TBY2Kers,

Im working on other projects and taking a Y2K time-out for a bit, however wanted to share this...

Was in a meeting yesterday and began discussing Y2K, on the side, with someone whos in the California National Guard, as a brigade commander. (Did I term that correctly?) At any rate, he said theyve already been notified that they are to report for duty from Dec. 29th to January 2nd (could go longer) but they have no idea where theyll be stationed. (He feels like Governor Gray Davis doesnt know either). He suspects one area will be places they consider strategic for protecting their toys like armories, etc.

He lamented the fact that their equipment is outdated, including communications, but, they help whenever called... then he proceeded to tell me of the things they did during bad CA floods.

He also said one way the different NG groups have been able to update their equipment, is to accept extended assignments with the regular dot mils to places like Bosnia, then their NG group gets to keep the equipment when a tour is completed. However, he said, most guys dont sign up for those tours, because they tended to be political assignments and thats what they left the regular military to avoid, plus most those guys end up divorced. (He then ranted for awhile on the idea of turning the dot mils into global peace-keepers rather than what they were originally designed for). He said he knows lots of career guys coming up on their 20 years and planning to retire, because theyre disgusted too.

I mentioned that I anticipated their group would be backed up, locally in Silicon Valley, by the Marine Urban Warriors, et. al., and he seemed resistant to the idea of a standing army on U.S. soil, citing that could only happen if a National Emergency was declared. *Grin*

I mentioned that I had been studying the Executive Orders, some of the dot mil contingency planning documents, FEMA plans, etc., and felt the structure was in place for doing just that.

His response was... Oh, I dont buy into the conspiracy theory stuff, and I doubt therell be Martial Law, except in cases of real emergencies. We chatted a bit on what I think may happen but its not something hes studied or looked into. (That surprised me somewhat).

Concerned about the general deterioration in regular military troop force, and in the National Guards, he feels they wont even remotely be able to be everywhere. He doesnt know what to expect for Y2K. (How many really do?) But, he has a big heart, and I hope hes representative of most California National Guard... even if a tad Y2K clueless.

*Sigh*

Also, as a file it in the interesting category he mentioned his group was deployed during the L.A. riots, and told to mobilize with their equipment, which they did, except for... bullets. There apparently needed to be a separate order to bring bullets by the Governor, for use with their available equipment, which wasnt issued. Curious, huh?

He also said he felt the Rodney King verdict was just an excuse for groups wanting to make trouble and fan the flames at that time, to cover looting desires. He said he saw an actual flyer that was being distributed telling people specific stores to attack, loot and empty.

Oh well. Interesting times n all.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 27, 1999

Answers

BYOB

Bring Your Own Bullets

-- Sam (Gunmkr52@aol.com), October 27, 1999.

If he's a commander and clueless 65 days from Y2K, then we are in trouble. I don't know about protecting the armories, the ones I have driven by are old buildings with insignificant vehicles parked in them (1 jeep, and maybe 2 trucks). Maybe NG aren't expecting any trouble and the Marines have their orders.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), October 27, 1999.

Diane,

It's great to read you again : )

Very interesting exchange. I think the Urban Warriors are going to be the "bad boys" if needed and the NG will be used more for perimeter use away from any action that they would feel uncomfortable about.

I remember the bullet fiasco with the NG during the riots. It was typical of management : )

However, there were various groups who acted out during the riots and each day was different. During the initial problems around Florance and Normandie there were various tense problems already in the neighborhood with the locals and the LAPD. Rodney King was an excuse, in some ways, for the release of frustration and anger. The verdict was a catalyst.

During that time there was a completely seperate group at LAPD Headquarters in downtown LA. They were already worked up and the Police presence was obviously high. Remember the turning over of the guard tower and the buring of it? The group went on a rampage through the streets downtown, turing over and buring cars, breaking windows, etc.

So there were seriously angry people who acted out against property but mostly they acted out against people. In particular, people of a certian ethnic backgrounds were targeted. Some of those militants also looted. But, they did have priorities and an agenda. It could have been much, much worse.

However, there was a whole other group who only looted. They comprised a rainbow of colors and perhaps could have cared less about the King verdict and much more about "free" stuff.

I remember a reporter asking a looter as they ran out of a shop, "why are you doing this?" The person, who was hispanic, said, "because today it's free!" There were a lot of hispanic people, many from Central and South America, who took part in the looting.

If things begin to unravel here because of disruptions caused by Y2k I think we will see another rainbow of looters. But, unlike those riots, class and social status and wealth may not seperate those who need "stuff". It was "free" then but it may be an absolute necessity in the future.

