Terrorism and the Election: California is the Target!

[bemildred]

Forewarned is forearmed and all that ...

You have to give the right-wingers credit. The fear tactics they learned from arch-Nazi propagandist
Joseph Goebbels remain at the front of their political playbook. First, they put out the notion that in the
event of a terrorist attack around the time of the November 2 election, a postponement of the vote may be
necessary. Second, they start talking about the Federal government's response to such a scenario. It's the
second item we must all be focused upon.

The idea of terrorism affecting the election was first proffered by Reverend DeForest B. Soaries Jr, the
Bush-appointed chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Soaries is a right-wing New Jersey
Republican Secretary of State who has been living under the small "fanatics only" revival tent of the
Christian fundamentalist crowd for some time. Soaries's job is to ensure that there is no repeat of the 2000
Florida fiasco. However, he and his friends in the Bush administration (read that as Karl Rove and Tom
DeLay primarily) may have their eyes set on causing a major West coast electoral disruption in 2004 that
will make Florida 2000 look like a minor glitch by comparison.

As expected, suspecting a Bush conspiracy to cancel the election and remain in power until a
determination would be made by Homeland Fuhrer Tom Ridge that an election was safe, the moderate,
liberal, progressive, and libertarian communities cried foul. Postponing an election without a
constitutional amendment would be a major breach of the Constitution (not that Bush has ever worried
about his constitutional oath) and that would be impossible with only a little over three months before
Election Day. Those who respect our Constitution pointed to the fact that President Abraham Lincoln did
not cancel the 1864 presidential election during the Civil War - a war which saw this nation more at
danger than it is during the current cable news bite-driven and somewhat sensationalist "Global War on
Terrorism."

The right wing had a different take on the possibility of an election postponement. Neo-fascist babble
mongers like Rush Limbaugh said, "No!" to a postponement of the election. They argued that if a terrorist
alert or attack were to occur, the election should go on and only those votes cast should be counted. Bingo!
The plan for a second Bush administration became clear as day. And that plan's target is California, with
its whopping 54 electoral votes, and possibly Washington State's 11 electoral votes, at stake.

CLG

[ewagner]

1. Heard Joe Trippi on

WPR this morning talking with the hostess about the Election/Terrorism subject.

His take is a little different. He thinks the idea that a terrorist attack could happen around or on election time was a trial balloon. He said that "in the dark corners of his memory" he could envision election day where certain Democratic states or voting groups (re:minorities) would be bombarded with "robo-calls" stating that the election was postponed or cancelled due to a terrorist threat and there was no need to go to the polls. Why not? The seed has been planted.

[Gman]

2. Interesting theory

and one that would work real well too.

But if Trippi is talking about it, the Dems are already planning for it along with everything else they're preparing for on election day.

[doctorbombeigh]

3. It's interesting, all right...

and likely, if their numbers keep dropping.

However, I believe you're right re the DNC having its act together on this - at least I hope they do. They certainly seem to have an almost Carvillesque response team going. Very sharp.

[jcldragon]

4. The Democratic National Convention is the Target

So Bush let's Al Queda hijack a jet at the last minute during its approach to Logan. Then they fly to plane into the Convention as a bomb. This wipes out all of Bush's organized opposition, & gives him the excuse he needs to declare Martial Law on a permanent basis.

[Booster]

5. I was reading that Bushco plan to cause total caos in

CA's larger cities, causing huge traffic jams (watch for red lights to suddenly stop working) so people will just give up and not vote at all. The article said people in CA should vote as early as they can and not wait til after work or vote absentee ballot. The Dems in SF and LA should get a plan in place now in case this happens, because you know if it's a problem going to vote, people will go home instead.

[CaTeacher]

6. This would not surprise me at all.

If they can disrupt the election in California, they could win. This would be an ultimate evil plan.

I think I will do my ballot absentee this year.