Because you never know when Marietta’s going to turn into Fallujah.
More photos here.
New Toy for Cobb County, Georgia SWAT Team
Comments to "New Toy for Cobb County, Georgia SWAT Team":
anarch | October 11, 2008, 12:56pm | #
"Beware the leader who bangs the drum of war, in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch, and the blood boils with hate, and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need of seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar."~ Julius Caesar
Bingo | October 11, 2008, 1:09pm | #
At least this one doesn't have a .50 BMG mounted to it.Elemenope | October 11, 2008, 1:17pm | #
At least this one doesn't have a .50 BMG mounted to it.Which of course means that the only way it can control a crowd is by crushing it under its treads.
Elemenope | October 11, 2008, 1:17pm | #
I personally like how the "police" decal is angled downwards so that it is the last thing you ever see if you get squashed.Well, if Russia wants to invade Georgia again, you have to be prepared.
Naga Sadow | October 11, 2008, 1:23pm | #
*via the federal government*We're slashing prices! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!! Easy credit terms! Need a hardened silo for your new base? Need some VX to clear out an insect infestation? Need an armoured fighting vehicle to awe the masses? NO PROBLEM!!!
ed | October 11, 2008, 1:23pm | #
“You always hope that you don’t have to use it, but this is becoming a fact of life,” SWAT commander Lt. Joel Preston said. “You have to be prepared and make the situation safer.”How many lies can you count in that statement? I tallied at least three. It could be four if you assume that Lt. Joel Preston is a non-retarded human, but that would be the reporter's lie, so maybe it doesn't count.
Loupeznik | October 11, 2008, 1:27pm | #
I don't feel particularly threatened when they only have armor. I'm glad they left the .50 off. It's still a huge waste of taxpayer money.Fallujah is indeed unlikely. Tiananmen Square, on the other hand...
On the other hand, a 50 cal might be useful when dealing with mortgage delinquents.
thoreau | October 11, 2008, 1:37pm | #
Well, if Russia wants to invade Georgia again, you have to be prepared.Win.
brotherben | October 11, 2008, 1:39pm | #
OTOH, a .50 barrett could be handy against such a thing from 1500 yardsPain | October 11, 2008, 1:40pm | #
“You always hope that you don’t have to use it, but this is becoming a fact of life,” SWAT commander Lt. Joel Preston said. “You have to be prepared and make the situation safer.”Safer for who?
Like I really have to ask.
VM | October 11, 2008, 1:50pm | #
mein gott."the friedenspanzer... in case the 90 year old LOL has a deadbolt"
J sub D | October 11, 2008, 1:50pm | #
What? No 105mm cannon? What a bunch of pussies!So far this year, Cobb’s SWAT team has responded to about 50 calls.
At the American Legion poker game. the college kid selling ounces to his buddies, ...
I would love to see a breakdown on those 50 incidents that "required" a SWAT team in Cobb county.
ed | October 11, 2008, 1:55pm | #
I would love to see a breakdown on those 50 incidentsAsk and ye shall receive.
Incident #3: Guy at 7-Eleven has a flat tire. Proceed with caution.
Incident #17: Girl Scouts selling counterfeit Thin Mints. Swarm! Swarm!
Incident #21: Pet-walker does not scoop poop from potential pit bull. Load for bear!
CharlesWT | October 11, 2008, 2:24pm | #
And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch, and the blood boils with hate, and the mind has closed,..."Good thing he didn't have bagpipes.
Did anyone else here (including ChrisH before making the first post above) see that photo and think immediately of Michael Dukakis?
Colonel_Angus | October 11, 2008, 2:33pm | #
Those fifty calls are probably card games and drug raids based on plea bargain tips.Although, 50 sounds like a nice, big, round number to put in the newspaper.
Colonel_Angus | October 11, 2008, 2:35pm | #
Oh, and some moonshine businesses, but only because the state government isn't getting its cut.Cracker's Boy | October 11, 2008, 2:40pm | #
I live in Cobb County Georgia and saw this on the news when I got home from work yesterday. I had to sit down.I am wondering if a valid defense for being caught owning a backpack full of RPGs would be something along the lines of "well, as a member of that well regulated militia, since THEY have armor, WE need something that can effectively counter that armor".
The police do it all the time. "Since they have assault rifles, we need something that can counter them". Why can't I use that reasoning?
CB
Kolohe | October 11, 2008, 2:48pm | #
Not particularly useful against the Duke boys.Phillip J. Birmingham | October 11, 2008, 2:48pm | #
The sheriff's department out here (McHenry County, IL) has one as well -- they bring it out to the yearly "Touch a Truck" event. I want to ask them what the hell they need it for, but I figure that'll just get me arrested or something.Mr. Nice Guy | October 11, 2008, 2:50pm | #
Jack Russells beware!Mike Laursen | October 11, 2008, 2:50pm | #
Yeah, but do they have one of these?:http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/10/church_tank.html
I don't know what you all are so concerned about. If you haven't done something wrong, you don't have anything to worry about, right?
anarch | October 11, 2008, 3:03pm | #
I don't see why they need it. If they're not doing anything wrong, they have nothing to worry about.anarch | October 11, 2008, 3:03pm | #
Geez, Rein!J sub D | October 11, 2008, 3:05pm | #
I am wondering if a valid defense for being caught owning a backpack full of RPGs would be something along the lines of "well, as a member of that well regulated militia, since THEY have armor, WE need something that can effectively counter that armor".*shakes head in exasperation, mutters* Fuckin' civilians.
