Friday, February 10, 2012

911 is a joke. Justifiable homicides explode in Detroit.

via The Daily.  Read the whole thing --- then buy yourself a Glock.  You'll probably need it.
The people of Detroit are taking no prisoners.

Justifiable homicide in the city shot up 79 percent in 2011 from the previous year, as citizens in the long-suffering city armed themselves and took matters into their own hands. The local rate of self-defense killings now stands 2,200 percent above the national average. Residents, unable to rely on a dwindling police force to keep them safe, are fighting back against the criminal scourge on their own. And they’re offering no apologies.

“We got to have a little Old West up here in Detroit. That’s what it’s gonna take,” Detroit resident Julia Brown told The Daily.


The last time Brown, 73, called the Detroit police, they didn’t show up until the next day. So she applied for a permit to carry a handgun and says she’s prepared to use it against the young thugs who have taken over her neighborhood, burglarizing entire blocks, opening fire at will and terrorizing the elderly with impunity.

“I don’t intend to be one of their victims,” said Brown, who has lived in Detroit since the late 1950s. “I’m planning on taking one out.”

How it got this bad in Detroit has become a point of national discussion. Violent crime settled into the city’s bones decades ago, but recently, as the numbers of police officers have plummeted and police response times have remained distressingly high, citizens have taken to dealing with things themselves.

In this city of about 700,000 people, the number of cops has steadily fallen, from about 5,000 a decade ago to fewer than 3,000 today. Detroit homicides — the second-highest per capita in the country last year, according to the FBI — rose by 10 percent in 2011 to 344 people.

On a bleak day in January, a group of funeral directors wearied by the violence drove a motorcade of hearses through the city streets in protest.

Average police response time for priority calls in the city, according to the latest data available, is 24 minutes. In comparable cities across the country, it is well under 10 minutes.

Citizens like Brown feel they have been left with little choice but to take the law into their own hands.

The number of justifiable homicides, in which residents use deadly force in self-defense, jumped from 19 in 2010 to 34 last year — a 79 percent rise — according to newly released city data.

Signs that vigilantism was taking hold in the city came earlier, around Memorial Day 2009, when former federal agent Alvin Davis decided he’d had enough of the break-ins at his mother’s home on the east side. She called the police again and again, but the brazen robberies continued. Davis, then a 32-year-old Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, snapped.

Prosecutors said he spent days chasing and harassing the teenagers who were allegedly robbing his mother, even shoving his federally issued firearm into one of their mouths. No one was killed, but by the time he was done, Davis had racked up charges of unlawful imprisonment and assault. In August 2010, he was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison.

But many residents in his mother’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood are sympathetic to Davis, whose case is on appeal.

“He basically did what a lot of us wished we could do,” said Ken Gray, 58, who lives down the street from Davis’ mother.

One high-ranking official in the county legal system, speaking to The Daily, said the rise in justifiable homicides mirrors a local court system that’s increasingly lenient of the practice.

“It’s a lot more acceptable now to get your own retribution,” the official said. “And the justice system in the city is a lot more understanding if people do that. It‘s becoming a part of the culture.”

Detroiters are arming themselves with shotguns and handguns and buying guard dogs. Anything to take care of their own. And privately, residents say neighborhood watch groups in Detroit are widely armed.


“It’s like the militiamen who stepped up way back when. That’s where the neighborhood folks are," said James “Jackrabbit” Jackson, a 63-year-old retired Detroit cop who has patrolled the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood for years.

“They’re ready to fight,” Jackson said. “We don’t hardly see police anymore.”

The city’s wealthier enclaves have hired private security firms. Intimidating men in armored trucks patrol streets lined with gracious old homes in a scene more likely seen in Mexico City than the United States.

That kind of paid protection can run residents anywhere from $10 to $200 per month, and companies say business is good.

“We’re booming,” said Dale Brown, the owner of Threat Management Group, which along with Recon Security patrols neighborhoods like Palmer Woods in black Hummers.

“We’re paramilitary, but we’re positive. I’m not a vigilante. I’m an agent of change.”

The Detroit Police Department, grappling with deep funding cuts in a city with a spiraling budget crisis, acknowledges that response times are high and says it is working on a plan to lower them. But a spokeswoman for the department insists the rise in justifiable homicides is unrelated.

