Economic Riots/ U.S. Collapse, Obama Prepares for Attack

* Interest rates at zero, the US dollar headed toward toilet paper, Chrysler closing for a month...
do people realize the United Sates is bankrupt and collapsing? I am investing in people and building a strong local community. Here in Vermont we have farms and water. What is going to happen where you live? Are you prepared to see the US military in your street?.....


Recommended Reading:
http://globalresearch.ca/
http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com/


Ariz. police say they are prepared as War College warns military must prep for unrest; IMF warns of economic riots http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/15/daily34.html


A new report by the U.S. Army War College talks about the possibility of Pentagon resources and troops being used should the economic crisis lead to civil unrest, such as protests against businesses and government or runs on beleaguered banks.
“Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order and human security,” said the War College report.
The study says economic collapse, terrorism and loss of legal order are among possible domestic shocks that might require military action within the U.S.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn warned Wednesday of economy-related riots and unrest in various global markets if the financial crisis is not addressed and lower-income households are hurt by credit constraints and rising unemployment.
U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., both said U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson brought up a worst-case scenario as he pushed for the Wall Street bailout in September. Paulson, former Goldman Sachs CEO, said that might even require a declaration of martial law, the two noted.
State and local police in Arizona say they have broad plans to deal with social unrest, including trouble resulting from economic distress. The security and police agencies declined to give specifics, but said they would employ existing and generalized emergency responses to civil unrest that arises for any reason.
“The Phoenix Police Department is not expecting any civil unrest at this time, but we always train to prepare for any civil unrest issue. We have a Tactical Response Unit that trains continually and has deployed on many occasions for any potential civil unrest issue,” said Phoenix Police spokesman Andy Hill.
“We have well established plans in place for such civil unrest,” said Scottsdale Police spokesman Mark Clark.
Clark, Hill and other local police officials said the region did plenty of planning and emergency management training for the Super Bowl in February in Glendale.
“We’re prepared,” said Maricopa County Sheriff Deputy Chief Dave Trombi citing his office’s past dealings with immigration marches and major events.
Super Bowl security efforts included personnel and resources from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. military’s Northern Command, which coordinated with Arizona officials. The Northern Command was created after 9/11 to have troops and Defense Department resources ready to respond to security problems, terrorism and natural disasters.
Northern Command spokesman Michael Kucharek and Arizona Army National Guard Major. Paul Aguirre said they are not aware of any new planning for domestic situations related to the economy.
Nick Dranias, director of constitutional government at the libertarian Goldwater Institute, said a declaration of marital law would be an extraordinary event and give military control over civilian authorities and institutions. Dranias said the Posse Comitatus Act restricts the U.S. military’s role in domestic law enforcement. But he points to a 1994 U.S. Defense Department Directive (DODD 3025) he says allows military commanders to take emergency actions in domestic situations to save lives, prevent suffering or mitigate great property damage.
Dranias said such an emergency declaration could worsen the economic situation and doubts extreme measures will been taken. “I don’t think it’s likely. But it’s not impossible,” he said.
The economy is in recession. Consumer spending is down, foreclosures are up and a host of businesses are laying off workers and struggling with tight credit and the troubled housing and financial markets. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and U.S. Treasury Department have pumped more than $8.5 trillion into the economy via equity purchases of bank stocks, liquidity infusions, Wall Street and bank bailouts and taxpayer rebates. U.S. automakers are seeking more than $14 billion in federal loans with fears they could fall into bankruptcy without a bailout. The U.S. housing and subprime lending-induced recession also has hit economies in Europe, Japan and China.
Gov. Janet Napolitano’s office declined comment on emergency planning and possible civil unrest. Napolitano is president-elect Barack Obama’s pick for secretary of Homeland Security, an agency that oversees airport security, disaster response, border security, customs and anti-terrorism efforts.

'As one threat fades, another may come in'
Chertoff on terrorism, immigration and the challenges of his ‘24/7 job’ at Homeland Security
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/12/as-one-threat-f.html


With just a month left before he leaves office, President Bush and his administration can claim credit for having successfully defended this country from another terrorist attack. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said as much in a recent interview with USA TODAY's editorial board. But the secretary, who has run the department since 2005, also noted the dangers that lie ahead, including the possibility of a nuclear, chemical or biological attack on U.S. soil. What about airport security, for which he is responsible? The border fence and immigration control, which also falls under his purview? Chertoff discussed these issues and others. His comments were edited for length and clarity:

Bush Helping Obama Team Prepare For Attack
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/12/17/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4673323.shtml


The Bush Administration is planning "table-top exercises" of terror attack scenarios for the Obama Transition Team next month. Briefing reporters at the White House, Ken Wainstein, assistant to the president for homeland security and counter-terrorism, expects a couple of such exercises to be run next month – no dates yet set

Wainstein, left, thinks all the members of the Obama Cabinet would take part – to get a feel for how each should respond and what each would do in the event of a terror attack on the U.S. Asked if it wouldn’t be worthwhile for Mr. Obama himself to take part, Wainstein hesitated and then said Mr. Obama is getting a series of briefings on these scenarios.


Kunsan personnel take part in crisis drills
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59443
Crisis-response skills were put to the test at Kunsan Air Base during training last week.
Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing faced nine crisis situations, according to an Air Force news release.
A team from Global Security and Engineering Services — contracted by Headquarters Air Force Installation and Mission Support and the Air Force Surgeon General’s office — was at Kunsan from Dec. 8 to Dec. 11 to provide the training.
"We are moving toward a homeland security exercise evaluation program and new ways of looking at incident management," Capt. Jason Monaco, 8th Fighter Wing Plans and Programs, said in the release.


Illinois guard: No powder in suspicious mail
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-suspiciousletters,0,1006381.story
* I bet some AJ whackos mailed some 9/11 truth videos to the Guard