Declaring Martial Law...

Under "Martial law", local police authority, local government, and the military have the authority to do what they decide needs to be done without the nicety of warrants or any legal authority. Nor is there any recourse to any wrongs such authority might inflict upon any citizen. The US CONSTITUTION would be suspended under "Martial law". We'd be very lucky to get it back. You really don't want "Martial law". History shows such authority is always abused. The government would truely become our enemy in such a situation.

There has to be an absence of a civilian government for martial law to be declared. Some examples would be during a war or a catastrophic natural desaster. No one can just decide to declare marital law and send troops into the streets. Under martial law the most obvious sign would be the issuing of a curfew and the millitary taking over the justice system. I don't believe that something like this can happen in this country because the citizens would not stand for it and we have the benefits of instant, nationwide communication.

I don't know where you've been reading these things, but the chances of the US being put under martial law in the present situation is pretty much zero. Sometimes a city or an area may be put under marital law or a "state of emergency" (similar, but less severe) if there is a catostrophe of some sort (earthquake, hurricane, riots)and the local infrastructure is so damaged that the military must send in reserves to restore order. Think New Orleans in the weeks after Katrina, police and military patrolled the streets and a curfew was mandatory for all citizens in order to controll looting and other crimes, this was a state of emergency. But this is only done in the immediate area of of the disaster and usually only lasts until order is restored and local government can again maintain control. It would be impossible to actually declare martial law for the whole US, since there would not be enough troops to do so. At worst, it would only be done in "trouble areas"

I think one of the reasons for the hinting of martial law is due to the unrest with our economic crises and maybe there is a standby for any kind of military action in case all heck breaks out. I mean can you imagine what would happen if our government decides to be dumb enough to pass bills that would cutback or maybe eliminate certain government programs especially SSA type benefits or any other vital needs programs that are really needed by so many people? I mean can you imagine not only the panic, but maybe downright riots that would ensue should the govt cease SSI/disability benefits? The way the economy is going, it could happen If martial law was instated just in principle too, people might riot against military action that would dictate how one should live...we are supposedly guaranteed all these "freedoms" under the constitution...if martial law was enacted we would no longer be "free" and be no better than countries that are under constant martial law.

That sounds like it would be a nightmare. I would not like something like that at all especially if they felt they could come in my home anytime they wanted to and take whatever they wanted. One time after a hurricane our city was under curfew for weeks on end. My husband is an electrician and he had to have papers on him so he could be out past a certain time in the evening or he would have been arrested. That was bad enough.

I could not say what this is, although I can surely say that I would not want MY RIGHTS infringed on. I do not want to have to carry 'certain papers' to be out and about whenever I wanted, I do not want anybody who does not live here in my home to ever have access to my home without my permission AND a court order. I would take offense to ever having to restrict where I went and when, and as far as I know, we still have the right to bear arms in this country. I would likely go get a concealed weapons permit to be honest with you. My biggest worry is that I'd have to go around following stupid rules for an undeclared period of time without being given a reason that makes sense, and I tend not to do things that don't make any sense.

I just hope that it never comes to that. I know I am not wanting to face reality about it but I just had enough war that I wouldn't want to have to face something like that happening to be told when and where you could go or what to do. Not something I wanna do.

According to Dictionary.com Function: noun 1 : the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power 2 : the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety It would be much more than just a crewfew. One would need permission for every thing.

