What will happen (politically) if we're attacked again?

[zanne]

This has been on my mind lately, and with Bush slipping in the polls, I'm more worried than ever about another attack similar to 9/11. Republicans have been saying for awhile that George Bush was reelected because he's prevented any more terrorist attacks on American soil. But what would happen if there was another attack (even a relatively small one)? Would Democrats seize the opportunity to point out that Bush's policies didn't keep us safe? Would Republicans seize the opportunity to say that Bush was right about the "war on terrorism"? Would the RW have more power to roll back our civil rights? Can you think of any other nightmare scenarios? And what can we do NOW to prepare for this possibility?

[Strong Atheist]

1. "Would the RW have more power to roll back our civil rights?"

That's the plan ... martial law ...

[zanne]

4. So they win either way?

I'm playing devil's advocate with your response. If we continue to have NO attacks, the Republicans are right because Bush has kept us safe. If we do have an attack, the Republicans were right because we have to fight the "war" on terrorism and give the president more power. I'm saying this because I think we need a plan in advance, so we don't get railroaded like we did after 9/11. Are there any PR people around with a few suggestions?

[Lerkfish]

9. they "win" either way because its a war against a nebulous concept.

instead of an actual enemy.
The War on Terror can never be over, because its always a possibility, even if you achieve global domination.
What this administration has done, is started the FOREVER WAR.

orwell should be spinning at about 3000 rpm about now.

[CJCRANE]

23. ...and ironic how they forget that Gulf War I produced

an AMERICAN terrorist.

(McVeigh).

[Lerkfish]

6. yup. MARTIAL LAW, that's the plan...and has been if we've been paying

attention.
They already have lined up three scenarios where they have clearly stated only the military can adequately deal with:

1. Large natural disaster (Katrina)
2. Large disease outbreak (bird flu)
3. terrorists attack on US soil

now, the bad thing is, if any of these purportedly happen, and martial law is immediately clamped down, there's no way we'll be able to find out if the "event" actually occurred or was staged, because at that point we'll be under martial law. Elections will cease, media will be state run, if it exists at all (Not much difference from now, you might saw, but believe me it will be much worse), curfews enforced. Imagine trying to mount an investigation into the legitimacy of the event triggering martial law while still under martial law....aint gonna happen.

I edited to add:

since they have the SAME solution to a variety of problems, they INTEND to use that solution at some point.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. The only thing I dispute here is that the media would be state-run.

No need to do that. They've already privatized the propaganda services.

[Lerkfish]

12. no disagreement. I'm making the point it would be MUCH worse than

it is now.
Consider, that at least at present, there are enough independent journalists to be able to travel freely within the US to cover stories.
Even if higher up editors squash the stories, the information exists on some level and will eventually come out.
Don't forget the tv reporters exposing the lack of aid during Katrina

with martial law, even TRAVEL of reporters is shut down, they cannot even GET to the story.

[Jackpine Radical]

16. Your point is taken.

I guess I was just trying to say that the propaganda machine is already there, waiting to spew out whatever messages the Fascists give them.

[mike6640]

2. It would signal the end of democracy

and mark our final descent into fascism? /pessimism

Sorry, just started my first cup.

m

[snowbird42]

3. I know you hate this guy but he has been right often!!

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7986.shtml

[zanne]

5. Wow.

That was a little more nightmarish than I was expecting! (I don't hate that guy, by the way).

[DELUSIONAL]

13. This is a must read -- even for the nay sayers regarding CHB reporting

The same players who were with Ray-gun are working for the bushie gangsters.

These plans were put in place during the Ray-gun era -- which gives this gang of thugs yet another motive to steal TWO elections -- or perhaps four if we include the upcoming mid-term elections.

If these plans are allowed to be activated -- on the whim of bushie who is the most mentally unbalanced and challenged idiot to sit on the White house throne -- the great experiment which was the United States is over.

Before the 2004 election I said that it doesn't matter who wins the election because bushie will remain in power. I predict that bushie will remain in power after the 2008 election.

[PATRICK]

7. The media machine

and entire leadership mainstream has step by step conceded everything no matter how horrible, with minor
critiques always under successful counterattack where public opinion no longer matters much. This guarantees any attempt to even criticize Bush will still be uphill under fire. There is now NO limit to what they may dare because despite their fear and losses in indictments, they still hold control, hope for pardons, are in too deep, and have very little practical fear of what should have happened long ago- a sudden 100% change in media direction, sudden outbreak of law, citizens taking over in massive protests.

This has all the foreordained aspects of a previewed Greek tragedy in which the spectators themselves will be slaughtered by the gods in the end- but no one stops the show. The silent and silenced heroes are whistleblowers and a few critics who have gone far enough verbally. Heroes without swords, and moral cowards falling on theirs. But a semi-prosperous life in Wonderland goes on.

