Trump's Coup d'état.

Mader Levap · 11th November 2020, 09:38 AM

Someone wanted it, so here it is.

We already have republiloons behaving like their fuhrer won second term, screaming unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and peddling ridiculous conspiracy theories. Crazies send death threats to officials involved in elections. What's next?

Coup is logical endgame for wanna-be authoritarian party working hard on removing "wanna-be" part.

How likely it is? Why they would do that right now, just for Trump? If it happens, how republicans would pull it off (literal military coup, SCOTUS shenanigans, something else)? What reaction it would cause? How it all ends?
Or maybe it is just ploy for those two last senate seats in Georgia and nothing serious comes out of it?

Note that while SCOTUS giving presidency to Trump technically is not coup*, nevertheless it is within topic of this thread, since a lot of people would consider it coup and transformation of USA into rightwing authoritarian state.

* According to certain local rethuglicans here, so take it with entire moon of salt.

d4m10n · 11th November 2020, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mader Levap

How likely it is?

Hard to say, but the ongoing silence of most elected Republicans and the complicity of appointed ~~toadies~~ officials like Pompeo makes it seem increasingly likely from where I'm sitting.

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I AGREE

The Great Zaganza · 11th November 2020, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason.

- John Harington

psionl0 · 11th November 2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

"As we said on July 19th, the American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House,” campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement.

https://edition.cnn.com/politics/liv...af1b75f623ea73

Olmstead · 11th November 2020, 09:57 AM

He would if he could.

Can he?

dmaker · 11th November 2020, 10:08 AM

One thing the last few years, and more specifically the last week, have done is to help me truly understand some aspects of history better.

As a student of history, I have always grappled with trying to get a more visceral feel for how certain things could have come to pass. For example, the rise of fascism in Europe. I can read the texts and understand the larger forces at work, but because the resulting society and regime were often so repugnant to my modern liberal mindset, it was always very difficult to come away with anything more than an academic feel for the facts, but little actual understanding of how those times must have felt to those living in them. Excellent books like They Thought They Were Free:The Germans, 1933-45 (Milton Mayer) come about as close to that slippery understanding than any other that I have read, but still I was always left feeling that I didn't truly understand how people let it happen.

Recent events in the US have closed that academic vs real world feel gap. Now I understand better how regimes like that start to rise.

It's pretty scary.

The Atheist · 11th November 2020, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mader Levap

Crazies send death threats to officials involved in elections. What's next?

1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result.
2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering.
3 - Wait for riots to start.
4 - Engage military to quell riots.
5 - Declare Martial Law.
6 - Accept Putin's congratulations.

Ta-da!

cosmicaug · 11th November 2020, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result.
2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering.
3 - Wait for riots to start.
4 - Engage military to quell riots.

How could that happen? The top people at the Defense Department have made it pretty clear that they are not behind anything like that.

Oh, wait....

dudalb · 11th November 2020, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result.
2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering.
3 - Wait for riots to start.
4 - Engage military to quell riots.
5 - Declare Martial Law.
6 - Accept Putin's congratulations.

Ta-da!

Highly unlikely scenario.
Not that Trump would not like to do it, but he could not.
For one thing, he cannot roder the EC not to meet.

dudalb · 11th November 2020, 11:01 AM

I think ww are into Disaster Porn here.

Cavemonster · 11th November 2020, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by dudalb

I think ww are into Disaster Porn here.

Probably.
But we've had four years of "Trump can't do that, it's illegal!" And every time, the fact that he controls the executive branch and there is no mechanism to enforce the law means he CAN do that.

So at this point, if we can agree he wants to stage a coup, it's reasonable to ask the question very specifically of who would stop him? If it relies on action from within the executive branch, what's to stop that action from being up to Trump loyalists?

If he can ignore subpoenas, and court orders and laws, who are the individuals who physically remove him, and what stops him from making sure those individuals and their bosses are more loyal to him than the law?

Vixen · 11th November 2020, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by dmaker

One thing the last few years, and more specifically the last week, have done is to help me truly understand some aspects of history better.

As a student of history, I have always grappled with trying to get a more visceral feel for how certain things could have come to pass. For example, the rise of fascism in Europe. I can read the texts and understand the larger forces at work, but because the resulting society and regime were often so repugnant to my modern liberal mindset, it was always very difficult to come away with anything more than an academic feel for the facts, but little actual understanding of how those times must have felt to those living in them. Excellent books like They Thought They Were Free:The Germans, 1933-45 (Milton Mayer) come about as close to that slippery understanding than any other that I have read, but still I was always left feeling that I didn't truly understand how people let it happen.

Recent events in the US have closed that academic vs real world feel gap. Now I understand better how regimes like that start to rise.

It's pretty scary.

Looking at the other end of the spectrum, if we look at the Bolshevik Revolution, 1917, what made it successful was (a) having the masses on your side, (b) having the army on side and (c) strong leadership ready with slogans and propaganda.

