The Headline Said....

[kentuck]

"Musharraf Declares Emergency, Suspends Constitution; Police Surround Supreme Court Building"

This was a headline on Josh Marshall's website this evening. Would it be so difficult to see a similar headline:

"Bush Declares Emergency, Suspends Constitution; Police Surround Supreme Court Building"

Could it happen here? It chills me to respond honestly.

Not only could it happen here but it could happen sooner than we may think. I, and people that think like me, would be called enemies of this government. They would be the "patriots". We would be called "traitors". We would be the ones imprisoned - not them. We would be the minority that would be persecuted and tortured.

Yet, as I think such thoughts, there are those that say it is only paranoia. I only exaggerate the present condition of our nation. It could not happen here. We have too many checks and balances, they say.

How difficult would it be? "Bush Declares Emergency". That would hardly create a ripple of dissent under the present conditions. Except, of course, from riff-raff, like you and I. They would joke about it on the Sunday news shows.

How difficult would it be? "Bush Suspends Constitution". In many ways, that has already happened. For the general well-being and safety of our citizens, he could declare a curfew in all the larger cities and declare "temporary" martial law until peace was restored. Does anyone doubt that Bush would not have numerous defenders? Does anyone believe that the "opposition" Party would really say anything about it? Don't kid yourself. It could happen.

How difficult would it be? "Police Surround Supreme Court Building". Of course, they would say it was for the "protection" of our Chief Justices. But, in reality, it would be to control their movements and what they might say. How many Americans would shrug that off as nothing unusual? Bush would continue to have his supporters and polls would show that the majority of Americans agreed with his decisions. In the sense of balance, FOX News and Tim Russert would report that some Democratic leaders disagree with the President's decisions. However, they have no plans at present to do anything about it. Ask yourself. Could it happen here? Or are you just paranoid?

[LakeSamish706]

1. Only difference is that ......

"Bush Declares Emergency, Suspends Constitution; Police Surround Supreme Court Building"

Police don't need to surround Supreme Court Building in the US cause they are pretty much in Bush's pocket anyway!

[kentuck]

2. But tyrants don't like to take any chances...

They would surround them simply to assure control...It would be foolish to permit any loose cannons, especially the old liberals remaining, the freedom to speak out.

[LakeSamish706]

5. Probably a very good point... And ya never know with the SCOTUS...

[rwenos]

3. Much Would Depend On the Military

Were Bush to try something batshit crazy like that -- a "Seven Days in May" in reverse -- a lot would depend on whether the military would object. Odds are most of them would NOT --- despite the howls from Democratic Governors, who at least have SOME access to force, through the National Guard in each state. (Unfortunately, most of whom are in Iraq!)

It's undeniable that military units loyal to Bush could deny both the Supreme Court and the Congress access to their buildings. The ensuing Constitutional crisis could get messy -- I can see Bush-loyal units firing into crowds, a la Kent State. The media would "televise the revolution" at first, under the rubric "if it bleeds, it leads." They'd most likely get shut up by the Bushies pretty quick.

I figure there would be MAJOR, BLOODY rioting in the streets of D.C. Rioting in other cities would most likely be less violent (except maybe in the Red-Red South).

It would last for awhile, and then Bush would probably be pushed out by Cheney.

Quelle mess. The grotesque thing is that we're even HAVING this conversation.

[frogcycle]

6. I fully expect it to happen

his crowd has no intention of giving up power

you call it batshit crazy - I call it inevitable

he's already declared he will rule by fiat, consider congress irrelevant since it no longer kisses his ass, at least not quite as often

he probably won't do it until he has a major event to precipitate it

the only question is whether the event will occur naturally or they'll have to make it happen.

i find myself almost looking forward to it. If we don't have a crisis of that magnitude to precipitate a conflict and, one hopes, return to some semblance of democracy, then we'll just continue to boil like the frog

[LakeSamish706]

8. I'm with you on that and we also have another problem to worry about...

The Private contractors that the Bush Cabal will no doubt hire with all of the monies that they have stolen from the American people. These thugs (PC) will make certain that everyone is kept in there place.... The plan is set IMHO...

[kentuck]

9. It's the average American citizen that would follow...

wherever the propagandists, NBC, FOX, CNN, etc, would lead them. At this time, they would follow Bush. His polls would immediately go above 50% if he were to do something so daring...

[frogcycle]

10. i disagree on that

If he suspended the constitution - declared martial law - I would expect some governors to say "hell no". Some congresscritters - Jim Webb for example - would get REAL outspoken.

I would also not be at all surprised to see a mutiny in the military. If the constitution is suspended, then all bets are off. He's no longer CinC, except by virtue of being the last person to have held the now-defunct position of POTUS.

I would expect the Constitutional crisis to be largely a matter of the federal government falling apart and the big states forming some sort of alternative government. Kind of like the Confederacy, only instead of seceding they'd just be forming a new government because the other one had imploded. The trick would be to form a serious governmental body quickly - not one personality pulling a power grab - and I think the country would rally toward that.

There's be chaos, but I don't think the public would necessarily flock back to georgie porgie's side

[kentuck]

11. Yes, Jim Webb and few others...

would rebel against such a decision. However, Joe Lieberman, Diane Feinstein,and a couple of other Democrats would side with the Republicans and the Congress would be stalemated - just as they are now. Just as you witnessed with Schumer and Feinstein yesterday. Or do you think the Republicans would come to their senses? In the final analysis, the people would follow the lead of the propagandists - Russert, Hume, Tweety, Blitzer, and others. And they are not in touch with reality.

[frogcycle]

13. Congress would not just be stalemated

it would be irrelevant.

We would have the equivalent of a coup - which we actually have now, in many respects. Congress could just go home. Their job is to pass laws and oversee the executive, who supposedly works for us, and they are our watchdogs. But if bush declared martial law, then they have no role.

I am not talking about Jim Webb speaking up in the senate. I am talking about people of his ilk forming a new government, arresting the coup-conductors, and all their enablers.

If enough people took a hard line and cheered the coup, then we'd either have a new fascist state or civil war. I know which I prefer.

[kentuck]

7. The military would follow the orders...

of their Commander in Chief. If they did not, he would fire them. Who would defend them? Tell me one person in authority?

[gateley]

4. Those were my thoughts exactly. And the guy who opposed him? Poof!

Replaced in an instant.

I think Bush has almost pretty much suspended the constitution, except for the parts he likes (right to bear arms).

And not only do I think it COULD happen here, I think it's already in the process of happening here. America. :patriot:

[NewHampster]

12. Agreed. Read this chilling post

over on dKos Don't Tell Me Not to Compare it to Hitler!