USDA is going to buy machine guns

[..]

What does a USDA employee need an automatic weapon for?

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=9fc3a01217d03b0354e1e18b69aa7bad&tab=core&_cview=0

[Oss]

chicken run  (ever seen the movie?)

never know when the cows just wont stay on the farm

scary $hit indeed 

why dont they just buy every damn citizen a machine gun so we can
be the militia like in 1775

[Spirited-6]

DAMN. I don`t like that for some reason. 

[FLAVALK]

In Florida, the DOA is responsible for issuing carry permits. Never quite understood why that is  ???

[Moonshot_1]

Zombie cows?

But seriously, this is just wrong.

[grandpaweaver]

saw the same thing the other day, here I think, about the post office.

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Well we have the Second Amendment.

It was our first homeland security office.

All Americans were called on to protect the homeland. Switzerland still operates that way.

All are required to pass a proficiency test with a rifle. They have to keep and maintain that weapon.

When the government distrust it's people like this one does, there is a Huge Problem.

Like they are constantly lying to us, and if you don't tow the line, you are investigated to the

3rd degree.

No surprise to me at all, they would want munitions for the coming battle of America.

Make no mistake it is coming. Are you prepared.

[Hoser]

Irate farmers?  My brother in law is not too happy with the USDA.     Hoser

[Jess from VA]

The list of Fed Depts/Agencies with swat teams with full automatics and all the bells and whistles continues to grow.  No one wants to be left out.  This way if you owe a bill or tax or are in violation of some regulation or policy, they can come and kick your door, arrest, confiscate, civil forfeiture, search, collect evidence, etc, instead of summoning you to a courthouse to answer for the same thing using one or two US Marshals.

And as each one is created, manned and trained, they begin looking for a reason to use them, both for necessary real world training, and to demonstrate that all the expense of such unit is actually warranted (to protect their increased annual budget).  Having a swat team (or any other part of your Agency) sitting round doing nothing but required training looks bad.  

It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  But this is hardly a reasonable and necessary use of tax dollars.

Bin Laden would continue to be very pleased with how HE has and continues to transform America after 911.  Once hung with the National Security tag, all kinds of things can be wrapped in the flag for public consumption.

Anyone else watch the PBS Frontline story on the very detailed background/history of the massive domestic surveillance program by NSA, how many in G at the highest levels sought to stop this program as patently illegal and unconstitutional, to their great detriment for the most part.  If you haven't, you should.  George W started it and Zero continued it and both lied to the nation about it .  

The legal/bureaucratic maneuvering to find and create a lawful basis for warrantless surveillance of the entire US population (and keep the program secret) is straight out of George Orwell and Franz Kafka.

In essence, it comes down to a balancing of Presidential war power/national security vrs the 4th and 1st Amendments.

http://www.popmatters.com/review/181812-frontline-united-states-of-secrets-part-1-history-of-the-nsas-survei/

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/may/12/frontline-united-states-secrets/

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/14/nyt-nsa-leaks.html

http://www.globalresearch.ca/illegal-nsa-surveillance-of-americans-secret-authorizations-granted-by-bush-and-obama/5382316

[..]

To resist attacks on bacon factories ???

[..]

I'd like to know why someone, anyone in this federal government isn't questioning the arming of these departments .

[Jess from VA]

I'd like to know why someone, anyone in this federal government isn't questioning the arming of these departments .

Ordinarily, such questions might be addressed by the DOJ and Attorney general.  Ordinarily....

And of course congress and the House have oversight and budget control.   Or do they?

If some banks are too big to fail, the G must be too big to question (and well past failure).

[0leman]

The USFS is part of USDA.  The have LEO's the enforce the laws on lands the USFS administrates.  In the West part of the country, mostly CA, there are a lot of drug folks growing pot in the forest.  They are armed with Auto-weapons.  If I was a LEO, I would want something better then a pistol going up against these folks.    Just a though.