Often, it involves arresting the current incumbent (in this case it would be Joe Biden) and their officers, putting them all on trial and finding them guilty of acts against the state. A military dictator is put in place, so we might see Trump received the title of General, as he sends in the National Guard to quell the inevitable uprising by angry disenfranchised citizens, with the Proud Boys and the gun lobby MAGA mob as vigilantes. We saw Trump defending these types.

d4m10n · 11th November 2020, 11:22 AM

I've spent a little energy trying to envision how the Trumpers think they can pull this off. From what I can tell—after sitting through the infamous Four Seasons press briefing—the plan is to overturn the results in GA with a hand recount and then overturn PA & MI by somehow getting the courts to declare tens of thousands of votes invalid in major metropolitan centers such as Philly and Detroit.

ETA: If you want "disaster porn" just imagine how the residents of those cities would respond to judicial disfranchisement overturning the statewide result.

Chanakya · 11th November 2020, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by dudalb

I think ww are into Disaster Porn here.

Originally Posted by Cavemonster

Probably.
But we've had four years of "Trump can't do that, it's illegal!" And every time, the fact that he controls the executive branch and there is no mechanism to enforce the law means he CAN do that.

So at this point, if we can agree he wants to stage a coup, it's reasonable to ask the question very specifically of who would stop him? If it relies on action from within the executive branch, what's to stop that action from being up to Trump loyalists?

If he can ignore subpoenas, and court orders and laws, who are the individuals who physically remove him, and what stops him from making sure those individuals and their bosses are more loyal to him than the law?

This.

Agreed, this is way far-fetched. But then, so much that everyone thought was simply impossible turned out to be entirely possible.

Fingers crossed! This isn't over until it's actually over.

Vixen · 11th November 2020, 11:29 AM

The latest meme doing the rounds on social media.

timhau · 11th November 2020, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Looking at the other end of the spectrum, if we look at the Bolshevik Revolution, 1917, what made it successful was (a) having the masses on your side, (b) having the army on side and (c) strong leadership ready with slogans and propaganda.

Actually, they didn't have (a), had most of (b), and (c) at least when it comes to propaganda. What was most impotrant was their willingness to do **** that the other factions wouldn't.

dudalb · 11th November 2020, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by d4m10n

I've spent a little energy trying to envision how the Trumpers think they can pull this off. From what I can tell—after sitting through the infamous Four Seasons press briefing—the plan is to overturn the results in GA with a hand recount and then overturn PA & MI by somehow getting the courts to declare tens of thousands of votes invalid in major metropolitan centers such as Philly and Detroit.

ETA: If you want "disaster porn" just imagine how the residents of those cities would respond to judicial disfranchisement overturning the statewide result.

That is slightly more plausible then the scenario that The Atheist put out, which has several WTF moments, and clearly come sfrom somebody who has little understanding of how the Amrrican system works and who clearly hates the US.

dirtywick · 11th November 2020, 11:35 AM

Restructuring the pentagon, CIA, and FBI with loyalist is troubling.

But there are many members of government that have indicated they will respect the results of the election. But equally troubling is those who say the "legal" votes and things of that nature.

Point is, Trump hasn't been acting like he's going to acknowledge the results of the election, but he can't do it alone either

Cain · 11th November 2020, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by d4m10n

I've spent a little energy trying to envision how the Trumpers think they can pull this off. From what I can tell—after sitting through the infamous Four Seasons press briefing—the plan is to overturn the results in GA with a hand recount and then overturn PA & MI by somehow getting the courts to declare tens of thousands of votes invalid in major metropolitan centers such as Philly and Detroit.

ETA: If you want "disaster porn" just imagine how the residents of those cities would respond to judicial disfranchisement overturning the statewide result.

Anti-democratic forces have institutions in place -- namely, the Electoral College. There were rumblings prior to the election of installing faithless electors. (In fairness, the Trump administration is so lazy and inefficient that planning probably never rose above Sharpie on cocktail napkins.)

I saw an article recently titled something along the lines of "Trump Decapitates Civilian Leadership at Pentagon." Another commenter says it's probably a cover-up rather than a coup (keeping certain dealings secret and preventing access to the transition team).

As I said in another thread, an attempted coup might be one of the best things that could happen in the long-term because it would discredit Trump as a mainstream political force. Also, four years ago, I was promised outright fascism. A coup is extremely unlikely, but 1% threats need to be taken seriously if they're sufficiently, well, disastrous.

cosmicaug · 11th November 2020, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Looking at the other end of the spectrum, if we look at the Bolshevik Revolution, 1917, what made it successful was (a) having the masses on your side, (b) having the army on side and (c) strong leadership ready with slogans and propaganda.

Often, it involves arresting the current incumbent (in this case it would be Joe Biden) and their officers, putting them all on trial and finding them guilty of acts against the state. A military dictator is put in place, so we might see Trump received the title of General, as he sends in the National Guard to quell the inevitable uprising by angry disenfranchised citizens, with the Proud Boys and the gun lobby MAGA mob as vigilantes. We saw Trump defending these types.

I'm greatly relieved! Thank dog that Trump has never talked about prosecuting his political rivals and that we don't have anyone in his cabinet who has talked about executing Trump's enemies for treason!

JoeMorgue · 11th November 2020, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

I think ww are into Disaster Porn here.

Dude you've been all over the threads creaming yourself over a Civil War happening any day now for the last four years.

