General Discussion

sabbat hunter

(6,902 posts)

138. I think that

Fri Aug 15, 2014, 07:38 PM

Aug 2014

the term military grade equipment is too broad and ill defined. I don't see any grenade launchers, launch vehicles, guided or ballistic missiles ever having been given to police departments. Nor should they be.. But what else could be considered military grade equipment?
High powered rifles? riot gear (which can be like combat gear in some regards)?

Toxicological agent, if it includes tear gas, is also too broad. Tear gas has been used for a very very long time as a crowd control method, during riots, as a non lethal way of dispersing the rioters. Although it is very rarely used by the police. Does toxicological agents also include pepper spray, another useful non lethal weapon for police officers.

Unarmed, unmanned aerial vehicles can be useful for police, but are they considered military grade equipment?

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The entire Democratic leadership opposed Grayson amendment to stop arming cops with DOD weapons [View all] Report1212 Aug 2014 OP

Big brother carries a big stick. chrisstopher Aug 2014 #1

If You Dont Think Grayson Can Win billhicks76 Aug 2014 #119

Hopefully they don't repeat the same mistake next time. nt conservaphobe Aug 2014 #2

They BETTER NOT repeat the same mistake next time. calimary Aug 2014 #5

It wasn't much of an issue at the time. conservaphobe Aug 2014 #8

Well, it damn well BETTER BE an issue this time. calimary Aug 2014 #12

Amen to that derby378 Aug 2014 #63

These armored vehicles have a price tag of $ 370,000 truedelphi Aug 2014 #109

All the way on the east coast, I feel for you! We don't usually identify Marin County as anything maddiemom Aug 2014 #130

... Vots Aug 2014 #21

Possibly. If nearly all the Dems voted in favor. JoeyT Aug 2014 #125

Oh, it was an issue, but the yellow stripe down so many Dems' ChairmanAgnostic Aug 2014 #23

We need strong police forces... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2014 #118

It was more kissing campaign contributions from the MIC and police support good-bye than Dustlawyer Aug 2014 #132

++++999,999 Vincardog Aug 2014 #135

Shame? Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #37

I say shame on them for going to this dark place. calimary Aug 2014 #43

Mary, I think you misread my meaning. Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #45

Oh, probably... calimary Aug 2014 #139

That's so generous of you to call it a "mistake". cui bono Aug 2014 #72

+1 woo me with science Aug 2014 #137

When the people lead, the leaders will follow... joeybee12 Aug 2014 #3

Most politicians blow with the wind no matter which party. Seldom are politicians that have the RKP5637 Aug 2014 #7

I agree...sadly...nt joeybee12 Aug 2014 #11

Most politicians are vitally interested in performing their principal function, which is Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #42

Exactly! Well Said! Thanks! RKP5637 Aug 2014 #49

Grayson likely referred to Madison when he claimed "...one might venture to say that the weapons ancianita Aug 2014 #143

That's why the money has to start coming from us... Volaris Aug 2014 #131

...^ that 840high Aug 2014 #153

I find it interesting that this is one of very few issues that seem razorman Aug 2014 #4

+10 nt 99th_Monkey Aug 2014 #15

RWers support it. Therefore, even if it's right, we must oppose it RufusTFirefly Aug 2014 #25

" Democrats did form the bulk of support for the amendment " redqueen Aug 2014 #36

Well, specifically, the libertarian quadrants of the political map. Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #47

Since most RW'ers and most of us LW'ers are in the same part of the truedelphi Aug 2014 #110

I agree. There are a few issues on which we can find agreement, I think. razorman Aug 2014 #171

You're conflating a few different issues Blue_Tires Aug 2014 #177

You are right that the issues are very different, although I do not believe razorman Aug 2014 #179

When we keep voting for people onecaliberal Aug 2014 #6

There's a typo in your title. I'm suspect you meant "Democratic" leadership. Scuba Aug 2014 #9

It is time for the entire Democratic leadership to change their mind - they have no right to arm the jwirr Aug 2014 #10

"Militarization" is a buzz word. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #13

LOL....... you forgot the sarcasm meme Ichingcarpenter Aug 2014 #14

You sound like an all-or-nothing conservative. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #29

'You sound like an all-or-nothing conservative Ichingcarpenter Aug 2014 #31

It's hard to argue with the logic of the article linked within the linked article: JEFF9K Aug 2014 #35

You only have to look at what happened when the State Police, not pointing rifles, without snipers, dbackjon Aug 2014 #48

How many casualties ... JEFF9K Aug 2014 #62

the police used that equipment to intimidate the people of neverforget Aug 2014 #67

In other words ... JEFF9K Aug 2014 #69

Nor do you. dbackjon Aug 2014 #91

What a smart-alecky comment! JEFF9K Aug 2014 #93

And you asked a poster above to prove a negative. Ikonoklast Aug 2014 #158

In other words, you just don't care about the protesters, just the cops. neverforget Aug 2014 #108

