Posse Comitatus

Read again the conditions which must be met according to law. One key point is that "... the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection ..." which means that Louisana's Governer would have to be unable, fail, or refuse to act before the President could do so. The Governor was able and did act.

Regrettably, the on-going violence could not be immediately stopped and that does mean some people have suffered from the consequences of criminal acts. Local law enforcement just wasn't able to handle it. The criminals are the primary ones to be held accountable for what happened.

 

That, friend, is a very good idea! We desparately need a well armed local milita composed of all able bodied persons in the neighborhood.

 

I agree, I stated on another post that we need to make sure our emergency kits not only include flashlights, batteries, water, food, etc., but we also need at least one firearm and plenty of ammo per family.

 

That, friend, is a very good idea! We desparately need a well armed local milita composed of all able bodied persons in the neighborhood. </font>[/QUOTE]I was thinking more along the lines of a county militia maybe under the Sheriff's office, but I'd settle for a neighborhood militia to start out with the help of the local police of course. And of course well armed and versed in the use of their weapons.

 

With 1,000 of the local police leaving New Orleans after the storm, the ones that stayed behind could have used any help that was available!

 

I've recently heard it said on the radio that Europeans consider American's to be "five minutes to midnight" meaning we wait till the last minute to act but once we do we're unstoppable.

I figure they must have been talking about us as individuals because we sure didn't see anything like this, this time on a governmental level.

Seems like it worked out to be more like "half past four".

 

For real man.

 

Is that the same Europeans who've historically been so well prepared for every catastophy - natural or otherwise - that has befallen them?

I prefer the American way of handling things.

 

That, friend, is a very good idea! We desparately need a well armed local milita composed of all able bodied persons in the neighborhood. </font>[/QUOTE]I was thinking more along the lines of a county militia maybe under the Sheriff's office, but I'd settle for a neighborhood militia to start out with the help of the local police of course. And of course well armed and versed in the use of their weapons. </font>[/QUOTE]A militia supervised by the Sheriff or Constable might be a good start although attitudes towards such things need serious change in many locales. Some government officials consider the people a threat to their authority and resent any kind of citizen action. They label any organized effort to defend property and person as a "vigilantly" action. The objective should be to get the people involved in protecting themselves and the professional law enforcement officers into the role of helping them when needed. Right now the roles have become totally reversed. In fact, in many areas, helping law enforcement will get you into serious trouble. Taking action against a criminal act can lead to your own procesuction in some cases. We've become dependent upon, and restricted to, calling 911 for everything. We've become, especially when traveling and outside our homes, disarmed and very vulnerable. The police can not be, and are not obligated to be, everywhere for everything at a moments notice. As an example, I still believe that having had half of the people on the 9/11 flights armed would have changed the outcome of that days events. That idea seems so radical to people now because we've drifted so far from where we once were. I still remember, long ago, being able to board an airplane carrying a handgun with no one needing to worry about it. The flights arrived safely. Responsible people can band together in times of need if they want too. Having a means to equalize the odds is what weapons are all about. Having training, organization, and discipline at the local level among neighbors would make a strong force for preventing lawlessness in times of need. It's a big change in thinking for too many people these days.

 

Is that the same Europeans who've historically been so well prepared for every catastophy - natural or otherwise - that has befallen them?

I prefer the American way of handling things. </font>[/QUOTE]We're in agreement on that Dragoon.

 

That, friend, is a very good idea! We desparately need a well armed local milita composed of all able bodied persons in the neighborhood. </font>[/QUOTE]I was thinking more along the lines of a county militia maybe under the Sheriff's office, but I'd settle for a neighborhood militia to start out with the help of the local police of course. And of course well armed and versed in the use of their weapons. </font>[/QUOTE]A militia supervised by the Sheriff or Constable might be a good start although attitudes towards such things need serious change in many locales. Some government officials consider the people a threat to their authority and resent any kind of citizen action. They label any organized effort to defend property and person as a "vigilantly" action. The objective should be to get the people involved in protecting themselves and the professional law enforcement officers into the role of helping them when needed. Right now the roles have become totally reversed. In fact, in many areas, helping law enforcement will get you into serious trouble. Taking action against a criminal act can lead to your own procesuction in some cases. We've become dependent upon, and restricted to, calling 911 for everything. We've become, especially when traveling and outside our homes, disarmed and very vulnerable. The police can not be, and are not obligated to be, everywhere for everything at a moments notice. As an example, I still believe that having had half of the people on the 9/11 flights armed would have changed the outcome of that days events. That idea seems so radical to people now because we've drifted so far from where we once were. I still remember, long ago, being able to board an airplane carrying a handgun with no one needing to worry about it. The flights arrived safely. Responsible people can band together in times of need if they want too. Having a means to equalize the odds is what weapons are all about. Having training, organization, and discipline at the local level among neighbors would make a strong force for preventing lawlessness in times of need. It's a big change in thinking for too many people these days. </font>[/QUOTE]I couldn't agree more.

 

Here's an example of American spirit!

Residents Stay to Protect Neighborhood From Looters

Hopefully, local authorities will back them up in their right to defend their property.

 

Indeed, McArthur had orders not to attack the Marchers. It wouldn't be his first or his last act of insubordination.

The Washington Post reported his defiance of the lawful orders given him, and he filed a lawsuit against them. However, he had a mistress, who was threatening to go to the papers with that scandal (which was a crime for a soldier, and routinely punished in those days) so he paid her off. And then the papers got wind of that.

So he dropped the lawsuit altogether.

 

Here's more on those who want to stay.

Many Still Refuse to Leave New Orleans

Note the following extract regarding the New Orleans Police Department.

This, friends, for some reason reminds me of a contributing factor in the final collapse of Viet Nam. In some, but not all cases, troops - leaders included - deserted their units to take care of their families or themselves resulting in an state of chaos. That chaos resulted in great fear and panic. It lead to looting, murder, and other crimes as an army's discipline fell apart. Frustrated and angry troops even turned on others sent to evacuate them when they couldn't be among the first to leave. Tragedy on top of tragedy fell upon retreating troops and fleeing civilians. That was in a war and this was only a natural disaster.

I'm very thankful Louisiana's National Guard troops are on scene in sufficient numbers to give aid to remaining police as they struggle to maintain order. I greatly admire local citizens willing to stand their own ground and hope they'll be treated respectfully by troops and police they may encounter.

 

I read that 1500 NOLA police officers threw down their badges and left and 2 committed suicide. Also, a story was reported that someone's relative, a NOLA police officer, was given three month's severence pay and told to leave, that he wouldn't have a job there for the next 3-5 years. It was reported on FNC a couple of days ago.

I also heard that the average pay is $300. per week for a NOLA police officer. That ain't much, folks. (unverified, but if true that's what, roughly $7 bucks and change per hour??)

 

There are only about 1,600 officers in the department so I seriously doubt the accuracy of this story!

I'd say some are missing in the storm or flooding, some are tending to their personal needs, and a few may have skipped out for various reasons.

Median pay for a police patrol officer in New Orleans is about $43,500 per year so the accuracy of this story is in question from that perspective as well.

This compares favorably to a national median of about $44,400.

 

WELL ... LE

Who are you listening to?

 

I heard on the news that it was between 500 and 1000 officers that left, some before the storm hit and some after the flooding began. I did also hear about the 2 suicides. I would doubt the story about them only making $300 per week, that is less than $15k per year. I would guess they make between $30k and $50k depending on what area they work for within the department.

 

Pray for all those - at all levels in all agencies - that are helping with every aspect of this disaster.

Suicides Stun New Orleans Cops