If this is Disaster Porn you've been deep into Disaster Snuff.

As to the question in the OP my answer is the same it pretty much always has been.

No I don't think he can succeed, but I'm not particularly enjoying watching him see how close he can get.

And the closer he gets the more damage to the reputation of the United States as a Democracy he does.

And I have no intention of watching Trump see how far he can go in the hope that we'll recognize it going to far before the point of no return if we're wrong.

Vixen · 11th November 2020, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by timhau

Actually, they didn't have (a), had most of (b), and (c) at least when it comes to propaganda. What was most impotrant was their willingness to do **** that the other factions wouldn't.

Well they had the masses in Leningrad.

Vixen · 11th November 2020, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by cosmicaug

I'm greatly relieved! Thank dog that Trump has never talked about prosecuting his political rivals and that we don't have anyone in his cabinet who has talked about executing Trump's enemies for treason!

Obviously Russia 1917 was largely a feudal monarchy. However, if you want to study how coups take place then there will be common themes. A large theme being cheating and not following the rules.

Now that there will be a manual recount in Georgia, who's to say a bundle of 20,000 ballot papers doesn't suddenly finds its way into the count, in Trump's favour? Biden and co arrested and charged with fraud, National Guard in place in every metropolis to quell any rioting and looting...do you think Trump would draw the line at cheating...? Or making false arrests...?

thaiboxerken · 11th November 2020, 01:14 PM

Trump is installing loyalists in top positions of the military and Pentagon.

JoeMorgue · 11th November 2020, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

Trump is installing loyalists in top positions of the military and Pentagon.

Ah but you see, the excuse goes, he's not in his heart of heart really meaning to launch a coup, he's just doing exactly someone who wanted to plan a coup would be doing.

Or he's just pretending to plan a coup to tweak the libs.

Or he's planning a coup but the Dems would do the same thing in his position so that makes it okay.

Or he's planning a coup but we're being dramatic about it.

Vixen · 11th November 2020, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

Trump is installing loyalists in top positions of the military and Pentagon.

Including a couple of raging known ~~luna~~ extremists.

d4m10n · 11th November 2020, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

That is slightly more plausible then the scenario that The Atheist put out...

But wait, there's more.

If Trump cannot prevail in lawsuits in PA and other swing states, he can perhaps convince GOP-majority state legislatures to appoint slates of electors in lieu of the ones chosen by voters.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

dmaker · 11th November 2020, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cain

As I said in another thread, an attempted coup might be one of the best things that could happen in the long-term because it would discredit Trump as a mainstream political force. .

Didn't seem to phase Hitler.

CORed · 11th November 2020, 01:20 PM

The key question is just how far he will push it. As it is, even if he ultimately fails, he has already convinced a significant number of people that Biden stole the election and this will undermine his legitimacy and ability to govern. I find the scenarios of an actual miltary coup less likely to succeed, and I also think that he may not try because he is fundamentally a coward, and even in his deranged mind has to realize that failing at a military coup will end with him ether dead or in a prison cell, likely for the rest of his life. OTOH, I can't completely discount the idea that he really is crazy enough to go that far. His firings of the Defense Department officials certainly suggests that he's planning a coup, or planning on deploying the military against protesters.

The way I think that this will play out is that he will push the lawsuits, and possibly efforts to hijack electors through Republican legislators as far as possible. There is also the possibility of preventing electors from being seated and throwing the election into the House of Representatives, which, because they will vote by state delegation would likely put Trump in.

What I think will happen is that he will try all of the quasi-legal avenues, refuse to cooperate in the transition, and leave the White House on Jan. 20, still claiming the election was stolen from him, and starting his run for 2024.

Long term, what scares me even more than a Trump run in 2024 is that the Republicans will try again, with a more competent authoritarian. They have proven that they will support an authoritarian, and I think what has (probably) saved us this time is the overall incompetence of Trump.

Frankly, if Trump does manage to pull this off, I may be among the mob setting fires and breaking windows.

Vixen · 11th November 2020, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by CORed

<snip>

Long term, what scares me even more than a Trump run in 2024 is that the Republicans will try again, with a more competent authoritarian. They have proven that they will support an authoritarian, and I think what has (probably) saved us this time is the overall incompetence of Trump.

Frankly, if Trump does manage to pull this off, I may be among the mob setting fires and breaking windows.

Look up Section §2383 of the US constitution.

dmaker · 11th November 2020, 01:28 PM

"Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."

Nice. How great would it be if Biden's AG were to gather enough evidence to make something like that stick? Americans would never have to contend with Trump in office ever again.

portlandatheist · 11th November 2020, 01:32 PM

Some may enjoy listening to the Radio lab episode called "What If?"

Quote:

There’s plenty of speculation about what Donald Trump might do in the wake of the election. Would he dispute the results if he loses? Would he simply refuse to leave office, or even try to use the military to maintain control? Last summer, Rosa Brooks got together a team of experts and political operatives from both sides of the aisle to ask a slightly different question. Rather than arguing about whether he’d do those things, they dug into what exactly would happen if he did. Part war game part choose your own adventure, Rosa’s Transition Integrity Project doesn’t give us any predictions, and it isn’t a referendum on Trump. Instead, it’s a deeply illuminating stress test on our laws, our institutions, and on the commitment to democracy written into the constitution.