“It’s not about police response time because often the act has already taken place by the time the police are called,” said Sgt. Eren Stephens. She said citizens have a right to defend themselves.

“Anytime a life is lost, we’re concerned,” she said. “But we can‘t be on every corner in front of every home. And we know that there are citizens who will do what they have to do to protect themselves.”

That’s the terrifying position in which Kevin Early found himself in November when he was held up at gunpoint outside his home in the upper-middle-class Rosedale Park area. Neighbors called the police, but it was 25 minutes before an officer arrived.

Early, the director of the criminal justice studies program at the University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus, reasoned with the men for more than 20 minutes before he sensed they were about to shoot him in the head — then he ran. As his attackers fled in the opposite direction, neighbors emerged from the street’s stately homes with shotguns.

“All I could think of was my daughter coming home,” Early said. “I didn’t want her to see me shot dead.”

Weeks later, Early packed up his home and left Detroit. He hired Threat Management to supervise the move.

“Where else do the police come to your house after you’ve been robbed and ask you, ‘Why did you call us?’ ”

Mara.Gay@thedaily.com

You have got to be shitting me! USS Giffords?

via CDR Salamander.

I'll let him tell the tale.
Don't blog angry!" Well, again, I am ignoring my own advice. Here we go. I will want to reword this in an hour, but I won't. Want unfiltered Sal? Well, here you go.

What confidence I once had in the SECNAV gone, broken, unable to be supported. I was a fool to give him the benefit of the doubt. This is the last straw.

Small things do matter - as they often support much larger and critical things.


Ship names mean nothing anymore. The vacuousness, vapidity, and morally rudderless nature of our present leadership is out there clear as day for all to see. I don't even think they know it.

Naming a ship after that bucket of goo MURTHA was bad enough.


Rep. Giffords (D-AZ) was/is a fine public servant and her husband is a Navy astronaut. She was shot in the head by an insane person. None of the above rate having a Navy ship named after you. Announced on a Friday afternoon - I think even the Navy is ashamed of this classic case of immature pandering to the Overclass.
First off I know that Giffords is a crime victim.

I know she served her country in her own way.

But this break from tradition is disgusting.

This is a terrible precedent.  The Democrats are doing the same thing that all political parties do when they sense power slipping away.  They over reach and start doing feel good things.  You saw it in the run up to the election that brought Obama to power.  The Republicans starting doing silly things.  The Dems are doing it now.

November can't get here soon enough.

Cobra Gold already in the assault phase.

HAT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand-Republic of Korea Marines rush from an amphibious assault vehicle during an assault on a beach during exercise Cobra Gold 2012 here, Feb. 10. The U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Marines conducted the multilateral assault to further strengthen the interoperability among the nations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright, 2/9/2012 7:00 PM
AT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand-A U.S. Marine with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security alongside Republic of Korea Marines during exercise Cobra Gold 2012 here, Feb. 10. The U.S. Marines of the 31st MEU, Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Marines conducted the multilateral assault to further strengthen the interoperability among the nations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright, 2/10/2012 7:34 AM
AT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand-U. S. Marines from Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, alongside Royal Thai Marines engage a simulated enemy during the amphibious assault portion of exercise Cobra Gold 2012 here, Feb. 10. The U.S. Marines of the 31st MEU, Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Marines conducted the multilateral assault to further strengthen the interoperability among the nations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright, 2/9/2012 7:00 PM
AT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand -Royal Thai Marines exit an amphibious assault vehicle and begin securing the beach here, Feb. 10. The Royal Thai Marines were conducting a multilateral amphibious assault with U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 2/10/2012 6:31 AM
AT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand -Royal Thai Marines push forward as CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, 1st Marine Air Wing, fly overhead during an amphibious assault here, Feb. 10. The multilateral assault included Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and was conducted during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 2/10/2012 6:33 AM
AT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand -Marines with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an amphibious assault vehicle and begin to secure the beach here, Feb. 10. The assault was a multilateral exercise that included Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines, and was conducted during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 2/10/2012 6:34 AM
AT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand -A Marine with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security during an amphibious assault here, Feb. 10. The assault was a multilateral exercise that included Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines, and was conducted during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 2/10/2012 6:35 AM

Cobra Gold 2012

Thursday, February 09, 2012

L-Cat aboard the USS Wasp.

