Does anyone else think, that if Bush loses the election

[DoYouEverWonder]

him and his cohorts will try to pull a military coup?

[The Traveler]

1. They had better not

make the presumption they are universally loved by the military. I suspect, in fact, that is Bush is re-elected they better worry about facing an eventual mutiny.

[Occulus]

2. with this bunch, something of the kind is almost a certainty n/t

[freetobegay]

3. NO

They would not even try that! It would ruin the Republican party for decades!

[w13rd0]

4. You think they care?

I don't get the impression that these are the sorts that give one whit about what goes down after they've left the stage...

[specter]

6. Agreed!

[freetobegay]

14. Flame me if you want

There are alot of Republicans that would not stand for this. America is not that far gone.

[Shadow30]

21. Yes and I think thats a good point...

...Bush may not care if it ruins the Republicans but other republicans will care,there are already Republicans that don't care for Bush,so called traditional conservatives now you factor Bush trying to literally and blatantly eliminate democracy and Bush will lose alot of supporters.Also don't forget gun nut types,those sort that think the UN wants to force the US into a one world government,this sort will not react well to a decree of Marshal law,they'll think "well the feds are trying to take away my gun for real now".I think if Bush tried to pull something he would have a GREAT many people turn against him that supported him before.Now I can't say I don't think the chimp won't try something if he loses but as to if that will actually work...no I really don't think it will.

[Carni]

5. They'll try something I am sure

God only knows what!

[mike_c]

7. some lucky lawyers will get a direct tap into the Carlyle coffers...

...to keep the bushboy and his cronies out of jail.

[Homerr]

8. They will be countered by a civilian counter-coup.

[stevedeshazer]

9. I hope they do

We'll settle it once and for all.

[turbo_satan]

10. This presumes that they can control the military

I don't think it will come to this.

[Sporadicus]

11. The Military Would Never Side With * in Something Like That

If Mike Ruppert's website is to be believed, the military was considering a coup AGAINST * about a year ago.

[dqueue]

38. yes...

But, psyops are effective across all peoples. A grave enough catastrophe, urging united, immediate response... Rally the troops... Create a new, domestic bogeyman, and hunt him...

Hope not, though!

[BattyDem]

12. I don't know what they'll do, but I think it's a safe bet that ...

they won't go quietly. They'll go down fighting, screaming, whining, lying, filing lawsuits, making threats ... it won't be pretty.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

19. Have you ever seen this site?

http://www.barking-moonbat.com/index.php

[BattyDem]

20. Further proof that it won't be pretty.

:-(

[Technowitch]

13. I doubt it.

Most of our military is bogged down dealing with Iraq and increasing numbers of them hate the man anyway.

[NYCliberal]

15. Threads like this (+ "Hitler" thread) are idiotic

Clinton never stooped to any of this sh*t, which is why he was elected twice

[Kathy in Cambridge]

35. Ummm

:wtf: are you talking about?

[NYCliberal]

40. Just what it says RR

Comparing * to Hitler and dreaming he'll attempt a coup, are plain and simple stupid. Care to argue (using more than 4/5 words) otherwise?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

41. I'll definitely debate you

if you can make your assertions sans right-wing talking points.

On edit: don't think you'll be coming back for seconds.

[markus]

45. Coup=Not Very Likely -- Fascist=Interesting

I read a book last year that was largely a compendium of foreign newspaper coverage of the 2000 election, which they regarded as a bloodless coup d'etat.

However, the most interesting thing about the book was its careful recounting of German and European history of the late 20s and early 30s, and comparing the actions of the European fascists with the GOP. The parallels were, as I recall, disconcerting.

I think I'm going to have to go over to Amazon, as I think that is a book I want to read more than once, if only for that discussion.

I don't think Bush would or could arrange a military coup. For one thing, he's pretty much pissed off the military up and down the ranks.

But he's already shown the ability and willingness to attempt overthrow a legitimate election, as was attempted in 2000. The fact that Gore didn't file for a state-wide recount, and and would have lost if the recount proceeded on the terms of Gore's legal action, doesn't make what occured in 2000 any less of an attemp of a coup d'etat.

And I think the parallels between the GOP of the last generation, and 20th century fascists (and Lenninists, for that matter) are something to be concerned about.

[GP6971]

16. Don't think so BUT if they wanted to

Whats to stop them? Can't be the military because most of them are overseas.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

17. I tend to think not

they are wimps at heart. Evil wimps, but wimps nonetheless.

Also, I remember a lot of rightwing chatter about Clinton supposedly not leaving the WH back in 2000.

He'll leave. With his tail tucked between his legs, LOL!

[riverwalker]

18. "if" he loses? IF? you mean "when" he loses

and the military will not back him in a coup anyway. Their oath of loyalty first is to the Constitution, not the President.


Enlisted Oath of Office for the U.S. Military:
''I, <insert name>, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.''