Some of these scenarios are already in play. One scenario is faithless electors. it is an interesting thought experiment.

Skeptic Ginger · 11th November 2020, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Well they had the masses in Leningrad.

Did they in Germany?

Skeptic Ginger · 11th November 2020, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by d4m10n

But wait, there's more.

If Trump cannot prevail in lawsuits in PA and other swing states, he can perhaps convince GOP-majority state legislatures to appoint slates of electors in lieu of the ones chosen by voters.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Been discussed. Name a state and let's look closer. PA legislators have already said, no they would not.

Trebuchet · 11th November 2020, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Cain

As I said in another thread, an attempted coup might be one of the best things that could happen in the long-term because it would discredit Trump as a mainstream political force. Also, four years ago, I was promised outright fascism. A coup is extremely unlikely, but 1% threats need to be taken seriously if they're sufficiently, well, disastrous.

Originally Posted by dmaker

Didn't seem to phase Hitler.

Trump doesn't drink beer.

Skeptic Ginger · 11th November 2020, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by portlandatheist

Some may enjoy listening to the Radio lab episode called "What If?"

Some of these scenarios are already in play. One scenario is faithless electors. it is an interesting thought experiment.

Not sure why these things keep getting brought up. SCOTUS already ruled, faithless electors are not legal.

Thermal · 11th November 2020, 01:44 PM

I sleep well at night knowing nothing will happen except some comical posturing. DC is full of politicians and Intelligence communities that would not let the crazy off the leash under any circumstances. Secret Service, military, et al would not allow a coup or anything to go down before the legal means of removing a loon were executed.

In reality, President Trump's staff in the West Wing will convince him he can't win this particular battle and to go away and cry elsewhere.

d4m10n · 11th November 2020, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger

Not sure why these things keep getting brought up. SCOTUS already ruled, faithless electors are not legal.

Not quite what SCOTUS ruled. What they said was that individual states can make them illegal if they so choose.

https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/07/o...-elector-laws/

It is of some relevance here that neither GA nor PA have laws which would punish or replace a faithless elector^WP.

Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger

PA legislators have already said, no they would not.

Happy to assume the Democratic state legislators actually meant what they said, but those who follow Trump's banner can reasonably be expected to emulate him. It makes rather little sense to take them at their word.

JoeMorgue · 11th November 2020, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger

Not sure why these things keep getting brought up. SCOTUS already ruled, faithless electors are not legal.

Oh my God not again. How many times are you going to repeat this lie?

SCOTUS said nothing of the sort. Faithless Electors are not legal if the state they are in says so and almost none of the states are saying so. The SCOTUS ruling only said "States have the right to punish faithless electors if they want."

You're expecting this fantasy SCOTUS ruling that happened only in your head to save us and it's not the first time.

STOP SAYING THAT SCOTUS HAS RULED AGAINST FAITHLESS ELECTORS. It's highly dangerous misinformation right about now.

cosmicaug · 11th November 2020, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by CORed

The key question is just how far he will push it.

That's not a key question at all because we already know the answer. The answer is as far as he can.

The key question is how far can he push it?

The answer to that question does not depend on him alone because he can't push for much of anything by himself. Disturbingly, he's not alone. How far are his collaborators willing to go?

Originally Posted by CORed

As it is, even if he ultimately fails, he has already convinced a significant number of people that Biden stole the election and this will undermine his legitimacy and ability to govern. I find the scenarios of an actual miltary coup less likely to succeed, and I also think that he may not try because he is fundamentally a coward, and even in his deranged mind has to realize that failing at a military coup will end with him ether dead or in a prison cell, likely for the rest of his life. OTOH, I can't completely discount the idea that he really is crazy enough to go that far. His firings of the Defense Department officials certainly suggests that he's planning a coup, or planning on deploying the military against protesters.

The way I think that this will play out is that he will push the lawsuits, and possibly efforts to hijack electors through Republican legislators as far as possible. There is also the possibility of preventing electors from being seated and throwing the election into the House of Representatives, which, because they will vote by state delegation would likely put Trump in.

What I think will happen is that he will try all of the quasi-legal avenues, refuse to cooperate in the transition, and leave the White House on Jan. 20, still claiming the election was stolen from him, and starting his run for 2024.

So many things are plausible. No one knows where we are going. We have a shameful spectacle that will probably end up with Biden swearing in at the appointed time but there's no guarantee. Even then, much damage is being and will be done.

Originally Posted by CORed

Long term, what scares me even more than a Trump run in 2024 is that the Republicans will try again, with a more competent authoritarian. They have proven that they will support an authoritarian, and I think what has (probably) saved us this time is the overall incompetence of Trump.

The "long term" could be as soon as 2024.

Originally Posted by CORed

Frankly, if Trump does manage to pull this off, I may be among the mob setting fires and breaking windows.

It would be sad if the Four Seasons Total Landscaping gang managed to pull this off. It's sad that it is even a question.