[czuch]

Theyre not questioning because theyre all in it.
They think,  being in on the implementation serves as a protection. Couldnt be more wrong.
Beer hall putsch.
Stalinistic purges.
Romanoffs.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
Water, and a box a payday. Private sales.
He's not just gonna go in 2016. There are waaaaay to many skeletons in every closet.

Oleman, good point. Not enough for all the agencies to arm up though.

[Willow]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

[old2soon]

IF you don't get quietly on the bus you will go noisily into a body bag. Course you get on the bus yer gonna end up in a body bag anyway. Where was that little 'incident"-Nevada or Utah a couple weeks ago?? Do you REALLY believe the feds wanna be out gunned AGAIN?? They-the ruling class-and make no mistake here-we are under a ruling class-want to make sure the chinese don't have to many folks left to oppose them. OUR country-The U S of A has been sold out to the highest bidder.  The scary part of all this is-it may not be the rantings of an old man here-me-but what I've been reading and seeing leads me to believe this might have more than a grain of truth to it. I repeat-I truly fear for our once great Country. The "transparent" gubmint some one promised has yet to appear. I hoped to have some answers-all I have is questions. Please GOD-Bless America again.

[Skinhead]

I just finished a book written by the Fast and Furious whistle blower, "The Unarmed Truth" i believe the title was.  Good read, but scarry.  These Government agencies are out of control, and the oversight is minimal.  CYA, coverups, and lying is monumental.  While this may be hard to hear for the folks in Oklahoma, Tim McVey saw what the government was doing to the rights of the US citizens.  The ATF overstepped their authority at Ruby Ridge and Waco, they set up citizens.  I don't condone McVey's actions, and he is certainly a murderer of innocents, but he took action where he saw the government agencies trampling our rights.  Unfortunately not only did he unnecessarily kill innocent citizens, he also gave the government reason to justify their actions.  

I apologize if I have offended those who lost friends or family in McVey's cowardly attack, I in no way mean to justify his actions or minimize your suffering and loss, I merely wanted to point out what government overreach and deception can lead to.

[Serk]

And anyone is surprised by this why?

Obama Civilian Security

[BF]

MARINE CORPS COL SAYS DHS IS BUILDING A DOMESTIC ARMY! PATRIOTS HAVE AWOKE IN DEFIANCE OF TYRANNY!

[Jess from VA]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

OK Carl, dock me a weeks' pay and restrict me to post for a week (never had any stripes, so you can't have one)  .

Thanks.

[tank_post142]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

aren't the Marines just a small part of the Navy? I would think they fall under the name "Sailors"

[Master Blaster]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

Probably if he had of used the proper term, Jar Heads, it might of mattered.

[Hoser]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

aren't the Marines just a small part of the Navy? I would think they fall under the name "Sailors"

Not a small part, they take care of the rough stuff for us sailors, and we haul them anywhere they wanna go and take care of their wounded.  One of my nephews is a corpsman in Afghanistan right now. A really tough kid BTW.  Hoser

[Psychotic Bovine]

Zombie cows?

But seriously, this is just wrong.

Zombie cows?!?  I am very offended.
Cows... why'd it have to be cows?!?

[donaldcc]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

  nice and a bit of sarcasm.  being a former navy guy I fixed up a lot of marines (Sorry, Marines).

  don't ever recall one asking for an upper case M. 

[tank_post142]

I LOVE Jarheads! they pulled my ass out of the crap when we were in the sand. I've never met a finer bunch of human beings in my life.

[WilliamRS]

What does a USDA employee need an automatic weapon for?

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=9fc3a01217d03b0354e1e18b69aa7bad&tab=core&_cview=0

the us forest service law enforcement is under the department of agriculture.

[Marinakorp]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

aren't the Marines just a small part of the Navy? I would think they fall under the name "Sailors"

YEs

My
A$$
Rides
In
Navy
Equipment

[bigguy]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

aren't the Marines just a small part of the Navy? I would think they fall under the name "Sailors"

The publisher of our paper retired last week. I was at an event honoring him Wednesday with community  leaders, friends, employees, and ex-employees of the paper. Buddy (The retiring publisher) was in the Navy.  John (an ex-employee) was a Marine, and these two had always had a friendly interservice rivalry. During the event Buddy made the comment that the Marines was a department of the Navy. With out missing a beat John said, "Yeah! That'd be the Men's department!"