I can understand why Gray Davis has no idea where these troops will need to be deployed. Where do you set perimeters when the toys of the wealthy aren't as important as the assets of the nation? Unlike the King riots, Rodeo Drive wont be such a priority and Raytheon and Douglas and Hughs and JPL may be much more a priority.

This is a whole, different set of circumstances.

Mike

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-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), October 27, 1999.

Diane,

Funny you should mention the bullets. People I know in the NG, told me the same thing about the OKC bombing. They were there with their guns, but didn't have any bullets in them. When the tornados came thru here in May, same thing.... no bullets.

Just my .02 worth

-- (cannot-say@this.time), October 27, 1999.

I know a Dad who sent his NG son his very own small supply of bullets to keep with him.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), October 27, 1999.

Isn't the standard round .223? I would think they can head over to any gun shop and pick up a couple of boxes.

-- not saying (be safe@your.post), October 27, 1999.

Re: the bullets.

He did say that the NG armories don't have many bullets, and that those were kept in more "secure" places like the regular dot mil locations.

(The b-plot thickens).

Bummer.

The NG's may be at a distinct "disadvantage" as compared to the dot mils, et. al., during "disturbances."

*Big Sigh*

Diane

(bardou, I had the feeling from him that keeping the "toys" safe was important to the guys. A "guy" thing? Or perhaps that it's what they need and don't want to loose it).

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 27, 1999.

Re: the "Rodney King riots": I went to Southern Cal from 1978-82 and lived there in the neighborhood. I read weekly of LAPD killing people in very questionable circumstances, the kinds of things that are now coming to light in LA. One night, I witnessed a police shooting in front of the Burger King right across from school. As I was being driven to the police station for questioning, I began thinking about all the police shootings I had read about and wondered, being alternately complected, or melanin enhanced, if I were in any danger. I really feared that something might happen to me if I contradicted the police's story on the shooting.

When I saw the riots happening, safe in my house while attending graduate school in Greensboro, NC, my first thought was, "Huh, it's a wonder it took this long." This is in no way to excuse the rioters and looters and murderers, but just to say that relations between the community and the LAPD were so abysmal for so long (remember, the Watts riot happened because of a case of police brutality)that it was just a matter of time before something set people off. The same thing will happen if social order breaks down next year. Plenty of folk -- black,white, brown, yellow, gay, straight, etc. -- will be looking to settle scores. Best to keep yer head low, yer powder dry and yer lights OUT.

-- Kurt Ayau (Ayau@iwinet.com), October 27, 1999.

Diane...you're scaring me : )

Kurt, great perspective, thanks.

I got to talk to one man, a young black man, who was given a camera by a major network and asked to film what it's living in his neighborhood. I had seen the piece and called the guy. It wasn't too long after the riots. The piece and the perspective moved me so much. The conversation moved me even more. I wish I knew what happened to him and I still think about him every now and then.

It is a wonder it took so long. That's why I believe that the King verdict was merely a catalyst for what were deeply repressed feelings of anger within a community filled with frustration.

What really has always blown me away was the fact that for quite some time "gang killing" reports were a constant on local news. It deadened the emotional effects that such events should bring about when young people kill eachother senselessly. What is even worse is that now these events rarely even make the news. They are simply not newsworthy anymore. Of course, "crime is down"...at least in my neighborhood and others around me.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same" is very applicable right now. Things have come around for many people here but there are new problems within the LAPD. I'm not even sure if the case of officers planting evidence after shooting innocent civilians has made the national news.

Cycles. It's unfortunate that Y2k seems to be coming at a time when we may be recycling old problems.

Interesting times indeed.

Mike

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-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), October 27, 1999.

Diane,

Where do you place the National Guard?? In which of the Eight Corners?? Money...Marital Bliss? If you see a Guardsman, do you repell the negative chi with a mirror, or will a Wind Chime work as well??

Perhaps we should holiday in Paraguay (and stop deleting relevant posts) during the Roll.

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), October 27, 1999.

little OT but was talking to a member of VA's alcohol control board and he said that anyone in the state that is considered "law enforcement" has been placed on alert and must report to duty on Dec. 26 and come prepared to stay for a while.

-- tt (cuddluppy@yahoo.com), October 27, 1999.

a friend of mine who attends my church is also a Guardsman NG. he informed me he is being called up on the same date as the Bridgade Commander but couldn't tell me any more details....I wasn't sure if he was sworn to secrecy or just didn't know... I think he really doesn't know now. Especially after reading Diane's report of a conversation on this. I too am in the Bay Area of Calif. Just got some more ammo on sale at WalMart...*S*

-- johndoe (gotitlongago@gnorth.com), October 27, 1999.

Many guardsmen who would be armed won't unless they are issued the ammo.We are a nation of rule followers and in the army it's illegal according to the U.C.M.J. to have unissued ammo in your weapon.

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), October 28, 1999.