11th November 2020, 09:38 AM	#1
Mader Levap Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1,539	Trump's Coup d'état. Someone wanted it, so here it is. We already have republiloons behaving like their fuhrer won second term, screaming unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and peddling ridiculous conspiracy theories. Crazies send death threats to officials involved in elections. What's next? Coup is logical endgame for wanna-be authoritarian party working hard on removing "wanna-be" part. How likely it is? Why they would do that right now, just for Trump? If it happens, how republicans would pull it off (literal military coup, SCOTUS shenanigans, something else)? What reaction it would cause? How it all ends? Or maybe it is just ploy for those two last senate seats in Georgia and nothing serious comes out of it? Note that while SCOTUS giving presidency to Trump technically is not coup, nevertheless it is within topic of this thread, since a lot of people would consider it coup and transformation of USA into rightwing authoritarian state. According to certain local rethuglicans here, so take it with entire moon of salt.
	__________________ Sanity is overrated. / Voting for Republicans is morally equivalent to voting for Nazis in early 30's.

11th November 2020, 09:47 AM	#3
The Great Zaganza Maledictorian Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 14,364	Quote: Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason. - John Harington
	__________________ Ceterum autem censeo fox et amicis esse delendam.

11th November 2020, 09:55 AM	#4
psionl0 Skeptical about skeptics Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 31°57'S 115°57'E Posts: 16,856	Quote: "As we said on July 19th, the American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House,” campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement. https://edition.cnn.com/politics/liv...af1b75f623ea73
	__________________ "The process by which banks create money is so simple that the mind is repelled. Where something so important is involved, a deeper mystery seems only decent." - Galbraith, 1975

11th November 2020, 09:57 AM	#5
Olmstead Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 345	He would if he could. Can he?
Olmstead Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 345

11th November 2020, 10:08 AM	#6
dmaker Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,683	One thing the last few years, and more specifically the last week, have done is to help me truly understand some aspects of history better. As a student of history, I have always grappled with trying to get a more visceral feel for how certain things could have come to pass. For example, the rise of fascism in Europe. I can read the texts and understand the larger forces at work, but because the resulting society and regime were often so repugnant to my modern liberal mindset, it was always very difficult to come away with anything more than an academic feel for the facts, but little actual understanding of how those times must have felt to those living in them. Excellent books like They Thought They Were Free:The Germans, 1933-45 (Milton Mayer) come about as close to that slippery understanding than any other that I have read, but still I was always left feeling that I didn't truly understand how people let it happen. Recent events in the US have closed that academic vs real world feel gap. Now I understand better how regimes like that start to rise. It's pretty scary.
	Last edited by dmaker; 11th November 2020 at 10:11 AM.

11th November 2020, 10:40 AM	#7
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 27,892	Originally Posted by Mader Levap Crazies send death threats to officials involved in elections. What's next? 1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result. 2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering. 3 - Wait for riots to start. 4 - Engage military to quell riots. 5 - Declare Martial Law. 6 - Accept Putin's congratulations. Ta-da!
	__________________ The point of equilibrium has passed; satire and current events are now indistinguishable.

11th November 2020, 10:52 AM	#8
cosmicaug Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,455	Originally Posted by The Atheist 1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result. 2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering. 3 - Wait for riots to start. 4 - Engage military to quell riots. How could that happen? The top people at the Defense Department have made it pretty clear that they are not behind anything like that. Oh, wait....
	__________________ -- August Pamplona

11th November 2020, 11:00 AM	#9
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 49,926	Originally Posted by The Atheist 1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result. 2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering. 3 - Wait for riots to start. 4 - Engage military to quell riots. 5 - Declare Martial Law. 6 - Accept Putin's congratulations. Ta-da! Highly unlikely scenario. Not that Trump would not like to do it, but he could not. For one thing, he cannot roder the EC not to meet.
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein. Last edited by dudalb; 11th November 2020 at 11:04 AM.

11th November 2020, 11:01 AM	#10
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 49,926	I think ww are into Disaster Porn here.
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein.

11th November 2020, 11:09 AM	#11
Cavemonster Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6,227	Originally Posted by dudalb I think ww are into Disaster Porn here. Probably. But we've had four years of "Trump can't do that, it's illegal!" And every time, the fact that he controls the executive branch and there is no mechanism to enforce the law means he CAN do that. So at this point, if we can agree he wants to stage a coup, it's reasonable to ask the question very specifically of who would stop him? If it relies on action from within the executive branch, what's to stop that action from being up to Trump loyalists? If he can ignore subpoenas, and court orders and laws, who are the individuals who physically remove him, and what stops him from making sure those individuals and their bosses are more loyal to him than the law?
Cavemonster Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6,227	__________________ The weakness of all Utopias is this, ... They first assume that no man will want more than his share, and then are very ingenious in explaining whether his share will be delivered by motorcar or balloon. -G.K. CHESTERTON

