I'd Guess The Torture Scandal Has Removed Martial Law As An Option

[stopbush]

It's been discussed on DU many times - will bushco declare martial law at some point to retain power, either in response to an attack or some other manufactured event.

I'd have to think that's now off the table.

bushco is now a weakened position. You can't be declaring martial law from a position of weakness. It would be so obviously desperate that even Joe Six Pak would reject it out of hand. bushco could even have a military revolt on their hands if they tried it.

What do you think?

[Cassandra]

1. I was going to ask whether you meant there or here...

but you meant here. I don't know; they're delusional and just might be desperate enough.

[Melodybe]

2. Sorry, without the millitary, Bushco has nothing

And guess what? the military is totally pissed. Pissed at Bushco for getting us in an un-winnable war, for treating veterans like shit, and then not properly arming our soldiers.

No dictator on earth has succeeded in over taking a country with out the state's military behind them. Bushco does not, and if they insist on letting Rummy off the hook, and a general takes the blame, the military will be done with Bushco.

This is a very good thing for all Americans, with the exception of Bushco, of course.

[pacifictiger]

3. and besides, all the national guard may still be in iraq

[punpirate]

4. I don't think the two situations are mutually exclusive...

... and I still think that it will take another catastrophic event to give the Bushies an excuse to impose martial law.

They don't want to give up power now, admittedly, especially since a Democrat in office may have a chance to see what they've been up to in the last four years. But, they still need a plausible excuse for using extraordinary measures to disrupt the election.

Without plausible reasons, they're screwed, no matter what they say. The latest news on torture will blow over.

The real worry will come in September or October. If there's a manufactured event to disrupt elections, it will be then. I don't think they have either the brains or the balls to do it, but, still....

[Hippo_Tron]

5. It wouldn't be in Bush's best interest to suspend the constitution...

That would make a coup d'état legal.