Thoughts Aloud

â—„Daveâ–º says:

I know what you mean, Troy. Alex Jones never met a conspiracy theory that didn’t warrant his breathless attention. I wrote him off as a kook during the ‘9/11 truther’ nonsense. However, like Michael Savage, et al, he has built up a following and enough of an audience, that a lot of data comes over his transom, from whistle-blowers and serious investigators, who are looking for a way to get exposure for their information.

His operation has grown considerably as he tries to emulate Glenn Becks successful multimedia ventures, and now even Drudge is frequently linking to reports on his websites. I have checked out several such reports in the past few months, and found them credible. Following the link you provide above, there are several interesting supporting links contained within that article. One is a PDF file of the Army’s Military Police training manual on handling civil unrest, including and especially in the continental U.S. (CONUS). I haven’t read all 115 pages; but skimming it is chilling:

1. Mission of Military Forces during Civil Disturbances. The mission of military forces during civil
disturbances, both in CONUS and OCONUS, which cannot be overly emphasized, is to help local and state
authorities to restore and maintain law and order. This mission may be accomplished by breaking up
unauthorized gatherings and by patrolling the disturbance area to prevent the commission of lawless acts.
During operations to restore order, military forces may present a show of force, establish roadblocks, break up
crowds, employ crowd control agents, patrol, serve as security forces or reserves, and perform other operations
as required. Successful fulfillment of the missions will depend to a large extent upon sufficient planning,
training, police information, and coordinated actions of individuals and units.

Or, how about:

4. Standing Operating Procedures (SOP). Procedures for confrontation management operations should be
included in unit SOP. In addition, procedures for apprehension, search, detention of persons, seizure of
property, obtaining witnesses and statements, crowd control formations, identifying extraction and apprehension
teams and reserve forces to assist with crowd control when needed. Additionally it should also identify the type
of crowd control equipment to be utilized, and the procedures for employment and use of non lethal weapons
and munitions.

And, lest anyone thinks they are just planning to lend a few bodies to the local cops:

a. General. Civil disturbance operations involve special consideration for logistical support depending on
whether you’re here in the United States or overseas. Logistical planning covers all phases of such
operations from preparation and training to the end of the mission. Planners must include provisions for
necessary supplies, services, and facilities, through local services, if necessary. These may include
provisions for food, beverages, ammunition, special crowd control equipment and sanitation facilities.

b. Equipment and Material.

(1) Individual and organizational equipment prescribed in common tables of allowances (CTA) and
tables of organization and equipment (TOE) for Soldiers and units usually are sufficient for civil
disturbance control operations. Additional you may add non-lethal munitions to your existing organic
weapons systems such as the M203. For example, adding the M9 pistol for the extraction and
apprehension teams, a M16 or M4 with a 203 attached, or a 12 gage shotgun with non lethal munitions
capabilities. The shotgun with non lethal capabilities can be utilized by the over watch personnel. Other
examples of additional equipment which may be needed are armored vehicles, mechanical crowd control
agent dispersers, floodlights, spotlights, searchlights, cameras of the Polaroid type, movie cameras,
public address systems, heavy construction equipment, aircraft, ambulances, first aid kits, firefighting
equipment, grappling hooks, ladders, ropes, special weapons, communications equipment, and recording
devices. Equipment that will not be needed should be left behind.

(2) Plans must also provide for a supply of barricade and roadblock materials and equipment such as:
heavy single strand wire, barbed wire, concertina wire, heavy stakes, heavy nails and spikes, and power
saws. Signs and sign making materials, including quick-drying paints, must be available for use with
barricades and roadblocks

Aircraft? You betcha:

13. Army Aircraft. Operations planning includes consideration for the use of Army aircraft (helicopters and
fixed-wing) for command and control, communications, observation, reconnaissance, en route security,
distribution of crowd control agents, controlling the movement of units, removing casualties, movement of
Soldiers, re-supply, dropping leaflets, airborne loudspeaker broadcasting, and other appropriate requirements.
Plans should include searchlight-equipped observation helicopters to be used in organizing ground patrols to
ensure complete coverage day and night.

Distribution of crowd control agents? This was only on page 9; but I needed to go out for some fresh air before I puked on my keyboard, and have not read any further. Suffice it to say that this new inward looking Army ordering more riot gear seems entirely plausible, does it not? â—„Daveâ–º