Newsmax columnist: Military coup "to resolve the 'Obama problem' " is not "unrealistic"

[kpete]

Source: Media Matters


Newsmax columnist: Military coup "to resolve the 'Obama problem' " is not "unrealistic"

September 29, 2009 5:57 pm ET by Terry Krepel

From John L. Perry's September 29 Newsmax column:
http://www.newsmax.com/john_perry/obama_military_coup/2009/09/29/266012.html

There is a remote, although gaining, possibility America's military will intervene as a last resort to resolve the "Obama problem." Don't dismiss it as unrealistic.

America isn't the Third World. If a military coup does occur here it will be civilized. That it has never happened doesn't mean it wont. Describing what may be afoot is not to advocate it.

............

Will the day come when patriotic general and flag officers sit down with the president, or with those who control him, and work out the national equivalent of a "family intervention," with some form of limited, shared responsibility?

Imagine a bloodless coup to restore and defend the Constitution through an interim administration that would do the serious business of governing and defending the nation. Skilled, military-trained, nation-builders would replace accountability-challenged, radical-left commissars. Having bonded with his twin teleprompters, the president would be detailed for ceremonial speech-making.

Read more: http://mediamatters.org/blog/200909290042

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Oh I'd make sure to make it bloody.

I'm ready for battle if anyone tries to pull this fucking shit.

Won't happen, though.

[Sub Atomic]

12. +10

They've been threatening revolution since Clinton was in office. I paid heed and started arming myself.

I, for one, am hoping these mouth-breathing d-bags decide to step.

[armyowalgreens]

82. Really? You are hoping that this country falls into civil war?

Somehow I don't believe that. And even if it were true, only a sick person would hope for bloodshed.

[Joe Chi Minh]

117. They're no Americans. They're traitors. There is not a single rational

excuse for talking of the possibility of a military coup, still less for doing so with warm approval! Obama is the elected President; elected by a large majority - though the same breed of traitors has reduced the figures through fraudulent voting machines.

What's more, Obama (President Obama to you and Perry, and just you remember it!) was not responsible for ignoring the warnings of the kind of attack that actually took place on 9/11, as a result of which so many Americans needlessly died.

Nor was it during Obama's watch that the country was plundered, so that the US and the world are now on the brink of an economic holocaust.

Why are you on this progressive thread? Perry should be arrested and tried for treason, and you arrested, very rigorously questioned and put on notice of dire consequences if you should be found to have expressed such thoughts again on a public forum. You'd better have some kind of adult reason for considering a coup against an elected President and administration as anything other than a war of aggression against the state - sedition - on the most specious of grounds.

Neither you nor Perry seem to be aware of the latest, in fact, every post election poll concerning the popularity of the President and his administration, compared to that of their Republican counterparts. Does that suggest either of you are capable of a scintilla of political understanding? That any kind of publicity should have been given to this is extraordinary. Like its ancillary crime, terrorism, sedition is a policing matter, not legitimate current-affairs comment in any shape or form. Incidentally, for any terrorist group to succeed, they need to have the support of the general public.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

124. That's one of the most ridiculous posts I've ever read

AoWG was pointing out that NONE of us should be hoping for bloodshed and civil war. Somehow you twisted that into him supporting some sort of coup against the President when that's nowhere near what he said.

You then suggest that he should be "arrested, rigorously questioned and put on notice of dire consequences". It sounds like you want interment camps for those who aren't politically "pure" enough for your liking. Is it any wonder that the R's have such a distrust of liberals and progressives - it only takes a few with views like yours to make the rest of us look really, really bad.

Let me make something clear: NO ONE here at DU should be HOPING for bloodshed and itching for the chance to shoot at, harm, or kill conservatives. And NO ONE should be threatened with arrest for supporting peace and non-violence, both of which are REAL progressive ideals. You question AoWG's progressive credentials, when your own questionable credentials are on display for everyone to see. Why are YOU on a progressive forum espousing violence, fascism and other neo-conservative ideals?

[Joe Chi Minh]

140. There is a remote, although gaining, possibility America's military

will intervene as a last resort to resolve the "Obama problem." Don't dismiss it as unrealistic.

America isn't the Third World. If a military coup does occur here it will be civilized. That it has never happened doesn't mean it wont. Describing what may be afoot is not to advocate it."

How about that for a weasely, mealy-mouthed incitement to sedition!

Perhaps you would be kind enough to show me where I have advocated violence? And tell me where Democrats have turned up at Republican meetings with side-arms on display? And since when has enforcing normal policing procedures relating to sedition been setting up internment camps for dissidents? Was it not under Bush that a number of large, mysterious camps have been set up? And the Patriot Act framed to allow people to be literally "dispappeared" - without the opportunity to contact even a lawyer? At the moment I'm wondering if you're Mellon-Scaife in his cups or Joe Lieberman.

What's more your post is as specious and vile as Perry's. By envisaging a "bloodless coup" in a approving terms, and disseminating his "vision" to the public, he is engaging in sedition. The bloody nerve of postulating allowing him to be a dummy, a figure-head to be worked by a teleprompting junta is just the last straw.

How dare he publicly dream (because that is clearly what it is) of United States military chiefs presuming to usurp the presidency, and on such surreally grostesque and hypocritical grounds as "to protect the Constitution", after Bush's terms in the Oval Office! Do you understand the meaning of "democracy" at all? How many Executive Orders has Obama - President Obama to you - issued? You seem to think all Republicans should be able to write their own Executive Orders at will. The laws of the land are only for the "little people". Enforcing the laws in relation to them is tyrrany!!!!

