The Myth of Posse Comitatus

[mean-green at hushmail.com]

The Myth of Posse Comitatus 
MAJ Craig T. Trebilcock, USAR 

The Posse Comitatus Act has been traditionally viewed as a major barrier to the use of U.S. military forces in planning for homeland defense. In fact, many in uniform believe the Act precludes the use of U.S. military assets in domestic security operations in any but the most extraordinary situations. As is often the case, reality bears little resemblance to the myth for homeland defense planners. Through a gradual erosion of the Act’s prohibitions over the past twenty years, Posse Comitatus today is more of a procedural formality than an actual impediment to the use of U.S. military forces in homeland defense.  
 
http://www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Articles/article.cfm?article=7