto voce - at those who cling to their guns, religion and private property.
That they believe we need that kind of malevolent governing is based on their deep-rooted hatred of anything good or holy. That is why it is essential to them that they commandeer our food, fuel and guns through the use of bogus emergencies (that would be better taken care of by individuals). Telling people they are so stupid they cannot provide for themselves while steadily removing their ability to do so can't go on indefinitely. They know that, and are getting the military in place to protect themselves and their loot.
With any kind of luck (and grace) they believe we are as stupid as they think... and we can take it from there!
Take a look at who and how our media is controlled in this CFR Council on Foreign Relations, controls American media
youtube.com/watch?v=JPlvdSQ6cAM
Most recent reports I have seen indicate that the expectation is now 20,000 troops by 2011. Read it in the Washington Post. The title is "Pentagon to Detail Troops to Bolster Domestic Security" and it was written by Spencer S. Hsu and Ann Scott Tyson on December 1, 2008.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!