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Author: TriSec    Date: 03/09/2021 12:47:20

Good Morning.

We'll dive right in. January 6 is the "gift that keeps on giving", isn't it?


That date is rapidly becoming a dividing line like September 11. Nearly two decades on, I still sometimes refer to those long-ago days as "the before time". Although increasingly now that term refers to Coronavirus, there's still a clear before and after.

It's clear the Capitol defence was fully unprepared for the events of that day. Likely because of complicit fascist allies in key positions; or restricting orders issued by Der Fuehrer, but that's a thought for another day.

In any case - two months later and the fallout from those events has been recommended to become permanent.


A task force charged with making recommendations to boost congressional security after a deadly Jan. 6 pro-Trump mob assault on Capitol Hill has proposed establishing a permanent military presence ready to go at a moment's notice in Washington, D.C.

The security review, led by retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who ran military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, recommended establishing a permanent National Guard quick reaction force, or QRF, for all of D.C.

A QRF is a standard military security element meant to provide swift reinforcements.

"This could be done by mobilizing military police from Guard elements across the U.S. on rotations of three to six months," the task force's report states. "Another option would be to create a QRF that permanently resides within the D.C. Guard by reestablishing a military police battalion and staffing it with active Guard reserve troops who live in or near the city year-round, perpetually on active duty."

The proposal notes that military forces should be a supplement to a law enforcement QRF. Establishing a permanent National Guard presence could be a costly measure for the military, especially if states must continue to rotate troops and equipment in and out. Basic Allowance for Housing for an Army specialist, the most common rank in the force, is $2,520 per month in the D.C. area without dependents. That is on top of standard pay.

National Guard troops also must maintain civilian jobs, which could be a challenge. Guard troops would have to stay activated under federal orders for legal protections from employer retaliation.


All of this is designed to circumvent the shackles of the Posse Commitatus act, which prevents the regular army from being deployed within the boundaries of the United States for these purposes.

But I have a disconnect over this - creating a rapid-deployment force from the National Guard essentially re-creates what the 82nd Airborne is, albeit in guard form. The Army of the United States in this instance is clearly no longer to "Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States", as their Oath states. So what is it for now, exactly?

I do wonder what the Washington, DC branch of the blog thinks about a permanent military presence on the "People's Lawn" (National Mall) as the apparent weeks and months of occupation continue?

Moving on, we'll consider what is perhaps part of the problem. It has been reported in this space previously about increasing racism and fascism growing within the US Military. But how about ordinary rowdiness and drunkenness?


Naval Air Station Pensacola leaders have decided to limit alcohol sales due to an increase of alcohol-related misbehavior from junior enlisted service members on the base, according to a spokesperson.

Troops in the rank of E-3 and below are limited to purchasing one six-pack of beer per day from the Florida base's Navy Exchange because of "an increase in alcohol-related incidents involving this demographic of service members," said Jason Bortz, a base spokesman.

Bortz said drinking-related incidents constitute "conduct that we do not expect our service members to be a part of while on NAS Pensacola," but would not elaborate further on the nature of the base's disciplinary issues.

The popular social media page "U.S Army WTF! Moments" posted a photo March 1 showing a sign taped to a refrigerator door that read, "Attention Valued Customers: E3 and below are restricted to ONE six pack of beer per day."

The spokesman said that Capt. Tim Kinsella, commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, and subordinate commanders were in agreement with the decision. The restrictions will remain in effect at the installation -- the second-largest naval training base -- until there is a reduction in alcohol-related incidents.


There is certainly something wrong here. As an old friend of mine from the south used to drawl...."Rum makes you Dumb". Perhaps the drunken culture leads ordinary servicemembers to explore things they wouldn't ordinarily do - like join racist groups after being brainwashed. In some ways, this feels like old-school fraternity hazings to me, but I digress.

But isn't the breakdown in discipline the sign of a larger problem? For instance - the military is worried that up to one third of the force has refused the Coronavirus vaccine. The hell of it is - they are getting away with it.

I'm sorry; this is the military, Follow your orders, or suffer the consequences. There are objections, to be sure - but that would be cause for court martial, separation from service, and a likely dishonorable discharge, IMHO.

There is, at least, a small glimmer of hope. You Know Who destroyed or eliminated many things, along with disparaging things he disagreed with.

At least the new guy is going to try to fix some of that.




 
 

4 comments (Latest Comment: 03/09/2021 18:39:02 by BobR)
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