In the 1980's as a reserve police officer in Michigan I was a member of what was called the "hostage team". Once a month we met with the local FBI agents who, in addition to bringing the donuts, also sometimes brought their high tech gadgets.
The FBI and their sneaky or lethal toys, like laser rifles, long distance listening divises and infrared cameras, came with a price when a situation was serious enough to call them in. The gadgets were part of a package deal, they came with FBI agents ("feebies") who would immediately take total control of the operation. It didn't matter that the police chief from a city or town or the state police Colonel himself called them.
Once on the scene the special agent in charge would control everything.
Few Americans would argue against protecting ourselves from any country that directly threatened us. If Saddam really had weapons of mass destruction, the massive invasion would have been justified.
However, for years we've heard debate as to whether the United States could or should become the world's policeman.
Putting that controversy aside, here's another idea.
In an ideal world, the United Nations would police genocide on a consistent basis. Because they don't, perhaps we should become the world's SWAT team.
Instead of invading occupying a country beset with violence with an army of policemen, when there is an evil dictator or government committing acts of genocide or mayhem against its own people or its neighbors, we would attack with our SWAT soldiers.
They would come in with maximum firepower and high tech warring machines, eliminate the immediate threat, and GET THE HELL OUT, leaving the clean-up to the locals.
10 thoughts on “Perhaps we should become the world’s SWAT team.”
This that I offer this as a possibility, with limitations, makes me out of my mind?
We shouldn’t “meddle” in other countries affairs but is there an overriding moral inperative to stop mass murder and ethnic cleansing?
I am against becoming an occuppying army.
I am suggesting functioning as a SWAT team would. with a limited mission. Get in, kill the despots, get out, let the locals handle the aftermath with humanitarian, medical, financial and logistical support as appropriate.
You have GOT to be out of your mind. Have we created such a paradise here in the US that we have nothing better to do than meddle in other countries affairs? Do we in the USA have a society where the sick are cared for, where our courts administer justice, where every child gets a free high-quality education and there is a job at a living wage for every worker?
Is not the answer to all these questions a big resounding NO?
the kindest description of this proposal that I can give is that it’s preposterous and reeking with hypocrisy.
Comments are closed.