[War] US: The Riot Act

[John Penta]

"The Riot Act"
1 February 2014
President John Williams
USA
====================
<Washington>

   Sometimes, John Williams did not understand people.

   He knew his plan for dealing with welfare would get protests. Protests
were really good things. Protests were fine. He wasn't hesitant to invite
the leaders of the protest in Washington in to talk - they'd not come to an
agreement, but they'd agreed to disagree, and hopefully it was recognized he
had good intentions.

   Violence, however, was not acceptable. Chicago's spate of violence seemed
well under the control of local cops and Illinois state police, so there was
no need to get federal assets involved - the US Attorney was, however,
instructed to prosecute offenders both in civil and criminal cases for the
trashing of the Social Security office.

   Detroit, though? Detroit was another matter.

   Detroit was a riot. 3 cops were dead, and it seemed likely that the
situation was not going to get better soon. The Michigan National Guard was
deployed, but had had no luck taking control.

   Meanwhile, Governor John Cherry had so far refused, publicly, to ask for
Federal assistance.

   Thus, Williams was in the Situation Room, joined by SECDEF Abbot,
Attorney-General Harris, and (via VTC) the Commander of US Northern Command,
General Curtis.

   MG Cutler, Michigan's Adjutant General, was due to report 15 minutes
prior.

   "Cutler here."

   "We hear you, General. What's the status?" Williams asked.

   "Even more fucked than before, sir, pardon my language."

   "Oh?"

   "The gangs have control of the violence. They've moved up from small arms
to heavy weapons - one of them had a LAW, and attacked a DPD patrol. No
casaulties, thank God, and they were neutralized by Guard QRF, but. It's not
likely to get better."

   "Governor Cherry, do you need federal support?" It wasn't exactly a fair
question. Cherry was in an election year, and couldn't be seen losing face
to the Feds.

   "No, Mr. President. We can handle it," Cherry responded.

  All the Feds looked at each other.

   "General, do you concur with Governor Cherry's assessment?" Willaims
asked. Again, it was hardly fair - Cutler was stuck with two masters, the
President (who expected an honest answer, his tone of voice made clear) and
the Governor (who expected the "right" answer).

   "No, sir, I do not. My professional evaluation is that we cannot handle
the situation."

   Abbot quietly put away the relief order he'd pulled out. The honest
answer had been obvious.

  "I understand. Governor, do you need assistance?" Williams hardly needed
to ask - he didn't *have* to; he could, Constitutionally, deploy federal
troops regardless. But it was marginally more respectful to get the
Governor's assent.

   "...Yes, I do, Mr. President," replied the Governor, his tone of voice
that of a man who could see his political future dying before his eyes if he
said otherwise.

   "I understand. Gentlemen, I am going to write this speech personally. We
go on TV live in 45 minutes," Williams said.
---
<The Oval Office>

  The cameras had been set up in a hurry. To the President's right, on
camera, in front of the Presidential flag there, was something the
Smithsonian had only recently discovered in its collections, and had
delivered to the White House a few weeks before: The sword carried by George
Washington during his command of the forces suppressing the Whiskey
Rebellion.

  The President looked over the speech, which had been hastily written by
him and the speechwriting staff, one last time. Then, he nodded to the pool
producer, from NBC today.

  "My fellow Americans," he began. No "Good Morning" today; instead, an air
of grave solemnity hung over the White House.

   "Over the past 24 hours, we have all seen the violence in Chicago and
Detroit. The disturbances in Chicago were resolved quickly by the Chicago
Police Department; those involved in violence and destruction of property in
those events will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney for that
district, and he has indicated to me that the full measure of the law will
be brought to bear upon those charged, should convictions be achieved.

   "Events in Detroit, however, have not been so limited. I do not need to
explain the full nature of the events; you see the same images, hear the
same reports through the media, as I do. I have been briefed by the Adjutant
General of the State of Michigan as to the full details of the situation in
that city, which I shall elaborate upon shortly. Already, 5 officers of the
Detroit Police Department have been killed in gunfights with gang members.
To the families, friends, and comrades of the fallen officers, I extend my
condolences and the condolences of the people of the United States.

