This Is The Terrifying Result Of The Militarization Of Police

[NeoConsSuck]

While serving as a U.S. Marine on patrol in Afghanistan, we wore desert camouflage to blend in with our surroundings, carried rifles to shoot back when under enemy attack, and drove around in armored vehicles to ward off roadside bombs.

We looked intimidating, but all of our vehicles and equipment had a clear purpose for combat against enemy forces. So why is this same gear being used on our city streets?

On Saturday, a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed black man. In the days that have followed, the town with a population of about 21,000 has seen massive protests in response to the shooting, as some witnesses said Brown had his hands up when he was killed.

Putting aside what started the protests for a moment, it's worth discussing the police response to the outrage. In photos taken Monday, we are shown a heavily armed SWAT team.

http://www.businessinsider.com/police-militarization-ferguson-2014-8

[msongs]

1. war profiteering + jobs for out of work militarists + for profit prisons, its a $$ win-win except

for the population which is viewed as criminals in an us vs them culture

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Tis a simple reason....

It is unconstitutional for the military to be used against US citizens.
But not for the police to be used against us.

From the article:
One of the most interesting responses came from a follower who says he served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division:
"We rolled lighter than that in an actual warzone."

and WE paid for every bullet they use.

[cui bono]

3. Good for Business Insider to run this.

There's another good article linked on the bottom of that one.
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-americas-police-are-becoming-so-militarized-2014-3

[CrispyQ]

6. Unfuckingbelievable.

Because of a legal quirk, SWAT raids can be profitable. Rules on civil asset-forfeiture allow the police to seize anything which they can plausibly claim was the proceeds of a crime. Crucially, the property-owner need not be convicted of that crime. If the police find drugs in his house, they can take his cash and possibly the house, too. He must sue to get them back.

Many police departments now depend on forfeiture for a fat chunk of their budgets. In 1986, its first year of operation, the federal Asset Forfeiture Fund held $93.7m. By 2012, that and the related Seized Asset Deposit Fund held nearly $6 billion.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-americas-police-are-becoming-so-militarized-2014-3#ixzz3AOUVKdJE

[bl968]

4. Police Militarization

"There's a reason we separate military and the police: one fights the enemy of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people."
--Commander William Adama (Water)

[blkmusclmachine]

5. The 1% is at war with the 99%. And their Spy Drones are coming to your neightborhood. Cuz "freedom."

Thanks, 9/11.