11th November 2020, 11:11 AM	#12
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,222	Originally Posted by dmaker One thing the last few years, and more specifically the last week, have done is to help me truly understand some aspects of history better. As a student of history, I have always grappled with trying to get a more visceral feel for how certain things could have come to pass. For example, the rise of fascism in Europe. I can read the texts and understand the larger forces at work, but because the resulting society and regime were often so repugnant to my modern liberal mindset, it was always very difficult to come away with anything more than an academic feel for the facts, but little actual understanding of how those times must have felt to those living in them. Excellent books like They Thought They Were Free:The Germans, 1933-45 (Milton Mayer) come about as close to that slippery understanding than any other that I have read, but still I was always left feeling that I didn't truly understand how people let it happen. Recent events in the US have closed that academic vs real world feel gap. Now I understand better how regimes like that start to rise. It's pretty scary. Looking at the other end of the spectrum, if we look at the Bolshevik Revolution, 1917, what made it successful was (a) having the masses on your side, (b) having the army on side and (c) strong leadership ready with slogans and propaganda. Often, it involves arresting the current incumbent (in this case it would be Joe Biden) and their officers, putting them all on trial and finding them guilty of acts against the state. A military dictator is put in place, so we might see Trump received the title of General, as he sends in the National Guard to quell the inevitable uprising by angry disenfranchised citizens, with the Proud Boys and the gun lobby MAGA mob as vigilantes. We saw Trump defending these types.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

11th November 2020, 11:22 AM	#13
d4m10n Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mounts Farm Posts: 6,068	I've spent a little energy trying to envision how the Trumpers think they can pull this off. From what I can tell—after sitting through the infamous Four Seasons press briefing—the plan is to overturn the results in GA with a hand recount and then overturn PA & MI by somehow getting the courts to declare tens of thousands of votes invalid in major metropolitan centers such as Philly and Detroit. ETA: If you want "disaster porn" just imagine how the residents of those cities would respond to judicial disfranchisement overturning the statewide result.
	__________________ "Well, a statement like that is all the better for proof, but go on, anyway." - Salvor Hardin Last edited by d4m10n; 11th November 2020 at 11:27 AM.

11th November 2020, 11:23 AM	#14
Chanakya Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 2,475	Originally Posted by dudalb I think ww are into Disaster Porn here. Originally Posted by Cavemonster Probably. But we've had four years of "Trump can't do that, it's illegal!" And every time, the fact that he controls the executive branch and there is no mechanism to enforce the law means he CAN do that. So at this point, if we can agree he wants to stage a coup, it's reasonable to ask the question very specifically of who would stop him? If it relies on action from within the executive branch, what's to stop that action from being up to Trump loyalists? If he can ignore subpoenas, and court orders and laws, who are the individuals who physically remove him, and what stops him from making sure those individuals and their bosses are more loyal to him than the law? This. Agreed, this is way far-fetched. But then, so much that everyone thought was simply impossible turned out to be entirely possible. Fingers crossed! This isn't over until it's actually over.
Chanakya Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 2,475

11th November 2020, 11:29 AM	#16
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: Looks like Finland. Smells like Finland. Quacks like Finland. Where the hell am I? Posts: 14,355	Originally Posted by Vixen Looking at the other end of the spectrum, if we look at the Bolshevik Revolution, 1917, what made it successful was (a) having the masses on your side, (b) having the army on side and (c) strong leadership ready with slogans and propaganda. Actually, they didn't have (a), had most of (b), and (c) at least when it comes to propaganda. What was most impotrant was their willingness to do **** that the other factions wouldn't.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

11th November 2020, 11:29 AM	#17
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 49,926	Originally Posted by d4m10n I've spent a little energy trying to envision how the Trumpers think they can pull this off. From what I can tell—after sitting through the infamous Four Seasons press briefing—the plan is to overturn the results in GA with a hand recount and then overturn PA & MI by somehow getting the courts to declare tens of thousands of votes invalid in major metropolitan centers such as Philly and Detroit. ETA: If you want "disaster porn" just imagine how the residents of those cities would respond to judicial disfranchisement overturning the statewide result. That is slightly more plausible then the scenario that The Atheist put out, which has several WTF moments, and clearly come sfrom somebody who has little understanding of how the Amrrican system works and who clearly hates the US.
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein.

11th November 2020, 11:35 AM	#18
dirtywick Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,868	Restructuring the pentagon, CIA, and FBI with loyalist is troubling. But there are many members of government that have indicated they will respect the results of the election. But equally troubling is those who say the "legal" votes and things of that nature. Point is, Trump hasn't been acting like he's going to acknowledge the results of the election, but he can't do it alone either
dirtywick Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,868

11th November 2020, 11:44 AM	#19
Cain Straussian Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14,216	Originally Posted by d4m10n I've spent a little energy trying to envision how the Trumpers think they can pull this off. From what I can tell—after sitting through the infamous Four Seasons press briefing—the plan is to overturn the results in GA with a hand recount and then overturn PA & MI by somehow getting the courts to declare tens of thousands of votes invalid in major metropolitan centers such as Philly and Detroit. ETA: If you want "disaster porn" just imagine how the residents of those cities would respond to judicial disfranchisement overturning the statewide result. Anti-democratic forces have institutions in place -- namely, the Electoral College. There were rumblings prior to the election of installing faithless electors. (In fairness, the Trump administration is so lazy and inefficient that planning probably never rose above Sharpie on cocktail napkins.) I saw an article recently titled something along the lines of "Trump Decapitates Civilian Leadership at Pentagon." Another commenter says it's probably a cover-up rather than a coup (keeping certain dealings secret and preventing access to the transition team). As I said in another thread, an attempted coup might be one of the best things that could happen in the long-term because it would discredit Trump as a mainstream political force. Also, four years ago, I was promised outright fascism. A coup is extremely unlikely, but 1% threats need to be taken seriously if they're sufficiently, well, disastrous.
	__________________ April 13th, 2018: Ranb: I can't think of anything useful you contributed to a thread in the last few years.

