Maybe he didn’t have enough GIJoe’s growing up
I try to avoid the politics here as of late. There are several benefits to this decision: I don’t have to have arguments with family members about something they read here. I can maintain a neutral standard in regards to my administration of TampaBLAB (Now 42 members strong!) And it helps keep the post count down, which probably benefits everyone.
But I just can’t help it. Our beloved President, who has managed to make even his staunchest supporters start to wonder what the hell he’s been smoking lately (see: Miers, Harriet), decided to address something that has nothing to do with Iraq, hurricane disasters, or hiring close friends to mismanage government offices or sit on the highest bench in the land. Understandably, with all the concern about the emergency response capabilites of federal, state and local officials, some of whom were apparently trained using rap songs and a Finnish copy of The Worst-Case Scenario Handbook, you’d think Bush might do something like suggest states actually work together to help brainstorm disaster response plans. Perhaps point to states with good, working models - one of the few things I will give Jeb(!) high marks for during his terms of office. Say what you want about the man, he’s got his emergency response group tight. But no, that would be sensible and require planning, finesse, and a desire for people to work together for a common goal. (Granted, there are states that don’t want to work with other states, and there’s nothing to say anything would come of this. But I digress.) Instead, George W. “Iron Fist” Bush would prefer a more…shall we say…direct approach?
Example: a bird flu pandemic occurs. Tens of thousands of people succumb to this potentially deadly virus. Who do we send, should when this hits US soil? Trained medical technicians, doctors, and agents from the CDC, armed with antiviral medication and backed by local law enforcement? Wait, what do you mean there are issues with the manufacture and sale of antivirals? I can’t understand why patent exclusivity would cause a problem with people being able to get an affordable medication. (That’s right, that sound you heard was my eyes rolling.)
Besides, that method required dealing with people and relying on the public to maintain order and discipline, which we all know in the aftermath of Katrina could never, ever happen, especially if poor people are involved. (Not that a lack of governmental leadership at every level had anything to do with it, mind you.) No, what we really need to solve this crisis is more troops.
That’s right, GWB has proposed using the US military in a law enforcement role on US soil, should the bird flu mutate, spread out of control, and begin infecting citizens. (There is debate ongoing as to whether or not this will actually occur, but what good is the media without an end-of-the-world story to report? Digressing again, sorry.) What a wonderful idea! Military as police on US soil!
Here’s a tip, George. Go find yourself a some grunts. Pick any branch of the service you want. Just gather about 20-30 of them all together, and ask them how they would feel about acting in a law enforcement role. I know you won’t care that their answer would be in strict opposition to your suggestion, but it is important that you know this before entertaining further discussion on the subject. No, I myself have never served in the military. But I’ve spoken to plenty who have. Solders are NOT cops. They weren’t trained to be cops. Their purpose is to protect the United States and its allies from forces that threaten it from without and fight our wars - not invade parts of the US to enforce martial law. How about this idea - let’s invade other countries where the outbreak starts! That way, we fight the virus over there - meaning we aren’t fighting terrorists here at home. Or something. Or maybe we would need to declare war on God - viruses are the ultimate WMDs, after all.
Don’t get me wrong, I think a public discussion on this topic is not only warranted, it’s necessary. This is a serious world issue. But brushing aside the Posse Comitatus Act because you can’t get your domestic health policy out of the asses of pharmecutical company lobbists and corporate interests is dangerous territory.
Teh One wrote:
Clinton was accused of smoking pot and his worst act was adultery. Bush’s drug of choice? Cocaine. Verrrry different.
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 11:37 am | Permalink
kate wrote:
Good for you, Brett!
I remember an episode once where the National Guard (really, just scared and inexperienced kids dressed up like soldiers) went into a volatile situation and four kids died on the campus of Kent State.
Plus, there’s that movie Outbreak. Scared the piss out of me…
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 12:49 pm | Permalink
Roger wrote:
Hey guys,
Since politics are the choice du jour, I actually found - through TampaBLAB, no less - a local conservative blog that I’ve been commenting on the last week or so. I know, I know, I shouldn’t provoke the animals, but it’s just so much FUN.
Then again, sometimes it gets too much and I go read Kate’s blog for a breath of fresh air.
Come to think of it, I may be reading too many blogs.
Anyway, bring your sticks and go poke the caged animals here. He even put my name up in lights in the “Actions Have Consequences” entry.
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 1:57 pm | Permalink
tiny wrote:
Roger, try not to feed the trolls it only encourages them.
tiny
http://www.tinylittledots.com
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 2:31 pm | Permalink
brett wrote:
Making new friends every day - that’s the TampaBLAB spirit!