Or is he privy to the real councils of such traitorous military chiefs, rather than just dreaming? You certainly don't seem hostile to the notion, do you? Why you're approving his seditious talk, and all dressed up as "making nice" and not being aggressive and violent. If you must entertain such dreams, it would be prudent to keep them to yourselves in future. And you have the gall to preach to me about being a progressive on a forum like DU? For once I think I've seen a DUer's post that should disqualify him/her from posting to DU.

You are figures of fun to the public, but more clownish people than Perry and you have been implicated in government coups of one kind or another.

What a pair... you and armyowalgreens! I love the peaceful posture of your icon! It sums you up. Comical as well. And how about his sig-line quote from Yeats: "Tread softly for you tread on my dreams". Sounds like your grizzling to me.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

141. And yet more obfuscation

Rush would be proud. I wasn't addressing the OP, or any of the responses to the OP. I was merely pointing out that it's egregious to advocate, nay, relish the idea of killing another human being. AoWG was pointing out the same thing, and you attacked him as somehow less than progressive because he advocated against violence.

You just don't get it, and probably ever won't. Your ideological purity is stunningly perfect in its irony.

[Joe Chi Minh]

142. As I tried to pointed out to you, cloth-ears, it would not be civil war.

Those people are traitors, publishing their dreams of overthrowing the country's elected government. If not by violence, how, do you imagine? By making threats against Obama's family? Or by telling him they'd call him names?

Or do you think Obama would say to those two tele-prompting generals:

"Of course, I will cede to your wishes. I'm only a professor of constitutional law, so I bow to your superior knowledge of the Constitution, and will be only too pleased to accede to your wishes. I am particularlty impressed that you didn't try to subject me to any duresse in this matter. I can't imagine what I was thinking, wanting to be the President of the United States without a junta of Republican tele-prompters at my side!"

Obfuscation, my eye. Your contention is just a bloodier version of the Republican whining about class warfare.

If the country wasn't armed to the teeth, largely thanks to the Republicans, you wouldn't care tuppence about what the Democrats thought or said, one way or another. But now with all these bloody threats by Republicans, when healthy young men respond to those challenges in the manner you would expect, you start whining about class warfare - only with those young Dem bloods telling you they won't be taking a knife to a gunfight, they're such a disgrace to the supine, latte-drinking Dems!

Why would any sane adult want to see gratuitous violence against the panoply of state? I don't believe those mysterious camps were set up for fun, or that Blackwater foreign troops are training in Montana for fun? It would only lead to immense innocent blood-shed, as well that of the traitorous villains - for whom, throwing my latte down the sink in disgust, I have no sympathy. A man is known by his friends. If your friends are traitors, what does that make you? Get off this board. You're a disgrace even to the Republicans.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

145. Name calling is an excellent debate tactic!

The original quote for which AoWG responded to is: "I, for one, am hoping these mouth-breathing d-bags decide to step." This is espousing the hope that the country falls into civil war and the poster gets to shoot someone.

You can keep obfuscating the issue, but keep in mind that neither I nor AoWG agreed with or espoused the ideas put forth in the original article linked to in the OP. We were simply putting forth our objection to the approbation, endorsement, or support for violence against fellow Americans. We vociferously objected to the espousal of violence, and the stated HOPE for civil war and bloodshed.

You have the distinction of being the first person in the history of my time here to be invited to my ignore list. An ignominious honor considering that I hate the ignore list and vowed that I wouldn't find a person rude, crude or intolerant enough to deserve it. See ya...

[Joe Chi Minh]

146. When will you accept that people who seek to depose an elected President

on the most specious, unlawful, fascist grounds are not fellow-citizens, but traitors? Why do you persistently refuse to accept that?Just how dim are you? Why do you think Presidents are flanked by armed body-guards? Do you think they are for show, just pop-guns?

You seem to believe that if Republicans have a lot of money, they are entitled to arbitrarily dismiss elected Presidents, in favour of someone more to their liking, and still be considered loyal Americans? Not traitors.

You just make sure you keep me on that "ignore" list. I'm collecting some real beauts!

"The Bastille? Aux armes, citoyens? What is this? What's going on? Is it that pack of scurrilous ruffians from DU wanting to put their bodies on the line to protect the President? I shall have nothing to do with such loutish violence! Waiter! Another slice of your delightful Black Forest gateaux with my latte, if you please."

Occupations vacant:

Military "junta" required for teleprompter duties in the Oval Office. Latin American connection will be considered an asset. A post-graduate degree in Enhanced Interrogation Techniques from the School of the Americas - and the job's yours. Even if the only other member of your junta is my trusty lieutenant of yore, Duane, aka The Big D.

Signed: Ernest Bilko (of the other parish)

Voice off-stage: "No, Sir. I don't think another Mogadon would be advisable at all. No, Sir. Please don't take another one in the state you're in. I really don't think it would be advisable at all."

[TankLV]

41. They pull this shit - and it's REVOLUTION time - with THEIR blood!!!

I WILL quit work and take up arms to RESTORE the PRESIDENCY!!!

They will have unleashed a MONSTER of ALL of us if this ever comes to pass!!!

[nyc 4 Biden]

102. +1

Sign me up.

