"Congress has encouraged the U.S. military to supply intelligence, equipment and training to civilian police departments, spawning a culture of paramilitarism in American law enforcement. . . . The Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning Washington think tank favored by Republican congressional leaders [warns that] 'The problem is that the mindset of the soldier is simply not appropriate for the civilian police officer. Police officers confront not an "enemy," but individuals who are protected by the Bill of Rights. Confusing the police function with the military function can lead to dangerous and unintended consequences--such as unnecessary shootings and killings . . .'"

from The Cincinnati Post, 9/10/99