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joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:50 AM Apr 2013

Damn, they're effectively instituting "voluntary" martial law in Watertown.

Asking shops not to open. Asking people to stay inside and not go to work. Wow. Who signed off on that shit? Holy crap. I've never seen anything like this in my 38 years. Wow.

edit: they shut down the public transport system, incredible... wow. They are really after this dude.

53 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Damn, they're effectively instituting "voluntary" martial law in Watertown. (Original Post) joshcryer Apr 2013 OP
They are asking for people's own safety jberryhill Apr 2013 #1
I totally understand their intent. joshcryer Apr 2013 #3
This is my general neighborhood. MannyGoldstein Apr 2013 #2
Wow, hope you're OK. joshcryer Apr 2013 #4
I hope so, too! MannyGoldstein Apr 2013 #9
Stay safe, Manny. Do what they say! babylonsister Apr 2013 #22
Stay safe, Manny. This is crazy. bklyncowgirl Apr 2013 #23
Stay safe Manny. myrna minx Apr 2013 #24
Bravo to them for doing this.Terrorist has grenades/bombs/guns.They need to shut interstates graham4anything Apr 2013 #5
And well they should in this case. Are_grits_groceries Apr 2013 #6
Maybe, but "stay indoors"? joshcryer Apr 2013 #17
Yes. That's why it's really better not to take a walk and run into him. aquart Apr 2013 #25
He can't be everwhere at once. joshcryer Apr 2013 #30
It's a low probability. dems_rightnow Apr 2013 #37
What you have to ask yourself is, "Am I feelin' lucky?" aquart Apr 2013 #49
Well Heck, if you live in the area, just go take a stroll then. Wear a T-Shirt with a bulls-eye on Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #52
All vehicle traffic in Watertown suspended. joshcryer Apr 2013 #7
Only a moron would leave their house at this point. nt MOTRDemocrat Apr 2013 #8
Even *this* moron is staying put. MannyGoldstein Apr 2013 #12
It's not martial law BainsBane Apr 2013 #10
thus "voluntary" they asked it rather than mandated it joshcryer Apr 2013 #14
Because martial law isn't voluntary BainsBane Apr 2013 #18
I didn't suggest it was "authoritarian." joshcryer Apr 2013 #21
oxymoron eShirl Apr 2013 #11
Yes, I know. joshcryer Apr 2013 #16
They're doing their duty pintobean Apr 2013 #13
"voluntary" joshcryer Apr 2013 #15
Well geesh what are they supposed to do, let people be killed. nt Raine Apr 2013 #19
This is terror TomClash Apr 2013 #20
Seriously, 'martial law' in your thread title is so misleading Cal Carpenter Apr 2013 #26
That's why it's in double quotes. joshcryer Apr 2013 #32
But what does any of it have to do with martial law? Cal Carpenter Apr 2013 #33
Not if they intrepret "voluntary" rationally. joshcryer Apr 2013 #34
Why don't you interpret martial law rationally? Cal Carpenter Apr 2013 #36
I interpret double quotes rationally. joshcryer Apr 2013 #40
Would you follow their suggestions? sir pball Apr 2013 #50
Good. WilliamPitt Apr 2013 #27
They're asking people to volunteer Dorian Gray Apr 2013 #28
NOT, NOT Martial Law by Any Definition of the Phrase - Stop Your Inflammatory Rhetoric dballance Apr 2013 #29
Do you not know the definition of "voluntary"? joshcryer Apr 2013 #31
Yes, I Know the Meaning of "voluntary." It's you who doesn't know the meaning of "Martial Law" dballance Apr 2013 #35
They are asking people to shut their town down. joshcryer Apr 2013 #41
What are the cops supposed to do? bklyncowgirl Apr 2013 #38
Josh, darlin', Le Taz Hot Apr 2013 #39
Le Taz Hot, sweetiepie, joshcryer Apr 2013 #42
Oh, fine. Le Taz Hot Apr 2013 #44
No, you. joshcryer Apr 2013 #46
Well, actually, Le Taz Hot Apr 2013 #47
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities Freddie Stubbs Apr 2013 #43
*sigh* more people ignoring "voluntary" in the title... joshcryer Apr 2013 #45
How exactly is the military involved? Freddie Stubbs Apr 2013 #48
If you're in Boston, feel free to run about B2G Apr 2013 #51
They found a device in Charlestown at the T, you want to get on a train that will blow up? I sure NotThisTime Apr 2013 #53
 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
1. They are asking for people's own safety
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:52 AM
Apr 2013

When the lifeguard sees a shark and blows the whistle, you don't get out of the water just to make him or her happy. You do it because there may well be a shark in the water.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
3. I totally understand their intent.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:54 AM
Apr 2013

It's just, beyond anything I have ever seen.

