>>> Problem of course is they don't have the training for any of that -
>The problem is that they are not at war and they're equipped as if they are.

Correct. Reminds me of the story about Sheriff Joe Apario of Phoenix, AZ, who used a damn TANK to drive down public streets to bust a guy with chickens. Yes , you heard me right, they felt they needed a tank and dozens of swat team members, and a bomb robot... for some damn chickens. As I recall, they killed all the chickens too. So now you got dozens of armed swat guys and a tank rolling down your residential neighborhood - gee what could possibly go wrong?? And it's not just Phoenix doing this..many cities have got tanks and military grade weapons now. It's part of some government deal where the police can get this equipment to 'protect us from terrorists'. Sorry but I would not feel to 'protected' if I saw 30 armed dudes with automatic weapons in full body armor rolling down my street with a freakn tank!

>Part of it is the powerful influence the police unions have with Repubs.
>
>Note that both Scott Walker and fat Chris have exempted police unions from their attacks against unions.

Up until VERY recently it was political suicide for any politician to say anything that resembled NOT being 'tough on crime'. But now too many of our citizens have been harmed or locked away for decades for no real good reason - and it's so hugely widespread now that it's hard to not know someone that hasn't been affected by this one way or another. Since the late 80's/early 90's we've managed to incarcerate and entire generation of black men in this country. Now the social impact of that is coming to light. Even president Obama has been addressing this issue in recent days, Bill Clinton has said it was a mistake, Hillary and Bernie Sanders are talking about it in campaign speeches. That is a good sign because at least now MAYBE some changes will take place. The whole justice branch of the government is kinda jacked up. Hopefully times will change.