Right to protest: the military and police, Egypt vs U.S.
By EvanHunter
@EvanHunter (4026)
United States
February 10, 2011 10:53am CST
I have to say out of all the things I have seen about the Egyptian protest against the government I was impressed by the Military and police for not jumping in and seizing power or turning on the protesters. I have to wonder if it ever came down to it here in the United States what our own military and police would do. I really think they would just follow orders as usual as sad as it is to say.
My reasoning in this is because the U.S. has a long history of using military against its own citizens. From Kent State shootings to General Patton's charge on WW1 veterans which lead to the posse comitatus act which made it illegal for U.S. troops to be used against citizens. In today's political scheme of patriot act and domestic militarization of police departments it seems and recent arrests at protests like G20 and WTO that it is almost a give in that our current government cares little for the posse comitatus act or citizens right to free speech and constitution.
The only hopeful news I recall seeing is about a report of national guard members who were called up during hurricane Katrina and went straight to their superiors and told them they and their men would refuse to do any search and seizures of any civilians home for personal weapons because it was against the constitution. Sadly there are few in today's age that would pick the constitution over their career.
What is your opinion? Would you feel safe going to a protest rally?
3 responses
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
10 Feb 11
In the US we riot for all sorts of reasons, very few arrests and even fewer convictions come about because of them.
Yes, we've had Kent State, Ruby Ridge, Waco and others, but when did the political chips fall in favor of the government on any of them?
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
10 Feb 11
It is kind of amazing how many riots can happen over basketball or football but things that are really important like job loss or infringement on our rights seldom turn into a riot. As you said those instances usually turn into a black eye but still no one was ever convicted over the deaths of any of them either. That kind of sets a bad precedence for military/government abuse to take place during times of civil unrest or civilians exercising their rights.
@jb78000 (15139)
•
10 Feb 11
where do you get your news? - the police have killed hundreds of people already in egypt.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12405969
but to answer your question, the danger of protesting wouldn't stop me but i'd need to very much believe in the protest.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
10 Feb 11
My bad I meant the military not police and military. Now that I re-read what I posted I know I am an idiot...I had even read an article very similar to the one you posted about the attack on media. My brain seems to be in a fog lately (more so than usual). Need more sleep to string coherent thoughts together is my guess. Thanks for being the first to point out my mistake...lol.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
10 Feb 11
You bring up a very good point and one that most people are not willing to talk about. For myself, I would be nervous about going to a protest rally, but if I went, I'd go with the thought that I might end up in jail. Given the current state of our country, I think it would depend on what was being protested. Some things are safer than others, it seems. 
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I think I would probably think the same thing that there is a good possibility I would end up in jail.