They're basically shutting down the towns until they can find this guy.

It is incredible.

 

MannyGoldstein

(34,589 posts)
2. This is my general neighborhood.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:53 AM
Apr 2013

Safest, calmest area. Until this.

I never thought I'd have to worry about opening the front door. Very, very crazy.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
4. Wow, hope you're OK.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:55 AM
Apr 2013

Obviously I'd recommend heeding their warning not to open your door, but wow, this is, I am speechless, to be honest.

Are_grits_groceries

(17,111 posts)
6. And well they should in this case.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:56 AM
Apr 2013

You have a person with unknown weapons who has no compuction about killing anybody. He could show up anywhere and kill gawd knows who.
How would you propose catching him? Locking down the area and going inch by inch is he best way to do it IMO.

I don't support martial law except in extreme cases. This appears to be one.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
17. Maybe, but "stay indoors"?
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:04 AM
Apr 2013

This guy isn't a damn superhero with super powers capable of obliterating whole cities or some crap. It's a human being on the run knowing he's on the run.

aquart

(69,014 posts)
49. What you have to ask yourself is, "Am I feelin' lucky?"
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 11:14 AM
Apr 2013

And then you can get caught in a crossfire between the police and the other idiot who made himself a target.

 

Katashi_itto

(10,175 posts)
52. Well Heck, if you live in the area, just go take a stroll then. Wear a T-Shirt with a bulls-eye on
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 11:27 AM
Apr 2013

it too. I mean seriously its a nice day. Birds are singing, Snipers are in the trees. You have fun

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
7. All vehicle traffic in Watertown suspended.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:57 AM
Apr 2013

Unbelievable. I am beyond shock. This has never happened before in my life. Wow.

BainsBane

(53,001 posts)
10. It's not martial law
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 05:58 AM
Apr 2013

That's ridiculous. If someone is intent on running outside and getting themselves killed, they can.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
14. thus "voluntary" they asked it rather than mandated it
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:01 AM
Apr 2013

I don't know what the problem is, I accurately stated what they said.

BainsBane

(53,001 posts)
18. Because martial law isn't voluntary
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:04 AM
Apr 2013

Asking people to stay in their homes for their own safety isn't authoritarian. It's sensible.
Hurricane areas are closer to martial Law because those folks can be arrested. There are no arrest threats here.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
21. I didn't suggest it was "authoritarian."
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:06 AM
Apr 2013

I said it was voluntary. I'm just saying that I never saw anything like this before, that's all.

I've been in hurricanes that were under martial law (basically curfews) but this is entirely, and utterly, different.

 

pintobean

(18,101 posts)
13. They're doing their duty
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:00 AM
Apr 2013

There's a terrorist, heavily armed with firearms and "military grade" explosives, on the loose.

I think martial law is an unfair way to put it.

TomClash

(11,344 posts)
20. This is terror
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:06 AM
Apr 2013

This is war.

This is a small part of what it's like.

JTTF probably "suggested" it. They are after the dude because it's a war and he's helped to kill or injure hundreds of people.

Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
26. Seriously, 'martial law' in your thread title is so misleading
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:45 AM
Apr 2013

If it is 'voluntary' and not military, it isn't martial law at all. That's sorta the point.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
32. That's why it's in double quotes.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:01 AM
Apr 2013

The plea from government sources was to ask people to stay indoors. I have never heard of that before in the context of an entire city over a suspect.

Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
33. But what does any of it have to do with martial law?
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:06 AM
Apr 2013

At all?

Is there military on the ground telling people what to do? Is the military in charge of the area? Because that's martial law. Not being asked to stay home/inside. That is not a condition of martial law. Not at all.

People will see your thread title and think that the Army has authority over the area. Because that's what martial law means. It's confusing. And so misleading.



joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
34. Not if they intrepret "voluntary" rationally.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:10 AM
Apr 2013

The effect is still the same, people are being asked, voluntarily, to follow what would be martial law if it was ordered.

Cal Carpenter

(4,959 posts)
36. Why don't you interpret martial law rationally?
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:14 AM
Apr 2013

Google it, FFS. Just because this is unprecedented and shocking to you does NOT make it martial law. Being asked to stay in your home does not make it martial law. I can't believe how stubborn you are, LOL.

