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Forum Post: News Article: Tampa Police Roll Out A TANK To Deal With A Few Dozen Protesters

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 20, 2011, 5:22 p.m. EST by johnjb32 (6)
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26 Comments

26 Comments


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[-] 3 points by jay1975 (428) 12 years ago

That is a refurbished armored personnel carrier that the Army calls an M113. It is not amphibious, is not armed and was probably used as a justification for the cost of buying the thing. Often, the military and police forces buy some whiz bang equipment and/or vehicles that they don't need because some yayhoo thinks they look cool and to justify the purchase, they have to roll said equipment out at the first opportunity to prove the value of the expenditure. It wasn't so much an aggressive move, but more likely just a boneheaded move.

[-] 3 points by mserfas (652) from Ashland, PA 12 years ago

And all those people were saying that the tank poster was over the top exaggeration. (See http://occupywallst.org/action/november-17th/ ) Live and learn...

[-] -1 points by Thrasymaque (-2138) 12 years ago

Ah shucks! You miss the point entirely. Even if it was a tank (it's not, it's a rescue vehicle with chains) it doesn't make sense for a non-violent protest to print tanks on its posters. Do you think it would be OK to show police shooting protesters with rubber bullets in the next posters just because it happened? Occupy is supposed to embrace non-violent rhetoric and imagery; it's advertised as a non-violent protest.

[-] 2 points by mserfas (652) from Ashland, PA 12 years ago

Well, the implicit reference to "Tank Man" (the Tienanmen guy) suggests nonviolence. I'm not actually saying that's the best possible image, just that it doesn't look quite so much like an exaggeration any more...

[-] 0 points by Glaucon (296) 12 years ago

You really do misunderstand Occupy's propaganda strategy.

[-] 2 points by bre0001 (50) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

They might want to you it to rescue protesters after they pepper spray them and bash their heads in like they've been doing which isn't nice.

[-] 2 points by bakerjohnj (121) 12 years ago

Welcome to Tiananmen Bay...

[-] 2 points by oldamerican (7) from Puyallup, WA 12 years ago

Well, Joe, if so, they could have used an ambulance which was clearly labeled "rescue." Why do you think they used a tank, hmmm? Was there a hurricane a comin'?

[-] 2 points by RantCasey (782) from Saginaw, MI 12 years ago

What next are they gonna start rolling nukes down the street like in old cold war videos?? Lol. Isn't that kinda ruff on the roads.

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23769) 12 years ago

If I lived in Tampa I'd be angry as a taxpayer to be paying for that tank!

[-] 2 points by bigbangbilly (594) 12 years ago

Cover the view holes.

[-] 2 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

Tank you for bringing this to my attention!

[-] 1 points by TIOUAISE (2526) 12 years ago

NO TANKS!!!! :)

[-] 2 points by golum (46) 12 years ago

This is the future,

Note when the Bonus Boy's of 1932 marched on Wash-DC they were met with tanks and died.

The US government brought out soldiers to KILL WWI vets, thus there will be no hesitation to kill kids who have been demonized by PR agencys at the banks 24/7.

The parallel between OWS 2011 and Bonus-Boyz 1932 is exactly the same, and the result will be the same.

The scene of the tanks caused HOOVER to loose his presidency to FDR.

The tanks in 2012 will cause OBAMA to loose his presidency to a new sell-out.

[-] 1 points by WarmItUp (301) 12 years ago

Cool we should all get together and buy a "rescue" vehicle too if that is all it is than I am sure the Tampa police will appreciate us trying to help rescue them from having their heads so far up their ass they can't see they are instigating major violence just by bringing military equipment to a peaceful protest. Bu thanks again cops for providing us with more images to fuel our point. I am sure we gained a few thousand supporters just because of that image. so thanks Tampa for yet another chance to get OWS in the news we love the publicity you keep handing us

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[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 12 years ago

Local police forces shouldn't even have tanks.

Tanks courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security.

Total end run around the Posse Comitatus Act.

What kind of government uses the military against its own citizens?

DEFUND DHS!

[-] -1 points by Thrasymaque (-2138) 12 years ago

What tank? It's a rescue vehicle. It has no weapons. You call it a tank simply because it has chains instead of wheels?

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 12 years ago

Shut up, Tharsymaque. Why do you call handcuffs symbolizing the bonds of financial slavery "the police"?

Why do you insist that your crystal ball is accurate, more accurate than facts that we see with our own eyes?

Maybe "you should know about" what DHS is really doing in this country before you spout off.

http://jalopnik.com/5720776/why-do-americas-police-need-an-armored-tank

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/28/nation/la-na-911-homeland-money-20110828

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/11/19/111911-news-tampa-tank/

Tell me oh wise one, what did the police plan to do with this "rescue vehicel" at the protests? Did they expect a hurricane?

[-] -1 points by Glaucon (296) 12 years ago

The Egypt protests have turned violent. The military is violent, and the protesters are also violent. The protesters have been using homemade bombs and throwing cement blocks to defend themselves. Do you believe Occupy, a non-violent protest, should remain associated with this Egypt protest, or call them out for being violent?

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[-] 0 points by jay1975 (428) 12 years ago

One more point, they are called tracks, not chains.

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[-] -1 points by JoeTheFarmer (2654) 12 years ago

The "tank" is actually a rescue vehicle.

It does not have any weapons on it and the side is clearly labeled "Rescue 2."

Its full name is Amphibious Rescue Vehicle -- "Rescue 2" It is meant to be able to go completely under water after hurricane flooding.

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 12 years ago

Oh it's a "rescue vehicle" I get it. Was Tampa expecting any hurricanes this week? Is it just a coincidence that it was brought out at the protest?

Who was the police planning to "rescue" with this?

[-] 1 points by JoeTheFarmer (2654) 12 years ago

Don't get me wrong, I was wondering the same thing. Why did they bring that thing out. Were they expecting to rescue someone?

It is a rescue vehicle however. Look it up or just look at the picture. It says "Rescue 2" on every side of the vehicle.

[-] -2 points by Thrasymaque (-2138) 12 years ago

What tank? It's a rescue vehicle. It has no weapons. You call it a tank because it has chains instead of wheels? Isn't that a tad simplistic? Do you call smoke machines canons? Lol. Too funny.

[-] 1 points by powertothepeople (1264) 12 years ago

LOL too funny! You jumped right on the counter propaganda bandwagon begun by "JoeTheFarmer" up there.

[-] -1 points by Glaucon (296) 12 years ago

So, just because it has chains it's a tank comparable to real tanks with canons which can blow up buildings? Strange logic indeed.