Jericho fans your thoughts are wanted

[Giant Robot]

As I have said before I am addicted to the show Jericho, which is set in the near future in a small Kansas town after a nuclear attack on the U.S. Yes very upbeat stuff. I am interested in it for the who dunnit factor, because we are never told who attacked us or why, as it seems it was a terrorist attack of some kind. We also see the aftermath for our country, without any real federal government left and rule of law breaking down.

OK now here's where I am interested in your thoughts. On the show's website, the boards over there seem to be, umm infested, with military types of all kinds, oddly enough a lot of them claiming to be military intel. They keep complaining about how unrealistic the show is. One bone of contention is that there are six people reportedly claiming to be the President now, each with a section of military support. There also is hints at military involvement in the attack as well. The folks on the boards claim this is impossible because of a set order of succession, that of course everyone would follow, in case the senior administration were taken out. They also assert that the military would never have anything to do without that, because basically, their job is to protect this country, and it would be against the law. I cannot stand to hear this anymore and go on those boards infrequently as a result.

Is it so impossible to think outside the written down structure of the military, and accept that it is possible that there would be a power struggle? Is it not possible to accept that some element in the military would go rouge? Is it that hard to think outside the box? I ask this because I think back to the chaos of 9/11, and how it looked like no one knew what was going on. I think back to the attempt on Reagan's life, and Sec. of State Al Haig was in the White House pretending to be in charge. Is this not possible? What say you?

[AllegroRondo]

1. I agree with you, its entirely possible.

I havent watched the show, but I understand the concept.

The military is trained to follow orders, first and foremost. If a post commander or Division/Corps commander felt that a certain person was the President, his troops would follow him, especially in a time of crisis like that where there isnt much outside information.

I imagine it could go like this - after the attack, major military leaders find that the President and most of his cabinet are dead. Who is in charge? They go down the list until they find some cabinet secretary is still alive. But because of limited communication ability between commanders around the world, not everyone knows this. Some assume another higher-up is still alive and wait to hear more, some may not have heard and take orders from a lower level official, etc.

[Giant Robot]

2. Thank you!

That is exactly what I was thinking and I was finding it frustrating to hear no thats not because time and again. I also imagined that the individual on a power trip would do well in that situation, simply by proclaiming themselves king if no one else knows its going on.