They're not really tanks....From Drudge

[Michael Landon]

I just returned from my City Council meeting. I'm sad to say that the council voted in favor of requesting one of these from the DHS. It was quite a discussion between myself and the other councilors, ultimately it passed by a 3-2 vote. This is the first time I've been able to convince one of my colleagues to support me so I'm happy for that, the 4-1 votes were getting annoying.

- ML

 

[jmdrake]

I just returned from my City Council meeting. I'm sad to say that the council voted in favor of requesting one of these from the DHS. It was quite a discussion between myself and the other councilors, ultimately it passed by a 3-2 vote. This is the first time I've been able to convince one of my colleagues to support me so I'm happy for that, the 4-1 votes were getting annoying.

- ML

I'm curious. What arguments, if any, did the three moronic amigos use to explain why they needed a mine resistant APC?

 

[Michael Landon]

I'm curious. What arguments, if any, did the three moronic amigos use to explain why they needed a mine resistant APC?

Their main argument was that the city would be receiving them free of charge and after two years the city could sell it for a profit. The city administrator argued that we should never pass up something that's free that we can profit from in the future. My colleague who supported me asked "who would be able to buy it?" Of course there was no answer for that. I made as many compelling arguments as I could think of to persuade them to support me and, like always, I failed.

Someday, I'll post video of the exchange.

- ML

 

[jmdrake]

Their main argument was that the city would be receiving them free of charge and after two years the city could sell it for a profit. The city administrator argued that we should never pass up something that's free that we can profit from in the future. My colleague who supported me asked "who would be able to buy it?" Of course there was no answer for that. I made as many compelling arguments as I could think of to persuade them to support me and, like always, I failed.

Someday, I'll post video of the exchange.

- ML

"Free"? No it's not free. It will be paid for by their great grand children who will still be enslaved to the national debt. Smooth move by the feds. Pre-position the MRAPs across the nation by giving them away like Trojan horses.

 

[Michael Landon]

Here is a cliff notes version of tonight's debate.... I just posted this on my Facebook page.


At tonight's City Council meeting, we voted on filling out the paperwork to acquire one of these from the Department of Homeland Security. The resolution passed 3-2. I would like to thank Jim S. for standing with me in opposition to this resolution.

There is no logical or practical reason for the City to own a military vehicle of this caliber.

In the description of the vehicle it states that the vehicles are "designed from the ground up to reduce casualties and increase survivability for personnel subjected to mine explosions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) detonations, and Small Arms Fire." I asked when the last time a city police officer was hit with a mine explosion or an IED blast or even when the last time a police officer in town was involved in a small arms conflict. The answer was a long time, if ever.

I then asked if our city was currently involved in a war that would require the acquisition of what is basically a military tank on wheels and the answer to that was no. I stated that I walk around town because of my job and I know for a fact that city is NOT a battleground and that we are a peaceful town.

I stated that vehicles like this belong on the streets of Fallujah and not in the streets of our city.

I asked if the police are anticipating a conflict that would require one of these and one councilor said we can't predict the future and there may be a need in the future.

I made the point that the cost of the upkeep is extremely high and the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for it.

I even asked for ONE example of our police department even needing this and there wasn't one. The only reason given to me for why we should get one is because the Department of Homeland Security is giving them away for free and in two years we could sell it for a profit. This is ridiculous.

- ML

 

[jmdrake]

So if the feds were giving away free nukes would the town take one?

 

[tod evans]

You're doing the right thing ML, it's a safe bet that more than one person in your town is questioning not only the decision but the motivation behind it due solely to your efforts!

Military hardware in the hands of local law enforcement sure rings of "Standing Armies" to me....

 

[talkingpointes]

Their main argument was that the city would be receiving them free of charge and after two years the city could sell it for a profit. The city administrator argued that we should never pass up something that's free that we can profit from in the future. My colleague who supported me asked "who would be able to buy it?" Of course there was no answer for that. I made as many compelling arguments as I could think of to persuade them to support me and, like always, I failed.

Someday, I'll post video of the exchange.

