A Democratic National Security Platform for 2008
ILLUSTRATED: Create a 21st Century Military, include police in the fight against terrorists, and forge a new foreign policy.
1- Create a new joint command in the military for civil affairs. This will become the center for excellence for the talents needed for the global counterinsurgency (aka "war on terror"). Here are soldiers with linguistic skills, cultural anthropological skills, and nation building skills. In street talk "a new unit specializing in working with other countries".
2- Revamp professional military education for the 21st century. Officers need training in media narratives (terrorism is largely about PR), officers need cultural training, and all troops need language skills. In street talk "train our soldiers about the language and cultures of the enemy. Also train our soldiers in media skills."
3- There needs to be a large federal initiative to fund state and local law enforcement training in intelligence gathering. The FBI, working with our governors, needs to set a process for the 650,000 police officers in America to pass up information that they see. This is good for intelligence gathering and civil liberties since it controls the intelligence gathering. Also, federal money needs to be spent on training local police and getting them security clearances. In street talk "train local police to help gather intelligence".
4- Create a new court, probably on a military base inside the country, specifically for terrorists ("civilian combatants"). Amend the Detainees Act with habeas corpus, and create an efficient set of rules of evidence and rules of procedure. In street talk "a court to protect us, and our Constitution." If conservatives attack habeas corpus as "allowing terrorists to file frivilous lawsuits", say "if you're arrested you want the right to say hey, I'm not a terrorist, you got the wrong person."
5- Abroad, set a new diplomatic strategy. Announce a set of practical goals for security, trade, environment, and health. In street talk "America is strongest working with the world."
1- Create a new joint command in the military for civil affairs. This will become the center for excellence for the talents needed for the global counterinsurgency (aka "war on terror"). Here are soldiers with linguistic skills, cultural anthropological skills, and nation building skills. In street talk "a new unit specializing in working with other countries".
2- Revamp professional military education for the 21st century. Officers need training in media narratives (terrorism is largely about PR), officers need cultural training, and all troops need language skills. In street talk "train our soldiers about the language and cultures of the enemy. Also train our soldiers in media skills."
3- There needs to be a large federal initiative to fund state and local law enforcement training in intelligence gathering. The FBI, working with our governors, needs to set a process for the 650,000 police officers in America to pass up information that they see. This is good for intelligence gathering and civil liberties since it controls the intelligence gathering. Also, federal money needs to be spent on training local police and getting them security clearances. In street talk "train local police to help gather intelligence".
4- Create a new court, probably on a military base inside the country, specifically for terrorists ("civilian combatants"). Amend the Detainees Act with habeas corpus, and create an efficient set of rules of evidence and rules of procedure. In street talk "a court to protect us, and our Constitution." If conservatives attack habeas corpus as "allowing terrorists to file frivilous lawsuits", say "if you're arrested you want the right to say hey, I'm not a terrorist, you got the wrong person."
5- Abroad, set a new diplomatic strategy. Announce a set of practical goals for security, trade, environment, and health. In street talk "America is strongest working with the world."
posted by Teka Thomas at 10:38 PM
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