Could martial law be enforced at this time?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

The locking down of a place as large as America would be a nightmare during the best of times. The imposition and direction of such a decree would fall under the control of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management) and I know they have their scenarios and plans. The first action (in theory) would be to lock down the Interstates. But do you have any idea how many miles nationwide those streets cover? How many cities and towns do they pass through, and how many exits would have to be sealed (including those passing into Canada and Mexico)? Can you imagine the manpower and machinery required for that single task? And this isn't even taking into account the miles and miles of city roads, county roads, back roads, and gravel paths through the wilderness and back country. All that would have to be endlessly and constantly patrolled.

The next task would be to lock down each and every dwelling, and arrest all dissidents and troublemakers (That's everyone here at DU, BTW. Skinner, I hope you have a plan for the rapid secure destruction of your membership database at a moment's notice...). I know they've created mass detention centers in many cities (supposed to be secret), but the manpower to carry out arrests and man those centers, and to patrol the streets would be ENORMOUS. And how many law enforcement officers would be willing to take part? Granted, there are downright nasty cops out there (I've met one or two in my lifetime) who would be overjoyed at the power they would be given. But I suspect the great majority of cops would balk at the concept.

And given the current military situation they could not supply sufficient soldiers, well-armed or otherwise, to fill the gaps. I seem to recall having read they are slightly busy in other locations at the moment. Something about a couple illegal invasions, a few coups, and the massacre of quite a few foreign men, women, and children...

I suspect that "Red Alert" day would end up being just another in a long line of this current dictatorship's complete failures. There are quite a few armed civilians out there not willing to sit quietly in their living room watching FAUX news for the morning's Martial Instructions and the Two Minute Hate. I believe that freedom and freedom of movement would be maintained by we, the people.

You tell me. Am I wrong? Has a watershed been passed that would permit this to actually work? My money's on Freedom. Place your bets.

[Lars39]

1. I was encouraged last night when I stumbled across a site

for marines, current and retired. They were discussing the ramifications of the Lousiana ruling(no warrant required for home/business searches). They were totally PO'd at the rights that have been taken from us. They were very much wanting to defend the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I don't believe martial law would sit well with them.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. Link?

If it's an open site, I'd be interested in browsing it. TIA

[RainDog]

11. I'm also encouraged

by conservatives who have written about defending the Constitution from all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC.

Since the neocons have taken over, a lot of people have had their eyes opened, I think, and I don't think the sides will be liberal vs conservative.

The sides will be Bush dictatorship vs the Constitution.

That Congress gave Bush unConstitutional power back in 2002 makes me sick and I have written my representatives more than once to demand that they rescind the power they gave to Bush...

they should be tossed out on their butts for refusing to govern according to the document they all swear to uphold and defend.

As far as martial law...in the event of a incident which might require it, if there were a WMD attack, for instance, I would imagine most people would prefer to stay close to home.

The cities would be the places where most actions would be focused, I would imagine, because of the high concentration of a population, combined with the lack of natural resources for survival.

[Solon]

3. Militarizing of the Police

Think of SWAT teams and "Special Units" in some police forces in medium and large cities across the US. Enlisted military people will NOT be used in enforcing law in this country, only those who already do will do that. The tactics will change, and so will the laws, the restrictions placed on police by the Constitution will be lifted entirely, and so will the rights of due process. Lock down will not be the proper term, for most people will not be affected directly. There will be more restrictions on our personal freedom, obviously, but martial law will rely on the apathy of the American People, and it WILL be successful if they tread with a light hand. Most people in this country our self-centered and apathetic to the suffering of any type of minority, the government could arrest lets say all liberals, and most of the country wouldn't bat an eyelash at that.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. When you say "light hand"

you CAN'T be talking about the current misadministration..... :nuke:

[Solon]

10. Defination of "Light Hand"

Well the Bush* administration could fuck it up. Let's just say that most people in this country would wake up if tommorrow troops were in the street. However, I doubt the Bush administration would do that, I would think that what would happen is the de facto martial law already present in inner cities and certain neighborhoods be extended nationwide. It is not impossible, but must be done carefully, the key is appearances, Americans value their illusions, that will not be disrupted.

[mdmc]

5. It could happen

America likes to go with the flow. In an emergency, survival will take precedent over freedom. Then freedom will have to reassert itself or perish.

[sweetheart]

6. It is very simple to apply martial law

I experienced martial law in kashmir, it happened over night. By
morning, there was a troop carrier on every major intersection
in the whole place. In america it would be a humvee with a 50 cal
gun and a small detachment of soldiers.

In order to pass the intersection without being shot, you would need
to state your reasons. You will be allowed to shop for groceries
at certain times and as well petrol ans supplies, but you will be
forced to pass through checkpoint after checkpoint. Here, they
will first *Aim a gun at you* and ask you questions. If you don't
comply, they reserve the right to shoot you.

Martial law could be in effect tomorrow morning... just its bad for
the economy. They'll probably wait until nov 2.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. Our soldiers are elsewhere, and

our Humvees don't have armour plating. (Neither do the soldiers, come to think of it...) ;-)

[sweetheart]

12. The north american military command

Will simply be charged with securing the place. It will probably
be given jurisdiction over all local police forces and mobilize any
remaining national guard in short order.

They've got enough armour plating. Honestly, the scariest thing is
arriving at a checkpoint and having a gun pointed at you. At the
end of a rifle, its amazing how quickly people become passive.

[cosmicdot]

7. Link to New Orleans ruling

http://www.theneworleanschannel.com/news/2953483/detail.html

Court Opens Door To Searches Without Warrants

POSTED: 3:55 pm CST March 26, 2004
UPDATED: 4:36 pm CST March 26, 2004

NEW ORLEANS -- It's a groundbreaking court decision that legal experts say will affect everyone: Police officers in Louisiana no longer need a search or arrest warrant to conduct a brief search of your home or business.

Leaders in law enforcement say it will provide safety to officers, but others argue it's a privilege that could be abused.

The decision was made by the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Two dissenting judges called it the "road to Hell."

The ruiling stems from a lawsuit filed in Denham Springs in 2000.

~snip~

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. "Fortunately" that's only one state...

with 49 to go. I hope most others have more of a concept of what America is about. A vain hope, perhaps, but there it is.

I mourn for Louisiana, tho'.