Martial Law

[Bailey Guns]

Unlike some other recent instances of mass destruction, I don't believe Boston was planned or perpetrated by the gov't. However, I do think they're quite adept at turning a situation like that beneficial to their agenda, be it a test run for future plans, emotionally-backed legislation, or bolstering their militant presence incrementally here in the states.

Boston was a perfect scenario for them to practice a bit against what could be an armed insurgency in the future. It's painfully telling of how things have changed from how they used to be. 200, even 100 years ago, an event like that would have been perceived as a threat to the community. To be dealt with by the COMMUNITY... armed posses, deputizations, citizen watches etc. These days, it's just "return to your pens... we'll let you back in the pasture when we've dealt with the threat appropriately."

100 years ago...aside from technology probably not too much different. 200 years ago, much different.

However, 200 (or even 100 years ago) there wasn't the civilian police presence with associated technology and communications there is now. I'm not saying it's right or wrong but there isn't the need for posses and such today.

I can't really disagree with the first part of your statement. After all, never let a good crisis go to waste.

These days, it's just "return to your pens... we'll let you back in the pasture when we've dealt with the threat appropriately."

But I do disagree with that assessment. As a matter of fact, the police did say the "shelter in place" request was lifted even though they had not apprehended the suspect or "dealt with the threat appropriately". A citizen came out of his home and located the suspect and alerted police.

[Bailey Guns]

I didn't realize military forces were making and enforcing civil and criminal law in Boston. I didn't realize the courts were non-functioning to the point habeas corpus was suspended. Guess I missed that part.

[davsel]

I didn't realize military forces were making and enforcing civil and criminal law in Boston. I didn't realize the courts were non-functioning to the point habeas corpus was suspended. Guess I missed that part.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/327/304

...
We believe that when Congress passed the Hawaiian Organic Act and authorized the establishment of 'martial law' it had in mind and did not wish to exceed the boundaries between military and civilian power, in which our people have always believed, which responsible military and executive officers had heeded, and which had become part of our political philosophy and institutions prior to the time Congress passed the Organic Act. The phrase 'martial law' as employed in that Act, therefore, while intended to authorize the military to act vigorously for the maintenance of an orderly civil government and for the defense of the island against actual or threatened rebellion or invasion, was not intended to authorize the supplanting of courts by military tribunals. Yet the government seeks to justify the punishment of both White and Duncan on the ground of such supposed Congressional authorization. We hold that both petitioners are now entitled to be released from custody.
...

SCOTUS said suspension of habeas corpus is not required under "martial law."

[Bailey Guns]

Just quotes in the media from the governor and mayor saying the were either "asking" or "requesting" people to stay home. There are plenty of video clips available where both are using those terms.

[10mm-man]

Just quotes in the media from the governor and mayor saying the were either "asking" or "requesting" people to stay home. There are plenty of video clips available where both are using those terms.

Gotcha! What about the post 2 above ya? Seems it doesn't have to be said, just contain the elemets of, no?

[Bailey Guns]

Gotcha! What about the post 2 above ya? Seems it doesn't have to be said, just contain the elemets of, no?

Yeah. Elements like military forces in control. That didn't happen here. As a matter of fact the Washington Post printed an article that stated Nat'l Guard troops were not allowed to assist on scene immediately after the bombings.

We have some of the elements of an alien invasion too: eyewitness accounts of "flying saucers", dead aliens in Roswell, unexplained phenomenon, etc. All but the most important part...aliens actually invading.

[losttrail]

Yeah. Elements like military forces in control. That didn't happen here. As a matter of fact the Washington Post printed an article that stated Nat'l Guard troops were not allowed to assist on scene immediately after the bombings.

We have some of the elements of an alien invasion too: eyewitness accounts of "flying saucers", dead aliens in Roswell, unexplained phenomenon, etc. All but the most important part...aliens actually invading.

Aliens are invading and have been for decades. Now they are getting drivers licenses, free healthcare, free education, welfare, in state tuition, amnesty........

And yes, there were 'military' forces in control, or at least paramilitary.

The police.

Police departments nowdays are equiped and trained very similarly to the military.

Mulitple reports of people stepping outside their homes when the police/SWAT teams were on the streets and being TOLD/ORDERED to "Get the f___ back inside." Doesn't sound much like a "request" when a uniformed officer with an M4, sidearm and all the protective gear yells that.

[Bailey Guns]

Aliens are invading and have been for decades. Now they are getting drivers licenses, free healthcare, free education, welfare, in state tuition, amnesty........

And yes, there were 'military' forces in control, or at least paramilitary.

The police.

Police departments nowdays are equiped and trained very similarly to the military.

Mulitple reports of people stepping outside their homes when the police/SWAT teams were on the streets and being TOLD/ORDERED to "Get the f___ back inside." Doesn't sound much like a "request" when a uniformed officer with an M4, sidearm and all the protective gear yells that.

And do you really think that was anything more than isolated examples of hyped up and stressed out cops overreacting? I'm not saying there weren't some abuses. But to portray that as an "out of control" gov't seems like a stretch to me.

And cops, despite their training and equipment, are civilians. They may dress like the military and have some of the same gear and tactics, but they're still subject to civil control.

[jhood001]

I wouldn't call it martial law, but what was on the news about it and what was actually going on all day were a bit different. While the message may have been 'Please stay in your homes', the 'please' part was dropped if people were out on foot and they were promptly put on their asses and held there. I heard it done twice in the period that I was listening to the scanner that morning.

I'm not sure why anyone even tried to go anywhere though. At least not as long as this guy was delivering free milk:

[losttrail]

One of the biggest problems is that the people of Boston and that whole region, and all major metropolitan areas, have been almost completely disarmed and emasculated.

They have been indoctrinated for decades that they do not need to defend themselves, that when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

They are/were scarred beyond reason about a 19 year old fanatic that brought one of America's largest cities to its knees because our officials are more concerned with controlling the populace than defending our freedom.