Gene Healy in today's Washington Times:
Soldiers are trained to kill; policemen, to use force as a last resort. Accordingly, there's a deep-rooted American hostility to the idea of using the military for domestic law enforcement.
But all that may be about to change. After repeatedly denying they plan to undermine or alter the Posse Comitatus Act, of 1878, which makes it a criminal offense to use U.S. military forces "to execute the laws," Bush administration officials are starting to change their tune.
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad idea. As a veteran of the USMC, I am fervently aware of the hostility that many of our servicemen and women have for the civilian population at large. By no means do all military folk subscribe to this notion, but enough do to make this idea scary. This is in addition to the enormous potential for abuse by the more mature, seasoned politicicians in uniform that make up the general officer ranks. This reeks of impending martial law and people WILL get abused or killed if this becomes the norm.
I don't regret a day of my service and I have nothing but admiration and respect for those in uniform who get deployed overseas for long periods away from their loved ones. That said, I remember plenty of all-knowing arrogant 19 year-olds who wore the same uniform as I from my time. Once upon a time, I was one of those all-knowing arrogant 19 year-olds. I wouldn't want to run into any of their 2002 counterparts patrolling the streets of my city or engaged in some other aspect of domestic law enforcement.
Today's U.S. military consists of highly intelligent, well-trained individuals from all over the U.S. and some foreign nationals as well. The young men and women are undoubtedly well-trained professionals in their particular fields. They are quite simply, the best in the world at what they do. And that ain't law enforcement, ladies and gentlemen.
There is just too little understanding and respect of Constitutional rights among the younger ranks, and too much open contempt for civilians and political dissidents among the senior ranks.
This is a disaster waiting to happen.