I posted this in the comments to Alex’s earlier post, but thought it was worth headlining here. You know those 2700 MRAP’s the Department of Homeland Security got? Turns out it was … 16:
The Department of Homeland Security is using 16 military-style, mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles for use during “high-risk warrants,” according to an official spokesman.
The MRAP, as it’s known in the U.S. military, was fielded in 2007 to counter the threat of devastating roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The MRAPs were transferred to DHS from the Department of Defense, free of charge. But despite recent reports, they have actually been in service since at least 2008.
This is a good illustration of why I don’t bother with conspiracies and conspiracy websites. They do this sort of thing all the time, whether it’s a conspiracy theory about 9/11, the moon landing, Sandy Hook or whatever. It’s what I call “pulling a Michael Moore”, using two pieces of true information to synthesize a falsehood. In this case, you had two true stories:
1) DHS was getting MRAP vehicles
2) An order was placed for 2717 MRAP’s by the Marine Corps
Merged into one piece of false information: that DHS was getting 2717 MRAP’s. And frankly this piece of information never did make much sense. 2717 MRAP’s is a $2-3 billion expense, a good 5% of DHS’s budget and a line item that would certainly be noticed by Congress.
I actually don’t like the idea of DHS having even one MRAP because I don’t think they are necessary for DHS’s mission (what the hell kind of “high-risk” warrants are they serving?). It’s yet more of the militarization of law enforcement that I have been opposing for about a decade. But the idea that this is beginning of Obama’s liberty-stomping army now appears to be a bit absurd. 16 MRAP’s wouldn’t be enough to take over Cleveland.
9 comments
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Argive says:
March 8, 2013 2:24 pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
Also, if DHS was actually building up some sort of army in preparation for martial law or whatever, why would they do so publicly? I mean, it would be damn near impossible to cover up something that big, but they didn’t even try. I also liked how for a while InfoWars was running pictures of the FEMA Corps that showed a bunch of kids holding what were clearly Airsoft guns.
ICE probably uses these vehicles when arresting immigrants with multiple felony warrants.
Hal_10000 says:
March 8, 2013 2:30 pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
That’s what I’m guessing. It still seems like overkill to me. Are illegals using mines and grenades?
AlexInCT says:
March 8, 2013 2:50 pm at 2:50 pm (UTC -4)
A OK, since all they have is 16 of these then this is all OK. And that they need military style vehicles to issue warrants makes me wonder wtf kind of nonsense they are talking about. Why is the DHS issuing warrants, and to whom? Maybe they are better off just shooting and killing anyone that would get that violent when being issued a warrant.
I guess if they only get 16 predator drones in case they need to drone strike someone while, erm, issuing warrants, yeah that, then this is not something to be scared off either. I seeno reason for anyone but the military to own these vehicles. If the police can own them, and defenitely if Big Sis can own them, then I as a citizens should be able to do so too, BTW.
Seattle Outcast says:
March 8, 2013 3:43 pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Take over Cleveland? Hell, I’d give it to them, along with Detroit…
The DHS doesn’t even need one of these vehicles, much less sixteen.
Hal_10000 says:
March 8, 2013 3:53 pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Indeed the whole problem with the “DHS creating an army” meme is that it distracted from that more relevant point
Argive says:
March 8, 2013 3:57 pm at 3:57 pm (UTC -4)
Well, not as such, no, but they totally could, so … shut up, that’s why.
Mississippi Yankee says:
March 8, 2013 8:33 pm at 8:33 pm (UTC -4)
As a matter of fact Yes they are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-13
hist_ed says:
March 9, 2013 1:40 pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
Of course they need them. Didn’t you guys see Die Hard? Hans Gruber is out t here somewhere
Ed Kline says:
March 9, 2013 1:59 pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
16 is16 too many,but a far cry from the 2700 Obama might need to make himself king.