You like your misleading and hyperbolic thread title. Fine. I'm done posting here because I don't want to kick your misleading thread. I don't want people thinking the military has taken over the civilian government in Massachusetts.

sir pball

(4,726 posts)
50. Would you follow their suggestions?
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 11:21 AM
Apr 2013

I sure as hell know I would - it's not a good day for a stroll around Boston. As for shutting down traffic, fewer cars on the streets are fewer cars this dude can jack. I despise jackboot authoritarianism, but this makes pretty damn good sense to me.

Dorian Gray

(13,469 posts)
28. They're asking people to volunteer
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:47 AM
Apr 2013

for their safety. I haven't seen anything like this before, either. I hope they get him. Soon. And may all the people in those areas be safe. My alma mater, BC, is shut down for the day, too. And they've asked all their students remain indoors until this is over.

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
29. NOT, NOT Martial Law by Any Definition of the Phrase - Stop Your Inflammatory Rhetoric
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:51 AM
Apr 2013

Stop your ignorant, inflammatory rhetoric. They are not imposing any kind of marital law. Martial law is imposed when the military suspends civilian law and takes over. That's not what's happening in Boston. The military has not rolled in, suspended civilian laws and started rounding up people to be detained or tried in military courts.

All they are doing is asking people to stay inside for their own safety. If these guys are the bombers then they have already shown they don't give a crap about other people's lives so they're more than likely happy shoot or blow up an innocent civilian on site.

Yes, this may be unprecedented in what we've seen before. But it seems like it is prudent and necessary right now.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
31. Do you not know the definition of "voluntary"?
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:00 AM
Apr 2013

Other respondents appear to understand what I am saying, even yourself by admitting this is "unprecedented in what we've seen before."

What, I'm not allowed to express my shock?

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
35. Yes, I Know the Meaning of "voluntary." It's you who doesn't know the meaning of "Martial Law"
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:13 AM
Apr 2013

You are allowed to express your shock. I am allowed to express my opinion that you are wrong in your use of the term "Martial Law." Terms like "martial law" and "terrorist" have meanings and people have perceptions about them. When they are used improperly and indiscriminately they do nothing to serve the conversation. They put fear into people when it is not necessary. We would be lambasting the FAUX News talking heads here on DU for using those terms improperly if they had done so.

Alex Jones' people are probably on his site shouting something like "martial law" has been imposed so that the government can take out and silence their paid operatives who executed the false flag attack Jones was ranting about. That way the evil government can cover up that Obama was behind the attacks.

When dozens of HumVees and troop trucks with military personnel roll into Boston and the generals take over from the civilians then you can use the term "martial law" and I won't disagree with you. Until then it's just the police asking people to stay safe. They do this all the time in single neighborhoods or in multi-unit buildings if they're pursuing a dangerous suspect. They ask everyone to stay inside and out of the way. It's just on a much smaller scale than what's happening today.

Express your shock all you like. Using sensationalist terms like "martial law" is not necessary though.

On Edit: By its very definition martial law can never be voluntary.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
41. They are asking people to shut their town down.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:28 AM
Apr 2013

This is to any rational person "voluntary" with the effects being akin to martial law. Had they demanded the same, and not asked, it would've been.

bklyncowgirl

(7,960 posts)
38. What are the cops supposed to do?
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:17 AM
Apr 2013

Stand in the street and yell come out, come out, wherever you are?

Give me a break. This is a ruthless, desperate and heavily armed fugitive who'd love to take out a few more innocent civilians along with him.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
42. Le Taz Hot, sweetiepie,
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:29 AM
Apr 2013

You need to understand what "voluntary" (replete with double quotes) means. Seriously.

Le Taz Hot

(22,271 posts)
47. Well, actually,
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:36 AM
Apr 2013

as I understand it, I'm a "bootie head," or so sayeth my very-pissed-off-at-me 3-year-old niece.

Freddie Stubbs

(29,853 posts)
43. Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 07:31 AM
Apr 2013

But at least you didn't call it 'Marshall Law.'

NotThisTime

(3,657 posts)
53. They found a device in Charlestown at the T, you want to get on a train that will blow up? I sure
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 11:35 AM
Apr 2013

don't, you want to go out and get blown up or shot in the crossfire? I sure don't and neither do my friends.The pictures being shown on MSNBC are within a 5-10 minute walk from my spouses new office location when we move.. Sure as hell I wouldn't go out my door until this shit is over.

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