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H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 10:50 PM Mar 2016

Cardboard Cut-Outs

I just read an OP/thread by our good friend cyber, regarding “plants” at the Trump rally. Here is the link to this, which should be read and fully appreciated:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511479767


I’d like to talk about this, without appearing to attempt to hi-jack an OP/thread. But I think this is something that is important for both Hillary and Bernie supporters, in the context of our Democratic primary. For while we are engaged in a “family fight” for our party’s nomination, we’ve reached the point where our real enemies are attempting to destroy either of our candidates’ chances of winning in November.

Now bear with me here. Even those Clinton supporters who believe that I am prone to investing in “conspiracy theories” need to listen with an open mind. For this is reality, and well-documented. And each one of our candidates is already the target of powerful parts of the republican party, and one will continue to be, up until Election Day, and their first term in office.

In recent days, republican candidate Donald Trump took some heat for statements at rallies, when he encouraged aggressive behaviors aimed at protesters. Hence, at today’s rally, he was sure to request the protesters were not injured as they were taken out. He then spoke about pressing legal charges against them. Later reports have suggested that some of the protesters were republican plants.

Before we get to what actually took place, and who benefited, I would suggested that anyone interested in the infiltration and disruption of campaigns and campaign events in recent political history, read The Senate Watergate Report. It’s not new. Some people have made careers of doing this type of thing. Still others pursue them from the shadows ….

Trump got some benefit from today’s events. His plan was to have a jolly rally, where he could go on record as saying not to hurt protesters, and to rely upon law enforcement. But it was what followed ….as hoped for by the protesters, and those who hired some of the protesters …..that harms Donald Trump’s campaign, especially if it goes into the general election.

Some may disagree with me on this, but I suspect that Mr. Trump doesn’t react well to people’s challenging his “authority.” In Donald’s delusional thought system, he is The Alpha Dog. So the protesters’ challenges to his rally were able to upset him in a relatively short time.

What I believe upset him the most was the recognition that he can no longer control the crowds that surround him, and attend his rallies. “Crowd behavior” is something that he has never really been confronted with before. He is plenty intelligent enough to understand that he can’t exercise the level of authoritarian control as in his comfort zone.

Now, where were the protesters from? Possibilities include: Sanders-supporters; Clinton supporters; MoveOn; free-agents/ free-thinkers; people opposed to racism; and supporters of other republican candidates. The truth is that there was at least one person there from each group; and several people there from one of those groups. Guess which one?

So who is responsible for having the republican plants there, you ask? Great question! So glad that you asked. Let’s consider the possibilities: Ted Cruz & Co? Marco Rubio’s team? Maybe John Kasich’s troops? No. Even if they had the resources, they didn’t have the authority at this time.

In early 2016, the republican elders began meeting to try to identify how to have one of their boys win the nomination. The Bush family’s council of wise men had been discredited -- not only by Junior’s mis-administration -- but especially in light of Jeb’s tragic campaign. Others have equal, or greater, influence.

The elders “okayed” a coordinated approach, which they continue to up-date. They tell the three candidates what they can and cannot do. Hence, we see Rubio advise voters to go for Kasich in Ohio, as the best way to stop Trump. And they also have outsourced the disruption of Trump’s campaigns to reliable outfits.

As the disruption unfolds, people are watching it, unaware of the many levels upon which it is unfolding.

Be aware of this type of thing. It will be happening on a much higher frequency, between now and summer.

Make sense?