Commission Officer’s Oath for the U.S. Military:

“I <insert name>, having been appointed a <insert rank> in the U.S. Army under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.”

[fwiff]

22. Nah, Rummy's ticked off the military completely

It may be why everything's hitting the fan now. I think more stuff might come out after faster than they can burn it.

[Zynx]

23. What military?

It's all in Iraq.

[PSU84]

24. The United States Armed Forces believe in the rule of law.

Even if Bush doesn't. And, of course, he doesn't.

[zbdent]

25. Hmm, not that unreal of a possibility

Think about it.

The military is "traditionally Republican". Any military person overseas that questions is "placed under armed custody". (those that haven't spoken out yet see the writing on the wall).

W has the backing of the NRA and probably many of the militias. There's your internal army.

With this internal army, plus the fact that the National Guard has been drained, there won't be much for a moderate governor to call in for defense.

Rush Limbaugh being on the Armed Services/Forces Radio, he would be talking up about the "Bush Win" - who's going to be aired to contradict him? Suddenly, Fox will be the only news station available, as the "liberal" media outlets that don't bend will be "scrambled" or "taken over by the lawyer-totin' elitists".

E-mails from families will be intercepted. Scrubbed at best.

Sound improbable? uhhhhh . . .

[NAO]

26. I'm more worried about vigilante violence from gun-nut bushies

[bostonbabs]

27. a military coup?

The military hate Bush.! They are not his allies in this election.

[newyawker99]

32. Hi bostonbabs!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Burma Jones]

28. No, His Corporate Masters know that would be bad for business

And I wouldn't count on the military going along with it if it was clear that Kerry won.

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. With what, the cub scouts and Salvation army? That's all who's left

[txindy]

48. I don't know....

If the Salvation Army starts swinging those bells and collection kettles at us, it could get ugly. ;)

You're right, Junior sent our military out of the country. There's no one to back him up if he tried to keep the presidency. Not that they would. In fact, I imagine some military might head on home just to escort him out of the WH and into some other place. A very secure place. With lots of picture books to help him pass a stressful time. :evilgrin:

[Kahuna]

30. They won't. They know that there are a lot of pissed off, crazy dems

out here ready for them to make our day.

[cyr330]

31. No

They wouldn't dare.

[NashVegas]

33. With WHOSE Army?

They're all in the middle east!

[Doohickie]

34. No, I'm not worried about a coup

What I'm worried about is some kind of major offensive launched in Iraq that results in thousands of American war dead. Out of spite.

[zippy890]

39. Yeah, that sounds likely

Freedom on the March will become Freedom on the Rampage

[Silverhair]

36. No. The military would not obey.

A coup isn't as easy as getting out of bed in a grouchy mood and saying, "I'm taking over." They are quite complicated and take LOTS of cooperation from a lot of military people. They wouldn't give it.

When I was in ROTC class in college, my instructor asked, "What stops the military from taking over the government?" We all volunteered lots of legal type answers. He replied, "All wrong. What stops it from happening is that the military doesn't want to."

[billyoc]

37. Quite right. I'll never forget when I raised my hand

and took that oath. In particular the phrase "all enemies, foreign and *domestic*" had a profound effect on me. Sounds corny, of course, but it still gives me goose bumps to say that out loud.

BTW, that oath doesn't have an expiration date...

[DoYouEverWonder]

42. But hasn't Rummie gotten rid of most of the people

that dared to disagree with him and surrounded himself with yes men and/or folks who support his agenda?

[exsoccermom]

44. I don't know why I think this

but I really feel deep down that the Secret Service would take steps to stop this. I've only known one Secret Service guy (and he was not liberal) but I think he would take exception to this. Heck, the whole civil service would shut down. I think there is a lot of feeling in government workers that they are here to serve Americans, not the president. Presidents (and cabinets) come and go, but the government goes on. The government workers will not support bush.

[karlrschneider]

43. Nope. They couldn't pull it off, EVEN if the military was on his side.

Not possible.

[AnIndependentTexan]

46. If Bush tries this all Kerry has to do is go to the UN

Bush hasn't just pissed off america, but he pissed off the world. I don't think there is a single person in the world that will stand by him. Russia is now pissed off at being used for a escapegoat. If they try all Kerry has to do is ask the UN for him. Chimp will be screwed by US citizens and the world if he tries.

[jsaro]

47. Another judicial coup is their plan

A military coup would be too divisive even for THEM! The decades-long right-wing court packing project has been designed largely to provide for just this eventuality. It actually worked in 2000, although most people don't see that yet. A judicial coup is much more palatable. No bloodshed, and the supporters of the prevailing junta can cloak themselves in righteousness and justice. So if it's close in any battleground state, expect the army of trial lawyers (they hate those guys, except when they need them) to sue, sue, sue. And Nino and the Supremos might be handin' Bush four more years. I wonder when people will wake up to this grotesque abuse of power.