The GOP convention (or, as your Curmudgeon calls it "The Great Defiling Of The Hockey Arena") is still 16 months away, but it is abundantly clear that security is a prime concern for the republicans. This week, we have news about a coalition of agencies forming to address "the job of coordinating the largest security operation Minnesota has ever seen".
The more I find out about the preparations for the security for this event, the more it feels like this is a microcosmic version of an invasion and occupation. We've already been entreated to the news of a huge open-air detention facility (let's call it Gitmo North). Now, we get news about the planning for the physical security and intelligence operations, which will ostensibly encompass "everything from 'a couple guys in a garage who are angry with the government, to the major terrorism cells ... anywhere in the world'".
Plans are also being made for the possibility of calling in the National Guard if need be. Considering the numbers of Minnesota National Guard deployed in the Smirking Puppet's 'surge', there may need to be a backup plan for that backup plan. In New Orleans, Blackwater's goon squads mercenaries private contractors filled in that role... will we be getting similar treatment, possibly?
Sounds to me like these folks are planning counter-insurgency tactics, too.
Of course, it may be all-too-obvious to point out that if this much planning had taken place when the republicans were misleading the nation into a war of invasion and occupation of Iraq, maybe, just maybe, things there would not have descended into a hellish civil war. And then, perhaps the republicans wouldn't be so incredibly paranoid about their damn convention.
All this security won't come cheap, though, and unlike Iraq, there's not enough oil to allow the convention to pay for itself. The convention, which was sold to the people of the twin cities as a huge economic boon, is also looking like it will prove to be an expense, too.
The good news, if indeed there is any, is that also unlike Iraq, we have the withdrawal date for this escapade: the convention will end 4.September.
XML Feeds