99 Luft-Balloons - My prediction for the Inaugural.

[benburch]

I have a sick, sinking feeling about the Inaugural.

There is so much security firepower. So many government snipers. So much (justified) paranoia that somebody may wish Bush ill, that somebody is gonna have a car backfire or make a sudden move, or even let go of a single unexpected red balloon, and shots will be fired. In the confusion other snipers will imagine targets, and begin shooting. Tear gas will be used and further destroy visibility and cause more confusion. I think our security guys are likely to fire at each other during this.

I think there is a significant chance it will turn into a police riot.

[Deja Q]

1. That or it won't happen. The gloom scenario, that is.

[DukeBlue]

2. I got 10:1 odds

it is boring TV and I watch something else.

[SmokingJacket]

3. I too have worried that someone could be killed.

There's a lot of passion on our side, a lot of firepower on theirs. Jumpy nerves all around.

[HeeBGBz]

4. It will be ugly however you look at it

Passive ugly or aggressive ugly, still ugly.

[MajorFlaw]

10. It SHOULD be ugly. Non violent, but ugly. Why should we

voluntarily bend over?

[HeeBGBz]

16. We shouldn't IMO

eom

[ET Awful]

5. My doom scenario is a bit different. . . .

I'm thinking more along the lines of a Rove planned FAKE attempt of some sort that will allow a strict clampdown on all public demonstration of any kind, if not outright martial law.

[beam me up scottie]

6. Definitely not outside the realm of possibility.

n/t

[DukeBlue]

7. I'll take 99:1 on martial law.(nt)

[lectrobyte]

8. I don't disagree on the fake attempt as a possibility,

but I think they are saving something like that for a response to something more drastic, such as * getting impeached etc.

[GoSolar]

19. Good point.

But I doubt the crook is getting impeached anytime soon...

[neweurope]

18. That's eaxctly what I fear. They must have a reason that they

stepped up this dirty-bomb-be-afraid-of-smallpox-bombs-in-limousines-are-so-easy-have-fear-and-obey crap the last few days!

And YES I'm VERY much afraid that once Bush is worn in they'll have martial law.

-----------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[benburch]

23. You may be right...

That would make perfect sense if they intend to go in that direction so openly.

[StClone]

9. Step back and take a breath

The beloved Bush needs the greatest security protection of all time. If his terror war is as successful as they say why the "to the max" security? I think the greatest terror of all is an egg toss on live TV. The king again would have no clothes.

[lectrobyte]

14. Yeah, but an assassination attempt would boost his ratings, look what

happened after Hinckley. Plus it would boost support and play into that whole cowboy myth.

[indigobusiness]

11. This whole overpreparedness reminds me of Waco.

Which was supposed to be a campaign poster for the good Gestapo...which, of course, went horribly wrong.

This whole boogyman hypervigilant militarized psychology will take its toll in some horrific way. Whether its short and sharp or long and interminable.

[NNN0LHI]

12. If it does happen you will never read about it in our 'free press" n/t

[Orangepeel]

13. Nah, they'll be very careful

i don't think they are all that concerned about the lives of a few demonstrators, but they are MIGHTILY concerned with PR. A riot at the coronation would look as bad for them as it would for the left.

[beam me up scottie]

15. They control the media.

It can look as good or as bad as they want, unfortunately.

[Orangepeel]

20. not 100%

To borrow from Lincoln, you can control some of the people all of the time or all of the people some of the time, but you can't control all of the people all of the time (at least not forever).

Even the bushes wouldn't be able to cover up a riot in the middle of DC. Too many Americans with camcorders.

[beam me up scottie]

22. Are they allowed to bring camcorders?

if so- you are right, if it can be caught on camera they are less likely to try something. In the old days, they could confiscate all cameras and film. With all the new technology, it will be much more difficult.

[Orangepeel]

24. actually, I don't know how people get selected to watch the parade

Fair point. I'm guessing that people with kids in the bands will be able to watch and that it will go past apartments and office buildings with people inside.

If there are no people, then there really isn't much to worry about security wise (the original topic of this thread). If so, somebody will at least have a camera-phone.

Even if all the spectators are card-carrying, certified bush supporters, pictures of a riot would get out. There would be plenty of those people who would sell their grandmothers for a buck. If nothing else, Countdown with Keith would put 'em on air.

[beam me up scottie]

25. That's exactly what I was thinking.

It will be a live feed through camera phones.
They won't be able to get away with a manufactured story.
I still think they might cancel it if the press makes it look like there are more armed thugs than spectators. Not good for them if we see them throw granny up against a car and frisk her at gunpoint.

[spooked]

17. Would you let your child march in the parade with a high school band?

I wouldn't, after they were warned to keep their heads still and looking straight ahead.

[benburch]

21. No...

PLEASE, folks, if you are going to protest, leave your children at home. This is going to be far too dangerous.