Intel Commander Murdered

525th Brigade Crest

Click here for related story [AP]

Lt Colonel Roy Tisdale, commander of the battalion supporting the Army's 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade at Fort Bragg, NC, was shot to death on Thursday by one of his soldiers during the Commander's pre-holiday safety briefing. Tisdale was shot three times in the head and twice in the chest before other soldiers tackled him - during which the shooter was shot in the head;  the shooter is listed in critical condition.

The shooter, who had served with Tisdale on his security detail in Afghanistan, was facing court martial charges for theft of tools and and equipment valued at roughly $1,700 -- which, on conviction, would have likely resulted in a Dishonorable Discharge and incarceration at the Fort Leavenworth Detention Barracks.

An underlying and persistent problem   (c) Veterans Today

Sadly, the Army has suffered a very large incidence of violence in the wake of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, much of it attributed to PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] derived from both combat as well as living in a violent environment over which the soldier has no control -- whether it is from the enemy [often not- or ill-defined], allied soldiers who might unexpectedly turn on you, or worse, from your own comrades.


Ultimately, much of the problem stems from soldiers not having a clear understanding of what the role of the US is in the Middle East.  They are there, supposedly, to fight for the US; yet, Saddam was dislodged and executed, and the Iraqis hate the US now and have seemingly allied with the Chinese and Russians -- yet we remain in Iraq footing the bill, and under siege from Islamic extremists.  Our soldiers witness one extremist element bombing the other, killing women and children in the name of Allah.  They don't understand, but they are helpless witnesses to this senseless killing.

In Afghanistan, our soldiers continue to fight the Afghans with whom we were allied to fight Soviet invaders.  Now, many of these same freedom-fighters are designated "terrorists" as Taliban or Al Qaeda.  Our soldiers are not welcomed by the locals, and are periodically attacked.  Some of our soldiers have committed atrocities, not only failing to "win the hearts and minds of the people", but ensuring that Americans will be remembered for brutal and unforgivable acts. 

Ultimately, the US soldier doesn't understand the US presence, and neither do our officers.  Senior officers there have shown little in the way of leadership qualities, instead pandering to the Administration.

As always, there are Leftist elements intent on pitting our soldiers against their officers, not unlike occurred in Viet Nam in "fragging" incidents. 

So, our soldiers, unable to identify the "enemy" are told that US officers are the visible enemy. 

Even our Administration [Department of Homeland Security] has joined in to identify our returning soldiers as "potential terrorists".

We executed the object of our war in Afghanistan on national TV to bolster the Administration's re-election campaign, and yet, we remain there primarily as targets.  Ostensibly, we are "protecting" our allies there, but our allies recognize that when we do pull out, they will be at the mercy of the Taliban and Al Qaeda -- leading to clandestine alliances between our allies and our enemies.

Stuxnet - Now a Russian asset?

We are now being pressured by one of our Allies to declare war on Iran to protect this Ally, which in the past, attacked and killed our intelligence and military personnel.

This same Ally has been negotiating with Russia for favored military and trade arrangements, while simultaneously working with the US to develop the Stuxnet and Flame computer viruses to attack Iran's nuclear program. The virus has now been "accidentally" released and is apparently moving about the Internet undetected.  We have to wonder how many of the secrets we shared with our Ally have now been shared with Russia.

In the end, there is no excuse for the shooting of the Military Intelligence Commander at Fort Bragg.  There is, however, a pattern that is developing which should be examined and remedied.  Congress needs to engage, perhaps after the November elections, in Executive Office decisions to initiate war. 

LBJ created the circumstances for the Viet Nam war with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution based on a US Navy incursion [on LBJ's orders] into North Viet Nam's territory. 

We invaded Iraq the second time on the [false] advice of our Ally that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. 

We invaded Afghanistan to find and capture Osama bin Laden, to end his terrorist activities.  Instead, he was captured and executed without interrogation, ostensibly wasting any opportunity to learn about his subordinate commanders, his strategy, and his linkages to other nations giving him support.

We bankrolled, provided weaponry and Naval Air support to NATO to attack a non-belligerent Libya, so Europe could gain access to Libya's oil deposits.  Libya is now engaged in a civil war amongst rival factions vying for ultimate power; atrocities are rampant as belligerents engage in a revenge bloodlust.  The benefit to the US: Zero!


