Thread: Unrest Caused by Bad Economy May Require Military Action, Re

Unrest Caused by Bad Economy May Require Military Action, Report Says

Monday 29 December 2008
by: Diana Washington Valdez, El Paso Times


A new report warns that economic and civil unrest could lead to military intervention. (Photo: Getty Images)

El Paso - A U.S. Army War College report warns an economic crisis in the United States could lead to massive civil unrest and the need to call on the military to restore order.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Nathan Freir wrote the report "Known Unknowns: Unconventional Strategic Shocks in Defense Strategy Development," which the Army think tank in Carlisle, Pa., recently released.

"Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities ... to defend basic domestic order and human security," the report said, in case of "unforeseen economic collapse," "pervasive public health emergencies," and "catastrophic natural and human disasters," among other possible crises.

The report also suggests the new (Barack Obama) administration could face a "strategic shock" within the first eight months in office.

Fort Bliss spokeswoman Jean Offutt said the Army post is not involved in any recent talks about a potential military response to civil unrest.

The report become a hot Internet item after Phoenix police told the Phoenix Business Journal they're prepared to deal with such an event, and the International Monetary Fund's managing director, Dominique Strauss-Khan, said social unrest could spread to advanced countries if the global economic crisis worsens.

Javier Sambrano, spokes-man for the El Paso Police Department, said city police have trained for years so they can address any contingency, but not with the military.

"The Quantcast police (department) trains on an ongoing basis as part of its Mobile Field Force Training," Sambrano said. "As a result, the police will be able to respond to emergency situations, such as looting or a big civil unrest. The police (department) does not train with soldiers."

Earlier this year, Pentagon officials said as many as 20,000 soldiers under the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) will be trained within the next three years to work with civilian law enforcement in homeland security.

Joint Task Force-North, a joint command at Biggs Army Airfield, which conducts surveillance and intelligence along the border, comes under NORTHCOM. No one was available at JTF-North to comment on the Army War College's report. NORTHCOM was created after the 9-11 attacks to coordinate homeland security efforts.

Soldiers under the former Joint Task Force-6 (now JTF-North) supported the Border Patrol in El Paso with its drug-interdiction operations.

In case civilian authorities request help or become overwhelmed, El Paso has several National Guard and military reserve units that can be called on. In 1992, National Guard and active Marine and Army units were deployed to help police control riots and looting in Los Angeles.

Charles Boehmer, political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, was skeptical about the Army War College report.

"The military was not called out during the Great Depression, and I don't think our economic problems are as bad as they were then," he said. "The military always has contingency plans. It's a think tank's job to come up with scenarios, but that doesn't mean it represents an active interest on the part of the (Pentagon)."

http://www.truthout.org/123008B

"The military was not called out during the Great Depression, and I don't think our economic problems are as bad as they were then,"

There weren't as many people and survival necessities hadn't been outlawed like they are now. Think you can go and catch some fish and sell it to the local grocery store today? That's what my uncle and father did to help bring in money to eat. Heck you can't even fish legally without a license. Can ya get your shot gun and shoot that squirrel and rabbit for dinner without being in a heap of trouble? They'd have starved to death if that wasn't an option. Think a pencil and paper is going to be enough for your kid to go to school when we're in a "high tech" world? I know it was bad but I don't think there was the attitude there is now. Kids KILL each other over a hat or an I-Pod without a second thought.....can you imagine if you add real hunger and severe poverty to the picture? I don't think many would hesitate to take you out without a second thought or concern. We've had unrest in good times.......can't have a weather issue that you don't have the vultures ripping you blind to where the national guard and cerfews aren't called. I don't think there's a whole lot of concern over the welfare of others or that some hoods would be satisfied with sharing a meal when they can take it all. It's not dead but I seriously question if it's alive enough to get us through. Heck....my Dad said they had gravy on toast for meals and would always say as long as there's anything here there's a place for you at the table....might not be much but it fills the hole.(lol)....they'd take him out in a heart beat today for being so stupid for offering all he had. We had some teens get jumped and beat up over a snack size of Cheetoes.......suppose it depends on where you live, but can't feature anything but total disruption here.

"The military was not called out during the Great Depression, and I don't think our economic problems are as bad as they were then,""

My feelings exactly, however, They were not trying to force us into a world government before or during the Great Depression. They may use this as an excuse.

Originally Posted by crazybird

Can ya get your shot gun and shoot that squirrel and rabbit for dinner without being in a heap of trouble? They'd have starved to death if that wasn't an option.

That's exactly how my father and his mother survived the Great Depression (his father had died in 1926),

That's exactly how my father and his mother survived the Great Depression (his father had died in 1926),

Theres just so many things that are different now from then. They could burn their garbage and not have to worry about codes and the environment and pay 100 a month to have someone take it away. You could have someone who owned a restaurant that might buy your pies without a business license and health inspections and such. You could trade what you had for something you needed without being taxed on bartered goods and services. You weren't charged with abuse and neglect at every turn if you sent your kid to school with just an apple coz that's all you had. My Dad wasn't beat up because he was poor and had old worn out clothes and holes in shoes that were passed down from his brother. His parents didn't have to fear the law if he missed school to help with farm work. The expectations and demands and laws are not the same. Who'd have thought back then it would be a crime to try and help a wild baby bunny who's mother was killed today? It is here. They weren't burdened with taxes and such like we are today, to where they could still loose everything even after they paid for it, because they couldn't pay taxes or afford a new roof when some inspector came by. It happens today. Try walking into a doctors office and handing him a chicken for payment. Nope, they want the roof over your head. Necessities, for this culture now, are far more, and far more expensive than they had then. My uncle blew his finger off with fireworks. Just think, today he could have sued someone for millions...his parents for being neglectful, the fire works place for making an explosive, the law enforcement for not stopping him from being stupid, who knows who else....oh ya, the person who gave them to him LOL....back then it was fool, now look what you did. Different world today.

IF this becomes deep enough and gos on long enough maybe we will get lucky and life will become simpler again and we will have real priorities with common sense.


Hey I can dream can't I

IF this becomes deep enough and gos on long enough maybe we will get lucky and life will become simpler again and we will have real priorities with common sense.

Maybe when we're all in tents or card board boxes and there's nothing left for them to take, they'll have to change their strategy.