In light of the recent shootings, are we headed for another Kent State type confrontation (with much greater carnage)?

2016-07-08T11:11:24-04:00

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 8 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-07-08T11:14:54-04:00

IMHO, The National Guard will not be involved this time.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 8 at 2016 11:45 AM

2016-07-08T11:45:12-04:00

Atmosphere is certainly there, but don't think the concept for bringing in National Guard is the same today as in the days of Kent State. NG did a good job controlling in Ferguson and think their training is more oriented that way now than in 1970.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Jul 8 at 2016 11:45 AM

2016-07-08T11:45:43-04:00

With so many folks pushing for a confrontation there is bound to be a major incident one day. So many folks want a showdown but won't have the balls to put up or shut up. In the end the innocent will suffer the most.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jul 8 at 2016 12:22 PM

2016-07-08T12:22:34-04:00

Something needs to be done. We seem to have dumb cop after dumb cop on the nightly news. The fact that Dallas only JUST happened and with so LITTLE police officer death is quite frankly, amazing. As pissed as black people are right now, we all need to collectively thank any diety we care to worship that the death and destruction is as small as it is.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 8 at 2016 12:50 PM

2016-07-08T12:50:36-04:00

I would say no. The federal/state involvement in Ferguson was to focus on prosecuting the officer and indicting the local govt. Local agencies will be forced to go it alone. They will face fed prosecution for their actions when and if they do act.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Jul 8 at 2016 1:29 PM

2016-07-08T13:29:24-04:00

I don't see any possibility of that at all.

Kent State started out pretty much as a standard (for the day) protest. The mayor and the governor brought in the NG, which actively interfered with the protest by "pushing" groups of protestors around the campus. There was some rock throwing. Then, for no known reason, a bunch of the guardsmen leveled their M-1s and shot into the students, killing four, paralyzing one, and wounding a bunch. Strong speculation says they were responding to a shot(s) fired by an "undercover" student taking photos of protesters for the FBI who was known to be carrying a gun. Look up "Terry Norman."

I just can't see anything like that happening these days. Can you?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 8 at 2016 1:33 PM

2016-07-08T13:33:48-04:00

I would hope not. I see no real Indications. I think State National Guards are more well trained and culturally aware than they have ever been in any other time in history.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2016 2:12 PM

2016-07-08T14:12:09-04:00

Maybe or maybe not, though I think...well, I'll save my thoughts on that subject. I will say that this nation seems to be inching closer and closer to areas/cities/regions of total anarchy.

Response by PO1 Michael Fullmer made Jul 8 at 2016 2:42 PM

2016-07-08T14:42:13-04:00

I remember Kent State. I'm not sure this could happen again.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jul 8 at 2016 2:50 PM

2016-07-08T14:50:16-04:00

SSgt Jerry DeLaney we are quickly coming to a point where the masses are not going to tolerate continuing to be shat upon by the upper class. The poor bastards caught in the middle will be the street cops. Why? Because street cops are just as much peons as the rest of us, but they are trying to enforce the laws. Laws that are written and passed by an elite class that is above the laws that they pass. Are we going to end up like Kent State, I think the tragic events in Dallas show that we are headed there quickly. Until PEOPLE start caring about PEOPLE, this is not going to change. People will continue to seethe with anger, until they lash out. Problem is people are not lashing out at those who deserve to receive that angst. People are lashing out at anyone they perceive as representing the object of their angst police officers, white people, black people, homosexuals, etc... Until we can regain some of our humanity, this is not only going to continue, it is going to get much worse before the end comes.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jul 8 at 2016 2:59 PM

2016-07-08T14:59:10-04:00

Kent State was a one-sided application of force where a unit of tired and frustrated National Guard troops apparently hit their tolerance limit and decided to teach the college kids a lesson with a spurt of rifle fire which was mostly aimed over the protesters' heads.
If you're looking for incidents involving folks actually directing violence both ways, might I suggest the Watts riot, or the botched BATF raid on the Branch Davidian estate outside of Waco?

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jul 8 at 2016 6:39 PM

2016-07-08T18:39:47-04:00

Don't know but we are divided in this country along racial lines that is spewing hatred and violence. We need a Commander in Chief and not a Divider in Chief and more leaders other than Jesse Jackson, De Blasio, Al Sharpton, Trump, & Clinton to quell the unrest in the urban communities.

Response by TSgt Craig Crews made Jul 11 at 2016 7:00 AM

2016-07-11T07:00:55-04:00

I pray that nothing like Kent State will occur. I hope that cooler heads prevail.