Overuse of SWAT Teams, a Danger?

I wrote this letter to the initial speaker of the Mid-Atlantic Emergency, Preparedness, and Survival Expo which we attended on Saturday, August 17th.  He gave a great talk, but did not mention the danger of having the militarized arm of the state being use against ordinary citizens.  I questioned him later, and he amazingly stated that he was, "unaware of the problem".

                                                                                August 18, 2013
Jay: 

Thank you for your talk on Saturday at the Washington County Preparedness Expo.  I approached you later that morning, and asked about why you did not mention the possible danger in the overuse of SWAT teams?  You seemed to be totally unaware of this overuse of force, and blatant disregard for our constitutional liberties based on suspicion or regulatory offenses.  I provide a few references just to possibly tweak your curiosity for possible future mention in your talk.

Your talk was given in Washington County, where the militarized police set siege on Sharpsburg, which resulted in a formal complaint by the Sheriff, and a bill introduced in Annapolis.   http://articles.herald-mail.com/2013-03-20/news/37882395_1_law-enforcement-swat-teams-bill

Just recently, in another state, the use of a SWAT team was deemed necessary to raid an "organic farmer".  http://politix.topix.com/homepage/7526-swat-team-searches-farm-for-10-hours-seizes-organic-okra

There have been numerous cases, of what I would consider overuse of police/military which has resulted in loss of liberties, injury, and death of pets and people. This is an earlier one from 2008.  http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/swat-team.htm

The subject of militarization of police is discussed in this article: http://www.salon.com/2013/07/13/radley_balko_once_a_town_gets_a_swat_team_you_want_to_use_it/

Here is a letter from Rand Paul to a physician in Florida who was raided by a SWAT team.  Included in the letter he references the raid on Gibson guitar for using a certain wood that was only illegal if we allow foreign nations laws to be enforced in the U.S.  http://solodocssolong.blogspot.com/2013/04/response-from-senator-rand-paul-on-swat.html

Thanks again for your talk, and your reference to spiritual preparedness.  I do believe a mention of the dangers of misuse of this militarized force will only add credibility to your overall presentation.