No. Their priority is to save and protect lives. They don't say we can't put out fires and rescue people from a burning building because it is dangerous.

...and military. It has been getting worse for years, since the creation of the first big city SWAT team that prompted cities everywhere to give up on the "cop on the beat" and create reactionary, paramilitary police forces.

If, like the National Guard, or the police, firefighters said that their "highest priority" was their safety, you could envision the following scenario.

They show up at a house fire where 3 children are trapped in a room. In order to ensure the firemen's safety, they don't enter the building to attempt a rescue, they collapse the house on top of the children to help snuff out the fire.

When asked why they had done that, they would say; "I feared for my life"

... an occupying force.

the police have forgotten, they work for us

this guard member forgets, they work for us

if the police, ng,whoever are too scared to do their job without treating citizens like "the enemy" they should find a different job, stop stealing taxpayer money for doing a job you can't handle

liz warren wasn't scared to go into the protesters area, why should these trained "professionals" be?

Instead of what the spokesperson said, how about this..

" Our highest priority is to protect and defend the American people and the Constitution while ensuring the safety of our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen"

Just that subtle change reinforces the mission of the National Guard while still saying that you do things with safety in mind.

Just that subtle change puts protection of the American people as the top priority.

cops for sure think of anyone who isn't a cop as "other"

both groups have forgotten, they work for us ,not the other way around

Once he became a cop, I became "the other"...refused to hang out anymore, would only associate with other cops, treated everyone else with suspicion. Their whole culture is "its us against them" and therein lies the root of all our problems.

sometime after Iraq it became more militaristic and closed off

I agree with your writings here today 1000%.
Your rewording is right on point.

I prepared statements like the one from the DC National Guard.

It's a combination of laziness and a culture that has become all about getting "home to the family".

I always viewed my military service differently.

It was extremely important that I safely get home to my family, but it was more important that Americans get home safely to their families.

We need to change this culture. We need to restore the word "servant" to "public servant".

has forgotten who they work for. The 1% doesn't seem to have that problem they all remember tp work for them and it always seem to come at the expense of the 99%

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The very first order douchebag gave on inauguration day was to fire our Commandant and replace him with his own guy. Other presidents have a more orderly transition period, but not this asshole. He wanted his people in charge in case of civil unrest.

Tell us that We The People do NOT matter.

Wish I could rec about a million times.

Can you condemn the police action of Floyd, will protesters stop blocking and preventing police from arresting looters and people throwing molotov cocktails? Can you protest against people breaking the law and break the law?

I'm not saying that police and National Guard don't have a mission to perform.

The protection of American Citizens should be the highest priority.

You need to ask yourself. Why are criminals able to be apprehended all over the world in other democracies without even close to the amount of police killings.

The officers who murdered George Floyd had him restrained. There was no reason for their actions.

They no longer saw him as a citizen due the lawful protection all Americans deserve, even thieves and robbers.

They did not see him as a citizen they are required to protect and serve.

Very powerful, and speaks to the militaristic mindset that is brewing over.

and our MN NG adjutant general Jon Jensen

He made sure that guard members were not in the way of protestors at the State Capitol the other day. They even handed out water to the protestors.

First of all, I am not an attorney or a Constitutional Scholar. But I think I understand the oath and the limitations to part of the oath.

First the oaths

Active Duty

Their priorities are protection of their power and wealth, and that of their wealthy donors from around the globe (not just rich Americans).

Another parallel is Republican blind obedience to the authoritarian structures in their Party, like many in the military.

Fundamental facts:
** Republicans cannot govern.
** You cannot lead an organization you're trying to destroy.
** Republicans answer only to their wealthy, plutocratic masters.

KY

Resign your commission asshole!

This analysis really, really needs to get disseminated nationally!

I want to hear and see these words being spoken and written by ALL the news media, late night talk show hosts.

I want to hear Biden speak them.

How do you/we get this out everywhere?

Thank you.

wrong.

Of course no one wants the lives of soldiers, guardsmen, firefighters or police to be thrown away on unnecessary risks to support unwise policy. But the idea that their safety should be preserved while they are in the process of threatening the lives and freedoms of American citizens is absolutely morally reprehensible.

We --meaning EVERY one of us --are not supposed to have to live in fear of our law enforcement and military. The though of such a condition afflicting millions of citizens in this country is the antithesis of what our government is supposed to represent.

We are citizens; not subjects. But over and over again, the police in this country seem to demand the subjugation of black Americans at any given moment.

I hope it will get picked up by the national press.

or die trying. Ask self identifying centrists, "do you wish to live, or to die?" What is the centrist position in that argument? Half alive, or half dead?

That is your choice.

I am no centrist, I wish to live - without a doubt.

Hope you do too! Much work to do now. Bye, bye.

I think Biden should suggest a court marshall of every single officer involved in these actions. This might send a message to the senior officers who are rolling over on this to contemplate that the final line in their military record will be "He gave illegal orders to attack American citizens on American soil. 10 years in the Brig and a Dishonerable Discharge."

For following an illegal order.

They ain’t worth a damn.

at the number of armed thugs wearing uniform, and their willingness to harm others, that exist in the US.

Are the prime requirements for joining any band of government sanctioned thugs a lack of moral code and deep seated sadism?

Aptitude test, question 1:
Q: You have a spider. How many legs do you rip off?
Best Answer: All the ones on one side. Then watch it walk around in circles.

Question 2:
Q: You are sent to a scene of civilian rioting. What do you do?
Best Answer: Bash heads, break bones, spray the pepper stuff. Look for anyone holding anything that looks like a gun, and shoot first. Great time to be had by all!

When all you have is a hammer, etc.

If you think that their safety is "first" then by definition they would never do ANYTHING.
Someone needs to find another job