   "In addition, 45 minutes ago, I was informed by the Adjutant General of
the attack upon a joint Detroit Police and Michigan Army National Guard
patrol of a criminal force armed with heavy weapons - specifically,
anti-armor weapons. No personnel were injured, and the attacking force was
neutralized by Quick Reaction Forces of the Michigan Army National Guard.
However, such an incident underlines the level of violence present in the
City of Detroit at this time.

   "As a result of these events, Governor Cherry has requested federal
assistance. Based upon such a request, the following proclamation is
issued:"

   Then, with a solemn tone of voice that might, in an earlier age, have
been used to convey news of an excommunication, the President began to read.

   "By the President of the United States of America, A Proclamation

   "WHEREAS, I have been informed by the Governor of Michigan that
conditions of domestic violence and disorder exist in and about the City of
Detroit, the County of Wayne, and other districts of Michigan, endangering
life and property and obstructing execution of the laws, and that the
available law enforcement resources, including the National Guard, are
unable to suppress such acts of violence and to restore law and order;

   "WHEREAS, such domestic violence and disorder are also obstructing the
execution of the laws of the United States, in the affected area and

   "WHEREAS, the Governor of Michigan has requested Federal assistance in
suppressing the violence and restoring law and order in the affected area.

   "NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Williams, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the
laws of the United States, including Chapter 15 of Title 10 of the United
States Code, do command all persons engaged in such acts of violence and
disorder to cease and desist therefrom and to disperse and retire peaceably
forthwith.

  "IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this Fourth Day of
February, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Fourteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-eighth."

  With a pen taken up from his desk, he signed the proclamation.

  "With this proclamation, let me make certain things clear," Williams
resumed.

  "Firstly: The opposition which has been expressed to recent changes in
federal policy is entirely legitimate and protected, rightly, under the
First Amendment to the Constitution and the laws of this nation. However,
that protection applies only to *peaceful* protest. The use of violence to
effect change in policy or government action must not be, and will not be,
tolerated, ever.

   "Second: Those who think violence will elicit a change in policy are
completely, utterly mistaken. There will be no change. The measures I have
proposed for the amendment of the regulations covering the payment of
government assistance may seem harsh; they are not easy, I will grant that.
But they are not, at all, a desire for a 'plantation society', as has been
accused of me. Personally, I find such accusations to be deeply, incredibly
hurtful and untrue, essentially declaring me to be a racist, a bigot. Those
who have known me know that I have never once consciously measured anyone by
the color of their skin, the accent of their voice, their background, their
gender, or their religion. If you don't believe me, ask the soldiers I led
as an Army officer. Ask my employees from the business I founded. Ask my
staff, in Congress and in the White House. Such may be what others look for;
it has never once been what I look for, it has never once been how I decide
about people, and so far as I can help it, it will *never* be a part of how
the United States Government does business under my leadership.

   "Nonetheless, while such comments have hurt deeply, I recognize the
sentiments behind them. I realize, and regret, that my plans and the
intentions behind my plans have been explained poorly, in some cases by
myself. So I would like to take some time to lay out my intentions, why I
proposed the measures I did. My plan is this: The previous way of giving
benefits, of ascertaining eligibility, awarding a benefit, and then hoping
someone will graduate to a point where they don't need it, is optimistic.
For not a small number of people, it has proven correct. Giving them the
resources, cutting a check, and leaving the rest up to them *has*
worked...In some cases. But, for a variety of reasons, there is a certain
proportion of recipients, of every race and every background, of the inner
city or the rural areas, in all parts of this nation, who have been
recipients of benefits for extreme periods of time - in some cases,
generations. That creates an enormous wall, creates a psychological
dependence on government support that can be enormously hard to overcome,
despite a person's best efforts. Even for those new to recieving government
benefits, in many instances it is *not* because of any fault of their own
that this occurs; mental illness, substance abuse, alcoholism, disability
are more common reasons for poverty, for joblessness, than many would like
to admit. And the stigma upon such conditions is not a small obstacle to the
progress of those receiving benefits. Recovery from mental illness, from
substance abuse, from alcoholism are all incredibly difficult, painful,
long-term processes - worth much, as the great number of those who have
reached sobriety from alcoholism and substance abuse, as the great number of
those who successfully undergo treatment for mental illness, can testify;
but, seeing that 'light at the end of the tunnel' can be difficult, most
especially, and most painfully, while one is still fighting the battle.