[bluestateguy]

2. The military establishment did not care for Bill Clinton

in fact some of the officers and enlisted men may have outright hated him. But they had enough respect for the office, for civilian control of the military and the chain of command, that such a nonsense idea was off the table.

[Wapsie B]

4. And I'm willing to bet they had a woody for Cheney and the chimp.

Mr. 5 deferments himself and the AWOL in Chief.

[Ready4Change]

122. Far from 100%.

This scenario could get very bloody very fast, with break out military units on both sides and with civilians, even 'prepared patriots,' caught in the crossfire.

No one wins this scenario. Everyone loses, and it's possible none of the major players will wind up on top of the smoking pile of ruin when all is said and done.

[tblue37]

52. Nowadays, though, the right wing fundies have taken control

of the Air Force and the Army, so I don't think they have as much respect for the Constitution as they once did.

[muntrv]

3. Newsmax is committing treason.

[Sub Atomic]

13. But it's only treason if there's a white man in office.

[muntrv]

16. And if he's conservative.

[Polemicist]

80. Newmax is suborning treason...

Let there be no mistake. Treason is a capital crime.

Anyone who attempts to overthrow the duly elected government of the United States is a damned traitor and will be hanged.

And I'm against capital punishment. Except for perhaps this exception.

[reggie the dog]

106. if they are calling for a coup then yes

if they are just reporting that it is a real possiblity then no. If their is a coup I will never set foot in the USA again. I would invite my family to visit me here in France and then apply for refugee status for them.

[Gman]

115. They seemingly innoculate themselves by saying, "Just sayin'.."

[rd_kent]

5. Restore the Constitution to what?

I hate it when I see that, because it means very little when there is no reference to what they want it restored back TO!

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. I think Newsmax are aiming for the time when it had the 'three fifths' stuff in

Luckily, I think they're full of shit about the military ever getting any such idea.

[jaysunb]

15. You're right on both accounts..

n/t

[Joe Chi Minh]

130. I would think you're right on that. The neocons are idiots. Not so the military by

and large. Nassim Taleb was impressed by their enlightened pragmatism.

[struggle4progress]

62. Restore the Constitution to the meaningless impotency it enjoyed after the 2000 coup!

[Canuckistanian]

91. That's what I was wondering

Is he talking about 4th amendment rights, which were destroyed under Bush? Or habeas corpus rights, ALSO destroyed under Bush?

The next time you hear someone bleating about "restoring the Constitution", ask them what they mean.

[newspeak]

92. I'm with you!!!

Where was Newsmax when * was dismantling the Constitution? Now they're worried about the Constitution? How about an administration that LIED us into a very corporate profitable war-and basically privatizing parts of our military? Got anything to say about that, Newsmax? And, how about those seasoned, rational generals who were let go by the * administration-those that wouldn't agree to the bloodbath called the ME FUBAR. Hate to break it to you Newsmax, but there are soldiers in the military who happen to be Democrats and Independents who respect the office of the presidency.

Of course, if you are fomenting treason-from the mouth of Mr. AWOL himself 'BRING IT ON." It's amazing we didn't hear this talk when * was enriching his wealthy base at the expense of the American taxpayers, or when * was cutting funds to states to finance his war hard on, or when * was using the Constitution as a piece of TP, or when * attempted to destroy SS, but instead handed a big gift to the pharma company that even some Republicans were against. And yet, it seems, that you think that after nine months, with this presidency, it's time for some action. You ain't fooling no one, you neo-con, immoral, pro corrupt corporate douche bag.

[reggie the dog]

108. 2nd amendment too

They took guns from people guarding their own homes in New Orleans under W's reign

[Canuckistanian]

131. Ah yes, forgot that one

It got ZERO play on FAUX.

Think about it - an actual illegal seizing of guns - and no outrage.

[Chulanowa]

101. But that's just it

When the constitution was written, only white males with property had any of the rights enumerated.

That's what they mean when they want the constitution "restored"

[jwirr]

132. Bingo.

[reggie the dog]

107. perhaps they mean do away with the patirot act

and actually restore the constitution but I doubt it.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

125. They want to restore it to its "biblical roots"

Where only white men had money, power, land, and voting rights. Back when the women-folk knew their place and them uppity Negros worked in the fields where they belonged. Back to a time when it was okay to kill gay people because heck, the bible says it's okay to do that. Back to a time when beating children was the way to teach them manners. And on and on, Ad Nauseum.

[MrModerate]

6. I hope the alternate reality this fuckwad lives in . . .

where there's an "Obama problem," doesn't slop over into our reality.

In fact, one can hope that the door between the two realities slams shut the next time he tries to pass through, leaving his body on the other side and his dick on this one (although I ain't picking it up).

Meanwhile, he can take any members of the military who are interested in flirting with this sort of numbskull treason with him. They're certainly of no practical value on this side of the line.

These people are getting like the scum at the bottom of a pan left on the stove -- as the water boils away their oily essence gets thicker and thicker. Soon it'll start to scorch.

[inna]

54. +1.

:banghead:

[jwirr]

133. One person I can think of who might be interested in this kind of shit

is Prince of Blackwater and a few other of those corps that we hire to do the bloody work for us in our wars. There may be holdover officers from *ss's administration as well. The hope I have is remembering the number of the military that voted for President Obama and the number of retired officers that came out for him in the election. This is going way too far.

[Mojorabbit]

7. That newsmax

even published this editorial is appalling.

