-Caveat Lector-
From
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig2/fallavollita2.html
}}}>Begin
Arrival of the American Garrison State
by Paul Fallavollita
The Pentagon is proposing the creation of a four-star command to
oversee federal troops engaged in "homeland defense" activity on
American soil. While CINC regional chiefs have long coordinated
deployments overseas, none exist for North America. Soon, however,
the circle will be complete, and the noose will be around our necks.
Supporters defend this proposal as a way to "streamline" the command
system. We should have learned by now that making government more
efficient and effective only makes it easier for that institution to
transgress against the rights of the people.
Traditionally, Americans have been wary of using the military for
domestic law enforcement. The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C.
1385) enshrines this principle into law. Article One, Section Eight,
Clause Twelve of the Constitution attempts to curb the ability of the
executive to wield domestic standing armies, by stipulating that
appropriations for the military cannot be extended at any one time
beyond a two-year period. Few Americans
stop to think about the Third Amendment, ostensibly still in force, which prohibits
the government from quartering soldiers in the peoples� homes. Taken together, these
laws indicate that the aversion to standing armies
is a well-established and justified part of the American way of life.
The military is not in our homes yet, but they are roaming about the country, and they
are in our neighborhoods. Delta Force and Night Stalker types have terrorized a number
of American communities over the years, conduct
ing SWAT-like "training" with live ammunition near residential areas, including in
Kingsville, Texas during the 1999 domestic program, "Operation Last Dance." Extensive
sales of military equipment, including armored perso
nnel carriers and concussion grenades, to local and state police departments have also
taken place.
On another front, a bill re-instituting the draft made its way into Congress just
before the New Year, HR 3598 IH, the "Universal Military Training and Service Act of
2001." The militarization of American society is appar
ently of greater importance to our leaders than recognizing that the government was
not granted the authority to conscript citizens into service, especially in light of
the Thirteenth Amendment�s prohibition of involuntar
y servitude. From a market perspective, even the military should realize that a draft
would be contrary to its own interests. A draft would cause military pay rates to
stagnate and even plummet, since Congress would no lo
nger feel pressure to enact pay raises when they can just press more people into
service. This logic is lost on our leaders, however, as they lay the groundwork for
the Garrison State.
Since 9/11, our leaders have turned the fear of the American people into a blank check
to create a global prison camp. Should the reader suspect this an exaggeration,
consider that we may never see a blatant headline one
morning in the newspaper stating, "President Declares Police State, End to
Constitution." Rather, the only headlines heralding the coming of the American
Garrison State will be buried deep in the hindmost pages, telling u
s, "Pentagon Seeks Creation of Four Star Command for North America." This is
incrementalism, where our leaders silently slip each puzzle piece into place, one at a
time.
Incrementalism provides the government with plausible deniability about its end game,
making it easier for its defenders to characterize libertarian warnings as "paranoia."
Not that this necessarily implies a conscious co
nspiracy at work---it is a well-known feature of any government to expand infinitely,
however well intentioned this growth might be, unless checked by the vigilance of the
people. Post 9/11, the vigilance of the people se
ems more scarce than usual, as they rush to cling to a State-provided security blanket.
If you say of the coming Garrison State, "it�ll never happen," ask yourself if you can
be certain of that, since history shows that many unlikely and strange things do
happen. Ask yourself what President Hillary Rodham Cl
inton might do with her newfound powers in 2008. Recall Lord Acton�s famed quote:
power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Are you willing to take such
risks with the precious jewel that is this Republic?
February 1, 2002
Paul Fallavollita [send him mail] holds an M.A. in political science from Purdue
University. He has written for LewRockwell.com, EtherZone, Enter Stage Right,
OpinioNet, Spintech, and The American Partisan.
Copyright � 2002 LewRockwell.com
LRC needs your support. Please donate.
Back to LewRockwell.com Home Page
End<{{{
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled
one is truly vanquished. -Johann Christoph Schiller,
German Writer (1759-1805)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that
prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
