And now hand-me-down MRAP's and other similar military vehicles are being used in cities and towns in conjunction with swat teams; these swat teams that formerly were found only in some of this country's largest cities are now becoming common in towns across America.
What this should tell us is that this government no longer trusts and actually fears many of the people in this society and so they must be controlled. Yes, there are many threats to America's security in the world. There is Al-Qaeda, that primary enemy in the War on Terror. Then there are Russia, China, Iran and a few other countries that are considered to be potential future threats. There is no question that these various threats to America must be watched closely; that's a given and it's nothing new.
But here's something that is new to America and its people. Now the greatest threat that is looming on America's horizon is the potential confrontation between this government and the people of this country because of the massive fear and distrust that exists between them. It represents an existential threat to the future of our nation and our democracy.
Why is this happening? Are the American people, by their actions, actually contributing to the acceleration of this process? Is it because this country is experiencing continuous mass shootings in its grade schools, high schools, colleges, in malls or almost anywhere? This is becoming a gun-crazed society. I just read that, since the mass slaughter of 20 young children at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, there have been 74 shootings at schools within America; that's about one every single week. This is madness, this is pure insanity; but are the people of this country in an uproar, screaming and demanding that these murders be stopped? No, they remain in silence while the NRA is making sure that those in Congress keep their mouths shut and do nothing.
In this gun society we now have widespread Stand Your Ground and Concealed Carry laws that at some point will quite probably cause violence such as we have never experienced. In Texas brazen gun advocates have been openly brandishing their weapons in public places in what is called "open carry." It won't be much longer before we will be seeing swat teams confronting these gun nuts and then all hell may break loose. One could speculate that if a society in American history ever asked for the creation of a controlled or police state, it is the current society in which we live.
I think the case could be made that the increased violence, the proliferation of guns, the increased incidence of mass shootings, coupled with the rising anger and frustration of people who can't find work and are struggling to survive, is motivating this government to come up with more strategies and tactics to prevent a future societal eruption.
If anyone thinks I'm exaggerating about this increasing weaponry being acquired by various government agencies, check out this article entitled, "USDA and Submachine Guns: Latest Example of Mission Creep as Federal Policing Expands." I read this article and could not even believe that this is actually happening, especially the following paragraph which is absolutely astounding.
"And the Agriculture Department isn't the only federal agency seeking an increased amount of weapons and/or ammunition in recent months. Earlier this year, the US Postal Service listed a similar notice on its website, soliciting proposals for assorted small arms ammunition. And the Social Security Administration put in a request for 174,000 rounds of hollow-point bullets, shortly after the USDA requested 320,000 rounds about a year ago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the National Weather Service, also requested 46,000 rounds."
And here is yet another such story entitled, "Military Equipment Rolls into U.S. cities. Here's one excerpt from the article: "The Times cites the example of Neenah, Wisconsin, a quiet city of about 25,000 people, with a low violent crime rate that has not had a homicide in more than five years. Nevertheless, the town just acquired a 9-foot-tall, 30-ton armored vehicle built to withstand land mines." As the war in Afghanistan winds down, will the cities and towns of America be filled with every kind of military weaponry?
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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