US Paying for Baltimore Riots???

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:47:38 -0400

So, I will start this with a caveat that I found the link on FB and cannot prove or deny it's accuracy, as with much of what's on FB or a lot of social media sights these days, they are often wrong or prejudice to one side!

However, for the sake of argument, let's say this is true! Should be US Government pay for the riots that occurred in Baltimore? Is this a federal government issue or a state issue? And in fact, is it even a state issue versus a local issue.

I, for one, think it is no more than a state issue and not a federal one. The federal government did not tell the people to riot. The federal government did not cause the incident in which people thought it would be ok to violently protest. I don't think the citizens of the other 49 states should have to bail out those of the 1 state, or city in this case, for their actions. People need to learn the consequences of their actions and suffer those same consequences when help is not there, nor should it be there! It's about time that America starts accepting responsibility for what we do instead of just acting out and then looking for yet another hand out!

Just my two cents!

http://rightwingnews.com/culture/baltimore-wants-to-charge-american-taxpayers-for-the-20-million-in-riot-damages/

Baltimore Wants to Charge American Taxpayers for the $20 Million in Riot Damages

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 27 at 2015 9:06 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:06:02 -0400

"Can't get blood from a rock"

However, the riots occurred in what is essentially a poor area, which means that the money to fix it is going to be "redistributed" from somewhere. It's just a question of where at that point.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:32 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:32:36 -0400

I live here and what they are actually doing is dipping into the "rainy day fund" of $20 million that it already has. If they do, they will have to repay it within a few years. They are also applying for some funding from FEMA.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 12:13 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:13:51 -0400

Yes its ok to spend the money - It's called the Stafford Act and it permits State Governors to request Federal money when their resources cannot handle a problem. It allows for activation of the National Guard under a 32 U.S.C. 502(f) authority and provides appropriate financial and legal protections for ARNG Soldiers and ANG Airmen. The real issue is the civil unrest that has been directed towards law enforcement. $20M is comparatively small compared to the nation building we have done abroad. It has been noted that after the Great Recession that we might have to turn our efforts to Nation Building at home. This does not mean fostering an Federalist ideological dogma on the overall population; it does mean that the Federal government owes us our money and resources so decisions on the way forward can be made at the local level, provide for overall national security, and prevent threats from occurring at home.

Did we treat LN's in Iraq and Afghanistan this way? Did ignoring the populace win hearts and minds? Or did we use COIN to mitigate the threat?