tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post116482297624591932..comments2024-03-08T07:09:46.527-07:00Comments on Pro Libertate: Support Your Paramilitary Police?William N. Grigghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164976880607663292006-12-01T05:41:00.000-07:002006-12-01T05:41:00.000-07:00Could you include in your findings references to t...Could you include in your findings references to the paramilitary drills conducted in public schools. I read of two such incidents recently where SWAT teams stormed public schools, searched all the students, and scared the bejeezus out of both the students and their parents. For what purpose are these drills being conducted, other than to acclimate the populace to this kind of action?Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17639728081770034661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164914083903461152006-11-30T12:14:00.000-07:002006-11-30T12:14:00.000-07:00the other thing that got me was that the VCDL subm...<I>the other thing that got me was that the VCDL submitted a law that would require a person carrying concealed to inform the police officer that they are carrying concealed or face a misdemeanor charge.</I><BR/><BR/>That's already long been the law, at least when you're stopped by a police officer driving in your car/riding a motorcycle. I'm guessin' what VCDL was recommending was for a law that requires one to "show their papers" (CCP) ANY time you happen to be questioned by a police officer, not just traffic stops. Perhaps? I don't know.<BR/><BR/>I've never been a member of VCDL but, just like any organization, the leadership can become tainted over time I reckon unless the members are vigilant :(.dixiedoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845646940134894119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164882124157466132006-11-30T03:22:00.000-07:002006-11-30T03:22:00.000-07:00Why a SWAT team for an unarmed bookmaker? Simple, ...Why a SWAT team for an unarmed bookmaker? Simple, like the policeman who recently e-mailed Will clarified. They [the commoners] THANK US for mopping up the cretins, regardless of the criminal profession. IOW, they suck in the official dogma about the given shooting.<BR/><BR/>But then, I'm not all that surprised about this kind of thing happenin' in Fair(y)fax county, or rather Metro DC. Some commoners, including a manager of one of the establishments, in a couple of restaurants in the county were apparently afraid when CIVILIANS with holstered firearms (open carry) were seen patronizing the establishments in question a few years ago after shooting practice. (Source: <A HREF="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1355410/posts" REL="nofollow">FreeRepublic</A>*)<BR/><BR/>Gee, really?? The cops thought open carry was illegal too! The VCDL had to inform the ignorant folk, to include the Polizei, that it's LEGAL to open carry firearms in public and in private establishments that otherwise don't disallow weapons.<BR/><BR/>*Yeah, I know what you're probably thinking, Will. I don't care for the FreeRepublic either, but one has to discriminate and not dismiss something simply because the source may be otherwise detestable. The message always trumps the messenger.<BR/><BR/>rick: <I>...make sure you categorize your results. IOW, make sure you ask the right questions!!</I><BR/><BR/>Simple, all Will needs to do is ask about stats on "suicide by cop" as they themselves would call it. Thinking folk, of course, would know what that <I>really</I> meant.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes it pays to act "ignorant," "neutral," or sometimes feign a favorable view on a topic of interest when seeking info about that topic especially from government sources about government actions.dixiedoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845646940134894119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164875874589516402006-11-30T01:37:00.000-07:002006-11-30T01:37:00.000-07:00UCR on the FBI site would be a good place to start...UCR on the FBI site would be a good place to start tracking figures.<BR/><BR/>It's alleged that deadly force is less likely to be used during so-called SWAT operations, than by the everyday cop on the street, or the patrol officers trying to rescue hostages taken during a thwarted robbery. But this could be a matter of averages. You can check NTOA for those numbers.<BR/><BR/>It certainly is alarming to see packs of men clad in armor pursuing gamblers. I followed the case in Va for some time. A .45 being plunged into the chest of an unarmed bookie angered all who had a conscience. My recollection of that tragedy was that it was an accidental shooting. But then the inevitable questions -many from cops- joined those asked by the public; why a SWAT team for an unarmed bookmaker? Why was his muzzle even pointed at the bookie if he was not exhibiting a weapon?<BR/>Why was his finger anywhere near the trigger? Why were they there in the first place?<BR/><BR/>The use of SWAT teams for such low-risk arrests is disturbing to say the least. But I believe there might be at SOME hope. Some who take the business of policework seriously have recognized the necessity of STRICT guidelines for the use of a SWAT team. In many areas gone are the days of calling some guys who want to play dress up and take pictures of each other to serve a warrant on someone who will offer a little bit of a fight. Solid and verifiable information must gathered before even considering SWAT use. There has to be a good reason to go in rather than wait or pull a ruse. Even if SWAT is used there's a very good chance they will not storm the place as the clowns did in the linked vids. Invading a home is serious business, especially if the occupant is armed.