[kestrel91316]

9. John Perry advocates treason and nobody does a damn thing. Why am I not surprised?

[Initech]

74. Yeah that's fucked up isn't it?

[The Stranger]

10. John L. Perry will be first on the list.

Let Madame DeFarge continue her knitting.

[earthside]

11. Brewing a Putsch

So, there are now elements of the "mainstream" right-wing media advocating for a military coup d'etat against the duly elected President of the United States.

The article proposes this as a "civilized" way to "resolve the Obama problem." Here's what NewMax itself says about the author, John L. Perry:

John L. Perry, a prize-winning newspaper editor and writer who served on White House staffs of two presidents ...

Sounds respectable anyway, uh? Of course, that is the danger. Perry isn't described as some kind of bulging-eyed, paranoid (like Glenn Beck), he's worked for two presidents, so maybe considering the possibility of a military take-over of the White House is 'reasonable'?

Sure, progressives and liberals wanted Bush and Cheney out of the White House for the obvious crimes they committed while in office (lying us into a war; violations of the Fourth Amendment; torture; etc), but they proposed 'impeachment' and a trial in the U.S. Senate, a process proscribed in the Constitution.

That's not fast enough or dramatic enough for the racists and fascists that now hold prominent sway in the establishment Republican Party these days -- as usual they want 'war' and military intervention.

What this essay reveals is that the Teabaggers and radical Republicans are mostly lip-service when it comes to the Constitution and liberty and free elections and small 'r' republicanism -- they prefer the iron fist, law and order, militarism, and as it follows: "One People, One Country, One Leader" (as long as its a 'leader' of which they approve). Folks like Perry and those who would agree with him are simply anti-American subversives -- it is not possible for there to be "a bloodless coup to restore and defend the Constitution" -- a putsch, a coup d'etate is antithetical to the very essence of the Constitution of the United States of America.

There is a dangerous tendency growing in the nation, one reminiscent of Germany in the 1920s -- we ignore fearmongers and race baiters and nationalists like Beck and Limabaugh and Palin and John L. Perry at our own peril.

[jbnow]

56. What can we do instead of ignoring or complaining about

fearmongers and race baiters? I didn't expect it to last because I thought people would stand up to it. I actually thought republicans would say "Stop!!!"
I surely thought Democrats would stand up when Obama was smeared and slimed.
Way back in March 2008 when rep King of Iowa proclaimed terrorists would dance in the streets if Obama won I expected some backlash, some congressional action although not official.
Nothing and the silence is stunningly loud...and it's gotten worse and worse and worse. The hate media is absolutely out of control but it is supported by the very people who should call on it to stop. Since King there have been so many conress people saying outrageous, unacceptable things....right up to Senator Inhofe saying Obama is disarming the military, destroying everything good about America and determined to turn foreign terrorists loose on US soil at a town hall earlier this month and Representative Trent Franks saying "we need to realize that he is an enemy of humanity" at the "How to Take Back American Conference" last weekend.
wtf?

For them to add to the hate, the things that would make people fear Obama...to think taking action would actually be patriotic...well that is horrifying and what can we do?

Hell American Forces Radio airs Rush Limbaugh's daily screeds against Obama to our military around the world.


Oh I like how the article does the Obama as empty suit thing

with the president, or with those who control him
(snip)
Having bonded with his twin teleprompters, the president would be detailed for ceremonial speech-making.

What is it with the teleprompter? So he uses them for speeches. Everyone uses notes of some kind. Why is that a bad thing? Would it be better if he was awkward as McCain with them?
Did they bitch about Reagan...'the great communicator'
The Truth About Presidents And Teleprompters

There’s one reason above all others that President Obama uses a teleprompter in delivering most of his speeches: he’s good at it.

Ronald Reagan was the same way. He was more at ease in reading his speech off the dual screens of a teleprompter than looking up and down at a speech text on his lectern

Not so, George W. Bush. He often got that nervous, deer-in-the-headlights look when giving an address from a teleprompter. He would seem stiff and ill-at-ease. He did not convey a sense of understanding.

"He preferred using large index cards," said his one-time White House Press Secretary Ari Fleisher, "plus I think he was just more comfortable with the cards."

Have they noticed he can also answer questions and do interviews without a teleprompter or fo they think he has one built into his brain that 'those who control him' type his answers into?

Everything is about him looking bad, unqualified, dangerous, a threat...

and what can we do?

[Confusious]

61. "One People, One Country, One Leader"

ein volk, ein reich, ein furher.

[Zorra]

14. Bu*h and the republicans fucked up the country so bad that they will never be voted

into power again, so their only hope is a violent, non-democratic takeover of the government.

[demwing]

30. Don't count on it

there are still millions of fuckwits who voted for McCain/Palin, who still watch Glenn Beck, who are highly motivated, and under medicated.

[Echo In Light]

93. Catch History Channel's show the other night re a nuke attack on DC?

I hadn't seen that one, so checked, and it was produced in 09. VERY creepy, very obvious in both promoting blind fear/panic, and conditioning the public mind toward the idea as inevitable.

[Solly Mack]

17. Newsmax columnist is sharing his wet dreams with everyone

[sabrina 1]

18. If he doesn't get a visit from the authorities

then I know there are different rules in the country now than when Bush was president.

I was a moderator on a major 'left' forum around 2004, I think. There was a member there who was very funny, but very opposed to Bush and the war. He used to write sarcastic posts and everyone knew him.

