“Next,” the G-2 went on as a new slide came into view, “the Army has been used as an instrument to enforce Federal laws or mandates. President John Kennedy’s celebrated use of the 101st Airborne to enforce federally mandated desegregation in Mississippi is an example of this sort of mission. While the mission was clear, focused, and, from a moral standpoint, necessary, it put the officers and men of the One-Oh-One in direct confrontation with fellow Americans who were against that policy. Here we see the potential for open conflict.”

Clyde Emerson cleared his throat, indicating that he had a question. “What differentiates the duties of an MP during disaster relief and this type of law enforcement?”

The G2 looked at Colonel Emerson for a moment as if to determine if his question was a real one or if he was simply trying to trip him up by disrupting his prepared briefing. When Emerson continued to stare at Olson straight faced, the G2 decided that 1st Brigade commander was being quite serious. “Scale of the confrontation, organization of the opposition, and the underlying motives for the confrontation,” Olson answered. “Usually troops policing an area after a disaster are confronted with individuals or small groups intent on taking advantage of the disarray and over extension of the normal community police force. The opposition are little more than thieves, intent only on personal gain. In the case of Mississippi, however, the opposition was an entire populace, the white southerners, who were against the imposition of federally mandated law.”

Irked by this last comment, Colonel Gordon spoke out. “May I remind you, ladies and gentlemen, that not all white southerners supported the racist who stood that day in an effort to deny their fellow Americans an opportunity to an equal education. While I was just a child at the time, I can clearly recall my daddy standing up before the congregation of our church and calling for his fellow Christians to look into their hearts and seek the moral high ground.”

“And how,” Scott asked as he swiveled his chair to face Gordon, “did your daddy’s fellow parishioners respond?”

Colonel Gordon’s face grew red as he struggled to hold back his anger. Only when he was in control did he dare speak. “While I am sorry to say half of the congregation walked out that day, half stayed.” Turning, he looked at into the eyes of the G2. “All I ask is that you temper your comments, sir, to reflect the reality of the times, not the mythology of today’s politically correct view of history.”