Tim May wrote:
On Friday, October 5, 2001, at 03:31 PM, Steve Furlong wrote:
...
And wasn't there something about not using the military for police matters? Oh, that's right, this is an _emergency_, so it's ok.
It's called "Posse Commitatus," and it's clear that troops cannot be used on U.S. soil.
Yah, I know. You're right, though, it should be spelled out, not only for the non-USians on the list but for the products of the modern American educational system. (Of which I am one, but I'm trying to overcome it.)
The recent deployments in airports are of the National Guard. These units are under controls of _governors_ of states, and are not covered by Posse Comitatus. "Calling in the National Guard" has been common for many decades.
Legally, you're right. But since the Guard units are partially trained and equipped with federal money and operate under federal strictures, I don't generally distinguish between state and federal military forces. And of course Gov Davis, like so many others, are "fighting the last war". The organized terrorists won't be going after planes for the second punch, though half-witted copycats will. And the copycats could be stopped by allowing off-duty senior combat soldiers to carry guns on planes, but of course that would lessen the need for centralized power and will never be countenanced. By the way, I like the sig you used on your message. A bit lengthy, but worth the read. -- Steve Furlong Computer Condottiere Have GNU, Will Travel 617-670-3793 "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly while bad people will find a way around the laws." -- Plato