Quote:
Originally Posted by Crompsin
I was always under the impression that the national guard was designed for "domestic security" stuff. After touring both of our illustrious prime GWOT locations in the last couple years and seeing flabby guard people everywhere when I arrived... I've determined that national guard has a "inter" prefix attached to it somewhere in invisible ink.
|
Actually, contrary to what many people don't realize, is that even though it is called "The National Guard" Each guard unit is a specialized unit attatched to their own individual state; And that the purpose in general for the National Guard is to help out in cases of natural disaster, and public unrest. For them to be activated the Governor of said state must declare a state of emergency, i.e. hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. Their jobs at that point are to protect the citizens of the affected areas, to supply food and water until agencies like FEMA are able to set up camp, and ASSIST, the key word being ASSIST the local police if called upon. Now this assistance could be in to form of localized martial law.
Some people also freak out a bit more than necessary when the word "martial law" is spoken. Martial law was enacted in Florida and recently in Houston, Texas durring many of the hurricanes there due to massive loss of power, which affected the local law enforcement from doing their jobs since there was no power to run the switchboards. The military have huge mobile communication systems obviously, and are self contained and self powered. You didn't see the National Guard running around Houston or Florida waving their guns around and freaking people out. Personally we WELCOMED them. I felt much safer. Now in the case of the OP, yea, martial law country wide does not sit well, but don't everyone think that martial law eneacted any time is a bad thing.