Governor Jay Nixon has called in the National Guard to restore the peace in Ferguson. After what the police are calling "coordinated attacks" on civilians and police on Sunday night, Nixon issued an executive order:
“Tonight, a day of hope, prayers, and peaceful protests was marred by the violent criminal acts of an organized and growing number of individuals, many from outside the community and state, whose actions are putting the residents and businesses of Ferguson at risk. I join the people of Ferguson, and all Missourians, in strongly condemning this criminal activity that included firing upon law enforcement officers, shooting a civilian, throwing Molotov cocktails, looting, and a coordinated attempt to block roads and overrun the Unified Command Center. These violent acts are a disservice to the family of Michael Brown and his memory, and to the people of this community who yearn for justice to be served, and to feel safe in their own homes. Given these deliberate, coordinated and intensifying violent attacks on lives and property in Ferguson, I am directing the highly capable men and women of the Missouri National Guard to assist Colonel Ron Replogle and the Unified Command in restoring peace and order to this community.”
Here are my questions: Who exactly benefits from a 'coordinated attack' on police? Who was overrunning the command center? The live streams I was watching at the time showed nothing of the sort.
Calling the National Guard in might be the right move to make. Or not. Time will tell. But there is one thing they could do right now that would calm this community down. Here it is in one tweet:
Let's hope they've taken care of this little problem from 2012:
A Missouri National Guard member corresponded with racist skinhead groups for years before becoming a fully "patched" member of a group and providing combat training, a recently released court document claims.
Statements in an agreement between Spc. Ryan Riley and federal prosecutors show the views that drove him to risk his career by joining the hate group American Front and also the efforts that such groups make to recruit current or former soldiers.
Riley, 28, is the second guardsman to make news recently for allegations of racist allegiances.
