Armed helicopters to patrol Strip on holiday(Las Vegas)

www.lasvegassun.com...

Armed military helicopters will patrol the Strip on New Year's Eve to protect the expected 350,000 revelers from a potential terrorist attack, officials said this morning.

"The intelligence over the last year and a half has made it clear that large open air gatherings could be targets, so I believe it is prudent and wise that we control that air space," Sheriff Bill Young said at a press conference this morning.

The Air National Guard and Marine helicopter gunships "are going to be very visible to the crowd," he said, adding that officials with Nellis Air Force Base will be on stand-by.

I have a question to all US citizens towards this security action. I myself would consider it very disturbing to have military helicopters hovering very visibly over my head. And this during my so-called holidays which I would take to relax and/or have fun.

It's unacceptable for my mind that military is beginning to join the daily life of the US citizens.

I agree.

The Marine copters will be there for support services probubly, while the Air National Gaurd will be the heavy hand if necessary.

The military is not allowed to operate as a force within the country, but can provide logistical support.


But then again, the National Gaurd is doing a lot of duty in Iraq too.

Interesting also that the National Gaurd is the only allowed and legit militia within the states.

[Edited on 31-12-2003 by smirkley]

Originally posted by shoo
www.lasvegassun.com...

Armed military helicopters will patrol the Strip on New Year's Eve to protect the expected 350,000 revelers from a potential terrorist attack, officials said this morning.

"The intelligence over the last year and a half has made it clear that large open air gatherings could be targets, so I believe it is prudent and wise that we control that air space," Sheriff Bill Young said at a press conference this morning.

The Air National Guard and Marine helicopter gunships "are going to be very visible to the crowd," he said, adding that officials with Nellis Air Force Base will be on stand-by.

I have a question to all US citizens towards this security action. I myself would consider it very disturbing to have military helicopters hovering very visibly over my head. And this during my so-called holidays which I would take to relax and/or have fun.

It's unacceptable for my mind that military is beginning to join the daily life of the US citizens.

I don't. Have you ever been to Vegas?

First off, you don't see daylight except when you get there and when you're leaving. The rest the time you're face deep in free liquor, and a crankin' on a one-armed bandit, or pitchin die like there's no tomorrow.

If you do get out in the middle of it, you're probably seeing the Carebears and talkin' to Harvey, so what difference will some black helicopters make?

And I don't mind a helicopter escort to and from the airport...kind of makes me feel special!

Just another step along the way to the inevitable police state that continues to creep into our lives!

And as Val stated most people wont even be aware of the patrols.

[Edited on 30-12-2003 by tracer]

I wonder how the Janet flights to 51 will be affected during this time?
Will they be flying back and forth?
Will someone be pulling a stake-out of the Janet terminal during this time?

Maybe someone in on the 51 scene could devulge some info here.

I agree with Val.... don't think anyone will really notice.
Most with be Two sheets to the wind
We have military jets and copters flying over us all the time. Some even are armed on their practice runs near Indian Springs. No biggie..... So far they've missed my house.
I don't believe the closed air-space and military presents will make any difference concerning the Janet Flights. Closing the air-space only has to do with small planes and helicopters. Besides it won't be closed that long.

I do want to reply more seriously to this question.

I had to fly to Norway 6 days after 9/11. Yeah

So I arrive at DFW to fly on to Detroit and when I walk in there's the military with their weapons, (yes the clips were in) and I didn't even miss a step I just kept walking straight to the nearest bathroom and BAWLED LIKE A BABY.

It did not feel like I was in America - this is what you see in Mexico et. al. Not the US - but, now you do. You either see choppers flying over, armed guards - or you take the risk of being the newest graffiti.

These changes make our gut hurt - but we shouldn't become alarmist about them. These are NOT taking away our freedoms (something may be, but not these things) - these things are allowing us to walk #-faced down the Strip on New Years Eve.

I would rather have the copters there and not need them,rather than not having any and needing them.
It is one of those damned if you do...damned if you don't situations.

There is annother way around this of course, everytime you see someone that looks like an arab then lay a beating on them.

Just so I don't appear to be a racist or something the above should apply to anyone acting suspiciously regardless of race or appearance.

This should ensure a safe holiday!

(I'm just kidding).

i have heard from different sources in vegas that there is a high chance (80%) of a biological attack happening. these sources are las vegans who are close with the authorities...already a couple of the bio sensors in downtown las vegas have gone off and the news has passed it off as sensitivities..who knows. this is just what i have heard....

Originally posted by Pandora
i have heard from different sources in vegas that there is a high chance (80%) of a biological attack happening. these sources are las vegans who are close with the authorities...already a couple of the bio sensors in downtown las vegas have gone off and the news has passed it off as sensitivities..who knows. this is just what i have heard....

Unless you have credible information to back that up with i simply cant believe you, if those biological sensors were going off then there is a very precise noticeable plan that would be put into action.