   "Thus, my plan. Where those who are receiving benefits are motivated to
improve their situation, are functioning, and are able to set realistic
plans to achieve independence from government support, my intention is that
the programs and services will be there to help them do just that. Where
that motivation is lacking, or has been lost, we do as friends do,
occasionally: Gruffly tell you that you *will* help yourself; Not that we
know what's better for you, but that when you sit down and tell us what you
plan to do to improve yourself, as part of applying for benefits, you do in
fact make a promise to us. We expect you to keep that promise, as any person
would hope another would; we'll do what we can to help you keep it, but the
main effort driving things must be yours, the recipient's, effort.

   "The United States Government cannot be the crutch that people rely on
when they can walk on their own two feet - we are committed to supporting
you, we *will* support you, when you cannot, but when you can work to
improve yourself, it would be foolish for the Government to give you a
reason not to.

   "I hope that, even if my explanation here does not create approval where
there was opposition, it creates understanding where once there was only
anger.

   "Thirdly, I would like to speak to the many who are forgotten at this
time: Namely, those citizens of Detroit and the surrounding region, most
particularly in those areas currently in disorder, who are generally not
spoken of, because they *have* obeyed the laws, because they *have* kept the
peace; Many of you are, as it were, living amidst the events to which the
attention of the nation, and indeed the world, has been drawn.

   "Many, no doubt, may try to paint a neighborhood, a city, a county, a
state with a broad brush. May try to 'write you off', say that 'conditions
in Detroit haven't improved in 40 years, and they'll never change'. It's
easy, it's simple. It seems to 'solve' the problem, or at least to score
political points. It's also wrong. Many of you have been caught in the tides
of economic dislocation, of social and cultural and poltical change, in some
cases from long ago.

   "I will not say what these events will bring; I cannot say that things
will change for the better; These events draw attention to you, to your
community, that you can use *to create* positive change, but I cannot
guarantee that change will come. I cannot promise what the future will hold,
and I will not be so rash as to try. But I want you to know: Just because
you have *not* acted does not mean we fail to notice you, or your struggles.
We *do* see those struggles, and we *see* your strength in choosing what is
sometimes the harder path, of peaceful respect for the law, of trying to
make the best of the situation life has handed to you. For making that
choice, you have my thanks and my appreciation.

   "My fellow Americans...Good day."
----
Actions:
1. Accept Michigan's request for Federal Assistance.
2. Speak to the nation about the events in Detroit. It's okay if you don't
like the President's plan, it's okay to peacefully protest against it. Use
violence, however, and we will come down on you like a ton of bricks. Those
who *have* followed the law, though, shouldn't think they'll be forgotten:
We do notice. You're the better ones for making the choice to follow the
law. Thanks.
3. Per the Constitution and applicable laws, issue Presidential proclamation
commanding those involved in violence and disorder to cease and desist
therefrom, and to disperse and retire peaceably forthwith. (Factoid: Title
10, Chapter 15 US Code is basically the US version of what is known in
Britain and the Commonwealth as the Riot Act.)
4. JTF Detroit to be organized, composed of:
A. Michigan National Guard (called to Federal Service by Presidential
order);
B. 10th Mountain Division;
C. Such local and federal law enforcement agencies as may currently be
involved;
D. Such combat support and combat service support assets as may be necessary
to support the forces previously mentioned.
E. Rules of Engagement:

   1. Civilian Law Enforcement will have lead of all arrests, detentions,
etc. Military forces are there to support the civilians.
   2. The idea is to never have to fire a shot; however, the goal of the
mission is the restoration of Constitutional authority and public order. If
that requires a battalion on parade in battle rattle with fixed bayonets and
bagpipes and drums as a show of authority, okay (though try to avoid looking
totalitarian). If that requires walkabouts unarmed but for pistols, okay. If
that requires troops on street corners, then, regrettably, okay. Avoid using
force unless necessary; when you have to use force, use the minimum
necessary to resolve the situation and enable civilian LEOs to take
offenders into custody.
   3. Media should be given open access to the greatest extent possible
(within reason and OPSEC), and combat cameramen should accompany every
patrol. We have nothing to hide.
   4. When in doubt, listen to the locals. However, keep detailed records;
if the locals make the decision, they take the consequences.
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