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From what I understand of the law (correct me if I'm wrong), an active attempt to overthrow the govt. would be required to send the troops in in the law enforcement capacity. All active duty military must only assist in rescue/recovery efforts. The exception (again, correct if wrong), is the US Coast Guard, who can paticipate in law enforcement, but are kinda busy right now.
This law dates back to post-civil war; should it be updated? Maybe, but to just throw it out the window at this point sends us down a slippery slope.
As of yesterday Gen. Honore(sp) has refused to pull US citizens from their homes, they will do everything they can to convince people to leave and will evac anyone who will go, but will leave the handcuff and drag them out to the NOPD. I can see his stand, the NG serves the people of NO, and at what point do you forcible save people from themselves?
Also as of yesterday, while the Mayor ordered the complete evac of the city, the Gov. balked and said that only she had that authority and would wait until she personally saw the results of the water tests to make sure they were bad enough. Add this to her actions/ inactions/ statements... well I'm not one to subscribe to conspiracy theories...but it's looking like someone does hate black and poor people, and it ain't Bush or Nagin.
As for federal response; the federal govt has first reponders in the US Coast Guard (you know, DHS) and they responded mightily. With some of their bases destroy or flooded or heavily damaged and personell missing, the CG flew into NO within hours of the storm passing and before it was even safe to do so, and while that was going on they managed to restore the floow of that precious oil at the terminals off NO, open the ports along the Gulf Coast, restore their own damaged communications, and fly humanitaian supplies to the affected area. As of 2 mornings ago, the CG had save 33,000 souls; 2/3 of which were the most difficult direct rescues ( you know ones and twos from rooftops). This number is somewhat staggering in itself, yet moreso when you consider that it's higher than their entire enrollment. Is it so much to ask that state and locals pull the heads and react in kind?
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