Will theNovember Elections see unprecedented violence

[malaise]

from RWs trying to block the vote?

How can this be stopped in advance?

[bowens43]

1. I doubt it.

[Scuba]

2. We're expecting intimidation tactics from RW thugs here in Wisconsin....

.... but I know a bunch of folks 60 years old and older who just aren't willing to be cowed.


Poll watchers in metro Milwaukee should be alert though, as I'm sure RW thugs will (still) be trying to intimidate minority voters.

[subterranean]

3. I think they'll stick to nonviolent methods of suppressing voter turnout.

Photo ID laws, reduction of polling locations in Democratic districts, rules to make registration difficult...and if those fail, they can always rig the voting machines.

[Bigmack]

4. You know how the Repubs try to get everybody afraid.....?

Well... they succeeded with me.

I'm deeply afraid of the rightwingnuts. They are being told that this could be the last election... that this could be the end of the US... that Marxist/Kenyan Obama is going to institute Socialism/Communism...

I think there are unstable people in the TeaPublican party who will use violence.

[socialist_n_TN]

5. Working class militias..........

We will need self defense orgs at some point. We might as well start organizing them now just in case the proto fascists try full blown brownshirt tactics.

Where are the Panthers when you need them? Oh right, the cops and 1% killed them off in the 60s/70s.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. What color will your shirts be?

[socialist_n_TN]

9. I figure "Classic Red" with maybe.........

"Worker's of the World, UNITE!" printed on them.

Hey, pacifists who don't believe in self defense against the proto-fascists are welcome to try and TALK them out of shooting you.

Like it or not though, this country has the immediate potential to devolve into Germany, circa late 20s/early 30s. There were pitched battles in the streets between the Nazis and the left. The Nazis were the minority, but the left wasn't as prepared as the Nazis and history shows what happened because of that unpreparedness.

In reality most of the RWers are cowards. They will talk big and act big against unarmed opponents, but if the opponent is armed they won't do squat. As a poster upthread suggested, a philosophy of mutually assured destruction is the only thing that would stand in the way of a fascist takeover.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

10. A few questions --

In practical terms I don't see what your "militias" are supposed to accomplish. If you're with sight of a polling station than the fight you're looking for won't materialize because anybody -- left, right, middle or apathetic -- can call the cops and have you removed for intimidation. If you stage outside campaign events you're likely to scare off more independent and democrat voters than ward-off would-be RW troublemakers.

And if you start running around in organized groups doesn't that permit others to do the same? Are you hoping for a pre-emptive strike or will yours be a strictly reactionary militia?

How will you guard against misdeeds that lead to the warning, "If you go looking for a fight you're sure to find one."

[gordianot]

6. When you own the counting machines why do you need violence?

To intimidate someone at the polls you would first have to organize, identify the opposition, get off your lazy ass, all tasks beyond the scope of RW thugs.

[hack89]

7. No. It will be a typical election. nt

[belcffub]

11. No...

Both sides predict this ever election cycle... It makes everyone look stupid..

[Burma Jones]

12. A few nut jobs might very well get pumped up by RW Media

and commit some violent acts. Who knows.....

My best guess is that the Repukes will be sullen and many will stay home......

[Ship of Fools]

13. Yes.

I really believe that some disenfranchised person(s) from the poor/minority/college/elderly
group might get fightin' mad at being turned away because of some snafu, and I won't blame
them one bit. Unprecedented violence? I don't think unprecedented, if I get your drift,
but I bet there will at least be a smattering of it.