Bush hides in CO w/Pentagon while martial law simulation starts in DC?

[iconoclastic cat]

Okay, I know you people hate when I cut and paste from dKos, but this is truly bizarre:

Don't want to be alarmist about this, but these three simultaneous items together are really jarring.

* First, without any discussion or warning, Bush announced Wednesday that he has extended the terrorism-related state of National Emergency he declared after 9/11.

* Second, a Washington Post columnist tells us that yesterday was the kickoff of "GRANITE SHADOW", a massive Pentagon exercise simulating the declaration of a martial law in Washington, DC. Military special forces and intelligence officers have, in fact, been deployed in force -- wearing civilian clothes -- in the streets of the capitol.

* Third, Bush is going to Colorado Springs on Saturday, HQ of Northern Command (NORCOM), we are told to monitor Hurricane Rita response efforts. NORCOM is the operational headquarters that is simultaneously running the GRANITE SHADOW operation.

Of course, this comes on the eve of the largest anti-war demonstration in DC in 35 years.

(much more in post)

What is going on? Some possibilities are:
A) Psyops to freak out the protesters.
B) Bush is making an illegal power grab.
C) Bush is scared and plans to spend the weekend doing some "serious thinking" in a basement bunker with some old Pentagon pals while they get to play with a live-action shoot-em-up simulation. (Note to self: buy stock in whoever makes Jim Beam.)

[aquart]

1. Bush doesn't have the army to make the power grab.

It's in Iraq and would probably laugh at him.

Any demonstrator who advocates ANY lawless act including jaywalking should be ignored as an agent provocateur.

This is a peaceful protest. No taunting of cops, no arguing, no fuss. And anyone going with plans to get arrested should really rethink.

If the sheer numbers (and I worry about that because of Rita) can't get the point across, nothing else will do anything but harm.

At this point, mass arrest of peaceful Americans will NOT improve Bush's image, it will lend strength to the growing impression that he is dangerous to the safety of the American people.

[mongo]

11. Well said.

We are there to advocate for peace and justice, not to fuck up DC.

[aquart]

2. Bush doesn't have the army to make the power grab.

Hmm. First I can't get any posts and now I get double?

This is all Rita's fault. And Bush's.

[flordehinojos]

9. bush has the blackwater mercenaries and other paramilitary forces which

are being funded by homeland security.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/23/1338246

[aquart]

13. God help his ass if he tried to move them into our cities.

He's be dealing with secession by governors and mayors. Who also command people with guns. Homeland Security simply doesn't have that many mercenaries. Who would have to be recruited from American men. If they were foreign men, we'd kill them on streetcorners, just like the Iraqis do.

Fantasy done now?

[flordehinojos]

16. i hope you clicked on the link to the blackwater mercenaries published at

the democracynow.com site.

[Mutley]

10. Nah, it's the Clenis's fault.

:rofl:

[Beam Me Up]

3. Wow, great minds and all that, iconoclasti cat.

They're either doing a full dress rehearsal or this is the 'real deal'.

Which do you think?

Edit link to my thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4862220

[Scout1071]

6. A coincidence like running hijacking scenarios on 9/11/01?

Be careful protesters. Clearly, they intend to show their muscle this weekend.

[demnan]

4. It's also possible

that the media presstitutes are floating these stories to discourage the vast numbers of protesters expected.

[Beam Me Up]

5. Yes, that is possible -- but do you really think it would have significant

impact? I doubt it. People have made up their minds already, some have already arrived.

I'm going to the protest in SF tomorrow.

[iconoclastic cat]

7. That was the first possibility that I suggested in the OP.

That's my bet. That, and Bush is going on a bender.

[flordehinojos]

8. if you had put this to a vote, i'd vote ALL OF THE ABOVE

[kma3346]

12. I've been nervous about this too

Between worries about the hurricane(s); the demonstrations; Operation Granite Shadow (what an assinine name!) and the possibility of marital law; my own worries about number three of the "Big Three Disasters" (two of which have occurred already), a major earthquake in SF; and now Bush just happening to be safely away from all the turmoil and at Northcom tomorrow.... I'll be glad when this weekend is over!


:scared: :tinfoilhat: :scared:

[sofa king]

14. You guys aren't helping my delusion at all

As detailed here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1798900

The walls really are closing in on these guys. I think they're gonna go for it this weekend.

[spotbird]

15. What happened to that general that they fired?

That story was in and out quickly.

[earth mom]

17. KICK!

:kick: