Do Marin law enforcement officials need tanks?
In using federal and state grant funding specifically designated for anti-terrorism projects to buy a steel-plated rescue vehicle built from a Ford F-550 commercial truck chassis, officials from the County of Marin and the Marin County Sheriff's Office say yes.
As first reported by the Marin Independent Journal, the county has purchased a BearCat G3 from Lemco, a Massachusetts defense contractor. The 16,000-pound armored tank can hold up to 10 law enforcement officers and drives 80mph.
In seeking approval for the new vehicle, Sheriff Robert Doyle told the Marin County Board of Supervisors that the county's Special Response Team needs the new vehicle to handle "incidents that are beyond the capability of first responders," according to the IJ. The sheriff said the 16-member special response team includes a four-member "weapons of mass destruction unit" to deal with "chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents." The team is trained in "terrorism response scenarios" and is designed as "a regional asset in the North Bay."
What do you think of this purchase? Is it justified as a regional need? Tell us in the Comments.
On another hand, why do we spend so much on warfare, and weapons, and what would our whirled look like were we to put our love and our pocketbooks into education and actual "justice" for everything???
When was the last time you saw a hook and ladder engine used on a fire in Marin? Name the incident. I know their purpose. We have them "just in case". The purpose of an armored truck is to rescue first responders who were shot and approach areas where shooting is ongoing. Watch the LA Bank robbery video.http://youtu.be/N9SWG1f--GY
Here's something not new, but still interesting: We are Preparing for Massive Civil War (please don't let the over-the-top title dissuade you) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXg2WsNCrW4 Here's more recent food for thought: Military Brass Required to Fire on American Civilians? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynwj33XY664
Do you remember from the 60's to 90's many experts stated there will never be a large scale terrorist attack within the USA due to the logistics of moving explosives to the USA? It turned out the experts were wrong. We should be defending America instead of defending other nations overseas. Let them chip in for the expense. OPM - Other People's Money. It's not their money. Spend, spend, spend! I see this as a drop in the bucket compared to other stupid spending programs. We have a legalized bribery system in place, we call it "campaign contributions". From what I have read, Solyndra played the game very well, to the tune of $500,000,000 before they went bankrupt months later. The big picture is very broken. Why are we playing "world police" when we have to borrow over a trillion dollars a year? We cleaned out the terrorist camps in Afghanistan, then set up "Nation building of Afghanistan". Maybe we are worried about the effect on Pakistan. This is a fantastic read on how the Feds support spending programs for the War on Drugs. Also, how liberal democrats are often worried about their image more than republicans. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-america-lost-the-war-on-drugs-20110324 I find it interesting that not a single police officer or deputy has posted their opinion. Even from other counties. To me, those are the opinions that count. They go to shootings and unfortunately sometimes need to be evacuated from shootings.
Does Marin, Sonoma, and the North Bay need several armored trucks? No. One to evacuate wounded officers or get officers to an active shooting might be enough. LA Bank robbery watch at 3:30 4 SWAT officers in a patrol car. http://youtu.be/SVeb_zZdliw
Aerial drones over your home are good for you and keep you safe from terrorists. Armored cars driving through your bedroom communities also keep you safe. Registering gun owners like sex offenders is necessary for you to be safe. Banning 90% of firearms and magazines will make you safer still. And, the Dept. of Homeland Security has just purchased 2 BILLION rounds of ammunition to deal with any domestic terrorists who might think otherwise. FORWARD, slaves.
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/03/07/a-c-l-u-has-concerns-over-military-weapons-used-by-local-police/
What are we waiting for Red Dawn? This is happening everywhere around the US...Thanks to homeland security and Bush for helping us become like this...