Biden backs letting soldiers arrest civilians

The Washington Times ^ | July 22, 2002 | Joyce Howard Price

[Dust in the Wind]

"Under current law, for instance, if an Arab terrorist were attempting to detonate a suitcase bomb in the Lincoln Tunnel, and the military were the first to arrive, they would not be authorized to either detain or shoot at the terrorist because the military lacks the proper police powers under such circumstances."

Smoke and mirror BULLSPLATTER!!
These people would have you believe that a member of the armed forces first on the scene of possible mass destruction would not do their best and utmost to prevent such an occurrence except after ordered to? These soldiers are I assume citizens of these states and have the right to protect themselves and their loved ones under our constitution. I didn't think wearing a uniform negated that. IMO, any soldier that did not do his best to prevent such an attack would be culpable at worst and subject to war crimes; failing to do their duties (protect the homeland and its citizens)
But maybe I don't understand the scope of the militaries duties.

[Dick Bachert]

If so, I suggest they arrest Biden for being an admitted PLAGARIST and MENTALLY MASTURBATING IN PUBLIC WHILE PERFORMING A CRANIAL-ANAL INVERSION.

WARNING: RHETORICAL QUESTION AHEAD!!!

My GOD -- where DO we get these MORONS??

[Don Myers]

They have all lost their bloody minds.

[Dialup Llama]

If a cell of militants did something in a city the military can certainly be deputized to attack these illegal combatants (who are not civillians but enemy soldiers invading our lands).

However I see no need to eliminate Posse Comitatus. Just because jihadis attack us why must extreme measure be taken against citizens.

Perhaps govt officals know that have not the will to close the illegal alien loophole because of political correctness. So they will try to keep safety by placing harsh measures on the citizens, which seem for the those same govt officals more palatable than securing the borders.

[1bigdictator]

Until profiling for Arab males becomes part of any security measure all of these proposals are nonsense. Yes, I know about Padilla, and the recruiting of non-Arab men by Al Qeada-- fact remains 95% of Muslim terror is still Arab men.

[Don Myers]

"People that think like bigdictator scare me."

Many, many common citizens will support the initiative. And, people wonder how Nazi Germany got started.

[Types_with_Fist]

Oh, I agree. But, still, it wouldn't hurt to guard the damn borders.

[freeeee]

We all know what this had led to in other countries, so let's look at what happened in this country the last time soldiers had arrest powers:

Congress assigned to federal troops a large role in law enforcement in the 11 Confederate states after the Civil War, tasks such as guarding election polling places, arresting members of the Ku Klux Klan

They enforced "hate crimes".

and halting the production of illegal moonshine

And fought a "war on drugs".

and the fomenting of labor strife.

And involved themselves in labor disputes.

Well, aren't those just great! Which such a < cough > restrained role the last time the military had arrest powers, we certainly won't expect them to expand their use this time.

[Dialup Llama]

>I was relaying Bidens position on current police powers of the military. If he is wrong and our military is in fact able to confront and detain terrorists on our soil, you all are correct there is no need to expand any powers.

Biden is certainly mistaken. In a flood the National Guard (the state's military) is called out to prevent looting. If a Marine urban warfare team was needed to take down some terrorists in a US city they could do that since Posse Comitatus applies to citizens NOT enemy combatants and infilitrators.

Some people in govt are confused about the difference between a citizen and people whose residence is another country. They think those groups are the same.

[arm958]

O.K., how many of you who are slamming this proposal have also called for the U.S. Military to patrol/take back control of our borders. Guess what? Controlling our borders is considered domestic law enforcement, and that's why the U.S. military is not currently permitted to be involved in border control. You can't have it both ways.

[from occupied ga]

Xao Bi Den of the Peoples' Democracy of Deleware wants to follow the Peoples' Republic of China's example in having the military with arrest powers. This piece of excrement never met an unconstitutional repression of freedom that he didn't like. All of our thanks to the socialist morons of the second smallest state for keeping him in office.

[Dr. Frank fan]

if an Arab terrorist were attempting to detonate a suitcase bomb in the Lincoln Tunnel, and the military were the first to arrive, they would not be authorized to either detain or shoot at the terrorist because the military lacks the proper police powers under such circumstances

I don't believe this for one second. In the situation you describe, the military fires first and consults the lawyers later.

Why does the military need the power to Arrest Civilians in order to fire upon Arab terrorists, who are (by the way) foreign combatants in wartime? This excuse just doesn't work.

[Sir Gawain]

Already posted. Do a search

[StriperSniper]

Will soldiers be allowed to arrest Senators too?

No, they will only be allowed to shoot them for violating their oath of office.

;-)

[Dust in the Wind]

"Controlling our borders is considered domestic law enforcement, and that's why the U.S. military is not currently permitted to be involved in border control."

IMO, more "smoke and mirror BULLSPLATTER".

[arm958]

guarding election polling places, arresting members of the Ku Klux Klan

Why do you think these law enforcement activities conducted by the Union Army were bad? If the Yankee Army had stuck around for a few more decades, then perhaps blacks in large areas of the south wouldn't have had to wait until the 1960's to be able to vote. As for the KKK, what do you have against arresting those who terrorized and murdered innocent people?

[He Rides A White Horse]

Under current law, for instance, if an Arab terrorist were attempting to detonate a suitcase bomb in the Lincoln Tunnel, and the military were the first to arrive, they would not be authorized to either detain or shoot at the terrorist because the military lacks the proper police powers under such circumstances.

That's a bunch of nonsense. If a private citizen showed up, saw a terrorist attempting to detonate a suitcase bomb and blew him away, I seriously doubt any charges would be filed.

We don't need any special law giving these powers to the military.

Just substitute 'soldier' for civilian in my example, and there is no question that either would have acted appropriately.

[He Rides A White Horse]

A senior rat leads the charge generated by klintinoids in the Pentagon and statists at DOJ to make possible using the armed forces to arrest (and incarcerate?) US citizens.

....B-b-b wait robowombat......I thought it was the conservatives in this country who are the facists. At least that's what CNN says.

Anybody have doubts as to what America would look like today if Al Gore and his Democrat hacks were running the country?

[steve50]

He seems to be in full agreemnent with our neoconservative republicans. Any bets on a veto of these powers if granted?

[arm958]

"Controlling our borders is considered domestic law enforcement, and that's why the U.S. military is not currently permitted to be involved in border control."

IMO, more "smoke and mirror BULLSPLATTER".

Bullspatter or not, that's why the military is not permitted to be involved in the detention and arrest of illegals on our borders. Would you like to see that change? I know I would.