I woulod think it might start another revoloyion for peopel just want stand to have thier homes raided. Ya reall y wouldnt like it. To me it would be like they were the custopo taking thing arresting you all that and not be able to go out and party it would take all our rights away! That we have had in place over 200 years now

I am going to have to look this up to see,because i have not heard about this happening to us..I would fight this with everything i could because it sounds like this is like a controlled living thing...Its llike you have no rights at all and its like living in bondage..I am going to have to look all this up and find out more about it ,then i can give you my thoughts on this..

well martial law is basically when the military takes over a city or state. if you look back into japanese treatment after the attack on Pearl Harbor, there are many evidence of revoking natural rights and rights within the Constitution(though some rights are able to be revoked). one example is the martial law after Pearl Harbor. The constitution states, "The privilege of the writ of habeous corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require. " this basically states that people may be tried under military court in which the victim may not receive a jury. it is also possible that people will have curfews as evidence of previous incidents. the japanese were subjected to curfew where they were not allowed to be on the streets after a certain time period. under martial law, anything that the government may deem necessary, they will do. though in the japanese incident, it was mainly focused on the japanese people. if it were to happen in the modern age, it is highly likely that people will be provoked if it affected a large population. the japanese were considered minorities in the 1940s and many Americans were supporting the government's actions. i do not believe people in this time would tolerate actions such as these will economic problems that we are encountering. without weapons at home, people's safety are compromised by buglers who will take advantage of the opportunity. all in all, i dont believe we will be under a martial law

I, for one, hope it does lead to a revolution. I'm sick of the way the government is doing anything they want and not listening to the people! I wouldn't be surprised if Martial Law were declared right after the election--there will be a recount, I'm sure, maybe several and people will be upset. Probably something bad will happen to the market again, too. If Bush declares ML, he stays president until everything is normal again and that could be years!

Hi twoey68, Its a bit scarey just to think about it, on the up side, there would be less crimes being commited so that is good, but I see it happening in our country or yours really so I wouldn't worry too much yet. Tamara

I think Martial Law is when the military take over.The people has no freedom.We are being controlled and theres a certain time that we should be home or else they will arrest us and put to prison or might kill us.Its a scary thing i guess.I just hope it will not happen.

This link may answer any questions you have. The following guide will help you plan, prepare, and get ready in the event that martial law threatens you safety and well being. http://members.tripod.com/Sidlinger/ml.html

I think the articles you read were extreme, maybe trying to get people to realize things could be a lot worse. I only read a little bit about martial law, but mainly it deals with declaring a state of emergency and people having a curfew, no public demonstrations. I didn't read the rest because it detailed different countries and each country is different. You still can leave your home, go to work, go to the store. My own thought is that it would be extremely difficult to declare martial law for the entire US because of the size. I really don't believe the country is doing so horribly bad that we will need to declare martial law. I don't think they declared martial law during the depression, did they?

You have already recieved some great information. I just want to add to it. Under martial law, all citizens loose their rights as free citizens. No one can do anything without the consent of the authority. The military takes over everything, from the court houses to the doctors offices, and even churches. There are church leaders right now in America being taught how to "calm their patrons, and advize them to follow orders."Sometimes an evacuation is necessary, say in the event of biological warfare, in that case, martial law would be envoked to purpose the evacuation. Military personel at every door step, forcing occupants to leave their homes, places of business, and places of worship. The thing is, the intent would be good, to save the people. But once everyone is quarantined, events like the holocast would be very easy to simulate.We would all be subject to the authority. With no way to earn money, therefore no way to sustain ourselves, therefore depending on the ruler(s) for our very basic necessaties. For those of you who think this wont be possible in America...wake up, its already started. Military are being trained, church leaders advized and trained....our country is preparing for this as we speak!

let's hope & pray that things don't get that bad. nothing would surprise the shape things are in.

Hello twoey... here's a link to just give you an idea of what happened in the Philippines when it was under Martial Law. http://countrystudies.us/philippines/28.htm I was still a child during its prominence but I still remember being afraid everytime we go for a drive and had to pass through checkpoints. I also had a college classmate who said that he remembers being hidden in a cabinet because military men would go into their house and ask where his father was. I know there are "laws" attached to declaring Martial Law and I'm not too knowledgeable about that. I just know that when a person with all that power is most likely to abuse that for one's gain and his loyal supporters' at the expense of the rest of the masses.

martial arts?