Peace,
H2O Man

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Cardboard Cut-Outs (Original Post) H2O Man Mar 2016 OP
Your post was much more thoughtful and eloquent than my quick copy and paste. I'm glad. Thanks. cyberpj Mar 2016 #1
Thanks. H2O Man Mar 2016 #4
Great sense. trump is the gop's worst nightmare. Stands to reason they have the biggest incentive shraby Mar 2016 #2
Yep. H2O Man Mar 2016 #5
TLDR XRubicon Mar 2016 #3
In my opinion, H2O Man Mar 2016 #6
You should read the post. cyberswede Mar 2016 #8
Wow! Thank you! H2O Man Mar 2016 #10
Always do n/t Old Codger Mar 2016 #17
TLDR? Then DBP. cyberpj Mar 2016 #21
Makes total sense and my years of street activism bears this out. Luminous Animal Mar 2016 #7
Thank you. H2O Man Mar 2016 #9
The occupy movement was stellar in their every daily civil disobedience training and a big Luminous Animal Mar 2016 #11
Very good! H2O Man Mar 2016 #12
Yep. One of my proudest moments of my life is when my 13 year old daughter insisted that Luminous Animal Mar 2016 #13
I like to show H2O Man Mar 2016 #15
Yes there's always the possibility of provocateurs LiberalElite Mar 2016 #18
I believe this is good food for thought, things aren't always as they seem to be. Uncle Joe Mar 2016 #14
Thanks, Uncle Joe! H2O Man Mar 2016 #16
Agree..well worth the read... KoKo Mar 2016 #24
Good observation is important. Connecting dots and think about it. nt kgnu_fan Mar 2016 #19
FYI: "At Secretive Meeting, Tech CEOs And Top Republicans... Plot To Stop Trump" KoKo Mar 2016 #20
people who don't believe in protest plants olddots Mar 2016 #22
As i said in an ealier thread... AmBlue Mar 2016 #23
 

cyberpj

(10,794 posts)
1. Your post was much more thoughtful and eloquent than my quick copy and paste. I'm glad. Thanks.
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:13 PM
Mar 2016

I have no qualms about believing in protest plants.

I've watched this sort of operation since the late 1960's.

While most protests begin in earnest and with the best of intentions, many times the opposition and even our own government has planted troublemakers into crowds to create problems, fights, violence and even looting to make the original protest look bad and turn public opinion against them.

I'm happy for the awakened participation of so many in this election.
I'm sad that some of the same old tactics keep reappearing every time it happens.
And, yes, I agree similar tactics will continue and increase this election year.

Once your eyes are opened to the ways we are all manipulated by the powers that be, it's hard to pretend not to see again.

Good post.

ps
Sometime we'll compare our lists of supposed conspiracy theories H2O Man; I'll bet they're fairly similar.


H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
4. Thanks.
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:31 PM
Mar 2016

The art of infiltrating a movement or campaign isn't really sophisticated. Even republicans have the capacity to do it.

But there are those who are actually very good at it. They have had experience, both here and abroad, As Malcolm X used to say, there are hunters in the jungle .....as well as those who hunt the hunters.

shraby

(21,946 posts)
2. Great sense. trump is the gop's worst nightmare. Stands to reason they have the biggest incentive
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:14 PM
Mar 2016

to bring him down and behind the scenes is the way they work.

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
6. In my opinion,
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:33 PM
Mar 2016

Bernie Sanders will be the Democratic Party's nominee. And I urge everyone to vote for Bernie Sanders.

cyberswede

(26,117 posts)
8. You should read the post.
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:36 PM
Mar 2016

Everyone should read all of H2OMan's posts.

His thoughtful posts are an example to us all on what meaningful dialog looks like.

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
10. Wow! Thank you!
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:45 PM
Mar 2016

That was very kind of you. I really appreciate it!

I try to present things, and in a way, that encourage people to think. And I have no problem with others having very different opinions than my own. I'd like to think that my contributions to this site have some value. So your kind comments mean more to me than you may know!

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
7. Makes total sense and my years of street activism bears this out.
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:35 PM
Mar 2016

There will be honest agents protesting Trump (and thank hank for them - they are brave) they will be provocateurs.

My advice to any well meaning group or human being planning on conducting civil disobedience at a Trump event?

Beware of hyped up language about being arrested or hyped up language about fighting ones way out of there or hyped up language about a direct secret service response.

And also, don't make yourself small. You are part of a larger movement. One of my favorite (and also depressing) stories is of a small racial justice group where 4 out of 6 were actually law enforcement.

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
9. Thank you.
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:39 PM
Mar 2016

I am confident that every DUer with experience at the grass roots level knows just what we are talking about here. Clearly, we have had some similar educational experiences in this area!

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
11. The occupy movement was stellar in their every daily civil disobedience training and a big
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:50 PM
Mar 2016

shout to the National Lawyer Guild. I have had their local number many times written on my wrist.

