Martial Law

[davsel]

Do you have the source back up, that it was just a polite "stay in your home" request ? I didn't see a soul outside their home, but then again I really didn't follow this. From what I did see; there was not a soul on the street and there were some heavily armed presence rolling around.

Either way there is a war going on and it is now on the streets of America. To what point it escalates is unknown, for now! Of course that is another issues about American rights or enemy combatant. Stay Safe, stay vigilant!

Massachusetts Governor and Boston Police Commissioner "ask" residents:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=6rrmfp2QRbE

[hatidua]

Things don't seem to get "declared" as much as they used to. I don't recall the U.S. formally declaring war in Iraq or Afghanistan and yet I highly suspect those that got shot/bombed died just as dead as if war had in fact been declared. Now, we just do, forget the declarations. Martial Law wasn't declared in Boston, as such, it's all just peachy.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Whoa.. You guys are over reacting. Back in Jakarta 1998, curfew was declared, and shoot to kill for any rioters/looters, Family members couldn't retrieve their loved ones' bodies. Food were somewhat rationed. That was closer to martial law!!!

My friend in Boston didn't even close his donut shop during the ordeal.

[jhood001]

Whoa.. You guys are over reacting. Back in Jakarta 1998, curfew was declared, and shoot to kill for any rioters/looters, Family members couldn't retrieve their loved ones' bodies. Food were somewhat rationed. That was closer to martial law!!!

My friend in Boston didn't even close his donut shop during the ordeal.

Your friend's donut shop staying open is a fairly poor example of normality. Even with all of the non-LE on full lock-down, it was still probably his largest sales day of the year!

[spqrzilla]

Attempting to protect the general population through such an order or even evacuation of a few houses in a neighborhood due to dangerous circumstances doesn't equate to martial law, either.

Ordering an entire metro area to stay inside, close businesses (except Dunkin' Donuts ...) and shut down all transit systems is far more than many martial law declarations have done.

Frankly, its was both utterly illegal, inappropriate and completely ridiculous.

[Dave_L]

Did you guys see all the articles on all the contraband they confiscated during the door to door searches? All those "other" criminals that they grabbed during the searches? Neither did I.

There was an obvious close danger to those residents. The members on this forum are generally a bit more prepared for something like that but not all of the country is as responsible. A lot of people count on the policy to protect them and thats their right, just as it is ours to not count on them. Could you imagine how clouded things would be if you added 100 residents scowling the neighborhoods with their AR-15's? This is way different than full on riots in the streets. They were looking for a single person and they were just asking to keep the public space clear so it's easier to notice one person slinking in and out of alleys/cars/etc. Clear all the bullshit outta the way to make the job easier. We can all understand that.

Just my $.02.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Your friend's donut shop staying open is a fairly poor example of normality. Even with all of the non-LE on full lock-down, it was still probably his largest sales day of the year!

Hence why I use it as an example. Furthermore.. Many businesses chose to open, media are allowed to move freely. They ask folks to stay home, never ordered them.

[Bailey Guns]

Incrementalism. That's what it means. Not taking everything at once, but small pieces, bits at a time.

I believe it was a test and a clever one.

By not issuing an order to stay inside, but making it a request, it was much less innocuous, thus setting the stage for future events. Slowly getting the public used to the idea that the police/mayor/governor are only looking out for their best interests.

Trust Big Brother.

Incremental usurpation of rights and liberties by the federal gov't...I'll buy that. That's been happening for a long time. The fed has far exceeded the powers granted it by the Constitution. I don't believe in any way the Boston incident was some sort of test but respect your choice in believing that.

This yahoo had been identified late Tuesday or early Wednesday and was still on the loose, but the request to "shelter in place" was not issued until Friday?

Obama saw his latest photo op on Thursday in Boston, so evidently this remaining terrorist was not too dangerous until after Obama left Boston?

Why was the request to "shelter in place" issued AFTER commuters were already at or on their way to work and school?

How about shutting down the T and taxi services?

Because I don't think the state and/or local gov'ts had a clue where this guy was until the MIT shooting on Thurs night. All of this began to unfold Thurs night and into Fri morning. So the fact the order wasn't issued until then would seem to indicate a lot of restraint on the part of the state/local gov'ts, in my opinion.

BG, you asked "What government?" Gov. Deval Patrick (a government official I believe) issued the "shelter at home" request, correct? Didn't Gov. Deval Patrick also issue the orders to shut down mass transit? As I understand it, a governor is the highest ranking GOVERNMENT official of each state and not just some random civilian.

That government.

That's why I was asking. Many people use "gov't" as a generic term for the feds. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

How much disruption of mass transit was there following the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building bombing in Oklahoma City? There were no issued requests or orders to "shelter in place" while the suspects were still unknown or known but not yet aprehended.

How about the DC snipers? Was mass transit shut down and the citizenry requested to "cower in fear"? Was DC placed in "lockdown"? No.

Is Chicago placed in lockdown every night due to the mass shootings that occur on an almost daily basis? No.

Just some items to ponder.

In OKC after the bombing the governor did issue a state of emergency and ordered most, if not all, non-essential workers be released for the day for their safety. Pres Clinton also considered grounding air traffic out of OKC because it was thought the bomber might try to escape. Granted, he never did this. But, there were some similar steps taken to protect the public. Also, McVeigh was arrested 90 minutes after the bomb went off.

It would've been difficult to lock-down an entire region when the DC-area snipers were active. Plus, that incident lasted far, far longer. I'm don't recall but I'd be surprised if the local gov'ts didn't issue safety advisories of some sort to the general population. Chicago? Go figure. A bastion of liberal blight with out-of-control crime. It's not the same as terrorism.

[losttrail]

Some of you guys really need to take a deep breath and relax. Some serious paranoia going on around here.

Just because your paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

I think a little bit of paranoia is good. It causes one to question things that are being done.

I love my country but do not trust my government.

I am open to anyone providing reasons I should not be somewhat paranoid about what our government is doing.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Awareness is good. Paranoia is not.