y2knewswire.com
<<Y2K Alert - 1/7/1999 - Washington state to roll out National Guard
WASHINGTON STATE TO ROLL OUT NATIONAL GUARD
[news]
As the state of Wisconsin continues the debate over the deploying of National Guard troops, Washington state has decided to run with it. Gov. Gary Locke has authorized the deployment of 3,000 ground troops throughout the state on December 31 and January 1 as a precaution against civil disorder and/or the breakdown of infrastructure services.
According to this Associated Press report, reprinted in Y2K Today, Maj. Gen. Gregory Barlow, the Washington state adjutant general, said, "We don't want to underprepare and we don't want to overreact. Readiness is our No. 1 priority."
If the 3,000 ground troops turn out to be insufficient, the state has the ability to deploy even more troops:
"The state Military Department, which includes the 8,600-member Army and Air National Guard and the 100-member state Emergency Management Department, will be ready in 39 National Guard armories to assist if needed."
Brig. Gen. Lee Legowik, assistant adjutant general to the state National Guard, says about the deployment, "We are being prepared to respond to this as we would in any emergency. When we fight forest fires, we do this; when we respond to floods, we do this. It's the natural response."
Link at:
y2ktoday.com
[commentary]
Notice that Gary Locke, Gen. Gregory Barlow and Brig. Gen. Lee Legowik are countering the nonsense being spouted at the federal level. This trio is right on target: preparation is a "natural response."
Recall that a prominent research firm once called Y2K cash preparations, "unnatural," and various federal officials continue to refer to personal Y2K preparations as "disruptive."
But while common sense is in deficit in Washington D.C., it's in surplus in Washington state. These people not only recognize the important role the National Guard will play, but also that taking precautions and being prepared is entirely natural.
BUT WHAT WILL THE NATIONAL GUARD DO?
This isn't shred-the-Constitution, troops-on-the-streets behavior. These troops are likely to engage in the following activities:
* Distributing water to areas cut off from clean water supplies
* Distributing food
* Ferrying people from their homes to shelters
* Directing traffic, removing stalled vehicles, etc.
And if things get heated, they'll add these activities:
* Stopping looters
* Stopping / arresting rioters
* Guarding important buildings / locations
This isn't "Invasion USA," this is your 20-year-old neighbor National Guard member doing his best to help people. Y2KNEWSWIRE finds no evidence to suggest that citizens should be afraid of the deployment of National Guard troops during the Y2K rollover. In fact, the FDIC 'Know Your Customer' regulations and ongoing efforts to criminalize cash are far more dangerous to the public.
However, there are a few ramifications of the National Guard deployment that you should keep in mind. And remember, as 1999 rolls on, more states will decide to deploy troops.
ITEM 1: THE INTERSTATES MAY BE RESTRICTED
Don't expect to travel on the highways. They *might* be restricted to military and V.I.P use only. Why? Because in the effort to get critical supplies to the population, the National Guard can't allow motorists to block important roads with stalled vehicles. And if you do stall your car on the highway, don't expect professional towing treatment. Most likely, a hummer will come along and just push your car off the road.
ITEM 2: A CURFEW COULD BE IN PLACE
Again, this isn't necessarily scary stuff. It should be temporary, and it's designed to reduce the likelihood of riots. You might be required to stay in your home during the late hours, and the curfew could stay in place for a matter of days or weeks, depending on the situation.
ITEM 3: YOU MAY BE TOLD TO LEAVE YOUR HOME
If your area loses power or water, the National Guard could mandate an evacuation to a centralized shelter. Why? Because it's easier to feed people when they're all in one place. The National Guard isn't meals-on-wheels, after all. During the evacuation, the fact that you might have already stockpiled supplies will not be one of their considerations. They'll ask you to leave, and if you refuse, they might get forceful. Note, too, that in a "National Emergency" you do not have the right to disobey commands from military personnel.>>
Don't sound good to me. |
