Martial law = Military rule

[Cal Carpenter]

I really just want to define Martial Law here. I keep seeing it used incorrectly. It has a specific meaning, and it is not what is happening today. Shelter-in-place orders, curfews, etc by local authorities and FBI can be seen as abuse of authority, this is all certainly debatable, but it does not qualify as martial law, by definition.

Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis.

Martial law is usually imposed on a temporary basis when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively (e.g., maintain order and security, or provide essential services), when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law becomes widespread.

In most of the cases, military forces are deployed to subdue the crowds, to secure government buildings and key or sensitive locations, and to maintain order.[1] Generally, military personnel replace civil authorities and perform some or all of their functions. In full-scale martial law, the highest-ranking military officer would take over, or be installed, as the military governor or as head of the government, thus removing all power from the previous executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.[1]

Martial law can be used by governments to enforce their rule over the public. Such incidents may occur after a coup d'état (such as Thailand in 2006); when threatened by popular protest (China, Tiananmen Square protests of 1989); to suppress political opposition (Poland in 1981); to stabilize insurrections or perceived insurrections (Canada, The October Crisis of 1970). Martial law may be declared in cases of major natural disasters, however most countries use a different legal construct, such as a state of emergency.

Martial law has also been imposed during conflicts and in cases of occupations, where the absence of any other civil government provides for an unstable population. Examples of this form of military rule include post World War II reconstruction in Germany and Japan as well as the southern reconstruction following the U.S. Civil War.

Typically, the imposition of martial law accompanies curfews, the suspension of civil law, civil rights, habeas corpus, and the application or extension of military law or military justice to civilians. Civilians defying martial law may be subjected to military tribunal (court-martial).


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_law#United_States

[sharp_stick]

1. Hey, how dare

you try to actually make sense of a term when it's being used to blow something completely out of proportion?

You lousy freedom hater you.

[Cal Carpenter]

2. And the thing is, I think discussion of the massive reaction to the

situation is totally valid, I'm not trying to imply that it isn't, but calling it martial law is just wrong. The core, fundamental aspect of martial law is not present here.

Is martial law possible in the US? Hell yeah! Remember Katrina? Is it something to be concerned about? Sure.

But it surely isn't happening now, in Boston. If those goes on a lot longer, I wouldn't rule out a major clusterfuck that could result in martial law, but this ain't it!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. But hysteria is just so much more exciting.

[dballance]

3. Thank You For Posting This

I've already been in a pissing match with another member for correcting him when he said that they're under "voluntary" martial law there. He didn't like it when I pointed out the definition you've posted and that by no means can martial law be "voluntary."

[Cal Carpenter]

6. Yep, that was the first straw

LOL. I was on that thread too. But since then I have seen it several more times and it's just frustrating.

[dballance]

7. I almost started a thread like this one

I just wasn't sure I had the stamina to deal with all the crap replies I thought I'd get though.

[Orsino]

5. The creeping militarization of police is a valid concern...

...but no, police lockdowns are nearly the opposite of martial law.

[Cal Carpenter]

8. Yes indeed

I totally agree about militarization of police. It does blur some lines, for sure, but not this one.

[MineralMan]

9. You're absolutely correct. However, I'm afraid

nobody will care, and we'll still see the phrase "martial law" used a number of times today.

[Cal Carpenter]

10. Well

I'm finding an area of agreement with several people with whom I tend to disagree (and argue, LOL), it's kind of funny how a tragedy brings people together

I suppose we all have our limits of hyperbole.

[MineralMan]

11. English seems to be a difficult language, even for English-speakers.

It's not getting better, either. The word "martial" is almost universally misunderstood. That's odd, really, but just indicates that people have forgotten the use of dictionaries.

For their benefit:

Definition of MARTIAL

1: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior
2: relating to an army or to military life
3: experienced in or inclined to war : warlike

[sandmann]

12. People are silly

Our government would never impose martial law here. Heck, if it's for the safety of the people, I say go ahead. If you don't have anything to hide then you have nothing to worry about. The people on political lists from attending protests and who are on the no-fly list might have some problem though, which is no problem because they were going to commit crimes in the future anyway.

[Cal Carpenter]

13. Welcome to the thread

Strawman

I knew you'd show up eventually!

[sandmann]

15. Na

I have read on here very often that government would never use a list to come after people, so I find people to be very silly when they suggest government would use the military to control and rule over the people.
OUR government would never do that.

While you believe people are misusing the term, I believe they are doing it intentionally in order to perpetuate the silly idea that we are living in a police state.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

14. I don't think many can understand till they live it.

Joplin was placed under Martial law for roughly a week. We had to have it due to the lack of infrastructure. Many a looter found themselves in more trouble that they really thought they would be when they got caught.