by Ranald Hay

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded." - Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Hussein Obama

"That campaign statement sent a chill through libertarian and civil-liberty minded voters. Many of us were asking, soberly: "Why must we, and why a force?" Exactly what comprises a 'civilian national security force' if it not an armed police organization?" "Where will it operate?" "What will be its assignment?" "Who will lead it?" "How will it be funded?" "What will this morph into?"

'Security force', 'powerful', 'strong', 'well funded'... were explained away later as meaning diplomatic offices, agricultural specialists and Peace Corp type organizations, not a para-military organization at all... Given that a Harvard-trained lawyer can be very precise with words, the language of the proposal fit rather the pattern of the Stasi or Brownshirts. History shows that these sorts of organizations don't comport well with Liberty.

Tuesday 12 we came across two curious data. First, Sammy Benoit at Yid With Lid:

SHOCKING REPORT: Rand Corp Tells US Army Its Time For A National Stability Police Force

"This has to be the scariest thing I have read in a very long time. The Rand Corporation was asked by the US Army to prepare a report recommending whether or not the US Needed a National Stability Police force. Basically a call for American "Brown Shirts." Rand's answer was a resounding yes."

The second bit of news was yesterday's White House announcement that confirmed the need for Posse Comitatus vigilance:

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors

When we betray Liberty, we get the governance we deserve...

"The report recommends that these police would not only have a role in foreign lands but also in the United States
...
The report goes on to say that this Stability Police Force should be placed under the US Marshal Service because that will make it easier for it to have domestic US responsiblities.
...
I wonder what kind of Domestic Role the Stability Police can have, controlling Tea Parties? "Fixing" Fox News? A national police under the control of this or any president will do nothing less than signal the end of freedom in the United States. Any movement toward this force must be voted down. The Full document is embedded below:"

These are fair questions and concerns. (Please read Sammy's post and the Google Docs insert.)

From the White House website:

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors
Monday, 11 January 2010

"Washington, D.C. January 11, 2010. The President today signed an Executive Order establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities.

"The bipartisan Council will be composed of ten State Governors who will be selected by the President to serve two year terms. In selecting the Governors to the Council, the White House will solicit input from Governors and Governors’ associations. Once chosen, the Council will have no more than five members from the same party and represent the Nation as a whole.

""Federal members of the Council include the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs, the U.S. Northern Command Commander, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. The Secretary of Defense will designate an Executive Director for the Council.

The Council of Governors will provide an invaluable Senior Administration forum for exchanging views with State and local officials on strengthening our National resilience and the homeland defense and civil support challenges facing our Nation today and in the future.

"The formation of the Council of Governors was required by the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act which stated, “The President shall establish a bipartisan Council of Governors to advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions. (NDAA FY2008, Sec 1822)”

What of Posse Comitatus?

The Myth of Posse Comitatus
Major Craig T. Trebilcock, U.S. Army Reserve
October 2000

"The Posse Comitatus Act has traditionally been viewed as a major barrier to the use of U.S. military forces in planning for homeland defense.[1] In fact, many in uniform believe that the act precludes the use of U.S. military assets in domestic security operations in any but the most extraordinary situations. As is often the case, reality bears little resemblance to the myth for homeland defense planners. Through a gradual erosion of the act’s prohibitions over the past 20 years, posse comitatus today is more of a procedural formality than an actual impediment to the use of U.S. military forces in homeland defense."

Mere procedural formalities. Civil support missions. Do these dots connect? (I should pray 'not'.)

If so, is this Administration and this Congress preparing war? They're building something. What is it? Of course, it's about defending the borders, yes? (That Waco Texas and Ruby Creek stuff is so behind us.) Exactly how many divisions does Justice Roberts command, anyway?

Editor's Note - Ranald Hay is a regular reader of Libertarian Republican. His blog is Si Vis Placem, which is linked in our Blog Roll.