We continue to pursue war as a foreign policy tool, and sacrifice our young, our best and brightest -- and our ideals in these adventures.  Our soldiers don't know what to think, and patriotism seems now confused with "terrorism" -- so our troops are understandably bewildered -- and embittered.  Completely bewildering has been the kid glove treatment given to Major Hasan after he killed 13 US Military personnel and wounded 29 others nearly three years ago.

Worst of all, our troops have no means of expressing themselves, since to seek psychological or psychiatric counsel means the end to a soldier's career,   In the end, their frustrations build, and the troops explode and commit atrocities against our "enemies" or innocent villagers, or against their own comrades or officers -- whom they are told are their enemies. 

Historical footnote:

Fort Bragg is rated as the largest military base in the world, and is home to the 18th Airborne Corps, the 82d Airborne Division, the Special Forces headquarters, the Army Special Operations Command, and the 1st Corps Support Command.



The 525th Brigade, formed in WWII as counter-intelligence and interrogation unit, has had an evolving mission since its return to Fort Bragg in 1948 and currently has elements deployed to Afghanistan.  [I take a special interest in the 525th since I formed and commanded an MI Detachment [FORSCOM Intelligence Training Detachment] from its personnel in 1975.]

The 525th has an unusual mix of specialized intelligence personnel who have served in a variety of unusual areas around the world, responding to unique national tasking.  I was proud to serve with this unit in the 1970s, and was extremely proud to command my detachment of the best Intelligence professionals in the Army.

EO - National Emergency

EO 13159:  National Emergency justifies Martial Law        (c) Newsweek

Click here for text of EO13617 

Since taking office, President Obama has signed 145 Executive Orders which by-pass the Congressional Oversight and Legislative Process, and which empower him with significant authority to abrogate the Constitution -- unless Congress challenges him.   

The President Legislates

Executive Orders become Law if Congress does not challenge them within 30 days.

Executive Order 13159, issued 25 June 2012:

"... the nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation continues to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and [I] hereby declare a NATIONAL EMERGENCY to deal with that threat.

We emphasized the terms "continues" and "NATIONAL EMERGENCY" since they tie to previous Executive Orders and national security legislation which authorize the suspension of basic rights under the US Constitution. 

1)  Continues:
The cited "dangerous" nuclear materials have been under Russian control for more than 50 years; they have remained in essentially the same locations and configurations for those five-plus decades.  Why have they suddenly become more of a threat today than they were last week.

2)  National Emergency:
If these conditions have existed, without incident, for 50+ years, how do they achieve "national emergency" status overnight?  At the height of the Cold War, when these materials were mounted on missiles aimed at the United States, they did not constitute a "national emergency"! 

Why now?

Holder Indictment = Obama Impeachment

Has the Administration just noticed these materials?


Are they set to detonate at midnight? 

Or, 

Does the Administration need a distraction from the Fast&Furious scandal before it reaches Impeachment standards?

Essentially, the declaration of this "NATIONAL EMERGENCY" empowers the President to authorize
1) Martial Law in the US
2) Federal seizure of natural assets (e.g., oil products) -- and the companies which mine, grow, process, and distribute them
3) Federal seizure and regulation of the Internet and cell phone communications
4) Suspension of Habeas Corpus
5) Application of the provisions of the Patriot Act and the National Defense Authorization Act against US citizens who can now be defined as threats to US national security.

We reviewed this scenario in recent Blog Posts:
Obama's Private Army
Martial Law in the US:  Obama's Radical Transformation?


Let's take a look at recent Executive Orders and post-9/11 legislation to see what the threat from the Executive Office to US Citizenry is, based on this declared National Emergency:

The Police will tell you how to think  (c) SodaHead

EO 13603 National Defense Resources Preparedness

The Washington Times summed it up as follows:"... in case of war or NATIONAL EMERGENCY, the federal government has the authority to take over almost every aspect of American Society, to include food, livestock, farming equipment, manufacturing, industry, energy, transportation, hospitals, health care facilities, water resources, defense, and construction -- all of it would fall under the full control of Mr Obama [during a National Emergency].




EO 13556 Controlled Unclassified Information

Establishes White House control over "sensitive but unclassified" [SBU] information produced within the US Government in the name of "National Security".  Essentially, this EO gives the White House the authority to block the release of any information designated as SBU  -- in the event the White House does not want it released [e.g., correspondence relating to AG Holder in the Fast&Furious scandal.

[In the past, sensitive but unclassified information was designated "For Official Use Only"; this EO creates a new, and undefined category for the convenience of the President and to deny transparency].