[zanne]

19. That was so well-said...

It goes on my refrigerator! (Don't scoff--my refrigerator also holds the Bill or Rights).

[PATRICK]

24. Mine holds all

my past property tax bills. Otherwise I lose them.

[freesqueeze]

8. The GOP has it covered.

They win either way.

No attack, Neo-Cons claim credit.

Attack, Neo-Cons are needed to get tough on terrorist (and the bill of rights.)

As long as the American citizen lets them, they will sway with the wind.



http://www.freesqueeze.com/nctt.htm

[Catchawave]

10. First thing that came to my mind.....

...when I saw the subject line....

Blame the Democrats !

Sad but true.

[Lone_Wolf]

14. Simple... the neocons will use it as an opportunity to grab more power

It will be exploited. You can also be sure, unless we fight for them, our freedoms will be taken from us.

All of this will happen with the media cheering the Bush administration on.

[mrcheerful]

15. Nope people will finally wake up and see that GW

can't protect them any better today then he did in 2001. It will have a backlash effect because remember we are fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them here is the latest repig spin on Iraq. Bush put his eggs into one basket and after all the incompetent things thats happened in the last 5 years an attack will drive home the fact that no one person can insure safety. Look at Ireland and the IRA with what happened when the UK came down on them. The best thing that could happen is another attack, its a no win for repukes because it shows that we been lied to, nothing we can do will stop terrorists.

[zanne]

20. There was a RW caller on C-Span about a week ago...

He wanted to let the world know that there probably would be another attack in the next couple of years, and once that happens, the Democrats will cease to exist as a party.

[mrcheerful]

26. Well what did you expect from someone

that thinks a bj is an impeachable crime yet spying on americans isn't? You will always get that 30% that will never get it. Those are the ones you don't talk to or do business with, at least I won't.

[NoLongerRepresented]

17. Unless we wake up.....

Unfortunately this would be a disaster I believe. The very objective of terrorism is to pressure the population to insist on policy change in their government. Under this administration, the enemy has been very effective. The Bush and his Bushbots have handed our attackers the victory on a silver platter.

You can take one sniper and render an entire unit ineffective. You take one shot then back off. The first time the target gets worried but after a day or so the fear wears off. One more shot. This time the panic stays for a while. They are completely ineffective. They don't sleep and just as the panic wears off (another three or so days) - one more shot. So on and so on. The unit may as well go home.

Our present enemy learned well from both Vietnam and our training(we trained them in making roadside bombs to fight the Russians in Afghanistan). It started in Beirut, a couple of airliners, then the Cole. Gradually building to the attack on New York. That attack got the attention of our population. Our citizens demanded change, and we got it. The last surviving vestiges of our Constitution were done away with. The propaganda mill was cranked up to full speed. To even question an action of the Government was to be unpatriotic. The sheeple fell for the administrations propaganda and crying "save us, save us no matter what it takes". No one stopped and took a look at why these folks hate us so much. Partly, I'm sure, because we are "infidels" - we can't really change that, but what gives the fringe fuel to fan the "Hate the US flames" is our meddling foreign policy. But, again, to even ask this question becomes treason.

A couple of quotes come to mind....

"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." --Samuel Adams

And another that our enemies have learned well:

"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
-- Hermann Goering, at the Nuremberg trials

We must stand up an demand that our "elected" officials abide by our constitution. If not, we must replace them; no matter what party affiliation they have.

[newportdadde]

18. Huge upswing in support for Bush. We as a country will rally.

Not keeping us safe etc will be forgotten, one thing we very good at as a country is rallying together. The whole 'fight them over there' meme will disappear, any criticize will be seen as decension much like 3 years ago.

I forsee another terrorist attack taking Bush up to 9/11 type poll ratings as he leads the fight against the evil terrorists. The attack will not come from Iran but will be blaimed on Iran helping the terrorists. This sets up a military campaign possibility against them and a draft for us.

[mourningdove92]

21. Bushco with the help of the controlled media, will lay the blame

on US. Those that oppose the war. It will be all our fault for emboldening the terrorists. Murtha will become the new Benedict Arnold.

[zbdent]

22. What elections?

I mean, we're at war, yanno. Can't change horses in midstream. Why bother to even have elections? Martial law . . . you can't leave your house and travel to the polling places . . .

(do not be surprised if the above comes true . . .)

[CJCRANE]

25. Bin Laden doesn't need another 9/11 -

he's got everything he wants:

American troops out of Saudi Arabia
Massive recruitment drive for al-Qaeda caused by Iraq occupation
Draining American treasury into Iraq's "quagmire"
American freedoms being taken away

Plus he's sitting pretty in the mountains of Pakistan where *'s buddy Musharraf won't touch him.