Army Planning for Nationwide Unrest

A U.S. Army War College report warns an economic crisis in the United States could lead to massive civil unrest and the need to call on the military to restore order. "Retired Army Lt. Col. Nathan Freir wrote the report "Known Unknowns: Unconventional Strategic Shocks in Defense Strategy Development," which the Army think tank in Carlisle, Pa., recently released. "

"Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities ... to defend basic domestic order and human security," the report said, in case of "unforeseen economic collapse," "pervasive public health emergencies," and "catastrophic natural and human disasters," among other possible crises. The report also suggests the new (Barack Obama) administration could face a "strategic shock" within the first eight months in office.

"Recently the International Monetary Fund's managing director, Dominique Strauss-Khan, said social unrest could spread to advanced countries if the global economic crisis worsens."
Evidently "as many as 20,000 soldiers under the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) will be trained withi"n the next three years to work with civilian law enforcement in homeland security.

Charles Boehmer, political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, was skeptical about the Army War College report. "The military was not called out during the Great Depression, and I don't think our economic problems are as bad as they were then," he said. "The military always has contingency plans. It's a think tank's job to come up with scenarios, but that doesn't mean it represents an active interest on the part of the (Pentagon)."

One wonders where all these soldiers will come from. Those wacky Army guys- the fun just never stops. BTW- love the title of the report.

I'm reminded here of one of my very favorite comic strips "Pogo." These are the days when comics were a daily feature (b&w). Pogo was a possum who lived with a cast of colorful animal characters in the Okefenokee Swamp. The strip was full of social & political commentary. Pogo's famous for that ever-popular holiday song: "Deck us all with Boston Charley," you know the words, so sing along," Walla Walla Wash and Kalamazoo." He's also remembered for his statement: "We have met the enemy- and they are US!" Well said, Pogo. It was a sad day for me when your illustrator retired.

Info via http://www.buzzflash.com/
Thanks to reporter Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times.