United States Gets Help Offers...

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

Dan,

Thanks for responding. I don't disagree with your principles, I was just curious about the technical legality of it all, since you appear to know.

Gabe

Technically speaking....and in terms of using forces within the US or adjoining waters, not in Bosnia, Iraq, etc......Prior to 9/11 we (active duty) were bound by "posse comitatus"...which effectively meant that say for drug interdiction, we could support but not apprehend or arrest. The Coast Guard would be called in to board or arrest because they have law enforcement power. SInce 9/11 and re-organization and estblishment on DHS, there is provision for using troops in a psedo-law enforcement role because the lines decerning threat to the country are kind of blurry at times regarding the differences between combatant and criminal.....a terrorist is which? There has always been the ability to excercise emergency powers at the federal level, but that is a touchy subject, and this probably doesn't warrant such a draconian response.

In the LA example, the Marines were brought in to "restore order" but really were without guidance as to law enforcement, more as a presence to mainain control and cordon off areas, but limited pretty much to self defence and the use of force to prevent death or injury to another US citizen, which falls under self defence ROE. Not really the right set of rules to put down a riot. But nonetheless.....in that instance it may have helped, but the precedent still is not good IMHO.

Dan

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

Dan,

Thanks for responding. I don't disagree with your principles, I was just curious about the technical legality of it all, since you appear to know.

Gabe

Technically speaking....and in terms of using forces within the US or adjoining waters, not in Bosnia, Iraq, etc......Prior to 9/11 we (active duty) were bound by "posse comitatus"...which effectively meant that say for drug interdiction, we could support but not apprehend or arrest. The Coast Guard would be called in to board or arrest because they have law enforcement power. SInce 9/11 and re-organization and estblishment on DHS, there is provision for using troops in a psedo-law enforcement role because the lines decerning threat to the country are kind of blurry at times regarding the differences between combatant and criminal.....a terrorist is which? There has always been the ability to excercise emergency powers at the federal level, but that is a touchy subject, and this probably doesn't warrant such a draconian response.

In the LA example, the Marines were brought in to "restore order" but really were without guidance as to law enforcement, more as a presence to mainain control and cordon off areas, but limited pretty much to self defence and the use of force to prevent death or injury to another US citizen, which falls under self defence ROE. Not really the right set of rules to put down a riot. But nonetheless.....in that instance it may have helped, but the precedent still is not good IMHO.

Dan

Great points Dan, so why hasn't the "media" offered this to the angered public so they know why things are currently the way they are. Right now it's all finger point towards Washington. I have been saying this for the last day or so, but you explained the actual why. Thanks!

[bnsfkline]

Because the media is F'ed Up, like the Gihad.

[Junctionfan]

Foreign Aid is on the way.

I heard on Toronto News that Canada is sending 2 warships and 1 Coast Guard vessel. They left the Port of Halifax with in the pasts 24 hours enroute to the New Orleans. Air Canada has pitched in and is helping with evacuations.

China has sent over $5 million, supplies and aid workers.

Qatar has or is in the process of sending $100 million U.S in humanitarian aid.

Kuwait is going to pass a bill authorizing $500 million U.S.

[Anonymous]

I think it is very good that other countries are offering help to the United States during this tragedy. New Orleans and its citizens plus the surrounding areas are going to need all the help they can get. Several churches in our area are taking up donations of food, health supplies, and money for the victims of Katrina. I am looking forward to sending in some of my own money to help these people. I hope that President Bush will accept a generous offer of financial help from these other countries. I have been following the story of Katrina and its aftermath all week long. This is indeed a tragedy, but I believe that eventually the people of New Orleans and the other affected areas will overcome this horrific event.

[Junctionfan]

More news;

Venezuela will be sending 1 million barrels of gasoline.

NATO is going to be engaging in a major operation at the request of the U.S. I saw it on CNN but to be safe, I went to NATO's website to confirm it to be true but no details yet.

He is something interesting.

Iran has offered humanitarian aid. I honestly not to sure how to respond to this. I don't think the Whitehouse saw that coming...........neither did I.

[Anonymous]

I must admit, I am stunned by the countries who have offered help, even Cuba. It would be neat if we could all get together and just say we are all in this planet so let's not wait for natural disasters to make us to really be brothers {and sisters}

[Tulyar15]

Here! Here! I gather Sri Lanla is also sending help, despite the fact that it is still recovering from the tsunami

(off topic, but a preservation group in IReland has sold some of its surplus diesel locos at scrap price to Sri Lanka to help in the rebuilding. These locos will be overhauled and reguaged from Irish gauge (5' 3") to Sri Lankan gauge (5' 6").)