Cyber-Security:  Admiral McConnell, former Director of National Intelligence [now VP of Defense Contractor Booz Allen] advised:

"US intelligence agencies have unique capabilities that can help protect American companies from cyber espionage and attack, but it will take a crisis [read National Emergency] to change laws to allow that type of cooperation."

We addressed this issue in our Blog post [2/12/2012], noting that Admiral McConnell views the US Constitution as an impediment to national security.
[ http://spookdblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/crisis-needed-to-pass-new-cyber-law.html ]

We'll tell you what websites you can view

SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act]   proposed by Rep Lamar Smith (R-TX)], but blocked by Rep Issa
In order to counter on-line piracy, SOPA would authorize:

1) The restriction of free speech through blogs [e.g., Spookdblog.com],
2) Blocking domain names from internet traffic [e.g., Wikipedia.org],
3) DOJ shutdown of web sites without Due Process
4) Seizure of private citizens' cloud content if hosted by DOJ-designated violator

PIPA [Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act]  proposed by Sen Patrick Leahy (D-Vt]; blocked by Rep Issa1) Blocks internet access and sharing of digital property.
2) Creates new restrictions on freedom of speech on the internet
3) Authorizes government monitoring of individual IP addresses

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare]

Authorizes a Private Army appears on page 1,312 of the 2,500 page Pelosi-sponsored ObamaCare ["you can read it when we pass it"] which restructures the established and well-regarded Public Health Service [PHS] which is headed by the Surgeon General -- who answers only to the President.   Activation of this Private Army would be authorized in conjunction with a "National [Health] Emergency."  If activated, the Department of Defense would come under the direction of the Surgeon General "... to maintain order and protect the public health."
[ http://spookdblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/obamas-private-army.html ]

Protect Children From Online Pornographers Act of 2011 [proposed, Lamar Smith (R-TX)], but blocked]
Would authorize:

1) Access to an individual's internet history without "probable cause" merely on the basis of "suspicion" of wrong-doing [not clearly defined]

2) Warrantless Searches -- thus, what the Government couldn't get under the Patriot Act, or the NDAA, it could obtain via this legislation.

The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes the President or a military commander to define or designate a US person as a terrorist, and authorizes:

 1)  Assassination of US Citizens
 2)  Indefinite Detention)  Arbitrary Justice (the President decides the trial venue)
 4)  Warrantless Searches
 5)  Secret Evidence for prosecutions (withheld from defendants)  
 6)  Prosecution of civilians for ill-defined War Crimes; federal officers are immune)
 7)  Secret Courts [i.e., Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA)]
 8)   Immunity from Judicial Review for federal agents and judges who violate federal law.
 9)   Continuous electronic surveillance of citizens in general for "National Security.
10)  Extraordinary Rendition (moving US citizens to another country for interrogation)

The Patriot Act
Suspends any and all Constitutional Rights for Terrorists or their US supporters, to include suspension of Habeas Corpus,
Right to Counsel,
Trial by Jury,
All Civil Liberties

Authorizes:
1) Warrantless searches of home, business, internet/phone/library/financial records
2) Seizure of personal assets, to include financial accounts and home
3) Imprisonment outside the US
4) Warrantless surveillance, to include "roving wiretaps"
5) Secret trials [at the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court]
6) Immunity of federal law enforcement officers for unlawful actions


-- But, that applies only to Foreigners -- unless you're designated a US terrorist under the NDAA.

 

Rodney King - RIP

Rodney King's Legacy                                            (c) Telegraph

Finding Rodney               Roadmast3r

Rodney King died this weekend.  Another "victim of racism" at the young age of 47.

He drowned in his home swimming pool, purchased with his $3.8 million legal settlement against the LA Police who were recorded beating him when he was 25.  Rodney was reportedly "under the influence" when he stumbled into the pool.



Rodney led an unusual life.


By the time Rodney was 23, he had been married and divorced twice, and fathered three children.

Begins adulthood with robbery/assault  (c) Courier Tribune

Fifteen months before the beating incident, Rodney had robbed a  store in Monterey Park, California, where he beat the store owner with a pole, stealing $200 in cash.

He was caught, convicted, and sentenced to two years, but released after serving only one year.




On March 2, 1991, Rodney and his pals Bryant and Freddie had consumed large quantities of alcohol while watching a basketball game on TV, after which they jumped in Rodney's car heading down the freeway, where he caught the attention of California Highway Patrol officers because of his high rate of speed.

