How Low to the Revolution?

[al_bundy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grep Culture, I commented on a "popular revolution," not a palace coup. In the latter case, the lower ranks of the police and military would be loyal to those immediately above them, who would be loyal to those working legally to correct the patently illegal actions of the president (in your examples). Remember when Alexander Haig declared "I am in control here" after Regan was shot? This would have been illegal, and others in the room immediately objected. He certainly did not get that control. If I remember correctly, he resigned some time afterward, presumably partly under pressure over this misstatement. The police and especially the military are dangerous systems in which order is strictly enforced. If the common man revolted, the police and military would likely be quite sympathetic, as you point out, but for them to disobey orders, throw down with the rioters and turn their guns on Washington simply would not happen in this country (at least prior to the utter collapse of life as we know it).

most cops are down to earth people, just like every soldier i knew. something like 65% of the military is married and have their own children. even the drill seargents are normal once they leave DS duty

[barbarus]

As has happened before, in many cultures, the police and military will follow orders of those at the top. As long as cops are not required to shoot a brother officer, they will do what their told by their superiors.

Similarly, the military will follow their officers. They will be told it is for the good of the country and will obey.

Remember where the ultimate loyalty of that man or woman in uniform's loyalty ultimately lies. Historically, this has always been the case.

[Texarkandy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbarus As has happened before, in many cultures, the police and military will follow orders of those at the top. As long as cops are not required to shoot a brother officer, they will do what their told by their superiors. Similarly, the military will follow their officers. They will be told it is for the good of the country and will obey. Remember where the ultimate loyalty of that man or woman in uniform's loyalty ultimately lies. Historically, this has always been the case.

In the U.S. there is a military & law enforcement culture that a soldier/officer refuse to comply with a clearly unlawful order - no matter who gives the order.

Further our law enforcement tradition has evolved mostly into shooting only to prevent an imminent danger to life or GBI.

Frankly, having been both, I don't see that US soldiers or law enforcement would participate in any kind of mass extra-judcial detentions of citizens & executions just because some superior officer told them to.

I think & know better of our soldiers & law enforcement officers than that.

And I find this statement rather insulting personally:
"As long as cops are not required to shoot a brother officer, they will do what their told by their superiors."

[al_bundy]

and most of the officers i've met were extremely patriotic, very religious or both. in many cases they didn't like the civilian leadership. in the last 10 years we've had a lot of senior officers retire simply because they didn't like the civilian leadership. i've also met officers who come from wealthy families where there is a tradition of military service going back to the 1860's and earlier. they don't go into the military for money.

[Frugality_of_Apathy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texarkandy Frankly, having been both, I don't see that US soldiers or law enforcement would participate in any kind of mass extra-judcial detentions of citizens & executions just because some superior officer told them to. I think & know better of our soldiers & law enforcement officers than that. And I find this statement rather insulting personally: "As long as cops are not required to shoot a brother officer, they will do what their told by their superiors."

So I guess the plan is going to be ship the regular police to Sudan, as all the military is busy with other wars, and then ask Mexico to aid us in policing.

[Notmuchlonger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texarkandy In the U.S. there is a military & law enforcement culture that a soldier/officer refuse to comply with a clearly unlawful order - no matter who gives the order. Further our law enforcement tradition has evolved mostly into shooting only to prevent an imminent danger to life or GBI. Frankly, having been both, I don't see that US soldiers or law enforcement would participate in any kind of mass extra-judcial detentions of citizens & executions just because some superior officer told them to. I think & know better of our soldiers & law enforcement officers than that. And I find this statement rather insulting personally: "As long as cops are not required to shoot a brother officer, they will do what their told by their superiors."

Consider the source Those I know in both professions don't feel this way either .

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbarus Similarly, the military will follow their officers. They will be told it is for the good of the country and will obey.

It's obvious you never served in the military - at least not in any of the US branches.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo It's obvious you never served in the military - at least not in any of the US branches.

You talking about privates arranging unscheduled transfers of a Lt.?

Keep it quiet, man.

Ha

[Retire Soon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha You talking about privates arranging unscheduled transfers of a Lt.? Keep it quiet, man. Ha

I'm not a veteran, but I've heard that many Lt.s met their maker in this manner during the Viet Nam War.

[Notmuchlonger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retire Soon I'm not a veteran, but I've heard that many Lt.s met their maker in this manner during the Viet Nam War.

Thats more myth than reality.

[harley]

Yadda yadda yadda...how 'bout them Saints?

Where's a moderator when you need one? Sweep this into the sandbox, please?