One night I saw a very short post he had made, which was a question 'has anyone heard of a threat to assassinate Bush?' When the administration saw it, it was a bit too late to delete as other people had responded to it. They decided to leave it, but knowing how things were then, people were nervous.

About a week later we were told that the FBI had requested his information, which the blog refused. But they got a subpoena and I heard from admin. that he was brought in for questioning. He was disabled, btw, and didn't have much money. To make a long story short, we never saw him again, and we were told that 'things did not go very well for him'.

That was it, a short sentence in the middle of hundreds of comments, and he was hauled off. We tried to get in touch with him, but whatever happened, no one ever did.

Now this guy seriously suggests a military coup which is way more threatening and I would not be surprised if nothing happens to him.

[Joe Bacon]

19. This IS nothing less than treason!

Newsmax's owners should be indicted and tried for treason!

[Ajaye]

20. Now I can call them Nazis with Impunity...

I've held off calling the Republicans and movement conservatives Nazis out of a sense of fairness, and not wanting to violate Godwin's law.

But now, all bets are off.

Advocating a military coup. To overturn a democratic election.
Talking about "the Obama problem."

Is the Obama problem like the Jewish problem?

Fucking nazi fuckwads. I hate them for making me hate them.

[undeterred]

21. Newsmax is rightwing bullshit.

[reggie the dog]

109. So was Nazi propaganda

Remember Hitler only had 25 percent of the people behind him.......

[intheflow]

22. Hard to believe this guy worked in both the Johnson and Carter White Houses.

I hope Carter gives him a call and sets him straight.

[Swagman]

23. this was written by an "award winning editor "?

"In the 2008 election, that was the wistful, self-indulgent, indifferent reliance on abnegation of personal responsibility that has sunk the nation into this morass."..what a fucking fruitcake

[MrModerate]

29. "The Richard Scaife Award for Outstanding Dickishness"

This guy has won it twice and been a runner-up for the last 5 years.

[Texano78704]

48. Exactly!

The dickwad won a prize soooo important that it has to be left unnamed. Probably a prize from some fundie wackjob group.

[struggle4progress]

66. John L. Perry is not terribly concerned with facts: look at his "Obama, the Puppet President."

He thinks GITMO has already been closed

[Blue_Tires]

90. yeah that stuck out for me, too (former reporter and copy editor)

I don't care how long he's been out of the business, or how backwater his paper was -- No self-respecting editor puts his name on a sentence like that...

[Doremus]

24. Perry AND Newsmax both should be indicted for treason.

If any of us had published anything as remotely suggestive of a coup d'état during the Cheney regime we would have been visited by the black SUV brigade.

[superconnected]

25. These are the same people who would lock anyone up who voiced dislike for bush.

Arrested people for wearing anti war tee-shirts etc. What a bunch of crazys. They are scary crazy.

[Hawkeye-X]

26. Place this man under arrest

and sent to Gitmo.

Let him EXPERIENCE the pain that we endured the 8 years of *.

Hawkeye-X

[roamer65]

27. The military could not control a country with so many guns.

Military coup = Second Civil War.

[reggie the dog]

110. touché

[jwirr]

134. Nor could they control a country with the area we have and the number

of people who support President Obama.

However, wasn't there a post on here about a week ago that talked about the President being afraid to cross the CIA? Fear that is hidden from the public could be a very scary situation.

[bhikkhu]

28. The shit would hit the fan like they wouldn't ever imagine

From one peace-loving non-gun owner. I only hope there aren't enough raving idiots in the country to try crap like that - they have no idea whatsoever...

[reggie the dog]

111. buy guns

and lots of ammo

[HuckleB]

31. This is treason, and, in my book, advocating for terrorism.

[UpInArms]

32. Imagine a bloodless coup to restore and defend the Constitution?????

these people need to see the inside of their favorite abode - Gitmo.

end of sentence.

[David__77]

33. The fascists have advocated this since FDR.

Carter also faced this in a somewhat major way, with the attempt to recruit Al Haig and the like for coup operations. Anyone who doesn't think a "soft coup" has occurred before is mistaken.

[IDemo]

34. "Describing what may be afoot is not to advocate it."

Horse&hit, balls, malarkey, BS, etc...

[Strelnikov_]

35. Very possible. I am sure the military is pining for those halcyon days

of the Bush administration, where no overreach was too large, no sacrifice was large enough, and competent/forward looking leadership was for pussies.

[Hubert Flottz]

36. K&R

Moonbats!

[bertman]

37. I recced this so more DU'ers will hopefully take the time to read this treasonous "column"

and come face-to-face with the realization that all of this tea-baggin', non-citizen bullshit, vilification of President Obama is not just some kind of academic exercise by the reich-wing.

This is what these traitors are seriously talking about.

Combine that scary thought with the power the ultra-right religious nuts in the ranks of the United States military's general officer corps have over our Armed Forces and you have a very real possibility that some zealot will put together a cabal and try something very very stupid.

If this doesn't get some serious investigation by the Secret Service and FBI, there is big trouble ahead, folks. That "column" was a shot across the bow. To ignore that type of call for treason is perilous in the extreme.

[The Wizard]

45. The essence of the argument for conscription

"...United States military's general officer corps have over our Armed Forces and you have a very real possibility that some zealot will put together a cabal and try something very very stupid."

An army of conscripts is not likely to obey unlawful orders to overthrow a duly elected civilian government as they want to return to civilian life upon discharge.
An army of career oriented volunteers would be more prone to obey unlawful orders as the military becomes their permanent caretakers.