The police pursued, but Rodney feared that a DUI arrest was a violation of his parole and would mean a return to prison for the completion of his two year conviction for robbery and assault; so, he stepped on the gas and attempted to flee by exiting the freeway and driving through neighborhoods at speeds clocked at up to 80 mph, and estimated to be as high as 115 mph -- which attracted the attention of several LAPD police cars and one police helicopter -- before he was cornered after the eight mile chase.

Estimated speeds 115 MPH in neighborhoods     (c) ABC Action News

The police ordered the three occupants of the car to exit, and Rodney's pals did so, were cuffed and led away.  Rodney initially refused to exit, but eventually did so, giggling, patting the ground, waving at the helicopter, and then reaching behind himself to grab his butt cheeks.




As Rodney was not complying with the order to lie on the ground, Sergeant Stacy Koon ordered four officers to "swarm" Rodney to subdue and cuff him -- during which time he threw two officers off his back and hit a third in the chest, knocking him down. 

The violence of his resistance led the police to believe Rodney was on PCP, which causes the user to become completely irrational, violent, and exhibit extraordinary strength.

Still fighting after Taser (c) NYPost

SGT Koon then ordered the four officers to withdraw, after which he fired a Taser into Rodney's back, momentarily stunning him; Rodney then lunged at one of the officers, who struck Rodney with his baton, knocking him to the ground.

Rodney again got up, causing the other officers to move in and begin beating him; Rodney continued to try to get up, causing the police to try to kick his legs out from under him to wrestle him to the ground.

Eventually, it took the combined efforts of all seven police officers to subdue Rodney, after which they dragged him to the side of the road to await an ambulance.

Five hours after the incident, blood and urine tests revealed that Rodney had consumed both drugs and alcohol, and his blood/alcohol reading was .19 -- more than double the .08 threshold  for a DUI.

The bulk of this incident was recorded by George Holliday from the balcony of his nearby apartment.  The video was shown by KTLA-TV, and was then picked up by national and international networks which aired edited segments -- leading to official charges of police brutality and, later, under the Clinton DOJ, federal Civil Rights violations charges, and Rodney's lawsuit.

Jury:  Police Not Guilty

In the LA Criminal Court, the jury found no evidence of police misconduct after viewing the video and hearing the testimony of the police and witnesses; the judge dismissed the charges.

Federal charges on SGT Koon and another officer resulted in their convictions for violating Rodney's Civil Rights [not further defined].



His civil suit against Los Angeles won him a $3.8 million award; and Rodney subsequently announced his engagement to Cynthia Kelly, a juror in his civil lawsuit against Los Angeles.

Following the acquittal of the criminal charges against the police officers charged, the Black community broke out in riots, expressing their outrage by smashing storefronts and stealing merchandise ranging from TVs, to microwaves, to refrigerators, and torching stores.

Outrage over Rodney King -- whoever that was      (c) ABC

The riots resulted in 53 deaths, 2,383 injuries, more than 7,000 fires, damages to 3,100 businesses, and about $1 Billion in financial losses.

Many store owners did not reopen, creating significant unemployment, and undermining the local economy for years.

Sympathy riots with similar damage, injuries, looting, and financial loss occurred in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Atlanta.


Most rioters and looters had no idea who Rodney King was.


Perhaps the only positive of this incident and the subsequent riots was the creation of DOJ's Community Relations Service, consisting of experts skilled in working with communities inflamed by real or perceived racial situations [e.g., Trayvon Martin].

It was highly successful in this endeavor, quelling countless racial tensions around the country, until President Obama restructured it with his own appointees who forced the experts out and used its budget for personal travel and "executive conferences".  The CRS still exists, but with little more than an internet presence.

Postscript:




1) In 1993, Rodney smashed his car into a wall in Los Angeles and was placed on probation.

2) In 1995, he was arrested for hitting his wife with his car; he was also sentenced for Hit & Run.


3) In 2003, he was arrested for speeding, running a red light, DUI; he crashed his car into a house.

4) In 2007, Rodney claimed that unidentified assailants shot him with a shotgun [birdshot]; they reportedly were trying to steal his bicycle.

5) Rodney appeared periodically on Celebrity Rehab and Sober House, apparently to highlight his drug and alcohol addiction, and to "reestablish" his relationship with his family[ies].

6) He is regarded as a hero in African American culture.