Topic: Reorganizing American defense

Spartacus · April 19th, 2006

I think we are drifting from the original topic; reorganizing the U.S. military in order to help support the police and law enforcement agencies in their roles as government.

This is a sound idea, but the institution of such measure is contrary to the very cores that the constitution was written upon. The checks and balances built into the constitution makes sure that no one branch of government gains more power than the other. Essentially, each branch is held accountable to another. This idea is carried over into the role of the military. Yes, the U.S. Army would do an outstanding job bringing down threats to the populous. Perhaps even too good. One could argue that perhaps the Army would be more inclined to use more force than what is used by police officers. I am going to school for law enforcement, and we have again and again been tought that under the laws derived from the meaning of the framers of the constitution, the amount of force used on a suspect should only equal the amount necessary, any measure above that is considered punitive. Not that punishment is wrong, but it is the role of the judicial branch to decide punishment.

This aside, the military in our cities give me the willies. NOt because the military is inherently evil, far from it. But instead, the opportunity for a high-ranking military official to begin a 'campaign' against any other branch of government would be largly increased. I dont mean a civil war, instead there are other ways this could happen. In the military, orders are given, and orders are followed. If a commanding General gives the order for a senate member to be arrested, there would be little questioning him from within his command. This would give the opportunity for those with power to effectivly silence those who oppose them. BAD IDEA.

The Posse Comitatus law was written for a reason; protect the American people from a possible takeover by the military. Again, not because the military is 'bad', simply because absolute power corrupts absolutly. No one can be given the keys to the nation and not be expected to use them.

It may seem superficial, but these checks are put here for a reason.

April 19th, 2006
Spartacus	I think we are drifting from the original topic; reorganizing the U.S. military in order to help support the police and law enforcement agencies in their roles as government. This is a sound idea, but the institution of such measure is contrary to the very cores that the constitution was written upon. The checks and balances built into the constitution makes sure that no one branch of government gains more power than the other. Essentially, each branch is held accountable to another. This idea is carried over into the role of the military. Yes, the U.S. Army would do an outstanding job bringing down threats to the populous. Perhaps even too good. One could argue that perhaps the Army would be more inclined to use more force than what is used by police officers. I am going to school for law enforcement, and we have again and again been tought that under the laws derived from the meaning of the framers of the constitution, the amount of force used on a suspect should only equal the amount necessary, any measure above that is considered punitive. Not that punishment is wrong, but it is the role of the judicial branch to decide punishment. This aside, the military in our cities give me the willies. NOt because the military is inherently evil, far from it. But instead, the opportunity for a high-ranking military official to begin a 'campaign' against any other branch of government would be largly increased. I dont mean a civil war, instead there are other ways this could happen. In the military, orders are given, and orders are followed. If a commanding General gives the order for a senate member to be arrested, there would be little questioning him from within his command. This would give the opportunity for those with power to effectivly silence those who oppose them. BAD IDEA. The Posse Comitatus law was written for a reason; protect the American people from a possible takeover by the military. Again, not because the military is 'bad', simply because absolute power corrupts absolutly. No one can be given the keys to the nation and not be expected to use them. It may seem superficial, but these checks are put here for a reason. Qui tacet consentire. Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum. Nec Aspera Terrent. Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur.