Obama's "civilian national security force"?

[SlipperySlope]

Can someone help me put this into context?

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set," he said. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded."

I don't think he can really mean he wants a new federal police force that is as big as the military, but that is how it is being spun. Does anybody know what program he was really referring to?

Edit: Forget to add a link ( http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/obamas_call_for_more_public_se.html )

[bunnies]

1. context?

Hard to know by a couple of sentences.

[speedoo]

2. A link would be good. nt

[Better Believe It]

3. This Is Not Good: It May Explain His Pro FISA Vote

Obama may want those police powers as President provided under the new FISA law.

I don't think any progressive want a powerful, strong civilian national security force that might spy on and take action against Americans who seem a bit radical, perhaps "subversive" and who knows perhaps even "terrorists". Hope it's not like the old Bush "TIPS" proposal with more meat on it.

Obama has some explaining to do on this.

What in the world does he have in mind when he called for some sort of national police or security force made up of civilians? This is troublesome.

[blondeatlast]

6. I take it, Mr. Counterpunch, you did not read the article... nt

[HCE SuiGeneris]

9. I think your bead on this poster is spot on.

:thumbsup:

[Better Believe It]

10. I Did How About You?

Are you speaking on behalf of Obama, yourself, all progressives or do you have some inside information on exactly what Obama has in mind when he called for a powerful, strong and well funded national security force? I assume such a well funded force will help protect us from terrorists and other radicals. But, I'd rather go without one if you don't mind. And I sure hope they are not armed!

But, in any case tell us everything you know about this powerful national security force.

Not speculation now, just hard facts since you certainly must know more than me or anyone else on DU about this issue.

Ahhhh .... go ahead and speculate if you want .... this ought to be interesting.

Tell us why you think we really, really, really need a national security force to police the American people?

Will the "terrorists" be coming for us and taking over the nation without such a force?

Fear! Fear! Fear!

Watch your neighbors. Might be terrorists or un-Americans, or even Arabs ... Arab Muslims!

See anything suspicious? Contact the national security service captain on your block! In service to America!

[blondeatlast]

11. The article doesn't say a damn thing about this "national security force."

But funny, you think it does and you know all about it...

Bet you're the one and only rec on this, too.

[Better Believe It]

13. You Clearly Did Not Read The Article

You will find the following in paragraph 9 of the article:

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set," he said. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded."

Do you normally comment on articles you haven't read?

[blondeatlast]

14. It's talking about a volunteer force in schools, parks, etc. "Security" isn't just

administration of justice.

Wow, you are really threatened by EVERYTHING, aren't you?

Take a walk, breathe. Geez.

You had to to Counterpunch to have them help you spin this inocuous article into a real threat, huh? :rofl:

[Better Believe It]

20. CounterPunch?

I wasn't even aware of Obama's statement until I read the original post here and the link.

So what in the world does that have to do with the Counterpunch publication?

Did they also post the article and the link?

If so, it appears you follow Counterpunch a lot more closely than me!

Now can you get back on topic?

[blondeatlast]

4. This is normally my sigline, but they've turned 'em off. About the question mark:

The Question Mark: A prophylactic protecting FOX News from anything it might contract during its extensive GOP c**ksucking?" Jon Stewart 2006

It's a blog--kinda like this is. Get it?

[blondeatlast]

5. Calling for Americans to volunteer for schools, parks, and such is a threat to civil rights?

WTF is the author on, anyway--and is it available over the counter?

:eyes:

[dbackjon]

7. This is a Right Wing MEME circulating now

So how do we counter it?

http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/il/articles/obama_outlines_plan_for_national_service.html


Obama had first outlined many of the proposals he talked about Wednesday during appearances in Iowa last December.

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set," he said Wednesday. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded."

[SlipperySlope]

24. Exactly...

I just need some talking points to help counter-spin this crap.

[wyldwolf]

8. national service repackaged. Here's a partial timeline for you

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=3899&kaid=115&subid=145

April 1986 -- Senator Chuck Robb introduces national service concept in Inaugural Address as Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) chairman.

February 1988 -- Senator Sam Nunn delivers speech and hosts panel on national service at DLC annual conference in Williamsburg, VA. Conference introduces national service concept to then-Governor Bill Clinton.

April 1988 -- DLC publishes the book Citizenship and National Service, written by Will Marshall, providing an analysis of the need for a national service and outlining a comprehensive national service proposal.