That quote is from a LEO, what do you think they are going to say? cui bono Aug 2014 #104

The fact that Ferguson's representative Clay voted for the amendment should tell you something ancianita Aug 2014 #144

Because in large measure, it IS fucking "black and white." Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #44

You either don't understand the concept of "black-and-white" or you are trying to ... JEFF9K Aug 2014 #56

Still trying to come up with a response to this one, are ya? Dark n Stormy Knight Aug 2014 #116

Indeed malaise Aug 2014 #97

Jeff9K - Excuse me but are you new to our planet? NoMoreRepugs Aug 2014 #16

Your two posts contradict each other.... KoKo Aug 2014 #22

"Militarization" includes an extensive array of DEFENSIVE products. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #39

the DEFENSIVE products are being used for OFFENSE, exclusivley frylock Aug 2014 #54

Got any examples? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #58

compare and contrast.. frylock Aug 2014 #64

In no way does that prove that ... JEFF9K Aug 2014 #70

what it does show is that this equipment is entirely unneccessary in this situation frylock Aug 2014 #71

You are wrong. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #78

how does that comport with the demonstrations last night vs wednesday night? frylock Aug 2014 #80

YOU should give it a rest. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #86

what is it that you're afraid of that you would invite tactical units into your neighborhood? frylock Aug 2014 #141

Those armored vehicles they created for the Iraq war. cui bono Aug 2014 #76

How many people were injured or killed by these vehicles in Ferguson? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #81

Oh, so now you've upped your ante. cui bono Aug 2014 #83

It's YOU that's playing word games. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #87

No. I am not playing games and I am not defending the militarization of our police forces. cui bono Aug 2014 #88

Intimidation factor? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #95

What grasping at straws is that? cui bono Aug 2014 #96

Post hoc ergo prompter hoc? LanternWaste Aug 2014 #120

Posse Comitatus 99th_Monkey Aug 2014 #18

What does that have to do with THIS situation? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #74

The spirit of this Act is counter to militarizing local police forces. 99th_Monkey Aug 2014 #90

"safety forces" IDemo Aug 2014 #19

You are denying that the police are called "safety forces?" JEFF9K Aug 2014 #30

Call them purple magic dragons IDemo Aug 2014 #34

I think you're missing the bigger picture. lark Aug 2014 #20

How many victims of "militarization" have there been in Ferguson? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #33

none anymore, since the local cops have been relieved of duty frylock Aug 2014 #55

How many before that? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #59

you mean how many were hit with rubber bullets or were subjected to gas canisters? frylock Aug 2014 #66

The SAME protestors? JEFF9K Aug 2014 #89

Wow. You are actually arguing for militarization. cui bono Aug 2014 #85

I'm in America. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #92

Why did you make a point of stating you are in America? cui bono Aug 2014 #94

A battleship gifted to coastal city police force... LanternWaste Aug 2014 #121

I haven't seen the injury count lark Aug 2014 #180

of course you don't.. frylock Aug 2014 #51

"Better-armed criminals"? Bull. Fucking. Shit. NickB79 Aug 2014 #126

Safety Forces? Look at this picture (Graphic Warning) NutmegYankee Aug 2014 #136

So every small town needs a flame thrower and tank? drynberg Aug 2014 #155

States have armies, they're called the National Guard... Hippo_Tron Aug 2014 #157

Yay for the Safety Tank! Marr Aug 2014 #163

Only 43 Dems and 19 Repubs voted for Grayson's Amendment.... KoKo Aug 2014 #17

Purge Hillary,Hoyer, Feinstein, Pelosi etc billhicks76 Aug 2014 #146

Purge Purge Purge Purge Purge Purge them all! stonecutter357 Aug 2014 #150

Primary Challenges billhicks76 Aug 2014 #165

too many people only give a shit about looking cool in their Democratic party letterman jacket. frylock Aug 2014 #168

I Noticed In College billhicks76 Aug 2014 #169

. stonecutter357 Aug 2014 #170

Lame And Worthless billhicks76 Aug 2014 #172

smug and sanctimonious. stonecutter357 Aug 2014 #174

Yawn billhicks76 Aug 2014 #175

Now watch some Right Winger give a list of all Dems that voted for it.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #24

Sure would be nice if Democrats would act like Democrats (like Grayson, Kucinich, et al) Roland99 Aug 2014 #26

Ain't that the truth. nt Nay Aug 2014 #50

The party labels stay the same while the ideals change. Happened before and it's happening now. L0oniX Aug 2014 #101

One corporate party - two faces. Wake up America! polichick Aug 2014 #27

Too bad we can't rec posts. nt awoke_in_2003 Aug 2014 #123

That shows me that Grayson was smarter than ladjf Aug 2014 #28

He's a fearless truth teller Ichingcarpenter Aug 2014 #32

I, amazed on learning how many small town police departments are being given maddiemom Aug 2014 #38

