The fiasco in Ferguson shows why you don't give military equipment to cops

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://theweek.com/article/index/266337/the-fiasco-in-ferguson-shows-why-you-dont-give-military-equipment-to-cops

Last weekend in Ferguson, Missouri, an 18-year-old named Michael Brown, who was two days from starting college, was shot to death by the police. The circumstances surrounding his death remain in dispute (though an eyewitness says he was virtually executed on the street), but that hasn't stopped locals in this St. Louis suburb from demonstrating for justice and condemning police brutality. The protests lapsed into serious unrest on Sunday, with opportunists taking advantage of the chaos to loot local businesses, and have continued every day since.

Throughout all this, police from Ferguson, St. Louis County, and other departments have responded by arming themselves to the teeth with heavy-duty military equipment. Concerns about "police militarization" in America — the origins of which have been discussed to great extent by Radley Balko — are rampant.

But the great irony of this story is that the military itself would never behave so crudely. And that is precisely why it is beyond reckless to let a bunch of local cops get their hands on a high-grade military arsenal.

[Karee 4,190]

I guess when the population is armed to the teeth, the cops have to be as well. Another insane result of the "right to bear arms"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I guess when the population is armed to the teeth, the cops have to be as well. Another insane result of the "right to bear arms"

Bingo.

[JohnR! 5,495]

http://theweek.com/article/index/266337/the-fiasco-in-ferguson-shows-why-you-dont-give-military-equipment-to-cops

Last weekend in Ferguson, Missouri, an 18-year-old named Michael Brown, who was two days from starting college, was shot to death by the police. The circumstances surrounding his death remain in dispute (though an eyewitness says he was virtually executed on the street), but that hasn't stopped locals in this St. Louis suburb from demonstrating for justice and condemning police brutality. The protests lapsed into serious unrest on Sunday, with opportunists taking advantage of the chaos to loot local businesses, and have continued every day since.

Throughout all this, police from Ferguson, St. Louis County, and other departments have responded by arming themselves to the teeth with heavy-duty military equipment. Concerns about "police militarization" in America — the origins of which have been discussed to great extent by Radley Balko — are rampant.

But the great irony of this story is that the military itself would never behave so crudely. And that is precisely why it is beyond reckless to let a bunch of local cops get their hands on a high-grade military arsenal.

If English were my first language I would point out that at some point, this will be linked to Obama, in a feeble attempt to connect the 'police militarization' of America to his planned coup, and attempt to subvert the democratic system of our country. There.

Some will fail to see that more guns don't, nor will they ever mean more safety.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I guess when the population is armed to the teeth, the cops have to be as well. Another insane result of the "right to bear arms"

This is absolutely what the constitution had in mind, I'm sure of it!

[JohnR! 5,495]

This is absolutely what the constitution had in mind, I'm sure of it!

I disagree. The Constitution goes much farther than the reach of our comprehension. At some level, I am certain the Founding Fathers meant for each citizen of the newborn country to own his/her own silo of ICBMs. That is the very reason they used the broad and all-encompassing term 'arms' and not 'hand gund' or 'revolver', etc as they would have known the weapons of their time.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

This is absolutely what the constitution had in mind, I'm sure of it!

As Kip(RIP) used to say, we should have access to everything the military has access to. Some folks even wanted nuclear weapons...

[Penny Lane 8,159]

As Kip(RIP) used to say, we should have access to everything the military has access to. Some folks even wanted nuclear weapons...

Some folks think they live in a video game.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

As Kip(RIP) used to say, we should have access to everything the military has access to. Some folks even wanted nuclear weapons...

Some folks think they live in a video game.

And some folks knew how to push buttons. Kip was a master at it.

[JohnR! 5,495]

As Kip(RIP) used to say, we should have access to everything the military has access to. Some folks even wanted nuclear weapons...

'Arms' mean 'arms'. There is no room for ambiguity there.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Some folks think they live in a video game.

Speaking of video games, if you have a PS3, check out the Last of Us. I would love to have someone of your caliber on my squad.

And some folks knew how to push buttons. Kip was a master at it.

Oh Kip was dead serious about having access to military grade weapons. I know Slim wouldn't object either...

[lostinblue 1,989]

Folks thought it was fine to be used at the Bundy ranch. Now when it comes to your city streets it is a bad thing. (any city USA). When an armored car shows up for a domestic argument... Yes there is something wrong. and we have had posts about this before. The federal government wants control over the local police.. You tow the line and we will reward your department with a half million dollar military wagon with all the fire power that comes with it . I have a friend that works for a small town local police dept.. Population around 7000..... He claims you would not believe what they carry in their trunks. WELL beyond anything a department had 10 years ago. This for a town that had 2 holdups in the last 15 years. Small town usa.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Speaking of video games, if you have a PS3, check out the Last of Us. I would love to have someone of your caliber on my squad.

Oh Kip was dead serious about having access to military grade weapons. I know Slim wouldn't object either...

I think Kip and Slim know how to get people in an uproar.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Folks thought it was fine to be used at the Bundy ranch. Now when it comes to your city streets it is a bad thing. (any city USA). When an armored car shows up for a domestic argument... Yes there is something wrong. and we have had posts about this before. The federal government wants control over the local police.. You tow the line and we will reward your department with a half million dollar military wagon with all the fire power that comes with it . I have a friend that works for a small town local police dept.. Population around 7000..... He claims you would not believe what they carry in their trunks. WELL beyond anything a department had 10 years ago. This for a town that had 2 holdups in the last 15 years. Small town usa.

Please post where someone said it was ok to roll up that way.

I think that this type of firepower should be for a war zone, or anyplace that has a high body count. Ferguson wasn't even a household name until Sunday.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Speaking of video games, if you have a PS3, check out the Last of Us. I would love to have someone of your caliber on my squad.

Oh Kip was dead serious about having access to military grade weapons. I know Slim wouldn't object either...

I've heard really good things about Last of Us. I may have to check it out. I'm not really into video games much other than GTA and even then, I don't remember the last time I played it.