What if we suffer another attack before election - worse than 9/11 ?

[kentuck]

What would happen? Could Bush and Cheney temporarily suspend the elections because the country is under attack and we cannot afford to change horses in the middle of the stream at this time? Is this a possibility? I do think the majority of Americans, much like the majority of Germans in 1933, would accept their proposal as a temporary arrangement until the threat was quelled or brought under control. This is a scary thought to me because I know they could sell it to the American people.

[Avalux]

1. This is my worst nightmare; I try to not think about it.

There's always the possibility; the crooks in the WH are capable of anything and will not relinquish power easily.

[adadem]

9. mine, too n/t

[niceypoo]

36. It would prove that their 'war on terror' meme is a farse

I say let them try to suspend elections. Might mean the final nail in the republi-coffin because Americans would say BULLSHIT!

[gasoline highway]

2. Dubya has put into place a system where the branches basically dissolve into his control...

VERY, VERY, SCARY

[warren pease]

27. Yup, and there are several elements in the quasi-legal infrastructure that...

...give The Commander Guy the ultimate authority and responsibility for ensuring "continuity of government." Which is to say, Cheney holds all the cards necessary to take the national security state from experimental to operational. Just like that.

There's NSPD 51/HSPD-20.

There's the Patriot Act.

There's the Military Commissions Act.

There's the threat of torture to keep the peasants shaking in their boots.

There's Blackwater and Booz Allen Hamilton and SAIC ready for a little aggressive "civilian population control" just in case US troops won't shoot their own people.

But assuming they will, there's the fiscal year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes this statement: "... the Secretary of Defense... shall prepare and submit to Congress a plan for coordinating the use of the National Guard and members of the Armed Forces on active duty when responding to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters as identified in the national planning scenarios described in subsection (e)...

And subsection (e) says: "United States Code, is amended by striking `contingency plans' at the end of the first sentence and inserting the following: 'contingency plans, including plans for providing support to civil authorities in an incident of national significance or a catastrophic incident, for homeland defense, and for military support to civil authorities.'"

So the Military Commissions Act quietly killed the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which had in theory kept federal troops from operating on US soil. Now there are no proscriptions against using the battle-hardened, well-trained and well-equipped Iraq occupation vets to apply their riot control skills right here at home.

And then the really great news. Finally, after six years of exhaustive examination and analysis of physical, anecdotal and circumstantial evidence by highly credible members of the scientific, engineering and investigative communities, most fair-minded Americans -- meaning more than half the respondents on those rare occasions that polling companies dare to dig into the 9/11 snake pit -- are open to the possibility that the Bush administration played a facilitating roll in helping carry out "the events of Sept. 11(tm)."

They're saying that the administration either allowed the attacks to happen by making sure the skies were clear of NORAD interceptors and that various drills made it impossible for air traffic controllers to tell actual flights from false radar images.

That's bad enough, but the other camp argues that the attacks were planned by neocon extremists at the highest levels of the Bush administration and executed by veteran black ops professionals, in the process setting up the amateur hijackers as unwitting fall guys to shoulder that blame.

If that's true, or even remotely possible, then there's a hell of a lot more to worry about than the whims of some vengeful "terrorist cell" hiding somewhere in the Hindu Kush waiting for the lawyers, guns and money to arrive.

Uh oh... I think I can hear the estimable boloboffin -- staunch defender of the 9/11 commission report and enthusiastic devotee of the official 9/11 coincidence theory -- rising rapidly to the surface, seaweed streaming from his flukes and mighty brow, every muscle working in concert and propelling him ever faster toward the light, almost clear now, finally breaking the surface and taking keyboard in fin to denounce any and all deviations from the approved 9/11 myth.

Better go now or I'll risk getting involved in another pissing contest, and it's way too nice a day for that.


wp


NOTE: The phrase "the events of Sept. 11" is a trademark of the Guiliani campaign and cannot be used without the express written permission of Rudolph Guiliani or a designated representative.

[Fridays Child]

3. If Drunky McHavemore has his way, you can count on it.

:scared:

[man4allcats]

4. In that event, Junior will declare martial law, and there will be no

2008 election. And of course, we will then be able to thank Ms. Pelosi for not having allowed us to get rid of the little son of a bitch when we had the chance.

[malaise]

5. They'll be hauled out in chains

Both of them

[Serial Mom]

6. But, but they are protecting us under their watch....

How could it happen? And if it did, why logically would anyone want repukes to remain in control if 9/11 and this "another attack" happened under them?!?!?

[aquart]

7. Thank you for your concern.

I love waking up to hysteria.

[kentuck]

8. So you think it could never happen?

It is hysterical? Have we learned nothing from this bunch?

[ixion]

14. ah yes... it's always 'hysteria' and 'conspiracy theory'

until it happens. Then it's "who could have foreseen an event like this?" :eyes:

[supernova]

10. Let's not worry about something that hasn't happened

Kentuck you could give yourself ulcers with that thinking.

