Retired Marine Issues Dire Warning About U.S. ‘Building a Domestic Army’

[WatchManUSA]

I had my eyes opened to this when I saw Homeland Security badged officers in casual tactical gear and handguns at a Twins game earlier this summer.

From The Blaze: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/15/is-everybody-blind-city-council-meeting-erupts-in-applause-after-ex-marine-issues-dire-warning-about-u-s-building-a-domestic-army/

"A former member of the United States Marine Corps on Monday night voiced his serious concerns about the U.S. “building a domestic Army” during a local city council meeting in Concord, N.H. In his impassioned testimony, the ex-Marine said he believes that the recent push for local police forces to bulk up on military-grade equipment is disturbing and represents a very real threat to Americans."

[tombogan03884]

They were having the meeting to decide whether or not to get a Fed subsidized armored vehicle.
The cops testifying that they needed it said we have all these domestic threats from the "Free State project, the Tea Party and these other dangerous groups.
Ignoring the fact that ALL political violence in American has come from the Democrats or unaffiliated nutcases.
They will be getting the armored vehicle.

[WatchManUSA]

...domestic threats from the "Free State project, the Tea Party and these other dangerous groups.

These groups don't stand as a threat to the people.  They stand as an irritant to the to the politicians and bureaucrats using such things as exercising our "outmoded" constitutional rights of free speech and right to assembly. 

[crusader rabbit]

Why would this come as a surprise to anyone?  Back when he was running the first time, O'damna said we need a domestic force as well funded and equipped as the US Military.

Three more years of this crap before/if we can get this nation back on track.  And that's unless The One decides his leadership is too important to the future of the country and won't leave the White House.

Then, we'll see what kind of resolve still exists anywhere in this formerly great nation.

I weep for my nation.

Crusader Rabbit

[tombogan03884]

The Egyptian's, Libyan's, and Syrian's have the right idea and a lot more guts than the millions of US gun owners who do nothing but bitch.
What do you think the 2A is there for ?

[Sponsor]

[santahog]

I think it's about to backfire on this guy..
(He's not "well thought of" around these parts, it seems..)

http://blog.al.com/live/2013/08/baldwin_sheriffs_swat_vehicle.html

Baldwin sheriff's SWAT vehicle in commissioner's line of fire

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack, right, wants the county to fund a SWAT vehicle, 15 marked patrol vehicles and four unmarked vehicles for his department. Commissioner Frank Burt Jr., left, chairman of the county's budget committee, says the county can't afford to pay for the expensive request.

on August 13, 2013 at 8:48 AM, updated August 13, 2013 at 9:27 AM
   

In the early 2000s, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office bought a used ambulance and converted it into a vehicle for its SWAT deputies.

Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack wants to replace the converted ambulance with a new armored vehicle that could cost between $250,000 and $300,000.

Mack said the vehicle being used now has had electrical issues, and now deputies have to put transmission fluid in it before cranking it to go out on a SWAT call.

"We have got to have it," he said. "The reason is the vehicle that we have now is almost nonfunctional. As I stated before... it's getting to the point where we are spending more time working on the vehicle than we are able to use the vehicle."

When Mack presented his fiscal year 2014 budget to the Baldwin County Commission on July 25, he requested $600,000 to pay for the SWAT vehicle, 15 marked patrol vehicles and four unmarked vehicles.

At last week's Baldwin County Commission, Commissioner Frank Burt Jr. said he can't support the purchase of a SWAT vehicle. He also said he thinks the 19 vehicles that sheriff wants to get needs to be reduced.

The sheriff has proposed spreading out the purchase of the SWAT vehicle over several years through a lease to own program.

Burt, who is chairman of the budget committee, said the county can't afford to buy a SWAT vehicle and 19 other vehicles for the sheriff.

He talked about how the ad valorem taxes that will be put into the county's general fund for fiscal year 2014 won't be much as initially projected.

Burt also mentioned that he and the other commissioners have agreed to try to reinstate merit raises for county employees.

The commissioner said he has been getting phone calls and emails from people who are not in favor of the sheriff getting a new SWAT vehicle.

"We may have led him or may I have lead him to believe that seemed alright, but I have gotten a lot calls and emails from individuals who believe that local law enforcement people ought not be in military type vehicles and with SWAT vehicles and other things operating here in the county," Burt said.

Commissioner Tucker Dorsey has suggested that the commission meet with sheriff again about his budget as a result of Burt's comments.

Dorsey said if the sheriff believes the SWAT vehicle is needed for the public safety, the commission should consider approving Mack's requests.

As as far the 19 vehicles, Dorsey said if the budget gets too tight, the commission should look at reducing the number of vehicles.

Mack said the Sheriff's Office didn't purchase any marked patrol cars last year. He said there are vehicles that will need replacing next year based on their mileage.

The department's goal is to replace patrol cars after they reach the 150,000 to 200,000-mile mark, the sheriff said.

"We are looking down the road as these vehicles become high mileage and become maintenance issues and quite honestly safety issues for the deputies," he said.

Commissioner Skip Gruber said he agrees with the sheriff's thought process of trying to replace vehicles before they become maintenance headaches.

He also said he thinks the county needs a reliable SWAT vehicle.

"You have to look at where we are today with society and everything else," Gruber said. "There are times that you need something like this."

Mack said if cost is an issue, he would rather find ways to reduce the cost than have to scrap his plan to get the SWAT vehicle and the other vehicles.

The sheriff said cutting the four unmarked vehicles from his budget request would be an option to consider if he has to reduce cost.

He said not getting some optional features on the SWAT vehicle, such as the ability to detect movement at night, would be something to consider to lower the cost of the vehicle.

Mack said he didn't realize Burt had an issue with his request until after heard about his comments at last week's commission meeting. The sheriff wasn't at the meeting.

Mack said he thought things went well when he meet with the commission in July to discuss his budget request.

"Certainly, we have still got several weeks before the budget is going to pass, so we will be glad to sit down with them and see what we need to do and try to work something out," Mack said.

[TAB]

whats wrong with doing what they did last time?