October 1988 -- DLC sponsors a two-week National Service tour, featuring Vice Presidential nominee Lloyd Bentsen, Senators Sam Nunn, Barbara Mikulski, and Bennett Johnston, Representative Mike Espy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and Northwestern University's Charlie Moskos.

January 1989 -- DLC Chair Senator Sam Nunn and Representative Dave McCurdy (later a DLC chairman) introduce the DLC's National Service legislation.

November 1990 -- Congress passes National and Community Service Act, incorporating many elements of the Nunn-McCurdy proposal.

October 1991 -- Arkansas Governor (and former DLC chairman) Bill Clinton launches his presidential campaign with a Georgetown University speech where he calls for a "New Covenant" and the establishment of a voluntary system of national service.

December 1992 -- Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) publishes Mandate for Change, which outlines an agenda for the new Clinton administration, including a section on national service.

September 1993 -- Congress passes the National and Community Service Trust Act, based on President Clinton's proposal, establishing the Corporation for National Service and AmeriCorps.

July 1996 -- PPI and the Hudson Institute jointly host conference, "National and Community Service: A New Bargain?," reflecting the continuing effort to build bipartisan support for national service.

Spring 1999 -- DLC's policy journal, Blueprint, proposes new ideas to expand national service, building on President Clinton's proposals.

November 2001 -- DLC Chairman Senator Evan Bayh and Senator John McCain introduce the "Call to Service Act," which would dramatically expand the scope of national service.

February 2002 -- PPI and the Hudson Institute jointly host the conference "Taking National Service to Scale," helping build bipartisan support for a short-term "citizen soldier" enlistment program and an expansion of AmeriCorps tied to the new mission of homeland security.

November 2002 -- The Progressive Policy Institute launches the Center for Civic Enterprise, which is charged with developing the next generation of ideas on national service, citizen participation and civic activism.

December 2002 -- Congress passes the defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2003 that includes a short-term "citizen soldier" enlistment program based on the military segment of the Bayh-McCain national service bill. This "citizen soldier" option allows volunteers to serve their country in uniform without pursuing a military career.

Fall 2003 -- Presidential candidates Gen. Wesley Clark, Sen. John Kerry, and Sen. John Edwards make expanding national service a key element of their campaigns, elevating it for the first time to one of the major issues in the Democratic primary debate.

To go back further, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_service_in_the_United_States_of_America

[muryan]

12. Volunteering is evil

EVILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

To quote the MSM: What's a community organizer?

Ignorance creates fear

[blondeatlast]

15. The nerve--he wants to strengthen the US by bringing NURSES TO THE SICK

sports into the parks, journeys outside for the wheelchair bound, art into the schoolS.

HE MUST BE STOPPED AT ALL COSTS! ZOMG!

[Better Believe It]

17. Only If It's For Some Kind Of National Spying Security Force

I, like most progessives, didn't like his pro-FISA vote so naturally we are a bit concerned about the statement by Obama. Can ya blame us?

We just need to know what Obama meant when he called for such a force.

All of us can speculate from now until the election about what Obama means.

I have and so have others.

I'd rather not do that.

I want to know what Obama meant. Doesn't everyone?

There will be no need for speculation and guessing if Obama presents hard details on what he is proposing to do.

He should do that soon.

Is anyone opposed to that?

[blondeatlast]

19. Where does the article talk about "a secret spying force"? Or even hint about it? nt

[muryan]

22. I think your paranoia

Is getting the best of you. He has in a multitude of speeches made calls to action of the american people, to get involved in your local communities and do everything you can to help those around you.

Obama's view of america is one in which every person lifts each other up, and the government is there to stop people from falling between the cracks. The republicans will try to paint that as big government, or a civilian spying force, or nazi youth, among other things. So use your better judgement and either read or listen to a few speeches Obama gave on the subject.

[bunnies]

16. After reading the article, I'd have to say

:eyes:

Seems pretty obvious to me, considering the line directly before it, that hes talking about something similar to the organizations he's referencing.

"He promised to increase AmeriCorps slots from 75,000 to 250,000 and pledged to double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011."

But the Obama haters here and elsewhere will take it and run with it. They always do.

[blondeatlast]

18. AmeriCorps--ooh, I'm skeered of all those marauding do-gooders... nt

[bunnies]

21. Next thing ya know... they'll be stealing our wimin!!! ;) nt

[muryan]

23. Don't you mean Amerikkka corps?

http://www.capitalresearch.org/blog/?p=154

(Apparently I'm a socialist agitator)