<BR/><BR/>I do believe SWAT teams are a necessity for some jurisdictions. Others, who don't have the hardcore criminal element, shouldn't be wasting time and money on such endeavors. A jurisdiction with one is more likely to use one, even if it isn't needed. Then the citizens suffer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164856869252604082006-11-29T20:21:00.000-07:002006-11-29T20:21:00.000-07:00Cap'n -- First of all, did you see that Mister Spo...Cap'n -- <BR/><BR/>First of all, did you see that Mister Spock left a comment on another thread? Now if we can bring Bones out of retirement (with or without the beard and the Disco medallion, as he appeared in ST:TMP), we'll have the full Triumvirate on board!<BR/><BR/>The whole idea of designating some big social undertaking "the moral equivalent of war" was inflicted on us by William James, the father of "pragmatism." The notion was adopted by the Progressives -- TR, Herbert Croly, Walter Lippmann, and others of that persuasion -- who thought WWI was just swell, because it allowed Washington to regiment every aspect of the economy and public life. The Progressives didn't use the "war on [fill in the blank]" formulation, but they operated on the same principle. <BR/><BR/>Interestingly, the first significant political leader to use the "war on [fill in the blank]" formula was -- ta daaa! -- Benito Mussolini, who was influenced by the American Progressives and in turn directly influenced the New Deal. <BR/><BR/>The first "war on drugs" was Prohibition, which was brought to us by the same lovely people who conspired (no other word is adequate -- sorry) to get the US involved in WWI. The current version of prohibition, the "war on drugs," is directly responsible for the militarization of law enforcement and the effective abolition of Posse Comitatus (by way of an EO signed by Ronald Reagan).William N. Grigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164850204054738252006-11-29T18:30:00.000-07:002006-11-29T18:30:00.000-07:00Will,Excellent job on bringing this issue into the...Will,<BR/><BR/>Excellent job on bringing this issue into the light of day. Yeah, i'd be real interested in finding out how many citizens are capped each year (under questionable circumstances) by the law enforcement establishment. I'd be willing to bet that a fair percentage of these shootings occur by the quasi-military and undercover operators in law enforcement as opposed to the average beat cop.<BR/><BR/>BTW, when speaking on the domestic front of the War on Drugs or the War on Terrorism, how come the law enforcement establishment is fighting a war. I thought wars were the purview of the military. Then again, what shreds remain of the Posse Commitatus Act are supposed to prohibit military operations on our own soil. Perhaps that is why these social problems are couched in terms of war and the law enforcement establishment is becoming more militaristic. Will, what do you think?Captain Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05111692386028869573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164848785598961142006-11-29T18:06:00.000-07:002006-11-29T18:06:00.000-07:00I would love to know the stats on police shootings...I would love to know the stats on police shootings in this country every year. I fear that the number would be far too many to keep up with. I am outraged that these men could be gunned down on our city streets! Last week it was the poor little old lady killed by police in Atlanta. Whether they got the wrong house or not is still unknown to me but they CUT thru security bars to get into her home. (Supposedly on a no knock drug warrant.) She was probably scared to death, and shot at them. They deserved to be shot at! These are NOT justifiable shootings although I am sure they will be found as such. Locally, where I live, a man believed to be suicidal was recently shot and killed. He was on a bacony at his home with a knife and had already injured himself. Police shot and killed him from the yard below. It was found to be a JUSTIFIED shooting. Unbelievable!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164845906332210992006-11-29T17:18:00.000-07:002006-11-29T17:18:00.000-07:00Mac -- thanks for your kind comments, and I do int...Mac -- thanks for your kind comments, and I do intend to research the question I raised about the number of civilian deaths per annum as a result of police shootings.<BR/><BR/>I've read about one case involving a mentally ill man in Portland who is about my age; this outrage is something I've been meaning to look into for some time. If you have any leads or contacts to share, I'd sure appreciate hearing more from you. God bless!William N. Grigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-1164844787751163742006-11-29T16:59:00.000-07:002006-11-29T16:59:00.000-07:00Great comment. It sounds as if you might be the pe...Great comment. It sounds as if you might be the perfect person to gather those stats about civilian deaths you mention. <BR/><BR/>since you live in Idaho, I assume you've heard about the numerous police killings of mentally ill people in Portland, Oregon? I've never figured out why they feel their life is in danger when they are 'threatened' by a drunk wielding a knife or a schizophrenic trying to run away. To the best of my knowledge no Portland police have been killed recently, though there was one wonderful officer who was grievously wounded not too long ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com