Oh, meant to say: I can't wait for the day our local police force are equipped with tanks to maddiemom Aug 2014 #40

Extremely important! H2O Man Aug 2014 #41

I certainly hope there's a motion to reconsider Jack Rabbit Aug 2014 #46

No Shock At All colsohlibgal Aug 2014 #52

let's punish them by voting twice as hard! MisterP Aug 2014 #53

GOTV! frylock Aug 2014 #57

With the ability of some of the weapons to be purchased there may be times when the extra equipment Thinkingabout Aug 2014 #60

A sensible response! JEFF9K Aug 2014 #65

End the failed drug war and not only will they not need this hardware but we'll find TheKentuckian Aug 2014 #159

The incident i was talking aboit was a bank robbery. Thinkingabout Aug 2014 #160

Bullshit, semiautomatic weapons have been available for generations. Stop the excuses. TheKentuckian Aug 2014 #161

I have not made excuses, this is reality, would you want to step out in a Thinkingabout Aug 2014 #162

What movie did you see this in? What you describe is pretty much nonexistent. TheKentuckian Aug 2014 #166

Yeas and Nays merrily Aug 2014 #61

Thanks for the link! Dems to Win Aug 2014 #100

You are welcome. I am of the view that merrily Aug 2014 #102

"...even if you somehow know the name and number of the bill" woo me with science Aug 2014 #173

There's about 2% difference btwn the DEMS and the GOP, but militarizing the Police Force isn't part blkmusclmachine Aug 2014 #68

Alan Grayson, lovemydog Aug 2014 #73

k&r avaistheone1 Aug 2014 #75

DURec leftstreet Aug 2014 #77

Follow the money. Look at the congresspersons, then look at their districts. MADem Aug 2014 #79

feed the pig hibbing Aug 2014 #107

Jobs are usually a factor, but Ferguson's own representative Clay voted for the amendment, ancianita Aug 2014 #145

I'll bet there isn't a single pork barrel enterprise MADem Aug 2014 #148

Actually, google shows a few within commuting distance of Ferguson. ancianita Aug 2014 #151

All politics is local. MADem Aug 2014 #152

Just another reason for me to not give the national party the time of day, much less money. hobbit709 Aug 2014 #82

I wish Grayson would run for President n/t betterdemsonly Aug 2014 #84

Has anyone considered the possibility that Grayson's amendment is not a good idea. JEFF9K Aug 2014 #98

Yes. I live in Boston, land of the Marathon attack. I considered that and rejected. merrily Aug 2014 #103

This party is just about dead to me. L0oniX Aug 2014 #99

Barbara Lee speaks for me. Dems to Win Aug 2014 #105

She voted no on Iraq, too. (Was that the time she was the only "no" vote in merrily Aug 2014 #111

She Voted NO on Afghanistan and Iraq Dems to Win Aug 2014 #113

AUMF = War on Terror. merrily Aug 2014 #114

I can understand why some Dinos buckled DonCoquixote Aug 2014 #106

It was not some DINOs. It was most House Democrats. merrily Aug 2014 #112

my point being DonCoquixote Aug 2014 #115

None. Same no excuse for all of the House Democrats who voted against it. merrily Aug 2014 #124

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #117

They must vote their oligarchy masters wishes. riverbendviewgal Aug 2014 #122

How is the MIC supposed to turn a profit if the Military doesn't "surplus" equipment Thor_MN Aug 2014 #127

Once again, thank you Rep. Grayson for continuing to bring common sense to an increasingly insane maddiemom Aug 2014 #128

Oxymoron Fuddnik Aug 2014 #129

one word... Corruption. Agony Aug 2014 #133

Just as with the Iraq war vote, they are all too scared of being tblue37 Aug 2014 #134

I think that sabbat hunter Aug 2014 #138

Grenade launchers are used by police Savannahmann Aug 2014 #142

Lets face it folks . . . another_liberal Aug 2014 #140

Grayson for President. nt Zorra Aug 2014 #147

Corruption New Deal Liberal Aug 2014 #149

WTF is wrong with these idiots we put in charge. SmittynMo Aug 2014 #154

They are all rat fuckers. Neither side of the aisle care one bit about us little people. Hotler Aug 2014 #156

It's clear that neither party is interested in promoting the interests of the common folk. Liberal_from_va34 Aug 2014 #164

They are also on College Campuses malaise Aug 2014 #167

+1 And this Democratic administration has actively resurrected and expanded the programs. woo me with science Aug 2014 #176

Sad that so many congresscritters fear the dreaded Blue_Tires Aug 2014 #178

kick woo me with science Aug 2014 #181

kick woo me with science Aug 2014 #182