[kentuck]

12. Actually, the folks that don't see these possibilities...

give me ulcers. I hope it doesn't happen but, we must be on guard if something like that were to happen. We should have a plan because it is not out of the realm of possibilities, in my opinion. It is better to be prepared. I don't think it is hysterical or impossible.

[CrispyQ]

11. My husband absolutely believes this will happen.

He doesn't think Cheney put all this power into the executive to hand it over to someone else, especially a dem. We both think boosh is sick & tired of it all & just wants to go back to Crawford & clear brush. But Cheney? I'm not so sure.

Will the American people let them? Yeah, I think they will. The administration will fan the flames of nationalism, the media will cheer them on just like before, Pelosi & Reid will state that now more than ever we must show solidarity & the backwash, who have been somewhat put in their place the last few years, will become rabid to the point of committing violence against any local dissenters.

I sure hope my crystal ball is cloudy.

[Iwasthere]

26. My crystal ball is my gut

And my gut is right on this one. More need to see. Recommended this post

[Iwasthere]

13. I have been saying that for a long time. He has no intention of leaving office

NO INTENTION OF LEAVING OFFICE! All they need is their big event now. That won't be hard for the evil bastards.

[MonkeyFunk]

15. They're leaving

despite the almost daily dire predictions here, there's no provision for cancelling elections.

We will have a new President next January.

[Iwasthere]

16. I hope and pray that you are right

The ONLY way to be 100% sure is to remove them now. There are clearly an OVERWHELMING number of crimes committed and somehow they continue (move on, nothing to see here).

[MonkeyFunk]

18. so you fully believe they would cancel elections

but allowed themselves to be impeached and removed?

It doesn't make sense to believe both of those things.

[kentuck]

20. If they would steal elections...

They would have little problem "cancelling" them, if they had the "opportunity".

[onenote]

41. My standard offer: $100 for $10

If you really truly believe this, you'll put your money where your mouth is and commit to donate $10 to DU the day afterinauguration day 2009 if chimpy and cheney are gone. If they're not gone, I'll donate $100.

[Subdivisions]

17. I will say unequivocally, right now, this very moment...

There's no "if" about it. It WILL happen.

Mark my words this day, this moment.

[Iwasthere]

19. It is AWFUL to think huh?

That they would do something like this. To our citizens. They have proved time and time again they will do WHATEVER it takes to remain in power. You will see the * smirk grow bigger and bigger over the next months, especially when mentioning global terror, watch for it.

[onenote]

42. I will say unequivocally, right now, this very moment, you're wrong

But same offer as above: $100 from me to DU if you're right, $10 from you to DU if I'm wrong.

Put your money where your mouth is and help Skinner build a fancier website.

[NNN0LHI]

21. Rudy tried to remain mayor of NYC after his term ended because of 9/11

Fascism is in these freaks blood.

Don

[DerBeppo]

30. and what was the result of that attempt?

save the chicken little stuff. The predictions of those expecting the worst haven't really shaped out yet. Speaking of, when's the new "Iran will definitely be attacked" day? I missed the last couple and I want to make sure I mark it on my calendar.

[NNN0LHI]

31. Rudy didn't have a personal mercenary army made up of religious zealots as Bush does

If he had it may have been a different story.

Don

[onenote]

43. Link? Rudy briefly floated the idea of having the legislature repeal term limits

so he could run again. That's hardly the same as unilaterally cancelling elections.

[Iwasthere]

22. recommended

[Timmy5835]

23. Did you ever stop to think that.....

Governments are simply a finger to the REAL power here. That's the moneyed elite that really runs this world. Bush and Cheney are simply worker bees to a much greater power.

[IDemo]

24. I don't think another 9/11 is necessary

If the total economic collapse which has been "just around the corner" for awhile becomes reality this Spring or Summer, the resulting havoc may be all that is needed for a martial law declaration. Even at that, the election might proceed, but any pretense of fairness would be out the window.

[jimshoes]

25. I am reminded of the days and hours

before Hurricane Katrina pummeled New Orleans, specifically one poster who kept insisting that those who were concerned about the levees and the storm surge and other hurricane related worries were only getting themselves worked up for nothing. He was wrong of course, so bearing that in mind, it does no harm to be at least prepared for the worst of eventualities even if they do not come to pass. With this law breaking criminal administration we have in office and their total disregard for the rule of law and especially the citizens of this country, I will be convinced of their intent to relinquish control of the presidency of the United States of America on January 20, 2009 when a Democrat, be it Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, or Al Gore or John Edwards is sworn into office. Anything less is just more of the same.

[Iggo]

28. We see it for the criminal act it is...

...and don't fall for the holy-war-bullshit the neo-cons try to sell us.

Terrorists deal in fear. It's right there in the name...TERRORist.

Do NOT be afraid. And do NOT succumb to the pussification of the american citizenry.

