Discussion for article #226667
Is it too much to ask for dash cams for the autos and individual video units for the officers, next time? They have enough Agent Orange and war toys.
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I think this is the same guy who said a few days ago that this is useful equipment and it would be a shame to throw it away. And besides, “some of it” helps local cops “do their jobs.” And besides, we don’t “push” it on them. And besides, we have nothing to do with how they use it. What is the Pentagon’s stake in keeping this going? Could it be that congresspeople would be angry if Pentagon spending slowed, and they are awash in useful equipment? Have they found a way to expand their contractors’ markets? I think so. I think this is the same thing as lady guns and junior sized guns for kids. Here’s a simple test of local police “need” for this stuff - simply require them to pay something for it. Even better, if they need it, they can buy it directly from the makers, at full price. Either way, this stuff stops pretty quick.
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What could possibly go wrong with such weaponry in the hands of frightened , untrained cops …
especially when the TV coverage stops?
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Proving, once again, that “military intelligence” is the ultimate oxymoron.
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Bullshirt. And we were expecting something else out of his mouth? He’s paid to tow the company line.
All a part of the Military-Industrial Complex, folks.
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It’s high time that local police departments received flame throwers, tactical nukes, fuel-air explosive bombs, and daisy cutters. That’ll teach them uppity blah people to do as they’re told.
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One “toes” the line.
One “tows” a car that won’t start.
Thought you’d like to know.
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Sounds like a great idea. Since it’s illegal to use the military for law enforcement, why not change law enforcement into the military. What could possibly go wrong?
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This stuff should not be made available to police. What will be next in the retinue of military equipment and materials available to communities across the country? Perhaps shoulder mounted rocket launchers or maybe even nuclear weapons. Most local cops aren’t smart enough or psychologically suited to handle what they have in the way of fire power and conveyances that were available before the 1033 program. The vehicles are a drain on small communities due to maintenance requirements. These vehicles don’t run well if you only use them once a year so you have to run them frequently and the cost of fuel is exhorbitant. Unless you want cops to continue the war on the citizenry, this militarization needs to stop. If the local cops want to play with this kind of equipment, let them join the National Guard or the national military.
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It isn’t the job of the DoD to define the role of local police. Nor is it Congress’ job. It is the job of the people who hire the local police. The focus on the DoD program is misplaced. Obviously, local police culture in the US is embracing military imagery and activity because it fulfills what they imagine to be their role. If that role needs to be better defined, it is up to the citizens and their local elected officials to do so. I don’t want our police dressing in camo and arming themselves with WMDs in order to direct traffic or deal with demonstrations. I will elect local representatives who agree with me and who will not sit back and let the local police define their policies and values for themselves.
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Well, there’s today’s entry from the Department Of Derp.
Attention, Pentagon – THESE are not necessary pieces of police equipment in, ANY American department:
http://shaunynews.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/6kqynwq.jpg?w=593&h=444
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Their JOB is “Protect and Serve” not “Seek and Destroy”.
That is the problem with these kinds of equipment. Policing is not FIGHTING WARS.
That is why the Posse Comitatus laws were passed in the first place.
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I agree! If their job is to subjugate the people and the press…They are doing a fine job. Otherwise, not so much.
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Amen on the upkeep costs.