[DireStrike]

49. You're right

Entering the military today is a terrifying prospect. Your logistics is done by low-bid or no-bid contractors; the pay and benefits are nowhere near worth it; everything important is underfunded; and of course, the wars are in hot and uncomfortable places. As usual.

Not to mention the significant right-wing presence in the military has a chilling effect on those who are not.

[izzybeans]

38. THey may have hijacked the word fascist, but that's what they are advocating.

[HughBeaumont]

39. 18 USC 2385

"knowingly or willfully advocate, abet, advise or teach the duty, necessity, desirability or propriety of overthrowing the Government of the United States or of any State by force or violence, or for anyone to organize any association which teaches, advises or encourages such an overthrow, or for anyone to become a member of or to affiliate with any such association"

But HEY, IT'S OK IF YOU'RE A DAMNED REPUBLICAN!

RIGHT, Agent Mike?

[marmar]

40. "The Obama problem"

Racism is a brain-wasting disease.

[Dawson Leery]

53. True, racism is bad. But, you have to at least consider

that the Republicans would not be any more content with any other Democrat in power either.
Recall what happened to Bill Clinton. What is occurring now is a repeat of the same campaign.

[jwirr]

135. Only now they seem to be more careless.

[spanone]

42. bring it on

[BlooInBloo]

43. I love the taste of their bitter tears. Moar plz!!!

[Vickers]

76. I love you, man.

You always post what I wish I was clever enough to post.

:headbang:

[JerseygirlCT]

44. Seriously?

I can't even begin to understand where these people think Obama has done anything to the Constitution, except perhaps to defend it. What is it that they're clinging to here?


I really don't get it.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

46. Look at this guys pic

http://www.newsmax.com/john_perry/

It's always the fat old assholes that talk the big talk behind their computers. Confront this guy in real life and he's shit his pants.

[sabrina 1]

79. "Page cannot be found"

Either your link doesn't work, or his photo is gone. Maybe the FBI did get in touch with them?

[Usrename]

83. the smugness reminds me of assholes who used to say "niggras"

I'm beside myself.

[sabrina 1]

103. Thanks for the picture.

He's a terrible writer besides everything else.

[Joe Chi Minh]

120. He looks like a catatonic Phil Silvers, the kind of insignificant functionary

that Jewish survivors of the concentration camps say were the real villains of the piece.

"Bilkooooow! I've had just about enough of you.....!"

[Joe Chi Minh]

139. Maybe he looks more like Bilko coming round after a bang on the head.

Mrs Hall: "Don't be so unkind to that nice Sgt Bilko, John."
The Colonel: "You keep out of this, Nell! This is the presidency that's at stake. We're facing a big-hitter. And he's got an even more formidable lieutenant by the name of Duane Scaife-Doberman...."

[KatyMan]

47. The Smith Act

has never been repealed or overturned. Perhaps it's time to test it out again:


“knowingly or willfully advocate, abet, advise or teach the duty, necessity, desirability or propriety of overthrowing the Government of the United States or of any State by force or violence, or for anyone to organize any association which teaches, advises or encourages such an overthrow, or for anyone to become a member of or to affiliate with any such association."

Yep, a few trial cases would shut these fuckers up.

[truedelphi]

143. Youhave to wonder why this Act is being followed

To the letter. Like you say, a few trial cases would shut these people up.

Under George W, people were arrested for wearing the wrong kind of T shirt to one of his speeches. But under Obama, Town Hall meetings are falling into Non-civility. People are allowed to bring weapons to Town Hall meetings. (Even though the same people would NOT be allowed to bring said weapons into the County Court Building just blocks away.)

And really whacked out fringe RWingers are calling for an overthrow of the elected government.

Why isn't anyone inside the Obama Administration taking action on this?

His own people should have his back.

[Odin2005]

50. Treason!

[Dawson Leery]

51. What is this?

"America isn't the Third World. If a military coup does occur here it will be civilized. That it has never happened doesn't mean it wont. Describing what may be afoot is not to advocate it."

Since when have military actions been peaceful and blood free?

[Zoeisright]

55. I reported them to the FBI and Secret Service.

And let Newsmax know that.

[anonymous171]

57. Unlike Zelaya, Obama has control of the military. They would be crushed. nt

[RagAss]

58. Hahahahaa... name me the city that wouldn't burn to the ground !

[New Dawn]

59. "NewsMax" is a Neocon (fascist) publication.

[bhikkhu]

60. "Bloodless" might last about 12 hours

after that, they have no idea what kind of shit will hit the fan.

[LTR]

63. And yet, we're the anti-American traitors

:wtf:

[HappyCynic]

69. Never ceases to amaze

It never ceases to amaze me how much projection the right wing engages in. What's even more amazing, though, is that a significant proportion (nowhere near a majority, thankfully) believe them.

[Mrs. Overall]

64. As a country we voted, and as I recall, Obama won by quite a majority over McCain--

so what's the fucking problem?

[HappyCynic]

73. No representation

I remember seeing on, I think, The Daily Show in the "early days" of Teabagging, one Teabagger was told that one of the original gripes that led to the revolution against the British was representation without taxation. He was then asked if he felt like he was getting taxed without representation. His response was essentially, yes, he had no representation because the person he voted for didn't win. There seemed to be no concept of other people's votes counting or how democracy/elections work. Maybe this is their problem...