Yeah, I know...it's a pipe dream. But I wish this country wasn't full of scared people. I find it quite disgusting.

[Danmel]

29. A year ago I might have thought this could happen

But it is so obvious that the large majority of Americans just can't wait for these parasites to go away- I don't think they'd get away with it. Not to mention the Congress turns over again and a third of the Senate.

[Fire Walk With Me]

32. We'd cede our personal power in a heartbeat.

Pray for peace.

[opihimoimoi]

33. By his own words, Bush sez America is STRONGER THAN EVER

"Our Military is the BEST"

There would be no need to suspend crap

[warren pease]

34. According to NSPD 51/HSPD-20, another 9/11 isn't necessary...

Back in May last year, Bushie signed that presidential directive under the cover of providing for "continuity of government." What it really does is create the legal framework for implementing martial law on the thinnest of pretenses. Here's the PD itself:

Lock up the usual suspects

And a couple of looks behind the curtain:

(b) "Catastrophic Emergency" means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;“ (which means Katrina II, a California quake, a flood in the Midwest, a massive power outage, etc.)

(18) "The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall provide secure, integrated, Continuity of Government communications to the President, the Vice President, and, at a minimum, Category I executive departments and agencies.” (The shadow government stays in the loop.)

(6) "The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government.” (This is in recognition of Bush's well-documented veneration for Constitutional law.)


Comment on this blueprint for totalitarianism includes this article detailing the rise of fascism under Bush:

Imperialism and fascism are on the rise in the USA


This one is specific to the DHS and National Security directives:

Bush anoints himself ensurer of Constitutional government in emergency


This one deals with fabricated "false flag" attacks ascribed to "terrorists" as a pretext for nuking Iran:

Bush directive for a "catastrophic emergency" in America: Building a justification for waging war on Iran?


There's so much more that they've put in place since 9/11 gave them free rein to do any damn thing they wanted to and call it patriotic and fighting the terrorists and defending our freedoms... blah, blah, blah.

Here's a decent list: repressive legislation, executive orders and presidential directives; massive federal invasions of privacy regarding medical and http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/23/washington/23intel.html?ex=1308715200&en=168d69d26685c26c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">financial records; monitoring US citizens' electronic communications; re-targeting spy satellites for domestic surveillance; the TSA cavity search specialists (for attractive young women only; the rest are presumed to pose no threat to the state); no-fly and terrorist watch lists; Halliburton/KBR's detention camps; RFIDs in all new passports and in the new national ID cards scheduled to be issued this year; new TSA "behavior detection officers" to spot those who don't "look quite right;" all this wonderful new stuff from the DHS; private armies featuring mercenaries from companies like Blackwater and SAIC springing up like mushrooms after a light rain... All that and the Patriot Act, the http://www.aclu.org/safefree/detention/commissions.html">Military Commissions Act, http://www.aclu.org/safefree/extraordinaryrendition/22203res20051206.html">extraordinary rendition (whatever the hell that means) and torture, too. (Note: the torture link is graphic and disgusting.)


So, given all the potential triggers outlined in that list of totalitarian garbage above, I don't think anything much more spectacular than a 40 mph wind taking down a tree is necessary to kick in martial law.

And if that happens, the majority will do what they always do: grunt, scratch their armpits, grab another Miller Lite, stuff another handful of Doritos into their mouths, let go with a loud burp, flip the channel, land on a rerun of "Cops," settle back as their eyes glaze over and they slowly nod out as consciousness gives way to testosterone-fueled dreams of random murder and mayhem.

In fact, you have to wonder why our smirking fascist overlords have gone through all this trouble to build an airtight totalitarian infrastructure that can serve only one purpose. The Cheneys of the world don't strike me as the type to do stuff like this just for fun.

Not a happy prospect.


wp

[sarcasmo]

35. Sure they could and for certain they would.

[ForRusty]

37. It's a scary though.

But we'll have a new President in January. Jesus, Republicans get the violent people, we get conspiracy theorist's. Anyone else notice that?

[WinkyDink]

38. We'll just point out how REPUBLICANS CANNOT PROTECT US---AGAIN.

[JerseygirlCT]

39. Exactly nt

[wildbilln864]

40. All I can say is keep your video cams on the ready. n/t

[Cleita]

44. They could but I don't think the same sheep people who

enabled them the last time will sanction it this time. He hasn't been able to invade Iran because he doesn't have the support of the same stupid demography he had for the invasion of Iraq because even the dumbest seem to know he's a liar and regret ever voting for him and supporting him.

[pinniped]

45. MIHOP II

.

[Lex Talionis]

46. Everyone just calm down

We will have an election no matter what. We are just changing masters, this time it will be a democratic one, maybe. Democrat or Republican their two sides of the same coin. One day before I die, I hope to see the people wake up to this. Then things will get very interesting

[leftofthedial]

47. every day the repuke bush cabal stays in power

we suffer an attack worse than 9-11