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 News As History - September 5, 2008

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Subject: Bush suspends Presidential elections / Martial law declared.
SYSOP    1/8/2008 8:21:40 AM
Bush suspends Presidential elections / Martial law declared.
 
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Colin Campbell       1/10/2008 11:08:29 PM
Can anybody even come up with a plausable way for this to happen?
 
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blacksmith       1/12/2008 1:35:56 AM
I believe the military would openly rebel if Hillary, who would have to have somehow managed to steal the election like Gore tried to, were to try to declare martial law.
 
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WarNerd       1/12/2008 1:31:55 PM

Can anybody even come up with a plausible way for this to happen?

 

Doubtful.

 I like to think that our military leaders are smarter than our political leaders, so they know that no matter how good and how popular the person that they hold the coup for is, they will get blamed for helping them.  Besides, while the president has day-to-day control, the real power lies in congress which has proven itself to be able to frustrate it's radical and reactionaries.

 Political rhetoric aside, none of the current crops of presidential candidates is a complete cretin.  Morally bankrupt of course, but that is to be expected (YES, I am cynical, but look at our choices.  It's a coping mechanism.).  So don't expect any real change in current policies and operations.

 Finally, look at the poll numbers for how much the public respects the various groups.

President -- low double digits
Congress -- SINGLE digit
Military  --  high double digits

Under these circumstances the best way for the military to bring down a president would be to order the troops in the United States to return to barracks, and have the Joint Chief's publically state the their reasons for dissatisfaction and resign en mass in protest.  As long as the troops publically refuse to acknowledge the president and congress (but continue any ongoing operations and civilian rescue/disaster relief) the politicians would be looking at a public relations disaster capable of bringing down ALL parties.

I think it is a safe bet that congress would throw the administration to the wolves (impeachment) to get off the hot seat. 

And by refusing to endanger the public the military gets to keep it's moral authority instead of blowing it in a coup.

 
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blacksmith       1/12/2008 2:13:37 PM
Moral superiority of one side versus another aside, I don't think the military would obey an order to enact martial law nationwide short of something as cataclismic as a major nuclear exchange or a mountain hitting the earth.
 
The US has never not held a presidential election, including when the country was effectively cut in two by the Civil War.  War, assassination, natural catastrophies...none of these things have led to the kinds of reactions seen in other countries.  Traditions run strong in the military and the tradition is for them to stay out of politics.  And after all, they have a reputation to protect.
 
In the words of the Mythbusters series on Discovery Channel...this prediction is BUSTED.
 
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OSAAMA    Bush has the power   1/20/2008 8:25:30 AM
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New legislation signed on May 9, 2007, declares that in the event of a "catastrophic event", the President can take total control over the government and the country, bypassing all other levels of government at the state, federal, local, territorial and tribal levels, and thus ensuring total unprecedented dictatorial power.
 
Another 911 or Iran nukes something state side! you got martial law. Betting odds  say 1 to 50. I can not see the military having a say unless there is a reverse coute d'tait.
OSAAMA
 
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OSAAMA    Bush has the power   1/20/2008 8:28:35 AM
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