[Willow]

... It's nice that these outfits mostly employ former servicemen soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines who need the work/jobs.  ...

Jess, I noticed you failed to upper case the reference to the Marines.  This kind of disrespect cannot be tolerated.  

Incidentally, fine and accurate explanation.  We are headed down a not so good road.  

aren't the Marines just a small part of the Navy? I would think they fall under the name "Sailors"

Just as an aside since the original topic seems all but done at this time -

It's easy to see how the uneducated would become confused because of the wording of the Department title.  The Department of the Navy is made up of two or three uniformed services.  The reason for the "or three" is that the United States Coast Guard is included in the Naval Department temporarily at the President's option, during time of war especially.

The Chief of Naval Operations (highest ranking member of the Navy) and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (highest ranking member of the U.S. Marine Corps) each serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The history of the United States Marine Corps (as implied by their name) does indeed begin with their service aboard U.S. Navy ships providing an individual combat and discipline role on those ships.  Long, long ago the United States Department of Defense came to know that the men trained and suited for that role could be used most effectively in other roles as well.  A quick review of the combat accomplishments of the United States Marine Corps dating from the Halls of Montezuma through the first World War, the second World War, Korean conflict, Vietnam and on will convince the most devoted skeptic that the Unites States Marines have been very effectively used well away from any need within the U.S. Navy.

In today's world in which long distance travel is done primarily by air rather than by sea vessel, the old joke about Marines traveling on Navy equipment no longer applies universally and hasn't for many, many years.  They do indeed sometimes cruise aboard Naval vessels, but have within their own service the means and trained persons to travel anywhere in the world when needed.

Make no mistake that the United States Marine Corps to this day still does provide the discipline and combatant role aboard the Navy's ships.  The United States Marine Corps among their many assignments provides security for United States embassies around the world and at times escort and security for the President himself.  It's noteworthy that the State Department did not choose to use a combination of the U.S. military services for guarding the United States offices on foreign soil.

In truth, from a most practical sense the Corps in modern times may have outlived the original reason for it's formation.  It remains, though, because when the stuff hits the fan, of all the United States armed services the United States Marine Corps will kill more people more quickly and for the least amount of expense.   

There has never been a poster displayed with the quote "Tell that to the Sailors" emblazoned upon it.

Truthfully, our Air Force friend should have upper cased each of the identifications the the members of our armed services more out of respect than grammatical requirement.  In a sort of facetious manner I only referenced the specification to the one service for which I have the most concern.

The term Jarhead can be traced to either the appearance of the stiffness of the collar on the Marine Corps dress blues uniform or to the observation that the uniform hat of the Marines stuck on their heads even in the most arduous combat situations aboard ship.  I wear the term as proudly as I do the terms Devil Dog and Leatherneck.

I have a co-worker who from time to time uses the advice, "Stop talking.  You're only displaying your own ignorance."  I've stolen it from him and used it myself, sometimes on him.  Just to demonstrate how well my filter is now working, sometimes I avoid that imperative even when it most assuredly would apply.

 

 

[old2soon]

As an ex U S Navy Airedale I have interacted with members of the Marine Corps. They were responsible for the operation of 1 of the 4  5" 38s on the U S S Yorktown. The first time I stood behind the Marine gun tub and they were flying drones for target practice with proximity shells the Marine tubs first shot blew the drone out of the air. I KNEW right then and there if we were ever under air attack that I would attach myself to the Marine gun tub. I was able to go to their weight room and work out with them at their invitation. And yes-we ragged each other-U S N v U S M C unmercifully.  When we fired weapons off the fantail at sea some of the Marines shared their knowledge of weapon handling. Semper Fi. RIDE SAFE.

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Back to the Topic, why does the USDA need to be armed to the teeth?

Is it that dangerous out their in fields?

I have it, every time a conservative farmer sells a conservative cow it must be a conspiracy of

some kind.

