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from the articles-that-are-plotlines-to-movies dept.
Jeremy Bender reports that eight different law enforcement agencies in Indiana have purchased massive Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) that were formerly used in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAP is a bulletproof, 60,000-pound, six-wheeled behemoth with heavy armor, a gunner's turret and the word "SHERIFF" emblazoned on its flank.
Pulaski County, home to 13,124 people, is one of the counties that have purchased an MRAP from military surplus. When asked to justify the purchase of a former military vehicle, Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer told the Indy Star:
"The United States of America has become a war zone. There's violence in the workplace, there's violence in schools and there's violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that's what I'm going to do."
(Score: 3, Informative) by TheGratefulNet on Thursday June 12 2014, @03:00AM
I'll take the opposite view, then.
I don't condone shooting random people (not even cops) but I UNDERSTAND the frustration of the people and we are not getting any improvement in the cops' war on america. and yes, they did declare war on us, just not in so many words.
the feeling I have is VERY common and more and more, its being expressed online in various forums. people would rather deal with problems themselves than call the cops. calling the cops is too risky, now. it should not be that way, but it is.
what do cops have over us? power and fear and control.
what that couple was probably trying to do is to give them a taste of their own medicine.
it won't work, cops are not the smartest people out there and they are stubborn as hell, so they won't see this as any kind of wake-up call. but they should.
I understand the frustration. I don't understand shooting people, but I do understand feeling powerless and in fear of authority figures who could end your life (and get away with it!) any time they feel like it.
there's a famous cartoon about that, it has a title "I'm going to kick your ass; and get away with it!". that pretty much explains this whole idea.
"It is now safe to switch off your computer."
(Score: 2) by edIII on Thursday June 12 2014, @03:58AM
Not so much the opposite view really.
I defended his statements of us being practically at war with each right now. His fears are not unjustified, and he may be doing his job protecting people just fine is what I was trying to convey.
Most certainly, I do disagree with his conclusion that a military vehicle helps, for those reasons of fear and control. I thought I said as much.
It's not just him either. Regular people are trying to figure out how to arm and defend themselves better at this point.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.