Debate over using soldiers as guards during GOP convention

[CatWoman]

Federal officials have discussed bringing in U.S. troops to boost security at this summer's Republican National Convention - but the NYPD doesn't think it needs them.
"With 37,000 police officers, the Police Department does not anticipate the need for federal troops," said Paul Browne, the top NYPD spokesman.

Sources familiar with planning for the August convention said officials at a recent briefing discussed the possibility of using the same security model used in Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics, where more than 5,000 troops augmented that city's small police force.

The number of troops mentioned during the briefing was in the thousands, sources said, adding that officials have discussed a similar strategy for the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July.

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/165218p-144679c.html

[Punkingal]

1. What that makes me think of...

is how dictators have to have the army behind them to stay in power. Just imagine...troops at our conventions. That image is frightening.

[htuttle]

2. At the Tiananmen Square 'uprising'...

...the Chinese leadership brought in troops from the far northern areas of China to quell the protests, since they didn't think they could count on local Bejing police to fire on their neighbors.

[damnyankee2601]

14. It's not quite the same.

They may be able to get soldiers to fire on protestors, but the aftermath would be pure disaster for them. Espescially when the soldiers went on talk shows to disavow their responsibility.

Kent State, meet Geraldo.

[HereSince1628]

27. Didn't Nixon get re-elected despite Kent State?

Don't be so sure that the GOP couldn't pull that off again.

I would think that an appeal for adjunct police from other cities would be a better solution if one is needed. The police in Miami, San Francisco, Seattle for instance have good standing with the GOP and experience in "quieting" protests.

[zbdent]

37. Kent State had a photographer, and a willing publisher

We have camcorders, digital cameras

AND THE INTERNET.

Maybe we should have a core group of people who have web sites be ready to accept a lot of raw video and pictures.

(not set up as just another "directory" of DU, but as a mail-request, so we know who's submitting).

[Womblestuffer]

30. Reichstag all over again, the symbolism is all too present

Now if he can get the trains to run on time

[booisblu]

3. I think

this will hurt the pubs big time. That is an image that will resonate with some of the base and swing voters, and likely scare the crap out of them. We need to remember that a large majority of the pubs are actually in favor of small government and the Constitution. Only a small portion of the gop consist of fundies and drooling freepers. Not to mention the whole Hitler thing this image will raise. Seems this bunch is as self-destructive as they come.

[Homer12]

4. Military Vote = Symbolism of Troops

It's nothing more than a symbolic ploy to link Republicans and Secuirty, but it looks more like facism.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. What it makes me think about is Kent State

*

[damnyankee2601]

11. Roger that. -nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Every now and then you get glimpses of how the Republicans think

they should be treated better than everyone else. This is one of those examples.

[HawkerHurricane]

7. More troops for photo ops.

Disgusting.

They wouldn't pick me for such duties; I'd be telling people what I really think and they couldn't have that.

[leftchick]

8. People that don't see the Hitler tactics used...

by this misadministration just aren't paying attention. Scary Shit!

[YNGW]

9. The image this would portray is...

..."These Democrats are so militant that we had to call in the Nat'l Guard to keep them from burning down the city."

[damnyankee2601]

10. Bring 'em on!

Another Kent State/Chicago fiasco is just what this country needs to scare it awake to the reality of RW rule.

[ignatius]

12. Photo-op and protection for the tyrants who are amongst the

most hated in the world.

Bush did a fund raiser here in Indy last fall. There were snipers on the roof of the building and police on horses keeping the protestors way back from the area.

It was downright creepy, but a glimpse of the future in America if this regime stays in power. It was like a third world country had taken over downtown Indianapolis.

Regime change begins at home.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

13. Posse Comitatus Act

That's a clear violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. Yes, there really is such a thing; it's not something dreamed up by the Michigan Militia.

The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of troops as a domestic police force.

Google, and you will find links galore.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=posse+comitatus+act&btnG=Google+Search

Here is one example.

http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/forum/forumnew62.php

[ignatius]

15. You are right. We had a discussion about this law in these boards

a while back. The only problem is, these guys seem to make their own rules or have enough of the "dreaded" lawyers on their payroll to find some tiny little loophole to do what they want.

Barring that, they blatantly do what they want anyway and then challenge anyone to take it to the Supreme Court who they have bought and sold.

[leftchick]

16. Reminds one of someone else who broke all the rules....

[Brian Sweat]

26. With apologies to Bob Marley

Ein Reich
Ein Volk
Ein Fuhrer
Let's get together and rule the world.