- ML

No offense but do you just assume human behavior can be changed by persuasion. Those people were basically describing future graft. They don't sound like they care about anything you might be talking about. What they were doing should be completely illegal. They sounded like they were going to do it if you were there or not. But it sounds like they used the "it will be profitable later" story. I remember the bailouts were supposed to make us rich later on too.

 

[EBounding]

Their main argument was that the city would be receiving them free of charge and after two years the city could sell it for a profit. The city administrator argued that we should never pass up something that's free that we can profit from in the future. My colleague who supported me asked "who would be able to buy it?" Of course there was no answer for that. I made as many compelling arguments as I could think of to persuade them to support me and, like always, I failed.

Someday, I'll post video of the exchange.

- ML

Thanks for all your doing. Could you propose a resolution so these can be locked away, never to be used until they're sold?


This is not a Tank, Citizen. Everything is fine, everything is fine, everything is fine...

 

[Athan]

Awful nice of them to install ladders all around it.

Those aren't ladders. They are cages ment to protect against RPG attack. You know cuz us Americans can go to the local guns story and buy RPG rounds.
(Guess they figure it is going to get hot in America soon)

 

[TruckinMike]

Hell I bet you coudl do better with "great stuff" if there was a way to deploy it. I got some of the shit on my door handle 5 years ago and its still there. The finish is wearing out from using the door so much but not where the great stuff is.

Urethane foam is a TWO part process. You can handily purchase the two components in liquid form. When mixed together you only have about 15 seconds before it starts foaming. --- but when it starts -- look out it goes quick --- and yes, it sticks terribly good.

Solution: fire both solutions at the same time -- via balloon launcher.

Or better yet Use two pressurized vessels. Buy two five gallon portable air tanks fill 1/3 with liquid 2/3 air/nitrogen/etc. As the vehicle drives by a predetermined location spray on one of the chemicals in a fan like pattern, then seconds later spray on the second. The entire vehicle would have about a one inch thick layer of urethane now stuck to the exterior. Plugging air vents, radiators, hydraulic coolers, oil coolers etc.

 

[Pericles]

Thanks for all your doing. Could you propose a resolution so these can be locked away, never to be used until they're sold?


This is not a Tank, Citizen. Everything is fine, everything is fine, everything is fine...

They have replaced the drive sprockets and track on that M577 to reduce road damage.

 

[EBounding]

They have replaced the drive sprockets and track on that M577 to reduce road damage.

They should have just left them on; the roads already look like a tank drove over them.

 

[brooks009]

Weakness = Just shoot out the tail lights and they will no longer be street legal.

 

[Brown Sapper]

I drove MRAPS back in Iraq. They used to have magnesium alloy wheels that would catch fire when hit, but I think they solved that problem. We used to carry around foam extinguishers to deal with that. I know some big weaknesses of them, but I wouldn't put it out on a public forum like this. We still have troops out there. If they start using them on us I make sure I'll tell you were they are.

 

[Barrex]

Ok. Contact me on [email protected] My Cousin took original email(asshole).

Things are really strange in US.

 

[Michael Landon]

I intend on bringing forth a motion that will effectively neuter their ability to use it, I just have to figure out a way to get two other councilors to vote with me on it.

- ML

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

This is not a Tank, Citizen. Everything is fine, everything is fine, everything is fine...

Oh that's going to look wonderful in this years 4th of July parade down Main st.

ML, What's the maintenance, insurance, training, and operating costs, for the next 2+ years, until those 3 council members want to unload it for their profit? Anyone consider those costs included?

 

[Michael Landon]

Oh that's going to look wonderful in this years 4th of July parade down Main st.

ML, What's the maintenance, insurance, training, and operating costs, for the next 2+ years, until those 3 council members want to unload it for their profit? Anyone consider those costs included?

I'm assuming it will cost the taxpayers quite a bit and I'll vote against every spending bill that funds those. I'll also remind the rest of the council that the only reason it passed was because it was "free" so we should continue to make sure it stays that way by refusing to use taxpayer money for something that the city doesn't need.

- ML

 

[J_White]

A mine resistant armored personnel carrier for serving warrants to illegal immigrants... are they serious? Do they have any idea how stupid that appears?

nope, it seems logical to the sheep.
"they are doing it to defend us from those brown people in caves"
or maybe they are preparing for the zombie apocalypse !