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DRESSED IN BULLETPROOF fatigues and carrying large automatic assault rifles, these men stand among protesters in Ferguson a year on from the shooting dead of Michael Brown.
But these men aren’t local police, state police or even the military.
They’re members of an armed grouping of ex- police, military and emergency services called the Oath Keepers. They pledge to “defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Last night, at least three of the militia members turned up in Ferguson to add an extra element of unease to an already tense situation on the ground.
In one sense it’s not a surprise. Members of the group turned up in Ferguson last year, again openly carrying high-powered weapons. They claimed they were there to protect property. None were arrested.
But with one person already shot on Sunday night during protests, many are asking whether more guns are what’s needed in Ferguson.
Furthermore, others are asking whether a group of black men or women would be allowed to safely walk around with impunity, openly carrying heavy weaponry.
Defenders of the group argue that the men are simply exercising their rights. Missouri laws allow individuals with concealed weapons permits to “briefly and openly display the firearm”. Unless its done in “an angry or aggressive manner”.
It is worth noting, however, that a state of emergency was declared in Ferguson yesterday and it is unclear whether the gun laws are affected by this.
One of the armed men was asked by protesters why they are allowed to carry guns.
“Open carry is open carry,” he replied, according to local NBC News station, KSDK.
“I’m not an attorney, I’m happy we’re able to defend ourselves. It’s been our right for a long time and it’s finally acknowledged that that’s what the people want. “
For their part, local police have said that the presence of the armed men isn’t exactly welcome. St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said their presence was “both unnecessary inflammatory”.
The same Oath Keepers member who spoke to NBC News is also filmed by the website of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. He answered why their members have never been shot at despite carrying weapons in situations like Ferguson.
“We’ve managed to dodge a lot of bullets,” he responded. “But accidents always happen and so far we’ve managed to remain fairly accident free as regards any kind of a misunderstanding or mix-up. But we’re all about the constitution.”
He went on to say that they are there to keep news reporters safe:
Previously, reporters have been set upon, they’ve been hurt, they’ve been knocked to the ground, they’ve had stuff stolen. We’re just here to make sure they’re being left alone.
But who are the Oath Keepers?
The group were founded by a former Army paratrooper and claim to be a “non-partisan association” whose oath is directly to the constitution.
Their motto is “Not on our watch!”
Above is two different military oaths that are published on the Oath Keepers website. The group claim that a veteran’s oath does not expire when they retire.
The second does not explicitly mention the President of the United States and the group points out that an Oath Keepers’ oath is firstly to the US constitution. They claim that, as a result, servicemen and their members should not comply with an order that is unconstitutional.
Classifying the Oath Keepers across the traditional left/right political spectrum is difficult with their views associated with constitutional protections that both sides of the political divide hold dear.
The are implacably opposed to big government, a traditional viewpoint of the the American right.
But they are also opposed to government monitoring. They have attempted to associate themselves with the Guy Fawkes mask and the associated Anonymous movement.
They are perhaps best described as being highly suspicious, perhaps paranoid, of government interference in American life.
In that sense, they are similarly aligned to the commonly held militia viewpoint that their right to bear arms is there to protect themselves against government tyranny.
But do their views align with mainstream politics at all?
Well, on the streets of Ferguson last night, one member says he’s a supporter of Donald Trump.
We are fed up, and you know what? Nothing’s gonna change until we stop electing politician lawyers to office. That’s the only thing. You elect Donald Trump, you put Donald Trump in office, he’ll change it all, he’ll get rid of these clowns, he’ll get rid of these people that are violating our rights and we’ll have someone who actually cares about Americans again.
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There is something truly unnerving about these gatherings of elites.
Noonan needs to be put out to grass, old fart with no fresh ideas
@Gus Sheridan: The most dangerous in Ireland. Despises ordinary people and has to the power to make them pay for it.
Has anyone ever wondered why they showcase Davos and not the bilderberg meetings?
They’ll be patting themselves on the back for this remarkable advance of the capitalist class at the expense of the majority working class.
