Pentagon studying protesters to prep for ‘mass civil breakdown’

Washington Times ^ | 6/13/14 | Cheryl K. Chumley

[Kartographer]

The Department of Defense has disbursed some funds to universities so that scientists might study the dynamics of civil unrest — and how the U.S. military might best respond.

It’s called the “Minerva Research Initiative,” and it’s a program that was kicked off in 2008 to “improve DoD’s basic understanding of the social, cultural, behavioral and political forces that shape regions of the world of strategic importance to the U.S.,” The Guardian reported.

[DownInFlames]

Don’t worry, when our cities are burning and MRAPs are running down the highway, the lawyers will be in court to file an INJUNCTION to halt this madness./s

[x1stcav]

Would you people PLEASE stop posting this stuff?

I mean it could really get the urban dwellers to start thinking about their futures in the completely paranoid and hypothetical ‘what ifs’ and they might actually start thinking about leaving the rat warrens in which they reside.

WE, really, don’t want that. THEY, overwhelmingly vote for any socialists running for office and I think WE shouldn’t get in the way our Their self-gratification.

[TomGuy]

Nothing new.

The Army [and probably other branches] were doing similar in the latter 1960s Vietnam War era.

[darkwing104]

The Revolutionary War was started for less than this.

[GreyFriar]

The US Army Center of Military History three volume history on the Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1789-1992 ◦Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1789-1878 (CMH Pub 30-13) ◦Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1877-1945 (CMH Pub 30-15) ◦Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1945-1992 (CMH Pub 30-20) Each of these volumes are available, free of charge, online at: http://www.history.army.mil/catalog/browse/title.html#s Just click on the individual title on the page to be linked to the volume.

[GreyFriar]

2nd try to get paragraphing in. The US Army Center of Military History three volume history on the Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1789-1992 ◦Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1789-1878 (CMH Pub 30-13) ◦Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1877-1945 (CMH Pub 30-15) ◦Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1945-1992 (CMH Pub 30-20) Each of these volumes are available, free of charge, online at: http://www.history.army.mil/catalog/browse/title.html#s Just click on the individual title on the page to be linked to the volume.

[Gaffer]

And, this applies HOW? to the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Naval Post Graduate School? Both whom have funded some of this splendid work?

[GreyFriar]

Just providing a link to three studies of how federal forces were or were not used in domestic dissent cases since 1789. Just thought I’d add some history to the discussion.

[Gaffer]

Understood, but you have to realize those references were in regard to circumstances not relevant today, I’d expect.

We are in a radically different situation now with a government gone wild with power that pays no heed to its laws or Constitution.

[goodnesswins]

I wish our neighbors were thinking people...lots of them have empty garages and I am sure think of us as “hoarders”...but when the SHTF...well...I will pick and choose among them who gets ANYTHING

[GreyFriar]

Actually, somewhat similar comments were made about the government at the time of the Whiskey Rebellion, Reconstruction after the Civil War, and when President Eisenhower sent the 82nd Airborne Division to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1958.

I agree that the current executive has “out-shown” all of the previous.

And for those interested in history, the Army’s Center of Military History has nearly all of its publications available online in .pdf or html format.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

This is a big reason that, along with other major reforms, the next Republican POTUS needs to significantly reduce the power of the office of the president.

There must be an “iron restoration” of both the Posse Comitatus Act and the War Powers Act. There is and remains NO, ZERO reason why the US military should *ever* act in a police situation. Not their job. And anyone, including the POTUS, and every one of his subordinates, who tries to make them do so should be committing a serious and unpardonable felony. Plus, the POTUS should be able to respond militarily for about an hour, before having to notify congress and seek their permission in the second hour.

[Gaffer]

Yes, an also in Alabama with Governor George Wallace.

Different times and different reasons.

The fact still remains the Air Force and the Navy have no business in subsidizing studies with respect to crowd, group, mob - whatever dissension or control thereof in this country, period.

[Hulka]

I agree it is questionable but I do not agree it is a clear violation:

Ҥ1385. Use of Army and Air Force as posse comitatus
Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”
http://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/113/120/pdf_usc18@113-120.zip

One might argue both sides of “uses any part” and its relation to funds. This is especially true given the law was written specifically to limit the use of federal troops to physically get involved in the maintenance of social order and doesn’t say anything about studying the subject.

So, one can argue both sides as ‘execut[ing] the laws’ clearly means troops endorsing laws as opposed to the studying of the breakdown of social order.

[Amagi]

Indeed, if and when Posse Comitatus is suspended it will require an "Act of Congress", i.e., the Legislative Branch.
The raising of the issue of "how the U.S. military might best respond" to "civil unrest" by the Department of Defense (as well as the militarization of Departments of Agriculture, etc., etc.,) are activities originating within the Executive Branch.

[bgill]

They’re just taking names and facial recognitions. Nothing more. Nothing to concern yourself about. Ignore the black SUVs and drones. Step this way, citizen.

[zot]

Thanks for the links. I remember when the President sent troops to Little Rock, Arkansas,

[LadyBuck]

“They’re just taking names and facial recognitions”

They’ve been doing this for awhile.

First Tea Party Rally in Cedar Rapids, IA...roving bands of Millenials in their AmeriCorps T-shirts were taking quite a few pics of individual people.

Pretty sure it wasn’t for their scrapbooks! ;-)

[TEXOKIE]

Darlin has just handed me a document summarizing the 8 rules for radicals from Saul Alinsky and asked me to post it here, as it seems an appropriate reminder on this thread:

MUST READ MATERIAL FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND THOSE WHO WANT TO STOP THEM:

From the Book “Rules for Radicals” author Saul d. Alinsky, Chicago 1946

How to create a Socialist State

There are 8 levels of control that must be obtained before you are able to create a Socialist State. The most important are:

1. Health Care: control health care, and you control the people.

2. Poverty: increase poverty levels as high as possible. Poor people are easier to control, and will not fight back if you are providing everything for them to live.

3. Debt: Increase the debt to an unsustainable level. That way you can increase Taxes and this will produce more poverty.

4. Gun Control: remove the ability to defend themselves from the Government. That way you are able to create a police state.

5. Welfare: take control of every aspect of their lives (food, housing, and income.

6. Education: take control of what people read, and listen to. Take control of what children learn in school.

7. Religion: remove the belief in God from the government and schools.

8. Class Warfare: Divide the people into the wealthy and the poor. This will cause more discontent, and it will be easier to take (TAX) the wealthy with the support of the poor.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

[Redcitizen]

Here’s a vid of modern grapeshot fired from a 120mm tank shell. 1100 tungsten balls at 10mm in size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgn1nhUEgo8