11-14-2016, 07:39 PM
(11-14-2016, 07:11 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:(11-14-2016, 06:41 PM)X_4AD_84 Wrote:(11-14-2016, 05:42 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:(11-14-2016, 05:30 PM)X_4AD_84 Wrote:(11-12-2016, 05:25 PM)pbrower2a Wrote: We will see much civil strife. The President and the GOP now show no capacity for conciliation with the other side, which it treats as political vermin. Its economic policies are likely to hurt even those working people who thought that if they promised to take a hufe economic hit that they would get their cultural values (as on abortion, same-sex marriage, school prayer, and creationism) enshrined -- they will only get the economic hit.
As the Republicans gut Great Society and New Deal programs in a headlong rush to the Gilded Age, they will get the natural response -- mass hatred. Redress of grievances? "Get'em outta here!".
I expect law enforcement to get a green light for brutality against peaceful protesters. I can imagine Donald Trump going after protesters... "Couldn't they be doing some work instead?"
We have a cruel President and very cruel elected officials who will do very bad things to multitudes and wonder why people don't simply accept such as blessings. Why should they?
As the republicans relegate the saner expressions of liberalism to oblivion, the more extreme types on the Left will emerge. Such implies even more rancor and potential for violence.
Leadership that abuses people does not promote civic peace. Now add an unjust war that is obviously such from the start, and you have another cause.
It's still a bit early but I foresee a faction known as "Not-Alt-Right" that will also become well armed. Classic examples on here would be me and Odin. There must be others out there. Sure, at present, we don't equal the amorphous mass of "Alt-Right" + "White Power" + megalomaniac cops / government agents who have Alt-Right proclivities + off-track "Sage Brush Rebellion" adherents. But still, there exists a silent plurality who are not afraid of guns, who are opposed to this cabal who have seized power. We know how to shoot. Some of us are even decent builders and gun smiths. History never repeats but it rhymes.
How are you going to fight back with guns? Realistically, how will being armed help you fight the cabal?
You mentioned that CA might not be able to defend against WMD. How would you?
How have resistance movements throughout history fought against totalitarians?
Regarding WMD, you might have misread what I've written. We (CA, or more broadly, Blue States) have WMD. So too do Red States. WMD and the means to produce them are in multiple locations around the US.
My question remains. If the totalitarian uses WMD on you, what good are your guns?
Resistance movements win when they are organized (usually into a government; itself often dictatorial) and get foreign help. I've said that before too. Violent revolution by militant, armed individuals does not succeed.
How are you going to fight back with guns? Realistically, how will being armed help you fight the cabal?
As I've been saying though, I'm not optimistic anymore. I doubt that political organizing can win either. The people are stuck in Reaganism, and it may never end. No matter how many times it fails, the people will vote for it again and again. The pendulum swings, but the net result is backward.
I am not sanguine about the future of the United States of America. I think something else is going to replace it, perhaps by the end of this 4T. So what's the use of getting upset if other countries threaten us? It makes no difference now. As you say, Russian agents rule us already.
I don't agree with your dire assessment. We can compare notes next year to see what actually unfolds.
… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil 4:8 (ESV)