RPGs are not that effective against armored vehicles. What you want is a few M-220 Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missiles (TOWs).
Since this is a fairly low tech piece of hardware the cops in Cobb county are deploying, the TOW upgrades available would be a waste of your money and would invite further escalation of the citizen/cop arms race.
Bingo | October 11, 2008, 3:30pm | #
Wow, its almost like you guys really want the terrorists to be victorious. If its good enough for our troops in Iraq, its good enough for our boys in blue. Do you want Osama bin Laden to kill our police in their unarmored Crown Vics? We need to protect our noble officers. Maybe your child can live under sharia law, but that is unacceptable to me.Bingo | October 11, 2008, 3:34pm | #
Do you really want heavily armed drug dealers spiking your childs candy with LSD this halloween? They have AK47s and RPGs, the Taliban give them opium for Christ's sake!!! We need this to keep law and order, the American way!J sub D | October 11, 2008, 3:37pm | #
If its good enough for our troops in Iraq, its good enough for our boys in blue.Have I mentioned this one about our "boys in blue" previously?
Pending review by the Board of Police Commissioners, a Detroit Police sergeant has been suspended with pay since Monday. He is being held during investigation of a situation that, if found guilty would bear charges of first- degree criminal sexual conduct. The investigation stems from accusations of 2 couples that were allegedly forced to have sex in front of the sergeant while he watched and pleasured himself*.That's whacked off for those who are euphemistically challenged.
Naga Sadow | October 11, 2008, 3:47pm | #
J sub D,RPG's are perfect for light armoured vehicles. I believe the Strykers were given upgrades for just this reason.
brotherben | October 11, 2008, 3:54pm | #
fwiw, a deer hunter with a 7mm rem. mag. could hit the pie plate sized area between the mic and the goggles from 500 yards every single time. No rpg's necessary.J sub D | October 11, 2008, 3:56pm | #
Naga SadowThey are poorly suited for the task. You will likely require multiple RPG hits to take one out. As I posted,
RPGs are not that effective against armored vehicles. [emphasis added]Didn't you see Die Hard?
Elemenope | October 11, 2008, 4:01pm | #
Didn't you see Die Hard?"Ah. Looky here, fellas. The LAPD have got themselves an RV."
the innominate one | October 11, 2008, 4:25pm | #
Bingo:try doing an internet search for "Posse Comitatus Act"
db | October 11, 2008, 4:33pm | #
anarch,That "quote" you have from Caesar is bogus:
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/caesar.asp
Doesn't make it interesting or appropriate; but there's no record of it being said or written by _anyone_ prior to December, 2001.
Incident #47: Unauthorized weenie roast at Parker and Dixie. Fix bayonets!
alan | October 11, 2008, 4:49pm | #
Why don't we just invest in the research to find a way to skip the middle man and train actual pigs to do law enforcement. Anyone looking at the picture believes that cop sitting in the tank belongs to the same species that you do? It's a bit of a stretch.kablammo | October 11, 2008, 5:01pm | #
Awww hell - does this mean I should skip the new BMW and get a Russian T-72 instead?http://www.tanksforsale.co.uk/T72_tanks_for_sale_page.htm
anarch | October 11, 2008, 5:19pm | #
Thank you, db.I recall now that it was grunted by a neolithic prince whose name escapes me at the moment.
As Mark Twain said, * Sigh *
I see this and wonder how the military is planning to get rid of its surplus nukes....
jackson | October 11, 2008, 5:49pm | #
I used to agree with a reason poster who some time ago wrote that we here in the USA were in a grey area--too early to start killing corrupt govt officials, but too late to work within the system for any kinid of real change.It just keeps seeming less and less grey.
Because you never know when you will need to ram a drug-dealing murderous psycopath's brain, deprived of Nuke, installed into a large and heavily armed cybernetic body, into a concrete wall.
brotherben | October 11, 2008, 6:02pm | #
this is nsfw but it did make me think Bulgaria would be an alternative when america goea completely off the tracks.wickscherrycoke | October 11, 2008, 6:03pm | #
I like this quote:"If officers are tracking a suspect, they can do so from within the vehicle."
Tracking a suspect??