[blondeatlast]

32. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[nostamj]

17. oh that's beautiful! the occupation of Manhattan??

this could be very very ugly.

thousands of armed troops on the streets??

well, it will give people an accurate view of the future under the neocon fascists.

but, why would they need troops in Boston? won't a rent-a-cop be enough for the freeper turnout?

[Stephanie]

23. Manhattan is already a police state

Did you try going to the Halloween parade? They had Chelsea locked down completely. No one could enter the side streets surrounding 6th Avenue. I could not move freely around my own neighborhood. What was once a fun and carefree neighborhood event was policed as tightly as the March anti-war protests. Manhattan is finished.

[nostamj]

29. haven't gone near the parade in YEARS

I remember what it was 20 years ago. whatever the current mess is, it's not for me.

still, even there they didn't bring in military! gonna be quite a year!

[Briarius]

18. Hmm, guess what the difference will be

"The number of troops mentioned during the briefing was in the thousands, sources said, adding that officials have discussed a similar strategy for the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July."

I'd imagine it has to do with which way the guns will be pointed...at least that's what the puke's would like I'm sure.

[blondeatlast]

33. I'd like to see the Democrats REFUSE.

But that would force McCauliffe to show some spine.

[snippy]

19. Turd Blossom Rove, who was the first to compare Bush to Hitler,

probably will insist on using only those troops who sent the White House their loyalty oath to pray for Bush.

Thousands of marines have been given a pamphlet called "A Christian's Duty," a mini prayer book which includes a tear-out section to be mailed to the White House pledging the soldier who sends it in has been praying for Bush.

"I have committed to pray for you, your family, your staff and our troops during this time of uncertainty and tumult. May God's peace be your guide."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s819685.htm

[ignatius]

20. Why is this mal-administration so intent on making

this war for oil a religious crusade? Wake the hell up people, before more of our children are killed.

[opihimoimoi]

21. They should show some class and move the whole affair to Bahgdad

There the Iraqis would see American Greed close up. They would see the staging, the plotting, the conniving, the way the Pubs go about their shit.

The Iraqis would be impressed as the forward Gooper Team would build and complete 6 golf courses in 7 days.

The Iraqis would go nuts as Anna Nicole Smith bears her two saggy tits at the first break during the Convention. The Senior Goopers would have an orgasm. The TV crews would die laughing.

The Bush can say "First we brought you Turkey, now we bring the People who sent you soldiers here."

[starroute]

22. Manhattan has got to be a logistical nightmare for them

It's not like the Republican convention is going to be off on the edges somewhere, where it can be barricaded away from the rest of the city. It's right in the center of what may be the most densely concentrated commercial district in the world.

Subways, busses, businesses, shopping, restaurants, tourist attractions are all right there. There's no way to close down the center of Manhattan without bringing all those things to a screeching halt. What's more, the stores and restaurants and so on are counting on the convention to bring additional spending -- not to shut out all their regular customers.

I was in high school in New York in the fall of 1960 when dozens of national leaders descended on the UN. My school was in the same neighborhood as many of the embassy buildings, and when someone like Tito was on the move, it could become a nightmare of detours just to get to the bus stop a few blocks away. (Not to mention the poop from the police horses. :-) ) And that wasn't a major commercial area.

I expect there'd be a fair amount of chaos surrounding the convention even without protests. Bring protestors into the picture and I can't begin to imagine the jam-ups that are likely to result.

[Stephanie]

24. Not to mention Penn Station is beneath MSG

They can't shut the station down. Imposssible. They are just going to have to suffer the hordes of commuters. Another genius Karl Rove stunt that's about to backfire.

[DrWeird]

25. Everybody who can be there should be there.

We're all morally obligated to commit civil disobedience of mass destruction. Let's shut the thing down, people.

[blondeatlast]

34. If I can, I will! nt

[Redleg]

28. This should then be required for the Dem convention.

Rotten GOP bastards want the troops to be strongly associated with their party.

[blondeatlast]

36. From the story:

(snip)
The number of troops mentioned during the briefing was in the thousands, sources said, adding that officials have discussed a similar strategy for the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July.
(snip)

[LWolf]

31. Apparently,

George W. Bush, his attendants, and the republican agenda is so universally disliked in America that we need our troops to oppose our own citizens just so George can be annointed the republican nominee?

[nomatrix]

39. Well said, LWolf

I would like to add,
while we desecrate the dead below us.

I have never been so ashamed and hearbroken.
Pardon me, I need to vomit.

[Forkboy]

35. This going to be one hell of a convention

Buckle up folks!

[PVnRT]

38. AMERIKA AMERIKA UBER ALLES!!!!!

Makes you wonder what they're afraid of...or what might be planned...