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
12. Very good!
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 11:52 PM
Mar 2016

I could tell some stories! They wouldn't surprise you. But they would shock the average person.

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
13. Yep. One of my proudest moments of my life is when my 13 year old daughter insisted that
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 12:07 AM
Mar 2016

she join her dad and me to shut down the financial district of San Francisco.

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
15. I like to show
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 12:17 AM
Mar 2016

my children a board someone broke over my head, when they assaulted me during a march in the early 1990s.

LiberalElite

(14,691 posts)
18. Yes there's always the possibility of provocateurs
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 12:38 AM
Mar 2016

and I remember Cointelpro too. I've been to meetings of a certain peace group where the speaker always began with a cordial greeting to the LE in attendance (under cover of course).

Uncle Joe

(58,366 posts)
14. I believe this is good food for thought, things aren't always as they seem to be.
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 12:14 AM
Mar 2016

Thanks for the thread, H2O Man.

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
16. Thanks, Uncle Joe!
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 12:19 AM
Mar 2016

Indeed, many times, things aren't even close to what they appear to be, on the surface!

KoKo

(84,711 posts)
20. FYI: "At Secretive Meeting, Tech CEOs And Top Republicans... Plot To Stop Trump"
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 09:31 AM
Mar 2016

(Great Post! Don't know if you saw this that I posted here in "Good Reads" forum. But, I think your post is spot on about what is going on. This "secret meeting" that isn't so secret is one more piece of why and how all kinds of "special ops" may be going on both now and in the future, along with sincere people outraged by Trump's ravings.)

------------------------

At Secretive Meeting, Tech CEOs And Top Republicans Commiserate, Plot To Stop Trump

Karl Rove shared focus group findings that give hope to the GOP establishment.

03/07/2016 07:22 pm ET | Updated 1 day ago
Ryan Grim
Washington bureau chief for The Huffington Post

Billionaires, tech CEOs and top members of the Republican establishment flew to a private island resort off the coast of Georgia this weekend for the American Enterprise Institute's annual World Forum, according to sources familiar with the secretive gathering.

The main topic at the closed-to-the-press confab? How to stop Republican front-runner Donald Trump. (The meeting was not planned to be a strategy session on how to stop the GOP front-runner, but rather evolved into one, as a subsequently obtained agenda makes clear.)

Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google co-founder Larry Page, Napster creator and Facebook investor Sean Parker, and Tesla Motors and SpaceX honcho Elon Musk all attended. So did Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), political guru Karl Rove, House Speaker Paul Ryan, GOP Sens. Tom Cotton (Ark.), Cory Gardner (Colo.), Tim Scott (S.C.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Ben Sasse (Neb.), who recently made news by saying he "cannot support Donald Trump."

Along with Ryan, the House was represented by Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Fred Upton (Mich.), Rep. Kevin Brady (Texas) and almost-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), sources said, along with leadership figure Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.), Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (Texas) and Diane Black (Tenn.).

Philip Anschutz, the billionaire GOP donor whose company owns a stake in Sea Island, was also there, along with Democratic Rep. John Delaney, who represents Maryland. Arthur Sulzberger, the publisher of The New York Times, was there, too, a Times spokeswoman confirmed.


"A specter was haunting the World Forum--the specter of Donald Trump," Kristol wrote in an emailed report from the conference, borrowing the opening lines of the Communist Manifesto. "There was much unhappiness about his emergence, a good deal of talk, some of it insightful and thoughtful, about why he's done so well, and many expressions of hope that he would be defeated."

"The key task now, to once again paraphrase Karl Marx, is less to understand Trump than to stop him," Kristol wrote. "In general, there's a little too much hand-wringing, brow-furrowing, and fatalism out there and not quite enough resolving to save the party from nominating or the country electing someone who simply shouldn't be president."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/aei-world-forum-donald-trump_us_56ddbd38e4b0ffe6f8ea125d


AmBlue

(3,111 posts)
23. As i said in an ealier thread...
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 07:37 PM
Mar 2016

This situation reminds me of the Brooks Brothers riot in Miami in 2000. Things are not always what they seem.

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