Corn is pretty dangerous after it has fermented and been through a distillery.

Another question, when ethanol is produced for fueling motor vehicles, do they have to pay a

liquor tax as well?

[WilliamRS]

Back to the Topic, why does the USDA need to be armed to the teeth?

Is it that dangerous out their in fields?

I have it, every time a conservative farmer sells a conservative cow it must be a conspiracy of

some kind.

Corn is pretty dangerous after it has fermented and been through a distillery.

Another question, when ethanol is produced for fueling motor vehicles, do they have to pay a

liquor tax as well?

The u s forest service has a large law enforcement contingent.  the u s forest service is part of the dept of agriculture.  I would want to be armmed too, if my job was dealing with drug runners, marijanau growers and poachers

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Back to the Topic, why does the USDA need to be armed to the teeth?

Is it that dangerous out their in fields?

I have it, every time a conservative farmer sells a conservative cow it must be a conspiracy of

some kind.

Corn is pretty dangerous after it has fermented and been through a distillery.

Another question, when ethanol is produced for fueling motor vehicles, do they have to pay a

liquor tax as well?

The u s forest service has a large law enforcement contingent.  the u s forest service is part of the dept of agriculture.  I would want to be armmed too, if my job was dealing with drug runners, marijanau growers and poachers

Amen to that, the Mary Jane O whana is the biggest cash crop in California and America. They will shoot just about anyone that interferes with that. Go Big, if you go in at all. Is my attitude on force.

[T.P.]

They order the guns on Monday, and they order the body armor on Friday

Makes perfect sense.

Monday  
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/05/14/Dept-Of-Agriculture-Orders-Submachine-Guns-With-30-Round-Magazines

Friday

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/05/15/Dept-of-Agriculture-Orders-Ballistic-Body-Armor

[Jess from VA]

Dept-Of-Agriculture-Orders-Submachine-Guns-With-30-Round-Magazines

Typical press ignorance.  Full auto with 5-round magazines would be funny... and stupid.   

[Serk]

Dept-Of-Agriculture-Orders-Submachine-Guns-With-30-Round-Magazines

Typical press ignorance.  Full auto with 5-round magazines would be funny... and stupid.   

More sensationalism than ignorance. They were quoting from the actual government procurement request:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=9fc3a01217d03b0354e1e18b69aa7bad&tab=core&_cview=0

Now what is interesting is reading the actual document, they're not wanting full auto in the traditional sense, although full auto in the legal sense being more than a single shot with a single pull of the trigger: (Emphasis added)

submachine guns, .40 Cal. S&W, ambidextrous safety, semi-automatic or 2 shot burts trigger group, Tritium night sights for front and rear, rails for attachment of flashlight (front under fore grip) and scope (top rear), stock-collapsilbe or folding, magazine - 30 rd. capacity, sling, light weight, and oversized trigger guard for gloved operation. 

(Although I'm not quite sure what a "2 shot burts" is... You get 2 Burt Reynolds everytime you pull the trigger maybe?)

[Big Al of Tennessee]

30 round mag, too large.

20 round mag. better to roll around and gain position.

I guess they are gonna spray a lot of lead. 30 round cover mag.

[Jess from VA]

Well, a two or three shot burst is really a better general purpose weapon.... unless you're the first guy thru the door, or dealing with banzai attacks/zombie hordes.

Sensationalism... yes.

You do any pistol caliber ARs (you want to talk about)?  A light SBR 9mm (with suppressor) is very appealing (but I won't do special permit NFA stuff).

[Serk]

You do any pistol caliber ARs (you want to talk about)?  A light SBR 9mm (with suppressor) is very appealing (but I won't do special permit NFA stuff).

Me personally? Not yet... Been tempted but gun money is rather short right now, had to put the triplets into daycare, and that's a mortgage payment equivalent a month we've had to find somewhere... I've got a few stripped lowers laying around that might find themselves made into pistol caliber guns one of these days.

When money opens up again I'd like to get a trust setup and get a silencer for a .300 AAC I recently built, that should be a fun one. Love that it uses standard mags and bolt carrier groups...