Be warned, giving us false information is not advised.

oh, please... listen, this sort of info is not going to be posted on fox news - i'm just letting you know what i have heard from friends who are credible - if a cop tells you something , gives you an inside scoop, you're gonna listen...and if you have another friend who has a couple cops tell him to be careful , that something might go down, well, you listen...this stuff is not going to be on the news.. and won't come with a bibliography...

Originally posted by shoo
www.lasvegassun.com...

Armed military helicopters will patrol the Strip on New Year's Eve to protect the expected 350,000 revelers from a potential terrorist attack, officials said this morning.

"The intelligence over the last year and a half has made it clear that large open air gatherings could be targets, so I believe it is prudent and wise that we control that air space," Sheriff Bill Young said at a press conference this morning.

The Air National Guard and Marine helicopter gunships "are going to be very visible to the crowd," he said, adding that officials with Nellis Air Force Base will be on stand-by.

I have a question to all US citizens towards this security action. I myself would consider it very disturbing to have military helicopters hovering very visibly over my head. And this during my so-called holidays which I would take to relax and/or have fun.

It's unacceptable for my mind that military is beginning to join the daily life of the US citizens.

Guess the best you can do is hope some jackass with a rifle doesnt get drunk and start firing off rounds at them. I can see some dumbass redneck doing that, and thats just is judging by the stupidity of a population. Individuals may be smart, but put a few thousand people together, and the average IQ drops below 0...

Originally posted by Nerdling

Originally posted by Pandora
i have heard from different sources in vegas that there is a high chance (80%) of a biological attack happening. these sources are las vegans who are close with the authorities...already a couple of the bio sensors in downtown las vegas have gone off and the news has passed it off as sensitivities..who knows. this is just what i have heard....

Unless you have credible information to back that up with i simply cant believe you, if those biological sensors were going off then there is a very precise noticeable plan that would be put into action.

Be warned, giving us false information is not advised.

Couldn't armed helicopters be part of this precise, noticeable plan? We aren't told most parts of most plans that the government has. Why would this situation be any different?

Originally posted by Pandora
i have heard from different sources in vegas that there is a high chance (80%) of a biological attack happening. these sources are las vegans who are close with the authorities...already a couple of the bio sensors in downtown las vegas have gone off and the news has passed it off as sensitivities..who knows. this is just what i have heard....

It's amazing how you just pull some random percentages out of nowhere...yea there's an 80% chance of a biological attack tonight....bull

Theres also 30% Chance of thermonuclear bombardment.

The plan is to basically get everyone away from each other in a calm and timed manner, people would be split into sections and moved into alternate directions, they would have to pass through decon to leave the area.

Originally posted by Nerdling
Theres also 30% Chance of thermonuclear bombardment.

The plan is to basically get everyone away from each other in a calm and timed manner, people would be split into sections and moved into alternate directions, they would have to pass through decon to leave the area.

But, when was the last time anyone here accused our government of doing things the way they should be done? Im not agreeing with Pandora, or believing for that matter, just saying that maybe a plan is in place and we are just not aware of it.

many americans seem to have the attitude of "Not in my back yard, thank you!" when it comes to armed guards and security. wouldnt you rather ha these people on guard and not have any trouble, than have something catastrophic happen, however unlikely, and have them moving in to mop up the aftermath? i know what id prefere! i go to work every day to a place guarded by Armed personnel, and it doesnt bother me in the slightest. sometimes its me carrying that weapon! i have no problems with armed personnel guarding my countries big events, airports, establiments, where ever. i believe prevention is better than cure.

In response to the military presence in the Southern States during the Reconstruction Era, Congress passed the Posse Comitatus Act[1] ("PCA" or the "Act") to prohibit the use of the Army in civilian law enforcement. The Act embodies the traditional American principle of separating civilian and military authority and currently forbids the use of the Army and Air Force to enforce civilian laws. In the last fifteen years, Congress has deliberately eroded this principle by involving the military in drug interdiction at our borders. This erosion will continue unless Congress renews the PCA's principle to preserve the necessary and traditional separation of civilian and military authority.

The need for reaffirmation of the PCA's principle is increasing because in recent years, Congress and the public have seen the military as a panacea for domestic problems. Within one week of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, President Clinton proposed an exception to the PCA to allow the military to aid civilian authorities in investigations involving "weapons of mass destruction." In addition to this proposal Congress also considered legislation to directly involve federal troops in enforcing customs and immigration laws at the border. In the 1996 presidential campaign, candidate Bob Dole pledged to increase the role of the military in the drug war, and candidate Lamar Alexander even proposed replacing the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border Patrol with a new branch of the armed forces.

Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

Exceptions-in-name allow the military to provide equipment and supplies, technical assistance, information, and training to law enforcement agencies. Such provisions constitute passive assistance to civilian law enforcement, which does not subject any civilian to the regulatory, proscriptive, or coercive power of the military.

law.wustl.edu...

..

Of course the Air National Gaurd can operate, as the legit militia,


and if war is declared again, by an attack on US soil,...FEMA may suspend the Constitution, which would open the door for US military as well as NATO, to enter the US and provide action.


.

[Edited on 31-12-2003 by smirkley]