11th November 2020, 12:16 PM	#20
cosmicaug Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,455	Originally Posted by Vixen Looking at the other end of the spectrum, if we look at the Bolshevik Revolution, 1917, what made it successful was (a) having the masses on your side, (b) having the army on side and (c) strong leadership ready with slogans and propaganda. Often, it involves arresting the current incumbent (in this case it would be Joe Biden) and their officers, putting them all on trial and finding them guilty of acts against the state. A military dictator is put in place, so we might see Trump received the title of General, as he sends in the National Guard to quell the inevitable uprising by angry disenfranchised citizens, with the Proud Boys and the gun lobby MAGA mob as vigilantes. We saw Trump defending these types. I'm greatly relieved! Thank dog that Trump has never talked about prosecuting his political rivals and that we don't have anyone in his cabinet who has talked about executing Trump's enemies for treason!
	__________________ -- August Pamplona

11th November 2020, 12:53 PM	#21
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 29,885	Originally Posted by dudalb I think ww are into Disaster Porn here. Dude you've been all over the threads creaming yourself over a Civil War happening any day now for the last four years. If this is Disaster Porn you've been deep into Disaster Snuff. As to the question in the OP my answer is the same it pretty much always has been. No I don't think he can succeed, but I'm not particularly enjoying watching him see how close he can get. And the closer he gets the more damage to the reputation of the United States as a Democracy he does. And I have no intention of watching Trump see how far he can go in the hope that we'll recognize it going to far before the point of no return if we're wrong.
	__________________ Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate." Last edited by JoeMorgue; 11th November 2020 at 12:54 PM.

11th November 2020, 01:07 PM	#22
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,222	Originally Posted by timhau Actually, they didn't have (a), had most of (b), and (c) at least when it comes to propaganda. What was most impotrant was their willingness to do **** that the other factions wouldn't. Well they had the masses in Leningrad.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

11th November 2020, 01:13 PM	#23
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,222	Originally Posted by cosmicaug I'm greatly relieved! Thank dog that Trump has never talked about prosecuting his political rivals and that we don't have anyone in his cabinet who has talked about executing Trump's enemies for treason! Obviously Russia 1917 was largely a feudal monarchy. However, if you want to study how coups take place then there will be common themes. A large theme being cheating and not following the rules. Now that there will be a manual recount in Georgia, who's to say a bundle of 20,000 ballot papers doesn't suddenly finds its way into the count, in Trump's favour? Biden and co arrested and charged with fraud, National Guard in place in every metropolis to quell any rioting and looting...do you think Trump would draw the line at cheating...? Or making false arrests...?
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

11th November 2020, 01:14 PM	#24
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 31,690	Trump is installing loyalists in top positions of the military and Pentagon.
	__________________ 1. He'd never do that. 2. Okay but he's not currently doing it. 3. Okay but he's not currently technically doing it. 4. Okay but everyone does it. 5. He's doing it, we can't stop him, no point in complaining about it. 6. We all knew he was going to do it which... makes it okay somehow. 7. It's perfectly fine that's he's doing it.

11th November 2020, 01:16 PM	#25
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 29,885	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken Trump is installing loyalists in top positions of the military and Pentagon. Ah but you see, the excuse goes, he's not in his heart of heart really meaning to launch a coup, he's just doing exactly someone who wanted to plan a coup would be doing. Or he's just pretending to plan a coup to tweak the libs. Or he's planning a coup but the Dems would do the same thing in his position so that makes it okay. Or he's planning a coup but we're being dramatic about it.
	__________________ Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate."

11th November 2020, 01:16 PM	#27
d4m10n Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mounts Farm Posts: 6,068	Originally Posted by dudalb That is slightly more plausible then the scenario that The Atheist put out... But wait, there's more. If Trump cannot prevail in lawsuits in PA and other swing states, he can perhaps convince GOP-majority state legislatures to appoint slates of electors in lieu of the ones chosen by voters. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
	__________________ "Well, a statement like that is all the better for proof, but go on, anyway." - Salvor Hardin

11th November 2020, 01:17 PM	#28
dmaker Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,683	Originally Posted by Cain As I said in another thread, an attempted coup might be one of the best things that could happen in the long-term because it would discredit Trump as a mainstream political force. . Didn't seem to phase Hitler.