120207-N-YF306-107 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 7, 2012) A French landing catamaran (L-CAT) assigned to the French amphibious assault ship FS Mistral (L9013) prepares to pull into the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during Exercise Bold Alligator. Bold Alligator, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise will take place Jan. 30 through Feb. 12, 2012 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. #BA12 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)
120207-N-YF306-094 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 7, 2012) A French landing catamaran (L-CAT) assigned to the French amphibious assault ship FS Mistral (L9013) prepares to pull into the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during Exercise Bold Alligator. Bold Alligator, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise will take place Jan. 30 through Feb. 12, 2012 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. #BA12 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)
120207-N-YF306-360 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 7, 2012) Sailors from the deck department of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) supervise the well deck as a French landing catamaran (L-CAT) enters as part of Exercise Bold Alligator. Bold Alligator, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise will take place Jan. 30 through Feb. 12, 2012 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. #BA12 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released)

Riverines. Still don't know.



A vid covering the Riverines during Bold Alligator.

I still don't understand the mission set.  They train with allied Marines in raid type operations but claim to be distinct and have a different mission set from US Marines.

I don't get it.

What do these guys do?  It would appear to be a mix of Marine Corps boat company ops in the context of raids, a bit of Harbor Security from the Master at Arms and a dose of SWCCs in the way that they outfit there boats.

Bleeding hearts will go crazy but its no big deal.

Joe sent me this article and I have to say my first reaction was "Oh shit here we go again"...but its really no big deal.  Not if you kick back and relax a bit and don't go solid stupid.

Oh and SS in Marine talk stands for Scout Sniper.  Many will disagree but this is really no big deal.  via Yahoo.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Marine Corps on Thursday once again did damage control after a photograph surfaced of a sniper team in Afghanistan posing in front of a flag with a logo resembling that of the notorious Nazi SS — a special unit that murdered millions of Jews, gypsies and others.
The Corps said in a statement that using the symbol was not acceptable.
However, it was a naive mistake made by Marines who believed the SS symbol was meant to represent sniper scouts and never intended to associate themselves with a racist organization, said Maj. Gabrielle Chapin, a spokeswoman at Camp Pendleton.
The Marines in the image will not be disciplined because investigators determined there was no malicious intent, Chapin said.
Thank goodness the Marine Corps thought so too.

Army SF has an in-house sea base. They just don't know it!


The US Army has Logistic Support Vessels in house that can be used to provide a "rebirth" of the Army's amphibious operations or to provide a platform for US Army Special Forces and Rangers.

I prefer the latter.

This from Naval Technology pretty much sums up my idea.

LSV - HELICOPTER CAPABLE
The LSV-helicopter capable variant in service with the Philippine Navy provides concealed transport, deployment and retrieval of both helicopters and patrol boats.
Attack helicopters are concealed below a modular flight deck while patrol boats and intercept craft are behind the stern ramp. The configuration presents the appearance of a logistic supply ship without the obvious display of force.
Wow.

Another lesson learned from our friends.  It would be a tremendous asset for the Special Forces and Rangers.  And it can be done today.

As far as revitalizing US Army amphibious ops, check this out from a Defense Tech story on this ships...
...as far as the platform goes, an LSV–with its slow speed, tiny draft, mid-sized crew (a core of about 30) and long legs (5,000 miles) would be a perfect “presence” tool for Africa and the Pacific Islands. Capable of carrying the equivalent of 28 Abrams M1A tanks, the LSV can bring a lot of stuff to a lot of places.
28 Abrams ashore in one lift?

That's approaching the old LST in lift capability.  No.  That is matching the old Newport class LST in capability.

The Army and Navy signed an agreement to transfer ships...I don't recall if these were included or if it was just the JHSV's, but if they were then the Army should seek to reverse that decision and possibly base a few of these in Guam or Japan or even Hawaii.

The future is in the Pacific or in operations off Africa stretching into the Middle East.  Either way, Soldier would be well served by keeping these ships in Army hands.