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 2:45 pm | Permalink
Roger wrote:
I know, tiny… but sometimes I can’t help myself
And I forgot - Gax went over there too and made a comment about how ridiculous homey’s defense of ID was.
Anyway, it’s been a good long while since I’ve engaged someone from the right in a spirited debate. Lately all political discussions have been with my British girlfriend… who can’t fathom how the US got to be the lone superpower with an electorate so backward.
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 2:52 pm | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
I can’t keep left and right straight when it comes to politics. Which is which? And which would you say that I am?
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 4:36 pm | Permalink
Erky wrote:
As a former troop, I can see it both ways. For instance:
I have NO idea why Clinton sent me to Haiti (or Liberia for that matter) to play cop there. When I was there I was thinking “Why am I here in this dump passing out food to these people when we have starving, poor people back home?”
At the same time, I would hate the idea of policing an American city. Honestly, you just don’t use the military as cops unless it’s freaking Armageddon.
In 13 weeks of Marine Corps boot camp, I received 0 minutes of training to be a cop.
In 4 weeks of Marine Combat Training I received 0 minutes of training to be a cop.
In 22 months of training after that, I received 0 minutes of training to be a cop.
Once a member of the Fleet Marine Force, I received a badge once, but no training to keep order on a ship.
The Marine Corps has some of the best training and discipline in the world, but it’s not to be cops. It’s to split wigs and blow crap up as quickly and efficiently as possible. It’s a hell of a lot of fun, but has little to do with police work, save the fact that we could both shoot guns.
Somebody, somewhere set a terrible precedent when they started using the military regulars to do things they aren’t trained for. Why did people cry for the military in New Orleans after Katrina? Are they better trained to fill sandbags and hack through attic roofs than anybody else? No. It’s because that’s just what people have come to expect from the military. If someone wants to change the mission of the military, I suggest some more training.
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 6:16 pm | Permalink
kate wrote:
We all know how the Bushies feel about training… and education in general.
And Roger - thanks for the link and compliment. When I’m feeling frisky I will go to that site and mess around with some conservatives. You’re my new best friend.
Posted on 06-Oct-05 at 7:23 pm | Permalink
Erky wrote:
Kate, I agree with you. However, I think it’s deeper than Bush and his minions. It’s a cultural thing at this point. We just expect the military to be able to handle everything from feeding everyone to getting across the world in 2 days to protect some rich guy’s interests (a task which traditionally has known no party affiliation) without much reason, rhyme or know-how.
The thought of 18 year old kids fresh out of high school walking the streets of Brooksville with an M-16 and very little idea of what’s going on is freaking SCARY. Not only is it a bad idea, it’s downright irresponsible of the President to start talking about it now, particularly if he doesn’t already have some training plan in place.
Keep an eye on this. I will bet you we see American troops policing American cities, getting into some kind of tragic jam, and then finding out they didn’t have any training for it. Then we will look back in the news, see that it was discussed, planned for on a strategic or national level, and never passed down properly to training commands. Our President is making assumptions about readiness that simply aren’t realistic in my opinion.
To close this little novel, even IF the training were available and administered, I still think it’s a terrible, terrible idea. It’s not fair to the troops or to the citizens, and Bush should not even be considering this before every other option is explored.
Posted on 07-Oct-05 at 12:26 am | Permalink
thegax wrote:
Say what you want about the man, he’s got his emergency response group mad tyte yo. Fixed.
Yes, I did go over there and mess with that guy about ID. But it was his comment about not knowing (or being able to comprehend) light-years that really got my attention. I thought everyone knew that.
Anyway, regarding troops as cops. I agree it is a terrible idea. But what do you expect from G-Dub and the Get Dumb Krewe?
Posted on 07-Oct-05 at 6:07 am | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
G-Dub & Co. inspired me to vote - Against him. Honey, we need to invest in that bunker and wait three more years!
Posted on 07-Oct-05 at 8:19 am | Permalink
Teh One wrote:
Click me! I need donations by October 8!
Posted on 07-Oct-05 at 8:37 pm | Permalink
cookie wrote:
It’s really quite a dilemma for me deciding whether to comment on that tampa conservative blog. It is awfully tempting, but I hate to pester rabid dogs, if ya know what I mean.
Did you see the Tom DeLay post. She’s blaming George Soros for DeLay’s woes. Does she not know that grand juries choose to indict, not federal prosecutors and not rich guys who give a lot of money to democratic candidates.
It’s really a simple concept.
Posted on 10-Oct-05 at 10:33 pm | Permalink
L wrote:
huh. He scares me, he really does
Posted on 10-Oct-05 at 11:53 pm | Permalink