Americans: What would you do if Bush declared martial law on Election Day?

Question

This is just a hypothetical question,but not as farfetched as one
might think. Bush has already signed executive orders giving
himself the authority to impose martial law,suspend habeas
corpus,and to ignore the Posse Comitatus Act,which forbids
the deployment of American troops against U.S. citizens.
For those who think that could never happen,two words: Kent
State.

What would your reaction be if Bush decided to extend his
Presidency by force?

john_galt0- The fact is the National Guard was deployed to control the students,which is really my point. You
confirm my point while arguing against
it. I never said anything about whether or not what happened can be justified,as that's another issue. You should pay more attention.

You ask for proof? Okay,go to any search engine and type in Public Law 109-364,the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007,the Military
Commissions Act of 2006.

The truly frightening thing about your answer is your declaration that you would support martial law and you are a veteran. The lessons of history and the benefits of living in a democratic country are wasted on good little Nazis
like you.

Answer 1

I don't live that far from the Canadian border. I would take an extended vacation north of the border...

You're right, the notion is not that far-fetched. I have considered it a time or two myself. Anyone who calls himself "The Decider" has delusions of grandeur.

Coragryph: We all know how Bush feels about the Constitution, do you really think he will consider that?

Answer 2

Let pick apart your insanity,
Kent State? On May 4, 1970 four students were shot and killed during protest at Kent State in Ohio. Thousands of students were running amuck during those days and the national guard was called out to back up the police. Fires had been set and the police attacked by protesters. The Guard was ill prepared; they had no riot training and only had armor piercing bullets in their weapons. At one point they found themselves being surrounded by hostile protesters throwing rocks, bottles, and a few molotov cocktails. Like the British 200 hundred years earlier the Guard found themselves being alternately taunted and threatened. A young officer ordered his men to point their weapons at the crowd(which outnumbered his men by about 20 to 1) to frighten the crowd back. Someone fired a weapon! The Guard soldiers began to fire in, near, or over the crowd. The firing stopped and then began again. Panic set in when the protesters realized what happened and began to run away. It was a tragic moment considering that half of the dead were not involved in the protest. I mentioned the Boston Massacre for a reason. John Adams defended the soldiers in that instance and they were found innocent just as the modern day Guardsmen were found innocent of purposely killing the protesters. (source: James Mitchener)
Bush has signed no such resolutions nimrod. I say that you are wrong. So now you have to come up with proof of your claims. Can you? I think not.
On to the bigger question; If this country was under attack by terrorist elements backed up by street gangs and illegal aliens I would support maritial law and justice.
If you think that any President could just declare martial law to stay in power then you are truly demented. The military (which has more common sense than you possess) would respected refuse to obey the orders of a man and follow the words of the Constitution. (source: veteran)

Throwing around the word Nazi huh. Okay I win the argument since you started name calling. I am a veteran and I understand so much more than you. Yes, I did give you a short history lesson and I didn't even charge you anything. What is your military experience?
By the way, this country has found parts of it under martial law from time to time. Seems that we survived.

Answer 3

Good Question, I've even brought this up myself. There is nothing to stop him and he could suspend elections until his war an on terror is either won (which we can't) or the US goes bankrupt, which is a very big possibility. We did it to the USSR so it can happen to US no matter high powerful we think we are.
What I would do is probably become a terrorist. Cause at that point peaceful measures would have been exhausted and it would become brother against brother like 146 years ago.

Answer 4

It would be, Thank God I vote Conservative. But just so you know.. Martial Law also entitles American Citizens to shoot at will against any posing threat. So as long as you are also a supporter of the 2nd amendment then you at least have a fighting chance to survive. The 2nd amendment was put in place just for that reason, In case our government turned against it's citizens.

Answer 5

A little revolution now and again is good. The Tree of Liberty must be watered from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants.

I would follow the words of my idol, Thomas Jefferson (see above). If your hypothetical situation should occur, I think the Tree of Liberty needs to be watered.

Answer 6

Anyone who doesn't ignore Bush if he did that would be foolish.

No president has statutory or constitutional authority to declare martial law and suspend elections. The constitution is explicit about when and where terms end, and how the electoral process occurs. There is no provision in the Constitution for ignoring those requirements.

If Bush tried to stop the elections by force, that would be a military coup -- as opposed to the political coup he's already staged. Any citizen -- regardless of party --- would be constitutionally entitled to do anything the could to stop him.

And the military, having sworn an oath to defend the constitution against all enemies, (even domestic ones) would be constitutionally obligated to ignore his orders and to stop him.

Answer 7

Actually, every President has that privelege. Bush did indeed consider doing just that back in the 2004 election. It could be scary if he did.

Answer 8

Your two (somewhat ridiculous) words: Kent State, was an incident involving National Guard troops deployed by the Governor of the state to monitor a protest at which there was a threat of violence. Unfortunately, the incident turned into and ugly affair in which very young, inexperienced troops were confronted by an angry mob and reacted innappropriately. The event was a aberration, not anything that anyone had planned or hoped would happen.

The President has always had to power to declare martial law, suspend habeas corpus, and deploy the military in event of national emergency.

And the question is far-fetched, no matter how you want to couch your terms.

Answer 9

I am going to take a ride on the great space coaster, but even Bush is not dumb enough to do that.

Answer 10

coragryph....you really need to look up and actually READ E.O. 12919 (Infrastructure) and NSPD 51 (Logistics) You're smart and can read legaleze... It's very possible and has nothing to do with the Constitution.....

Lots of people have the same idea...
I may have to get out my CQBW.......