Thanks, Obama

No really, thanks. It's about berkeleying time someone drew a line in the sand.

Obama to Limit Military-Style Equipment for Police Forces

NYT article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/us/politics/obama-to-limit-military-style-equipment-for-police-forces.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-5&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=false&fallbackSection=recommendations&pgtype=article

this has been an ongoing problem for a few years now. I agree with his stance that the Military and the Police have been blurring the lines between them and that is something that should not be done.

Comment rescinded.

In reply to T.J.:

You missed a spot.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Lol. Just figured there was no point in saying what I think about this here.

I just think TJ just wants an MRAP when the local PD retires them in 5 years.

Appleseed wrote: I just think TJ just wants an MRAP when the local PD retires them in 5 years.

who doesn't?

I can't disagree with this one.

Thanks Obama.

I suspect the original intent of this idea was a combination of: "OMG Terrorist!" and "Holy crap we have a lot of equipment laying around we have no use for"

Unintended consequences for the win Alex.

Police State, Military State, what's the difference?

I mean sure let the SWAT guys have a couple toys. I suppose the way taxes work means there isn't a double dipping going on, but I would be extra annoyed if there was. We obviously didn't need this much gear and vehicles to begin with.

In reply to clutchsmoke:

The way the government works, the armored trucks will just be scrapped anyhow. They tried to let lesser government agencies find a use for them. They just happen to be massive and thus intimidating....and easily photographed.

Why not put them in service with the Border Patrol? These guys need to be big and armored.

Gearheadotaku wrote: Why not put them in service with the Border Patrol? These guys need to be big and armored.

yeah... those Canadians need to be shown that crossing the border illegally needs intimidation as a response

yamaha wrote: In reply to clutchsmoke: The way the government works, the armored trucks will just be scrapped anyhow. They tried to let lesser government agencies find a use for them. They just happen to be massive and thus intimidating....and easily photographed.

They also seem to contribute to a militaristic mentality which the local police need less of. Let's also factor in the lack of training in utilizing this equipment and the situation goes from bad to worse.

oldeskewltoy wrote:

Gearheadotaku wrote: Why not put them in service with the Border Patrol? These guys need to be big and armored.

yeah... those Canadians need to be shown that crossing the border illegally needs intimidation as a response

Clearly you have no concept of just how easy it is to drive a combine from a field in Saskatchewan into North Dakota.
Just Google "MB-SK-ND corner marker" images and picture an explosives laden combine making an illicit left turn into an ND wheat field, completely undetectable from a legitimate American combine.

DeadSkunk wrote:

oldeskewltoy wrote:

Gearheadotaku wrote: Why not put them in service with the Border Patrol? These guys need to be big and armored.

yeah... those Canadians need to be shown that crossing the border illegally needs intimidation as a response

Clearly you have no concept of just how easy it is to drive a combine from a field in Saskatchewan into North Dakota.

I'm not seeing how what you just said disagreed with old?

I just wish equipment would trickle down beyond the police. I've got a 12 year old Escape I'd gladly trade for something with tracks

In reply to bravenrace:
Not disagreeing at all, just introducing a reason for a little paranoia for those who can't sleep at night.

In reply to Wally:

You know you can just drive on roads to get to Canada, right?

In reply to DeadSkunk:

Okay, guess I misunderstood. Sounded like disagreeing to me, but hey, I'm insane, so there's that.

.....and the guy driving that combine would bear a striking resemblance to Red Green.

While I agree in principle with that decision, a lot of the funding and equipment provided to these programs comes from DHS not the 1033 transfer program. Yea the 1033 program provided $445 million in funding during 2013 but the DHS program was $1.5 billion in the same year. So it might make a difference but not as much to the extent everyone seems to think it will.

Edit: Don't take this as I think the police should be outgunned or under-equipped. I believe that they're primary role is a peacekeeping force not a counter terrorism force. The line between the two has become quite blurred at this point.

You also have the 1122 program which parades around under the guise of drug enforcement providing funding for this equipment too. I don't think that was mentioned in this whole debate.

Xceler8x wrote:

yamaha wrote: In reply to clutchsmoke: The way the government works, the armored trucks will just be scrapped anyhow. They tried to let lesser government agencies find a use for them. They just happen to be massive and thus intimidating....and easily photographed.

They also seem to contribute to a militaristic mentality which the local police need less of. Let's also factor in the lack of training in utilizing this equipment and the situation goes from bad to worse.

I don't think it is the equipment that has caused that, it probably has more to do with E36 M3ty jobs being done on the psych evaluations before hiring them. From what I've seen first hand, there are a few types who should be bounced in pre-hiring tests. The ones who yearn to be "better than everyone else", those who follow orders blindly, and those who just lack people skills should never be allowed to do that job in the first place.

In reply to yamaha:

That's a pretty pervasive problem too. I've talked to a lot of kids looking to either join the military or become a LEO. The prospect of kicking down doors and shooting some fool in the face really appeals to them... Not exactly the people you want to be recruiting for law enforcement anyway.

I tell the story of the guy in the physical therapy office while I was getting my should rehabbed occasionally. Straight up admitted he wasn't a good enough sport to play rugby at an amateur level with the towns team but wanted to be a LEO. I just sort of let the conversation drop at that point.