Sorry if I dont seem "friendly" but there is a definate line between the real militia of the State of Michigan and private paramilitary groups.
Some facts need to be laid out here for those who do not understand the reality.
Barbara, the VDF IS the militia, doesn't matter if you pretend otherwise. The facts are very clear on this and so is state law. The VDF, ARNG and ANG are THE LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED, ORGANIZED militia. I am not comparing anything - I'm telling you that there is a real militia and private groups of private citizens who use the word "militia" in their names.
http://www.michiganmilitia.com/MACOMB/FRarchive/training202.htm
--Half these guys are covering their faces. why get your pic taken if you're worried about hiding identity? i think i recognize the large gentleman from bowling for columbine! Barbara, you yourself said the one on the main page you recognized despite his face being covered... so why do it? to look scary? replace the robe with cammo and the green Hamas flag with the stars and stripes and you have... ta da "the militia." what a great idea if you're trying to get the public to warm up. that's how you "militias" look to most people.
http://ccm223.tripod.com/ -- 11 out 14 "troops" masked here. these types of photos scream domestic-version of Hezbollah.
You don't have to tell me what VDF is and what it is not. My entire family has served in this state's defense forces since its inception (VDF shares its origins with the state police) since 1917. I am well aware of our missions. I never claimed to be law enforcement or in any county sheriff's office posse.
If you think otherwise, you are wrong and need to read more carefully. If civilians showed up at an area secured by state forces to offer help, they would be denied access as they are not a government trained force! if some "militia" person tried to enter against lawful orders to stay away, as I stated before, a law enforcement officer will place them under arrest. everyone claims to that they're doing what they do in part to help in an emergency.
say a disaster hits a minority-populated urban area. i know you guys are known as racists by many past media reports and thats what the majority of Americans think of. rural redneck hillbilly neo nazi racists. I know better and I know you've actuvely sought the participation of racially/sexually diverse people. but most people do not think that -- if your militia "deployed" to protect and help people in an urban area, what do you think would be the reaction of armed criminal gangs? what about the community at large? if some gangster punks engaged your group and fire fight ensued, do you think the entire community wouldn't be hostile to you (a mostly white quasi-military force)? your presence would be the cause of a civil disturbance, although you went there with the intentions of helping other citizens.
VDF can be given powers of arrest under state authority when activated for internal security. state's defense forces are not subject to posse comitatus. VDF will be issued arms if and when they are called to protect state property. most members shoot together at the local range in their off-duty time.
Barbara, remember KATRINA? When there were no police and NO National Guard for many days? In that event, VDF would deploy armed. just because we dont obsess with weapons (we all know them and use them anyway even if the state doesnt currently provide training) doesnt mean were not a defense force. militias are called to arms when they need to be. you pretend militias are just gun-focused social groups who play gi joe. the VDF is a state military organization.
VDF is primarly an EMS support organization, however they can and would be capable of physical defense of critical state infrastructure. Do not join VDF an expect to be driving tanks and shooting machine guns. Doesn't mean the weapons aren't there when they're needed.
I'm not "smacking down" anybody and I'm not on any type of high horse. I said they may be well intentioned, but they go about it in a legally questionable manner. they claim military ranks and act in a military manner as if they'll ever be utilized by anyone as an armed force.
I'm laying down the facts for some of you people who seem confused. the MI VDF, the NG and ARN are the organized militia. the 18-45 non-military males are the unorganized militia who may be drafted either by the federal armed forces or state military service.
you groups that use the name "militia" are speaking for a body of people MUCH larger than yourself. your personal actions should not reflect on the ENTIRE unorganized militia, yet it does because the title has been hijiked by paramilitary leaders who liked the term. that would be like me stating my opinion and claiming I am the public -- I would be wrong. I am a member of the public... a very small part of a huge body of people known collectively as "the public." I cannot speak for the entire pulic as I comprise such a small part of such.
Sorry if you guys are offended in any way, but there's the plain truth. private groups are not the militia. the (unorganized) militia is a vast and sprawling entity... paramilitary groups have no right to claim that role.
a friend from Tennessee, in the state guard, was confronted by a "captain" of some pretend militia in that state when both showed up at the same major building collapse. the "militia cpt." was angry that the real state guardsmen wouldn't salute him. i wouldn't salute any pretend militia either as their ranks are not real. i can declare myself the "general" of my household, doesn't matter if i buy a costume and demand people salute me, doesn't make me a general.
You may ask why I expend the energy studying the characteristics of a group in which I'm not a part of? Simply for the well being of our defense force. Don't get me wrong, I am not the same as every state volunteer. I'm sure a lot of varying degress of opinion regarding the militia. most I know are annoyed by them. militia people have gained entry to military bases in the past and only the state soldiers noticed and took action to see they were escorted immediately off state property.
Like I said before, you guys shoot someone or do something you didn't know you weren't supposed to do and people die as a result --both private paramilitary "militias" and the real VDF militia would be impacted. especially if its one of the splinter groups with an official sounding name. nearly every person that learns of the VDF inquires about a link/connection to the mi militia. one reason i dont like the self proclaimed militia is that they are not accountable to anyone but their own "officers." not the county sheriff, not the DMVA or AG or governor, or EMA, not the police chief, state police commander, fire chief, township supervisor, etc... no one LEGALLY elected by the people of Michigan. Who's liable if someone in your group shoots an innocent person by mistake?
You guys can be just as effective as a community service volunteer pool.... but drop the paramilitary act. you're not soldiers, don't need to look/act like one. why not gather at the gun range, teach newbies the joy of blasting osama targets, teach 'em useful skills about citizenship, the second amendment, fire aid, basic survival skills.
make yourself into a safe non-military in appearance group, maybe everyone wear the same tshirt, vest or hat... other than that, look like what you are - a civilian. give yourself a realistic name like "Municipal Resident's Service" or something a little less militaristic than 'defense', 'militia', 'corps', etc, etc, etc. this is your ticket if you want to be utilized on a large scale. if you want "official" service join the vdf, or local CERT or sheriff's reserves, etc. if not, start your own non-military community service group.
again, sorry if you're angered, but there's my friendly advice.
pcosmar, what do you mean you're disarmed by law? Do you mean you cannot legally own a weapon? Is this for a criminal felony offense? VDF screens everyone carefully through the state police, just so you know.
RAV