Citizen Soldiers in Louisiana

The latest jaw dropper from the far right wingnuts:

A Louisiana sheriff plans to arm volunteers with shotguns, riot shields, batons, and a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a "war wagon," as part of "Operation Exodus," a program to provide security in the event of a terrorist attack or civic unrest. "It's a calling," he says.

Now what do you suppose they mean by "civic unrest?" And before you answer click the link and have a look at this mighty force of shall we say, pale-faced senior citizen soldiers. As watertiger notes the way they see themselves is about as realistic as what they believe about the coming revolution that Glenn Beck keeps promising them.

But you know they're probably harmless enough if they don't actually launch "Operation Exodus" and confine themselves to punching practice mats that don't move too fast. What I find more vexing is this:

Deen said that the program will cost just $4,500, in part because weapons, such as a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on what the sheriff's office calls "the war wagon," have previously been bought.

I read that at first thinking that was the cost to the participants for the training, but on second read it sounds like the Sheriff is using taxpayer money to fund this training camp for aging wannabe combatants. If this is government sponsored project, I wonder who pays if one of these geriatric rapid response team members gets hurt while they play army games?

[More posts daily at The Detroit News]