Would the military follow orders to attack Americans?

[apropos]

Over time, a lot of folks have said that the military would not turn on American citizens if so ordered by the president. I have personally doubted this claim, due mainly to the growing civic illiteracy in both private and public sectors. Attached is an article about army officers criticizing Obama's rebuke of McChyrstal. But the last quote of this article caught my attention and I thought it worth sharing.

Officers said there was no question that McChrystal and other commanders would carry out whatever decisions Obama makes. "We will tell you what we think, but we are also soldiers, so if the president gives an order, we will execute it," the senior officer said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...topnews&sub=AR

After seeing that, do people feel that the military would not turn on American citizens if so ordered?

[Elwar]

Waco

Ruby Ridge

[A. Havnes]

I personally feel that the military would be divided. If ordered to attack American citizens, that would be like being ordered to kill their own families. I doubt many of them would do that. So, there would be probably be a struggle within the military.

[krazy kaju]

The majority of servicemen would not attack Americans.

Waco

Ruby Ridge

ATF

FBI

Not the military.

[Krugerrand]

The majority of servicemen would not attack Americans.



ATF

FBI

Not the military.

Don't forget the Fish and Wildlife Service.

see this thread if you haven't already:
Criminalizing everyone

[jkr]

KENT STATE

ftw!

[fisharmor]

The majority of servicemen would not attack Americans.



ATF

FBI

Not the military.

CSA.


It's that easy. The people they attack are guaranteed not to be "Americans".

[Elwar]

It's not as straight forward as one would think...like the military would one day just turn around and start attacking Americans...

It would be just like Waco, just like Ruby Ridge...the American people would be transformed into criminals and traitors...the enemy. It would be protecting the country from extremists. It would be fighting those who wish America harm. Starting small, rooting out a few bad apples...etc.

The soldiers believe that they are in Iraq, killing Iraqis believing that they are protecting the United States. It's an unspoken given that you don't question that premise to the soldier, otherwise you're spitting in his face. I was out in Iraq, I carried on the facade that we were out there protecting America. To do otherwise is to admit that you're part of something bad and evil, you're the aggressor...but if you say you're protecting America, it's noble...it's a service to your country, you're doing the honorable thing.

Whether they believe it themselves or not...when your commander gives you an order you don't have time to be thinking of the morality of what you're doing.

[TonySutton]

You will not see widespread use of the US military against Americans. Is there a possibility of an isolated incident, sure but anyone who thinks our military leaders will support a major action against US citizens, knows very little about our military.

[zach]

It would definitely be split, IMO. I doubt that all military personnel are mindless drones devoid of morality and reason.