[pschoeb]

96. McCain won the majority of the white male vote

I'm pretty certain they don't think anyone else should really be voting. That pretty much is why they think all Democratic party presidential winners are illegitimate, none of them win the majority of the white male vote. Really it's just that simple for many of them. Obama is worse, because in their eyes at least Clinton, Carter etc, were white men and therefore, to their racist ideology, minimally qualified for the office.

his quoted phrase

"resolving the "Obama problem""

That phrase reeks of "Jewish problem", I'm sure that was a clear dog whistle to overt white supremacists, and also a dog whistle to what the "solution" should be.

[Joe Chi Minh]

121. "McCain won the majority of the white male vote". If you believe that, you'll believe anything.

[DissedByBush]

127. They're whiners

They lost. They're throwing a tantrum.

They turn a blind eye to the unconstitutional actions of our previous presidents but somehow Obama is the one worthy of a coup.

[Juche]

65. That is what these fascists want

They want to happen to our country what happened in Chile, Ecuador, Iran and various other nations. For the military to overthrow the left wing president and establish a dictatorship. These people are literally begging for dictatorship. In between that and people like Beck hoping Osama commits another terror attack, these people are dangerous.

These fucks need to be watched carefully.

[anonymous171]

68. And Obama isn't even really left wing either!

They have been spoiled by Bush and his far-RW proto-fascist goons.

[Juche]

70. Pretty much

Obama is a fairly moderate, cooperative, passive person. Imagine what they'd do if he were a fire breathing liberal extremist instead.

He never fights back and always asks for bipartisanship and he gets compared to Hitler for it. Fucking wingnut morons.

[troubledamerican]

67. USAF "Al Qaeda sympathizer" crashes F-16 into Capitol Dome, wipes out only Dems

during a special session in which "GOP Walkout" because "President is illegitimate"...

During the upcoming Hillary presidency, not Obama's. She'll be called "illegitimate" too. You'll see.

[cliffordu]

71. I'll see them in the streets first, and then meet them all in hell.

[flvegan]

72. Yeah, well you know what they say about morons with firearms.

[Quasimodem]

75. The gene pool in the Neocon think tank needs more chlorine!

Reading the John L. Perry’s bio, supplied by Newsmaxs, there seemed an awful lot of skin for the bones. But unless Perry has suffered a recent cerebral embolism, even he must realize that his repellent piece of jactitation verges ever so nearly toward treason.

Furthermore, his speculations upon the probable reaction by any American Administration, the Senate, or the House to a military coup, whatever its composition, is unadulterated horse puckey.

[RandomThoughts]

77. Standard Republican propaganda

Do something bad, then blame everyone else for doing it.

The Constitution was trampled by Bush. If the argument is about Constitutional protection they would side with President Obama and many Democrats. Although there is much work to be done to restore the protections of the Constitution and the rule of law.

If people are talking about such things it is not about the Constitution, but about some people thinking all control should be based on money.

Don't let anyone tell people that such a thing would be to protect the Constitution, it would be to maintain the lack of Constitutional protections that Bush liked.

There are aristocracy advocates that have been pushing for dictatorship, there are groups that think it is the best way, they like the feudal system model. They have some money, and some outlets for information dispersal, but they do not have legal nor moral authority in the minds of most of the governmental workers or the US military.

There are many issues that show the coup that was done many years ago to take power away from people and put it into the control of people with the most money. First it is the doctrine of certain groups that have some influence, second you can see it with attempts to make all elections possible to steal or buy. Then there are many other things that show some want a feudal system not a democracy.

[Douglas Carpenter]

78. kick and recommend!!

[Hekate]

81. Agent MIke? Anyone know where Agent Mike is when we need him?

Who are these insane people at newsmax?

Hekate

[lillypaddle]

84. K&R

Unbelievable.

[jpljr77]

85. Newsmax took it down, it appears.

I guess they were testing the limits...and they determined that they reached them.

[nc4bo]

86. Newsmax - not worth the paper it's printed on. BTW, since when did M$NBC carry NM commercials?

Thought I had clicked on the wrong channel this morning when I saw a full ad for the NewsMax radio/early terror warning system on the teevee machine.

I've only seen that on one other station. Hint: Faux News.

:wtf: is that all about? NVM. It just confirms that daytime M$NBC is no different than Fox in the a.m. hours.

[Kansas Wyatt]

89. Newslax wasn't just advertising on Faux Newz.

I figured they had lost too many minions and was offering trinkets to round up more fascists.

[guitar man]

97. Eh, just agency buys and spot placement

If Newsmax placed a buy with an ad agency with no specifics of where to place the spots and MSNBC's contract with the agency didn't specify not to run ads for Newsmax, the ad could have been placed by someone who didn't know or care who Newsmax was, they were just trying to get everything placed so they could get off work on time.

[marshall]

87. Gore Vidal says basically the same thing

That Obama misjudged the public, things are falling apart, and the military is likely going to be the only thing that can hold things together.

[Joe Chi Minh]

119. Gore Vidal is now a very old man, and, if I remember correctly,

accused Obama of being out of touch with ordinary folk because of his privileged background. From Gore Vidal, does that sound a little odd to you? His privileged background sure hasn't stopped us admiring him, when he talked sense.

[marshall]

138. Vidal supported Obama over Clinton

He still seems satisfied with Obama (relatively speaking), he was just airing an opinion.

[Hannah Bell]

88. why does the ruling class faction want to incite race war?

[newspeak]

95. the thing is would it be a race war or a class war?

