Should this ever come to pass, it will be interesting to see if he can actually invoke it. The Insurrection Act has a very specific scope and circumstances for its invocation. Not that it matters to Trump, but the judges, federal personnel, legal experts, and military generals who would inevitably be affected aren't stupid.
I can see it as a theoretical flash point for a future civil war, so I hope we don't ever have to test the strength of our union that way.
Doesn't matter if the people who exact justice aren't stupid. Fascism happens right now; justice takes time. Trump and his ilk have been exploiting that gap for decades, and it works. That's why they've gotten steadily stronger the whole time.
I'm more curious what the rank and file military would think, being mobilized against their own.
I'd like to think it wouldn't go well as far as obedience. But, I also know a lot of old gray beards that would see that and make life as difficult as possible for them if it did come to pass.
I'm not a conspiracy person by any stretch of the imagination, but have you ever seen rednecks rally for a cause? They HATE being told what to do, and they're... Let's say ingenious when it comes down to it.
... Now I'm realizing that, in context, it could be either side. But I don't see it happening.
I’m more curious what the rank and file military would think, ...
As long as a sufficiently large enough minority of rank and file toe the fascist line, they will be successful enough. Good people will take pause, being reticent to "mobilize against their own." Fascists will take no such pause.
A sufficiently large enough minority of the senior officer corps has to be on board as well. There's no one in the enlisted ranks who knows how to operate the vast machinery of the US military. How does one operate a carrier group, for example, or an infantry division or even the nuclear arsenal? That shit is insanely complicated, and that's not even mentioning logistics. The Pentagon would have to be on board or it would never work.
You don't need carriers and nukes to do an incredible amount of physical and social damage, even if a full coup doesn't end up working. Small arms and land vehicles would do it, if - again, a sufficiently large minority - they're willing to dare anyone to stop them. Which they would most definitely do.
I see what you're saying, but I think that assumes the rank and file haven't had that "do what I want" mentality trained out of them, which they have. The military works, because the grunts follow orders from their chain of command.
If Trump is president and orders them to mobilize against protestors or political dissidents, and their chain of command says no, I do not think a sufficient number of soldiers will help Trump's plans.
I honestly think they may draw the line at going after people like Milley. I know what rednecks are like when they rally for a cause, but if enough of their superiors and friends also serving have enough doubt at seeing where all this leads, they may say no.
I hope, at least.
Yep, all I know is that if this ever comes to pass I will be arming myself and doing what is necessary within reason to protect democracy. If that means civil war then that's alright. "The strength of our union" is being tested as we speak.
Yeah, we left-wing people have needed to start arming ourselves and training for years now.
Should this ever come to pass, it will be interesting to see if he can actually invoke it. The Insurrection Act has a very specific scope and circumstances for its invocation. Not that it matters to Trump, but the judges, federal personnel, legal experts, and military generals who would inevitably be affected aren't stupid.
I can see it as a theoretical flash point for a future civil war, so I hope we don't ever have to test the strength of our union that way.
Doesn't matter if the people who exact justice aren't stupid. Fascism happens right now; justice takes time. Trump and his ilk have been exploiting that gap for decades, and it works. That's why they've gotten steadily stronger the whole time.
I'm more curious what the rank and file military would think, being mobilized against their own.
I'd like to think it wouldn't go well as far as obedience. But, I also know a lot of old gray beards that would see that and make life as difficult as possible for them if it did come to pass.
I'm not a conspiracy person by any stretch of the imagination, but have you ever seen rednecks rally for a cause? They HATE being told what to do, and they're... Let's say ingenious when it comes down to it.
... Now I'm realizing that, in context, it could be either side. But I don't see it happening.
As long as a sufficiently large enough minority of rank and file toe the fascist line, they will be successful enough. Good people will take pause, being reticent to "mobilize against their own." Fascists will take no such pause.
A sufficiently large enough minority of the senior officer corps has to be on board as well. There's no one in the enlisted ranks who knows how to operate the vast machinery of the US military. How does one operate a carrier group, for example, or an infantry division or even the nuclear arsenal? That shit is insanely complicated, and that's not even mentioning logistics. The Pentagon would have to be on board or it would never work.
You don't need carriers and nukes to do an incredible amount of physical and social damage, even if a full coup doesn't end up working. Small arms and land vehicles would do it, if - again, a sufficiently large minority - they're willing to dare anyone to stop them. Which they would most definitely do.
I see what you're saying, but I think that assumes the rank and file haven't had that "do what I want" mentality trained out of them, which they have. The military works, because the grunts follow orders from their chain of command.
If Trump is president and orders them to mobilize against protestors or political dissidents, and their chain of command says no, I do not think a sufficient number of soldiers will help Trump's plans.
I honestly think they may draw the line at going after people like Milley. I know what rednecks are like when they rally for a cause, but if enough of their superiors and friends also serving have enough doubt at seeing where all this leads, they may say no.
I hope, at least.
Yep, all I know is that if this ever comes to pass I will be arming myself and doing what is necessary within reason to protect democracy. If that means civil war then that's alright. "The strength of our union" is being tested as we speak.
Yeah, we left-wing people have needed to start arming ourselves and training for years now.