“Eight men hold as much wealth as half the planet combined”
http://www.thejournal.ie/wealth-oxfam-3188533-Jan2017/
Kenny looks like he was telling a story at the World Angling Championship.
I wouldn’t be surprised.
@Ó Connmhaigh: Telling what he got while dressed as a dame.
Just back after nearly a month off and they’re away to Davos to act like the big important players on the world stage they can only begin to wish they were…Davos can have and keep Kenny
@Thevigilantone: Why would they if the same Goldman Sach ones goes to both of them?
The arrogance of these lads and lassies. Rich people gathering to discuss the worlds problems and issues as if they were elected to power to make decisions on our behalf.
@Jay Finn: Thats just it. EU suits are NOT elected.
@Jay Finn: It be an orgy there tonight…
About time they moved to Dublin, the wild west of financial shaenanigans
Davos/WEF is a massively expensive waste of time. I’ve never seen or read any effective, successful initiative they’ve funded, pioneered or implemented. Irish govt has to pay ten of thousands to be a member.
@Smidgen Dublin:
You will never see or read any initiative of Davos/WEF unless you are a member. Its all under the counter stuff. The little people suffer the consequences.
It’s the elites world, we’re all just worker ants
@classic: When will the US join the EU then???
Sure why wouldn’t Kenny and Noonan be there, presiding over a near bankrupt country and still refusing to claim tax due from one of the richest corporations in the world. Just goes to show who’s side these boys are on.
The One Percenter’s will be giving Noonan an update of NAMA policy and what bits they want.
World business leaders running their latest money making ideas by the school teacher from mayo for his assessment. That or they are telling him what they want him to do.
@Declan Tooher: Exactly. Went to train as a school teacher and ends up leading a country. Wasn’t it a great B. ed course he did. Only in sad Ireland.
Shouldn’t these donkeys kenny and noonan be back in their own country working hard in planning the Irish strategy for the hard brexit.
Yes they should be back here sorting out our problems but they needed someone out there to poke fun at so these pair of clowns went
In fairness, they’d be of little use back here.
They already sold all the property they could to the vulture funds and they can’t do much more with the corporation tax to compete with Britain for business, options are limited there, so what else can they do?
Bit embarassing that Britain could take business off of a tax haven though.
Rob’s a neighbour of mine, very nice guy, extremely hard working. I wish him well at the Forum.
These people have two problems
1. We don’t have enough
2. We want more.
Never forget 1% own 50% of the global wealth. Most of them will be gathered in Davos. Talking about “‘Responsive and Responsible Leadership’” They mostly will be un-elected people discussing that. I see Noonan will be attending will he be standing at the airport to greet the great and the good?
gender balance and climate change – two non-issues if ever there were.
Some amount of bull $#it been spoken in a confined space. You be a fair man to endure 5 minutes of it. This is an ostintation of wealth.
Can you get me a large Courvoisier XO brandy served in a Waterford Crystal Glass on a Silver Tray.
So a place where the bigger the brown envelope you are willing to hand over then the further up the tree you can go to meet the one you want to bribe?
Like in a lap dancing club that is really a brothel???
How pathetic must your life be if your jealous and bitter that people are at a work conference… and how paranoid and unstable to think they’re controlling your lives or plotting world domination.
It’s the same as any other conference, wearing name tags, making small talk, listening to self congratulating or promoting speeches, pretending to remember people you met there last year.
@Drew TheChinaman :): The 1% didn’t get to be the 1% without a nod and a wink from their political servants.
@Drew TheChinaman :): Yes it is all funs and laughs?
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/373943-davos-elite-play-acting-refugees/
Cultural levelling and its sinister twin cultural ecletism at work again.World citizen? Its official they have finally lost the plot.Not surprising to see the underbelly of the Irish politico in attendance.
Kenny and Noonan a bunch of asses, they havent a clue, once there pockets are lined. Were going back to way we were into a bubble and that ass Kenny cant see it
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