I think both. And I agree.

I believe he is talking about a certain group of individuals who are trained to handle this SPECIFIC situtation.


Just my interpratation. :cool:

Just my .02

But i think if this type situation happens there will be a delay by the terrorist to get maxium news coverage AQ seems to want large scale to show their power.The reaction of killing 300 adults vs 300 kids isnt even comparable.

as for the Teachers packing alot of schools already have armed LEOs on site atleast at my highschool did and that was back in 95.

Training is the key

What I was saying is that the US military is the only “force” trained, equipped and prepared to deal with heavily armed terrorists.

We cannot train civilian swat teams to take on terrorists. It’s not feasible.

I propose we stand up three military "domestic" counter-terrorist units. One in Iowa, Central Calif. and South Carolina with an “Executive order” (green light) to deploy in minutes anywhere in the United States to resolve any “domestic” terrorist situation.

I further propose that once a domestic terrorist situation is identified a media blackout is automatically enforced and if broken a mandatory 5 year prison sentence imposed on any breaking this order.

swat teams and FBI HRT is not the answer when dealing with terrorists.

TS

I like the first idea. The second probably violates the First Amendment. I think that's an interesting policy discussion, though.

I’m not going to debate constitutional law with an attorney as I am merely a soldier, but, anything that aids or furthers a terrorist’s cause should be against the law. Providing media coverage during a terrorist’s siege is providing assistance and support to the terrorists.

TS

Concur. Less publicity defeats the terrorists purpose.

You have my vote.

TR

Clearly - however, the US Constitution is not a suicide pact.

We both only get one vote. ;)

So what, if we are lifting Posse Comitatus. Do you really think we are gonna worry about someone's 1st Amendment?

The President was prepared to shoot down passenger aircraft on 9/11. I don't think he will give a rat's ass about the medias 1st Amendment rights if we have a Terrorist Seige on our own soil.

Remember the media (almost) black out during Operation Enduring Freedom?

Donald Rumsfeild telling the reporters stuff like, "You don't need to know that."

:lifter

The Following is the Uninformed opinion of a Civilian:

My understanding of the whole deal is that When the word "Terrorism" is thrown into the mix, all kinds of avenues for military action are opened, at home, Abroad, whereever. I have no concrete evidence to back this up, this is just the way things have always appeared to me.

As for First amendment,what about Censorship Concerning the Military in time of War? We are at War. During WWII, there were TONS of Pics and stats not released to the Public. I've even seen Pics from Vietnam that had Blacked out places. I think the Media Blackout would have to go Hand in Hand with Military envolvement.

Just My .02

If the terrorists are foreigners, why would Posse Comitatus apply? If we were invaded by a foreign army, I do not believe that Possee Comitatus would prevent our troops from resisting that invasion on our own soil. And how would we know the nationality of the terrorists in any event?

AL, do you know whether military CT teams are precluded from responding to domestic terrorist activity?

In WW2 the only way to get to a war zone to cover it would have been either by boat or by the military. There were no boats running and the military would have told them to fuck off. So easier to censor.

The world was smaller during Vietnam, but not as small as it is today. With super cheap air fares, Journos can get anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Which means there's an uncontrolled flow of journos, which didn't happen during WW2, and only seemed to happen (someone correct me on this) to a small extent during Vietnam.

So there lays the problem. Enforcing a media blackout is next to impossible, what with satellite TV and everything. IMHO, befriending the media and giving them a little bit access here and here could give the military a lot more leverage. A bit like how the White House runs things. Fuck up and piss people off, you lose your access.

Could work.

If they were "Confirmed" Foreigners then I don't 'think' Posse Comitatus applies. But in a very dynamic situtation, I think waiting to find out one way or the other waists valuable time. Not to mention some of the most horrific Terrorist acts that have happened her in the last 25 years have been from domestic Terrorist. :munchin

Roger, I agree, there's no time to argue when hostages are involved. If there is more than one armed asshole with hostages then they are terrorists, end of story.