Scenes from militarized Ameika installment #23,865

[Anti Federalist]

Balko's first post from his new home for "The Agitator" over at HuffPo.


Scenes From Militarized America

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radle...ized-a_b_2162360.html?utm_hp_ref=the-agitator

These were taken during a standoff near Muskegon, Michigan.

In this case, it looks like they were responding to a domestic disturbance that had real potential for violence--the sort of situation where a SWAT response is appropriate. This was also the state police SWAT team, although Muskegon County does have its own tactical team. (Funded with federal grants and asset forfeiture funds, naturally.)

Still, why is camouflage necessary, other than to play soldier? Why the face masks? And I mean come on. A damned ghillie suit?

 

[Lucille]

"What's the point of having this superb military militarized police force that you're always talking about if we can't use it?"
--Madeleine Albright

So is this the new agitator link now or what?: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radley-balko/

I don't want to have to go to PuffHo to read Balko! AAMOF, I don't want him there at all! He's too good for that place. Pearls before swine and all.

(Today, it's just one bad piece of news after another. Screw it. I'm gonna go make pie.)

 

[Expatriate]

What combat gear does the Army have that they dont? Apache helicopters? They'll probably be getting them soon.

Cops have got drones and AFVs now, wouldn't be surprised if the Hellfires and mortars are coming down the pipe too.

 

[JVParkour]

My fav is the grenade launcher that guy has. Its probably loaded with tear gas canisters, but still...

 

[donnay]

Still, why is camouflage necessary, other than to play soldier? Why the face masks?

This is to get the people acclimated to seeing troops on the streets.

 

[Expatriate]

I spoke too fast, the cops actually already have mortars:

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/crime-law/renton-homeowner-wants-know-why-damage-swat-raid-h/nPcW7/

RENTON, Washington —
It’s been almost two months since a SWAT team’s mortars, grenades and tear gas canisters peppered Melinda De La Torre’s Renton home of 15 years, as officers looked for a suspect who wasn’t there.

The home is still boarded up, the damage isn’t fixed and she said she wants to know why she has to pay for it.

 

[Lucille]

In order to read Balko at PuffHo, I guess I'll just have to avoid reading the comments over there. SRSLY. He deserves a better class of commenter than idiot clowns like this:

TheHighForester
394 Fans
01:57 PM on 11/21/2012
Outstanding "investigative reporting," Radley. You must have spent nearly fifteen whole minutes at the keyboard to find all of that.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radley-balko/morning-links_b_2170206.html?utm_hp_ref=the-agitator

 

[CaptainAmerica]

before I read the article I guessed that it was a swat team.

 

[libertyjam]

My fav is the grenade launcher that guy has. Its probably loaded with tear gas canisters, but still...

To me that guy looks a lot like a gal.

 

[Anti Federalist]

In order to read Balko at PuffHo, I guess I'll just have to avoid reading the comments over there. SRSLY. He deserves a better class of commenter than idiot clowns like this:



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radley-balko/morning-links_b_2170206.html?utm_hp_ref=the-agitator

I HATE that is the only place I can read Balko now.

He ought to at least keep his original site up as a mirror.