Armed helicopters to patrol Strip on holiday(Las Vegas)

putting out a call to anyone who lives in or around las vegas - wondering if anyone is hearing anything about possibly anything going on...i would like for this thread to remain on topic-

Originally posted by smirkley
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...

..

ah but protecting from a foreign hostile attacking us is one thing and enforcing law is another so technically posse comitatus wouldnt be violated by such actions as in las vegas.....

How, exactly, are armed HELICOPTERS going to PREVENT an attack, such as a dirty bomb or biological attack set off on the ground? Shoot people from the air? How are they going to recognize the suspicious behavior of one person amidst thousands of drunk, partying fools?

If they are concerned about an attack from the air, they can monitor the air space without having to patrol the strip in armed helicopters. This seems to me like an attempt to intimidate Americans that fear the increasing government control on their lives, and to condition the rest, so that they'll be comfortable with the military's presence in our daily life. From the complacent response this information has garnered, I'd guess it's working.

WAKE UP!! The government does not do any thing in our best interest, unless it benefits them first, and has not for a long time!! They proved that when they allowed the 9/11 tragedy to take place. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence to prove that they, at best, could have prevented it AND CHOSE NOT TO!!

Just because it makes people more comfortable to believe that the government wouldn't lie or betray us, doesn't mean that belief is right.

Originally posted by namehere
ah but protecting from a foreign hostile attacking us is one thing and enforcing law is another so technically posse comitatus wouldnt be violated by such actions as in las vegas.....

I understand, plus military was allegedly used in the waco incident, which of course was not a foreign country, or an attack on the US.

The US is a NATO nation, and if it is attacked by another , NATO may respond to it's defence.

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

I seriously hope you edit this.... There are millions of Americans who can "appear" arab, but aren't whatsoever (Indians come to mind), and they are perfectly respected citizens (mostly even doctors), who should not be beat up on sight, just because they look (or even are) Arab... You didn't add on (someone that looks like an arab, AND ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY)....

Many of them love and appreciate this country far more than you or I, having come here to make a better life for themselves and their families. Terrorists are a MINORITY in the Arab population, despite what you see on Fox news...and do not deserve such treatment here in America.

A few months ago, one of the proudest moments I had as an American, was seeing an Arabic-looking family on vacation at a local theme park, and NOT seeing any sign of people eying them, discriminating, etc.

Be vigilant against ALL threats, but don't be a lynch mob....