General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNational Guard troops in TX: When Perry gives the orders to shoot, will they all obey?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/us/perry-to-deploy-national-guard-troops-to-mexico-border.html?_r=0argyl
(3,064 posts)There's your answer to your ridiculous question.
Aristus
(66,093 posts)Following an illegal or unlawful order is actionable.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)Shit happens -- and we're talking Texas 2014.
Aristus
(66,093 posts)However, I can see that it might be relatively easy to start a movement to hold Perry accountable for any killings that happen.
AlinPA
(15,071 posts)Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)Perry may never give a shoot order, but some NG yahoo may take it upon themselves. And the Texas NG has got to have some crazy-ass people in its ranks.
argyl
(3,064 posts)It's happened elsewhere but not in the Lower Rio Grande valley.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)He's stupid and it's dangerous.
argyl
(3,064 posts)MineralMan
(146,192 posts)It's not going to happen. He's only stupid, but not incredibly stupid.
AlinPA
(15,071 posts)kentauros
(29,414 posts)is the one to protect everyone from the racist militias that want to patrol, too, then I'm all for that.
bluesbassman
(19,310 posts)If the NG is deployed in an "enforcement" capacity, it's not too far of a stretch to assume that they may be put into a situation where shots are fired.
AlinPA
(15,071 posts)bluesbassman
(19,310 posts)However, their mission could be simply as support and not engaged in initial contact operations. I hope that's the case.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)National Guard in their states for some purposes, I think probably guarding the U.S. border is not one of those purposes. That's strictly a federal government responsibility, and Governor Perry is likely to get some very detailed instructions should he decide to use the NG for that purpose.
Border Security is already handled by a federal agency.
Throd
(7,208 posts)But not very well.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Border Security Bill passed in 2013 does allow Governors to call up the National Guard to "assist" the Border Patrol logistically. I don't think shooting border crossers is part of that assistance.
bluesbassman
(19,310 posts)But put a bunch of armed people in a volatile situation that is not very familiar to them and bad things can happen. I doubt shooting students was part of the NG's mission at Kent State either.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)or if they are, they're not issued ammunition unless there is a reason for it. Kent State is part of the reason for that, along with the Posse Comitatus concept.
The National Guard has its own set of rules of engagement that the Governor cannot alter.
AlinPA
(15,071 posts)deadly force) and there is a high bar to get over before they can start shooting, but to me it's like "stand your ground". With Perry (IMO he is unstable) giving orders to deploy the NG, we have a situation that could turn very ugly.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)Border security is a federal responsibility and not a state one.
But lots of right-wing idiots, many of whom supposedly graduated from law school, don't understand that some things are state controlled and others Federal controlled. Of course, we have constant court cases where a state doesn't want to follow a Federal mandate (Affordable Care Act, for instance).
procon
(15,805 posts)And what is the PR value he thinks will benefit him with the globally condemned optics of heavily armed military troops facing down defenseless and frightened women and children?
I just don't grasp the logic here... even for the Republican mindset.
AlinPA
(15,071 posts)about "globally condemned optics" and neither does the GOP base.
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)agentS
(1,325 posts)Back when the national guard was sent to the border in AZ I think (2005?). Anyway in his skit he's making fun of the aspects of border crossing, the camera pans to a guy in fatigues drinking a beer or soda. Guy asks "who/what is he?" Mencia says "oh he's the national guard. He doesn't do anything".
I doubt there will be shot kids by the National Guard. But there might be shootouts between the Guard and gun smugglers (who buy guns from gun shops and illegal sellers in the US---NRA we're LOOKING AT YOU FOR THIS!!!).
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)mwrguy
(3,245 posts)There's a reason they volunteered for infantry instead of joining the peace corps.
They probably can't wait to bayonet some refugee children.