11th November 2020, 01:20 PM	#29
CORed Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central City, Colorado, USA Posts: 10,000	The key question is just how far he will push it. As it is, even if he ultimately fails, he has already convinced a significant number of people that Biden stole the election and this will undermine his legitimacy and ability to govern. I find the scenarios of an actual miltary coup less likely to succeed, and I also think that he may not try because he is fundamentally a coward, and even in his deranged mind has to realize that failing at a military coup will end with him ether dead or in a prison cell, likely for the rest of his life. OTOH, I can't completely discount the idea that he really is crazy enough to go that far. His firings of the Defense Department officials certainly suggests that he's planning a coup, or planning on deploying the military against protesters. The way I think that this will play out is that he will push the lawsuits, and possibly efforts to hijack electors through Republican legislators as far as possible. There is also the possibility of preventing electors from being seated and throwing the election into the House of Representatives, which, because they will vote by state delegation would likely put Trump in. What I think will happen is that he will try all of the quasi-legal avenues, refuse to cooperate in the transition, and leave the White House on Jan. 20, still claiming the election was stolen from him, and starting his run for 2024. Long term, what scares me even more than a Trump run in 2024 is that the Republicans will try again, with a more competent authoritarian. They have proven that they will support an authoritarian, and I think what has (probably) saved us this time is the overall incompetence of Trump. Frankly, if Trump does manage to pull this off, I may be among the mob setting fires and breaking windows.

11th November 2020, 01:24 PM	#30
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,222	Originally Posted by CORed <snip> Long term, what scares me even more than a Trump run in 2024 is that the Republicans will try again, with a more competent authoritarian. They have proven that they will support an authoritarian, and I think what has (probably) saved us this time is the overall incompetence of Trump. Frankly, if Trump does manage to pull this off, I may be among the mob setting fires and breaking windows. Look up Section §2383 of the US constitution.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

11th November 2020, 01:28 PM	#31
dmaker Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,683	"Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States." Nice. How great would it be if Biden's AG were to gather enough evidence to make something like that stick? Americans would never have to contend with Trump in office ever again.

11th November 2020, 01:32 PM	#32
portlandatheist Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,580	Some may enjoy listening to the Radio lab episode called "What If?" Quote: There’s plenty of speculation about what Donald Trump might do in the wake of the election. Would he dispute the results if he loses? Would he simply refuse to leave office, or even try to use the military to maintain control? Last summer, Rosa Brooks got together a team of experts and political operatives from both sides of the aisle to ask a slightly different question. Rather than arguing about whether he’d do those things, they dug into what exactly would happen if he did. Part war game part choose your own adventure, Rosa’s Transition Integrity Project doesn’t give us any predictions, and it isn’t a referendum on Trump. Instead, it’s a deeply illuminating stress test on our laws, our institutions, and on the commitment to democracy written into the constitution. Some of these scenarios are already in play. One scenario is faithless electors. it is an interesting thought experiment.

11th November 2020, 01:39 PM	#33
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 85,818	Originally Posted by Vixen Well they had the masses in Leningrad. Did they in Germany?
	__________________ Trump lost and he knows it.

11th November 2020, 01:40 PM	#34
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 85,818	Originally Posted by d4m10n But wait, there's more. If Trump cannot prevail in lawsuits in PA and other swing states, he can perhaps convince GOP-majority state legislatures to appoint slates of electors in lieu of the ones chosen by voters. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk Been discussed. Name a state and let's look closer. PA legislators have already said, no they would not.
	__________________ Trump lost and he knows it.

11th November 2020, 01:41 PM	#35
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 30,615	Originally Posted by Cain As I said in another thread, an attempted coup might be one of the best things that could happen in the long-term because it would discredit Trump as a mainstream political force. Also, four years ago, I was promised outright fascism. A coup is extremely unlikely, but 1% threats need to be taken seriously if they're sufficiently, well, disastrous. Originally Posted by dmaker Didn't seem to phase Hitler. Trump doesn't drink beer.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

11th November 2020, 01:43 PM	#36
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 85,818	Originally Posted by portlandatheist Some may enjoy listening to the Radio lab episode called "What If?" Some of these scenarios are already in play. One scenario is faithless electors. it is an interesting thought experiment. Not sure why these things keep getting brought up. SCOTUS already ruled, faithless electors are not legal.
	__________________ Trump lost and he knows it.

11th November 2020, 01:44 PM	#37
Thermal Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 13,072	I sleep well at night knowing nothing will happen except some comical posturing. DC is full of politicians and Intelligence communities that would not let the crazy off the leash under any circumstances. Secret Service, military, et al would not allow a coup or anything to go down before the legal means of removing a loon were executed. In reality, President Trump's staff in the West Wing will convince him he can't win this particular battle and to go away and cry elsewhere.
	__________________ We find comfort among those who agree with us, growth among those who don't -Frank A. Clark Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect -Mark Twain

11th November 2020, 01:46 PM	#38
d4m10n Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mounts Farm Posts: 6,068	Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger Not sure why these things keep getting brought up. SCOTUS already ruled, faithless electors are not legal. Not quite what SCOTUS ruled. What they said was that individual states can make them illegal if they so choose. https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/07/o...-elector-laws/ It is of some relevance here that neither GA nor PA have laws which would punish or replace a faithless elector^WP. Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger PA legislators have already said, no they would not. Happy to assume the Democratic state legislators actually meant what they said, but those who follow Trump's banner can reasonably be expected to emulate him. It makes rather little sense to take them at their word.
	__________________ "Well, a statement like that is all the better for proof, but go on, anyway." - Salvor Hardin Last edited by d4m10n; 11th November 2020 at 02:16 PM.