Because I'm white and liberal, and I sure ain't gonna be on the side of "I'm a clueless, bigoted fool fighting for the greedy." This whole "us against them" has been created and fueled by MSM. Going by Chafee's (R) interview, when * was first selected, the R congresscritters were brought together and informed, I believe by Cheney, that there would be no negotiating with Democrats--that the administration ruled. And, with the help of the media, they have intentionally divided us. I don't believe that the * administration wants a United States, I believe they want fracture--because "Divided we fall." It's how to destroy a country in ten easy steps. And, who benefits from our division? Why big multi-national business. They have over extended our military, funneled money to their war profiteering corporate buddies, while the infrastructure in the US has suffered, while families have lost their jobs, while labor rights and safety have eroded. So, who benefits from such discord?

[cecilfirefox]

94. How do we report this article to the Secret Service and FBI?

And I strongly encourage everyone to do that.

[Brewman_Jax]

98. What happened to talk against the President during time of war

was treason? What happened to "watch what you say, watch what you do"? I guess those apply only if the President is a white male republican. :(

[Julius Civitatus]

99. The hate rhetoric keeps spiraling out of control, faster and faster

Time for the secret service to intervene?
How can a journalist LITERALLY call for armed insurrection through military coup? Isn't this TREASON? Isn't this illegal?

[redqueen]

118. One small nit-pick, it's no journalist... it's an unpaid blogger. (nt)

[Lorien]

100. He can keep dreaming

He doesn't articulate what the "obama problem" is (he's black-like much of the military). "Restore the Constitution" like to before Bush got into office? Amazing how these people neglect to notice just WHO shredded it. Obama is a mild mannered center right politician; the only thing they are "rebelling" against was their inability to steal the office a THIRD time.

[jwirr]

136. You just hit on it! Steal the office - the bloodless takeover happened

in 2000. Apparently the writer has forgotten that little trick.

[Joe Chi Minh]

147. If only he could, but now the Obama road-block is driving him nuts with frustration..

[AntiFascist]

104. This would be a good way to weed out treasonous members of the AF...

and it would not be bloodless.

[Joanne98]

105. Newsmax is a terrorist organization. KILL THEM!

[Joe Chi Minh]

148. I've always said women don't take prisoners, Joanne! But be careful.

There are powerful types for whom patriotic outrage is a mystery, even a crime, if it thwarts their will to power.

[Gabi Hayes]

112. we've already a had a coup. or two:

11/22/63

12/12/00

[jwirr]

137. I forgot about JFK.

[grytpype]

113. They had their bloodless coup in 2000.

The Supreme Court did the dirty work instead of the Military, but a coup is a coup.

[BrainGlutton23]

114. They should be careful what they wish for . . .

. . . if they wish for a revolution. Because there will not be a RIGHT-WING revolution in America in your lifetime or mine. The RW's numbers are declining irreversibly, the liberals' (not leftists', more's the pity) are growing. It's amazing how many conservatives, and even self-ID'd "moderates," are still so oblivious to (or in denial of) how far leftward the political center-of-gravity in America has moved and is moving -- not because of any swing of a metaphorical pendulum, but because of enduring cultural, demographic and generational changes. At this point, Obama is probably rather to the right of the American center, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus not very far at all to the left of it. Obama is certainly a RW conservative by the standards of any industrial democracy but the U.S.


http://people-press.org/report/312/trends-in-political-values-and-core-attitudes-1987-2007

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/03/political_ideology.html

[TroglodyteScholar]

123. They give us VERY little credit

It would blow their tiny minds to see the masses of people who would fight a coup, bloodless or not, by any means possible. They really have no idea....

[Stumbler]

116. "replace accountability-challenged, radical-left commissars."?!?

Right-wing psychological projection at it's finest...

[Joe Chi Minh]

128. NewsMax should be closed down. Allowing "nickel and dime" magazines

to foster sedition must be bad policy, and a "rap on the knuckles" wouldn't seem to fit the bill, would it? In any other democratic country, never mind totalitarian states, it certainly would be closed down.

It may not be the right time to go after the big media corporations yet, in terms of a return to a fairness doctrine, but a state within a state, even if it's just festering and whining at the moment, has got be bad for any country. The rule of law serves everybody's best interests ultimately, as this beckoning economic abyss indicates, albeit in the breech of it.

[Butch350]

126. People who drink their own URINE spout this kinda shit.

What a bunch of looney bat-shit-crap!

[bkozumplik]

129. lets just let them secede

They can have the whole south and texas too. good riddance.

And if they want to fight? Oh, We can do that too. Most republicans I know are cowards at heart anyway, thats why politics of fear works so well on them. Fear is who they are.

[nightgaunt]

144. The blatancy is almost embarrassing

Need they advertise their want, their need for a coup? Even though the black propaganda* blitz against Obama just hides his continuing of the previous administration seems contradictory. But once you figure out Obama is on the same side as they are it might fit. He needs to continue what was started first with Reagan and carried on through both Republican and Democratic administrations. As with Clinton before him they needed cover and to play the partisan game and let their people loose. Obama should know that the people he works for are died-in-the-wool racists who are using him and would sacrifice him if they need to. (He may not even know.) They need a new trigger to finish the job of destroying the Republic in order to put in their more perfect union of a theocratic empire. Their "Shining city on a hill" myth brought to life.

Propaganda levels;
*Black is the most severe
Gray is the next level down
White is the least of the three