What would you expect them to have done?  This of course is in response to Jessica McBride's post yesterday about the tragic shooting at a gas station in Milwaukee:

It underscores the random nature of the murder of a Waukesha boxing coach in broad daylight at a gas station at Capitol and Sherman in Milwaukee.

Just a guy pumping gas. Actually, he was more than "just a guy." Sounds like he was a man who contributed greatly to the community. But: It could have been anyone. In fact, I've purchased gas at this station many times in the past (before I realized that Citgo supports Hugo Chavez).

It's just two blocks from the house where the youth I mentored lived, and I went to the gas station many times. I drive past it every day on my way from Waukesha County to UWM and back home.

I'll do you one better Jessica.  My grandparents lived about 3 blocks from that gas station, and when I visited Milwaukee during the summers growing up (I lived in California at the time), I used to play every day on those very streets.  I have a lot of fond memories of that neighborhood.  But I digress... as she ends with this:

Oh, and by the way, what was wrong with the National Guard idea again?

And once again I ask, exactly what would they have done to prevent this horrible crime?  It absolutely was completely random:

A 16-year-old looking to waste some time Wednesday afternoon took a life and wasted his future by killing a respected boxing coach from Waukesha, according to charges filed Friday.

The criminal complaint charges Antonio Jones, of Milwaukee, with first-degree intentional homicide and attempted armed robbery, counts that would result in a mandatory life sentence upon conviction.

According to the complaint:

Jones proposed a robbery as a way to get a lot of money and showed off a handgun to two friends around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The trio took a bus to a stop near W. Capitol Dr. and N. Sherman Blvd. and Jones stalked toward a Citgo gas station where he encountered Scott Huggins, 44, outside his white Jeep. Jones pointed the gun at Huggins, who apparently reached for the weapon.

What would the National Guard do Jessica that possibly could have stopped this from happening?  Seriously.  Exactly what?  It makes great headlines to suggest... but they need something to do.  Do you propose stationing an MP with an M-16 at all gas stations?  Should they enforce curfews or set up road blocks?  Should they march through the streets randomly checking for weapons?  Exactly what?  If you want to send in the guard, then they need orders.  So what are yours?