Nothing says "inconspicuous" like being tailed by an armormed vehicle
Boston | October 11, 2008, 7:19pm | #
Big Boss Man you asshole!Holy crap, it's Johnny 5's roidhound older brother! Check out the face, they're definitely related :)
I say we take up a collection for the first person who tags that vehicle.
tank tagger | October 11, 2008, 8:04pm | #
Howzis?prolefeed | October 11, 2008, 8:51pm | #
The police do it all the time. "Since they have assault rifles, we need something that can counter them". Why can't I use that reasoning?Because they're the one with the fucking armor, and are willing to use it if anyone steps out of line and goes all anarcho-capitalist on their sorry asses?
Unless a whole buttload of us go A-C on their sorry asses all at once, kick off the revolution when they finally go a bridge too far on us?
prolefeed | October 11, 2008, 9:08pm | #
RPGs are not that effective against armored vehicles. What you want is a few M-220 Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missiles (TOWs).Course, if they're riding with the hatch open like in the picture, all you really need is a pistol, a couple hand grenades, and cojones the size of grapefruits to take that insane risk.
Perhaps the pink didn't convey the proper sense of menace to the would-be taggers.
Or else... | October 11, 2008, 9:40pm | #
...it conveyed an improper sense of menace.clown | October 11, 2008, 10:33pm | #
"Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, the APC will be on display at Marietta’s town square."Someone needs to get an Asian mannequin, dress him conservatively, give him a grocery bag, and stand him up facing the front of the tank while it is on display.
Then again the point would probably be lost.
CSI | October 11, 2008, 11:07pm | #
Perhaps all budding revolutionaries could hire former Iraqi insurgents as advisors? They must be amongst the world's experts at blowing up armored vehicles on the cheap.Can that thing get through the drive-through as Dunkin?
Well it may only be a light armored vehicle, but I bet it would still demolish half of the local Dunkins if these Keystone Kops tried it :)
light armored vehicle, no sugar | October 11, 2008, 11:10pm | #
Don't stir!BakedPenguin | October 12, 2008, 12:01am | #
Someone needs to get an Asian mannequin, dress him conservatively, give him a grocery bag, and stand him up facing the front of the tank while it is on display.QFMFT.
Heinrick | October 12, 2008, 1:19am | #
I will feel so much safer when the cops here get one. We have people that use drugs.thoreau | October 12, 2008, 1:43am | #
Can that thing get through the drive-through as Dunkin?Made of the finest win.
Karvey Heitel | October 12, 2008, 4:04am | #
Americans should be calling for the overthrow of municipal governments that use fucking TANKS to bully suspects in misdemeanor cases. Non-violent protest my ass, we are now officially living in a police state - a cop in a tank sees ANY protest as violent.a name before submitting the form | October 12, 2008, 6:41am | #
Check out Transformers Decepticon Onslaught.He's cool.
ed | October 12, 2008, 8:44am | #
Someone needs to get an Asian mannequin, dress him conservatively, give him a grocery bag, and stand him up facing the front of the tank while it is on display.Like this you mean?
VM | October 12, 2008, 9:19am | #
rastajenk | October 12, 2008, 8:38am | #FRESH, WHOLESOME MILK
Thank God it's Friday!!!
juris imprudent | October 12, 2008, 1:04pm | #
J sub D sez The investigation stems from accusations of 2 couples that were allegedly forced to have sex in front of the sergeant while he watched and pleasured himself*.Obviously the man is bucking for promotion to The Bad Lieutenant.
Well, think about it. The constitution forbids the military an active roll in policing us. Our "leaders" want a military presence to keep us in line as they run us into eternal debt. So, make the police we have into a military organization. Problem solved.
the innominate one | October 12, 2008, 4:10pm | #
VM | October 12, 2008, 9:19am | #rastajenk | October 12, 2008, 8:38am | #
Thank God it's Friday!!!
FRESH, WHOLESOME MILK
I prefer fresh, wholesome MILF.
More than ever I'm glad I don't have children, because I wouldn't want to condemn them to live in the America they'd find upon reaching adulthood.
the innominate one | October 12, 2008, 4:53pm | #
I'm sure you'll feel differently when you're a MILF, Jennifer.Right, Mr. Moose?
joe | October 12, 2008, 8:01pm | #
I'm sure you'll feel differently when you're a MILF, Jennifer.They have exercises for that.
Tanks just the same | October 12, 2008, 8:27pm | #
The constitution forbids the military an active roll in policing us.Aresen | October 12, 2008, 10:26pm | #
Well, I'll be!!
Tanks just the same | October 12, 2008, 8:27pm | #
The constitution forbids the military an active roll in policing us.
Someone who actually believes the Constitution still means something.
How quaint.
Sean Healy | October 13, 2008, 11:21am | #
Just so we're clear: the only thing upsetting anyone here is that its says 'police' on this thing. If it said NRA we'd be cool with that, right?GG | October 13, 2008, 1:07pm | #
In related news:One in three recent Atlanta Police Academy graduates have criminal records
Lance | October 14, 2008, 2:11pm | #
I just passed one of these (similar) that was being police escorted near the E. Palo Alto side of the Dumbarton Bridge (Bay Area, CA).The police escort gave me major attitude in his stare as he saw me shake my head and read my lips saying "why?" as I turned in front of their red light.
~Lance