Posse Comitatus Act

There is a rising belief that Mexico is becoming a new drug war-era Columbia, and that our federal government should deploy the military along our southern border as soon as possible.

Experts believe conditions exist inside Mexico that mirror those found in Columbia prior to and during the reign of Pablo Escobar’s infamous Medellin drug cartel.

While drug-related violence along both sides of the border would warrant placing our military at our southern border, doing so raises a few questions.  For one, at what point do the conditions along the Mexican border warrant calling in the military? How would a military presence change the jobs of the U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement?  Perhaps most important, how would the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 come into play if the military began helping with border security?

American progressives undoubtedly will in some way raise the issue of the Posse Comitatus Act with regard to any military deployment along the Mexican border.  While progressives are already largely opposed to border enforcement policies, they in particular fear that military involvement in the region will infringe civil rights and cause civilian harm. 

Literally meaning “the power of the country to act,” the Posse Comitatus Act was enacted in the 19^th century after years of military involvement in maintaining domestic order during Reconstruction in the South and the settling of the American West.  It was the will of Congress at that time to return the military to duties such as protecting the borders from foreign aggression rather than conducting what had largely become local law enforcement issues.

Specifically, Congress has approved the use of the military to aid in anti-drug efforts. Such “passive” support now allowed includes providing logistics, intelligence, training and other things unique to the military that assist local law enforcement.  Execution of the law is still reserved to civilian authorities.

Most people agree with deploying our military along our southern border, but given the acute political division today, nothing is ever simple----not even a decision designed to protect the citizens and property of our nation. Americans want a safe and effective border policy, not one that aids the cause of those who smuggle people, drugs and political upheaval into our nation.  That is why America must come from a position of strength. That strategy likely requires a new administration in Washington and a defined military role.

Sections of Mexico are caught in the grip of drug dealers, terrorists and violent killers and thugs.  This anarchy, which is close to the U.S.–Mexico border in some cases, creates conditions favorable to the rise of a Mexican version of Pablo Escobar.  We cannot put our heads in the sand by pretending this violence along our border will go away.  We must come to grips with this problem sooner rather than later.

Two Millville Cities

Gunshots heard in Millville. Bullets fly in Millville. Street criminals run rampant on Millville streets. Cars and homes riddled with bullet holes as thugs and predators shoot at each other and endanger small children. A much different Millville than 30 years ago, so what happened? Almost to a person when asked that question, many believe the rapid up tick of criminal behavior is the result of the invasion of the criminal elements from Camden and Newark over the past few decades. Added to the homegrown criminal element this invasion overwhelmed local authorities.  And so over time I believe two separate Millville “cities” emerged.

Millville #1 consists of decent law-abiding citizens bent on teaching their children manners, respect and civil responsibilities. These residents support local sports events, maintain their property in a neat manner, work with law enforcement when needed, are educated, intelligent and try to make the county and their city better places to live. They normally do not engage in criminal activity, they pay their bills and willingly volunteer to help others in need. They believe in justice, self-responsibility and can be trusted to do their civic duties when called upon.

Millville#2 consists of an underworld that hosts a plethora of criminal activity. These are people who engage in drug use, drug sells and armed assaults on a daily basis.  They care little or nothing about the county or the city and even less about the people who live in Millville #1.  They have no respect or fear of law enforcement and often times will confront and engage police officers in gun battles or some other assault. They shoot weapons at each other and care little if a stray bullet might hit a child. They usually have little or no self-respect and could care less about the safety and human rights of others.

Both “cities” are linked by geography and through municipal services and it is easy for someone from city #2 to affect the lives and welfare of any of the law-abiding citizens in city # 1. This is done almost on a daily basis through high-speed car chases, running gun battles, theft, intimidation of seniors, hold ups and home invasions to name a few.  It is hard to identify the residents of each “city” on sight in most cases, but a daily read of the local newspapers clearly supports the existence of two Millville “cities.”

The fear is that the criminal element will eventually overpower the abilities of the authorities to protect the citizens that are not criminals. Even today seniors are afraid to go out of their homes, and small children are at risk playing in some city neighborhoods. 

Hard core criminals are not afraid of law enforcement officers, arrests, nor prison time as some view prison terms just like going to “college” where they learn how to be a better criminal.  Some say we must “hug” the criminals and rehabilitate them.  Well we have “hugged” and imprisoned for many decades and what do we have today?  Bullets fly in Millville. Gunshots heard in Millville. Street criminals run rampant on Millville streets.

I believe two Millville “cities” exist today side-by-side, uneasily, with trepidation and with fear. Meanwhile law-abiding residents are left to wonder just how long will it be before criminals utterly destroy the Holly city and make it inhabitable for decent people?

Jimmie L. Hollis

Obesity being regulated by the Government?

This continuation of government being the only force to fight obesity continues to grow as a nightmare on citizens while the government justifies their goals by federally-funded science studies that are nothing more than fast-food junk.

Jeff Stier, the head of the National Center’s Risk Analysis Division, has published another statement refuting the “junk” study that is being used to give Big Brother another reason to interfere and issue scare tactics to “weigh” in on the obesity epidemic in this country.   More activists and government officials continue to push more tax proposals and restrictions on food advertising to ban bake sales in schools such as the one that became law in Massachusetts.  

This problem has so many factors.  While we know that corrupt and imaginary study data is constantly being printed and published, the fact remains that our own eyes see what an obese society and country we have become.  Why has this happened?

Because we no longer do for ourselves.  We no longer have to physically do our chores.  We no longer plant our own gardens and tend to our crops and herds to provide food for our families.  We no longer clean our houses or our yards without technological tools.  We no longer send our children to play outside to run, jump, climb trees, or roller skate down the sidewalks.  Children and grandchildren are becoming vidiots and deaf ones at that.  Our world seems to evolve around the all-mighty videography to watch and play.  We no longer do any physical labor that produced products for our country to export or sell because technology has replaced those jobs and skills.

I could go on and on because the technology replacement since the 60s has slowly but surely replaced physical activity and labor with automation and electronic gadgetry.   But what this laziness that we have accepted by virtue of technology has fueled the big governmental plan to instruct us what to do, what to eat, how to live, where to go, what to read, and most of all, what we are not allowed to do in the name of safety.   This is like sorcerers magic under the political cape in a slight of hand and mouth to make us believers that their illusion is perfect for the “good of the people” and because it must be true it is good for all.  Really????

While there have been a few arguably good program ideas presented and written that address the growing obesity problem, until people realize that they are being conditioned into believing that the only solution is one that comes from the government, then the battle will be lost.   The oxymoron to this entire issue is; so many assisted citizens believe that they can continue to be belligerent and voice their irrefutable opinions, then why are they the easiest to be led down a new path of lifestyle decisions.    Once again, we are being molded and coddled to stop thinking for ourselves and to accept what government has deemed is the best solution.   If we do not begin to question the “studies” that are used to write headlines and law, then we will become the propaganda puppets who will succumb to anything we are told.  

Arvene Kilby/ May 15, 2012

Please come out and join us at Running Deer Golf Club and attend The Spring Gala for a great night out with your friends and neighbors on Friday, May 18^th, from 7:00 – 11:00 PM.    Your $40 ticket includes a gourmet buffet, dancing to live music, a silent Auction, our strolling Magician -  Kevin Bethea, and an overall night of great entertainment.  For this extraordinary evening we urge everyone to reserve your tickets now.

Contact Joanne Cooper today for tickets at (856) 769-9247.  Cash, check, or credit card accepted.  All proceeds benefit the Greenwich Tea Party Patriots of South Jersey for our ongoing educational activities and Rally.