Obama: Time to review local police militarization

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By JIM KUHNHENN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Calling for a sharp separation between the nation's armed forces and local police, President Barack Obama on Monday urged a re-examination of programs that have equipped civilian law enforcement departments with military gear from the Pentagon.

The transfers have come under public scrutiny after the forceful police response to racially charged unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.

Amid video images of well-armed police confronting protesters with combat weapons and other surplus military equipment, Obama said it would be useful to review how local law enforcement agencies have used federal grants that permit them to obtain heavier armaments.

"There is a big difference between our military and our local law enforcement, and we don't want those lines blurred," Obama told reporters at the White House. "That would be contrary to our traditions."

FULL story at link.



President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. Taking a two-day break from summer vacation, President Barack Obama met with top advisers at the White House Monday to review developments in Iraq and in racially charged Ferguson, Mo., two trouble spots where Obama has ordered his administration to intervene.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140818/us--obama-ba6228b48f.html

[billhicks76]

1. Review!?!?

Get off your throne and stop it!

[Cha]

8. No one is on a fucking throne here.. only in your imagination.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. LOL WOW. It's appears some on the left actually were looking for a dictator/messiah

I used to make fun of right wingers when they said Dems wanted a messiah and thought Obama was 'the One'.

But it appears some on the left actually were looking for a messiah and a dictator.

Sad.

The demilitarization of local police will have to be undone by both Congress and the President TOGETHER.

[billhicks76]

12. Time Is Now

Actually years ago. I never sought a Messiah so pull it back a bit. I'm consistent though. No one used to say,"C'mon...what do you expect...it's complicated...you can't blame President Bush for things." But trust me I've gotten used to apologists on the left (center in my opinion) who excuse everything by countering that the president has been neutered by Congess. Well I see a prolific, active left being defused and deenergized by his nomination. You are quite correct many expected a savior...and they got the opposite. Not me...I've been fighting at the grass roots level because that's the only place I see motivated change and leadership.

Many of us have complained about militarization of the police as a frontline issue while moderates could only talk about congressional squabbles, beltway gossip and "safe" issues. A lot of us are angry and you better believe we're going to say so. This is a federal program and one I'm sure the President could have affected easily. Once again just speaking up and trying to get the conversation going would've been good before whether Congress would pass something or not. Obama gushes over Reagan as a role model...he should use the bully pulpit instead of letting his party cry no fair. This is the big leagues not high school government.

I understand there are some that feel closer to law enforcement than the average liberal here but we can all agree we warned and warned and warned about this so I'm hopeful Obama doesn't go his usual drug war support route or protestor suppression way while giving a middle of the road speech that isn't action but he will be late to the party. And anyone on DU that has actually organized or participated in provocative protests or really anything law enforcement doesn't like protested knows there is always Homeland Securitu present. They are behind the scenes sometimes and usually viable as the are the vanguard for command and control. I've seen them bust heads and swoop people at protests as small as 40 people.

[raindaddy]

10. We're going to need to have a conversation.

Hope it's not the same "conversation" we had about the NSA spying on the public and congress!

[cvoogt]

2. 'bout time he said it

how about now an executive order or *some* kind of action.

[Phlem]

3. Wow! He's quick on his feet!

[951-Riverside]

4. These days talk is cheap. n/t

[harun]

14. +1

[Rochester]

5. It's about time. Now how about some action.

[savalez]

6. K&R

[JoeyT]

7. If he means it and pushes to do something about it,

I'm not about to give him shit for taking too long in doing it.

Without a galvanizing event to drive this, it would not only be career suicide, but wouldn't have accomplished anything.

[blkmusclmachine]

11. Meh. More talky talky from the sit-on-our-hands White House. NOT IMPRESSED ...

NOT.

AT.

ALL.

[mahina]

13. Better hustle up.

When I consider the storms we'd be in if that man wasn't president, I am in awe. Bless and protect him, guide him, fallible human being as he is.