Army Helicopters at Port Angeles

Background:

Army apologizes for helicopters that ‘terrorized’ Port Angeles

Random thoughts:

Typical protocol for local training involves a working relationship with the press. The US Navy seems to understand this:

Anti-terrorism drill set at Indian Island next week

Navy plans oil spill drill in Port Townsend Bay on Thursday

Upcoming exercise helps keep security forces in shape

Comments following the PDN article above & several days of reporting that followed-

If the US was turned into one giant military base it looks like many would be OK with that.

Several posts indicating that the event was no big deal & that people should be thankful for the sound of freedom/missions meant to keep us safe.

Very little in the way of questioning anything related to military forces which have been elevated to a higher status in American culture since the big 911 failure.

The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.

Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.

We’re not in the habit of winning decades of undeclared wars overseas- why would we think they have any bearing on American rights and freedoms?

One or two comments scolding others and reminding them that their right to post comments is protected by the people wearing a uniform.

Americans wouldn’t have the freedom to post comments on newspaper websites if people had not given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom?

Hey school teachers- where did this idea come from? Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

If The Troops are fighting for your freedom to share ideas on the web why would you be scolded for doing so?

One or two comments indicating that the Army must do training.

The US has huge holdings of federal land set aside for military operations such as bombing ranges, missile ranges, combat training centers, The Yakima Training Center, MCAGCC, etc.

One or two comments saying – back in my home town- we’re proud to be near military operational zones, etc.

The training is meant to keep us safe?

I still haven’t been able to figure out how the War on Terror works.

Heroin traffickers are frequently successful at what they do. If terrorists were just as interested in entering the US- it appears that federal departments and agencies would have no way to stop them.

Think terrorists are smart enough to pose as heroin traffickers- then cross into the US free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, etc.

Don’t worry-

The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe-