A predicable nightmare has occurred in Ferguson. We put heavy military equipment and military-style uniforms in the hands of police without even giving them the training that our military receives. We cannot be surprised when we see police acting like paramilitary goons - wearing jungle camouflage, with masked faces, pointing heavy weapons at nonviolent citizens, driving armored personnel carriers in residential streets, scaring the pants off of ordinary nonviolent American citizens.
The Army Field Manual emphasizes non-aggressive techniques for calming civil disturbances. In case of the rare emergency that actually requires this level of force, we are much better served by sending in a well-equipped and well-trained National Guard.