Security forces at Vendenberg Air Force base have been authorized to use deadly force if they believe that anti-war trespassers are a threat to either the personnel or equipment of the base.
Even if they don't get shot, it does seem like an anti-war protestor that deliberately trespasses and tries to destroy military equipment when our troops are deployed in an hostile environment should be charged with sabotage +/- treason. Isn't deliberately trying to hinder the US's prosecution of the war the same as aiding and abetting the enemy?
As always, we get the brave posturing of the anti-liberation front:
The policy will not deter protesters, said Peter Lumsdaine of the Vandenberg Action Coalition, one of the organizers of the planned trespassing.
"I think it does underline that people in the nonviolent resistance movement are willing to take some risks," Lumsdaine said.
Yeah, we saw how strong those convictions were in the Iraqi human shields/useful idiots brigades. Let's see how many people actually show up for the planned "trespassing", and how disruptive they really get, knowing what the security force has been ordered to do.
Draconian? I don't think so - try a "planned trespass" on one of Saddam's military installations - I'm betting you don't have to disrput anything to get yourself shot there.
Posted by Neal Mauldin at March 16, 2003 10:33 AM | TrackBackAn area where I have experience, Air Security forces have always had shoot to kill authority in priority A areas. It's plainly posted on signs at all points of access, "Use of deadly force is authorized". In bright red letters. Priority A means nuclear weapons or materials including documents, it can also mean things classified above top secret. Vandenburg applies.
If challenged and they fail to respond in a submissive manner, well then, I hope they left a will. This ain't like cutting class or a minor arrest for some piss-ant protest. This is big league national security, there is no fucking around, no "Gee I'm sorry" afterwards. If apprehended they go to a federal judge, not a local one. If convicted they go to Ft. Leavenworth Kansas.
I wonder if the organizers aren't deliberately trying to get some clueless jerks killed. They know better, if protest is what they want, they could pick a softer target, a non restricted one. That they wish to send these mindless drones into a potentially deadly place, tells me they want some bodies for propaganda purposes. The Air Force has never allowed a successful breach of it's high priority bases, they won't start now.
These people need to grow up if they are gonna play adult games. You do NOT cross the line here, not everything exists as playthings for the amusement of the professional protesters. No one will cry over your graves but your mother. To me at least, you might as well shoot yourself, it amounts to the same thing.
Posted by: puggs on March 16, 2003 06:22 PMI have to 2nd puggs' motion here. My only exception is that I do believe that these "protest organizers" ARE looking for a bodycount for propaganda purposes.
Living where I do, reading their pamphlets and weekly rags, I see a very hysterical mindset coming about. They need their "Kent State". The leaders, of course, will not tell the rank and file any of this. They, like myself, consider them too stupid for consideration, I'm sure. The articles I have read in said weekly papers (non web based-but I'll keep looking)state that "gate breechings" they plan on having on the day the war starts will only result in federal tresspassing charges instead of local ones. They list attorneys that will defend gate runners, but should actually list mortuaries.
I was wanting to get in some target practice, but it looks as if I'll have to burn through my recent re-supply of Radway Green at the range instead of parking out front of a gate at MacChord AFB or Whidby NAS.
I'm sure a Kent state type of incident is exactly what they hope for. I'm just a little mellower than the analog kid, just a bit. But I have the advantage of living in Ohio where the peace movement is largely confined to OSU and various liberal arts colleges. Aside from the occasional goth spending daddies money at the mall, I don't have much contact with these types.
A last thought though, if someone knowingly sends another person into a situation and gives them advice that gets them killed, isn't that a criminal offense? Couldn't they end up charged for conspiracy, or some such thing? This might be a grand adventure to them, but the 5.56mm rounds are very, very real.
I do like your attitude analog kid, I don't snarl as much as I used to, but I know where you're coming from.
Posted by: puggs on March 17, 2003 08:48 AM