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Postponing the election: it's a joke, or is it?

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  2. Conniepae
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Thank heavens for the Internet; it's put the surprise back in October Surprise. Here is the latest big-picture conspiracy theory, which has been gathering strength on the blogosphere the way a hurricane feeds on Caribbean waters: It is widely believed, both online and, increasingly, offline, that the Bush administration intends to declare martial law and postpone next month's elections. To prevent Barack Obama's inevitable ascension to the Oval Office, obviously.

This theory/rumor/delusion dates back almost a year and a half, with the appearance on the White House website of National Security Presidential Directive 51, which outlined a policy for "continuity of government" in the event of a national emergency. Such emergency is defined as "any incident . . . that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the US population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions."

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel says the new directive supplants a Cold War-era emergency memorandum that is no longer valid in the post-9/11 world, with the country at risk of a "no-notice terrorist attack." But on websites with names such as justanothercoverup.com and abovetopsecret.com, the public document - often described as "secret" - was read quite differently. "FEMA Official States Bush Is Planning to Implement Martial Law," is a headline from justanothercoverup. "Pelosi Declared Martial Law Last Night," was a September headline from abovetopsecret.

Like a much-awaited Messiah (I am channeling the famous sociological text "When Prophecy Fails"), the date of the martial law takeover keeps moving forward. This spring it was to coincide with the bombing of Iran, this summer with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ike. In the minds of conspiracy theorists, the current economic crisis seems like a propitious moment for the suspension of the November election.

The martial law paranoia has an engaging adjunct: the "FEMA coffins" story. If you Google those words, you will find pictures, videos, and reams of text explaining that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has stockpiled 30,000 - or is it 50,000? - coffins (or are they coffin liners? or . . . boxes?) in anticipation of a vast civil disturbance, presumably triggered by the imposition of martial law. "We do not have FEMA coffins," says spokeswoman Debbie Wing.

On the one hand you say, OK, this is Internet madness. On the other hand, you note that Ireland's largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, is laying 20-1 odds that the American election will be postponed. When I first checked that site on Tuesday, the odds were 40-1.

We've seen this movie before, right? Writer Ron Rosenbaum remembers a 1972 story averring that Richard Nixon asked the RAND Corporation to study whether he could postpone that election, which he won, handily. University of California historian Kathryn Olmsted, author of the forthcoming "Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11" notes that Franklin Roosevelt's many enemies were convinced that he would assume dictatorial powers and cancel the election of 1944, which he won handily ...

By Alex Beam
recommended by goldenways, Vierotchka
Conniepae

48 responses // Postponing the election: it's a joke, or is it?

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    continued...

    "There are all kinds of trends coming together now to feed the paranoia," Olmsted says. "The financial meltdown evokes Americans' longtime fear and hatred of bankers, and people on the right think Obama's candidacy might mean the end of civilization. What's scary to the left right now is that Obama has a good chance of winning, and there is a segment of the far left that thinks 'they' will never let this happen."

    And of course, there is this inconvenient, animating truth: "Sometimes the government does engage in real conspiracies, like Watergate, Iran-Contra, and the assassination plot again Castro," Olmsted explains.

    I am sure you remember William S. Burroughs's famous observation: A paranoid is a man with all the facts at his disposal.

    Say goodnight, Sarah
    The Sarah-Palindrome contest is officially over. (A palindrome is a word or phrase, like "Madam, I'm Adam," that's spelled the same backward or forward.) Here is the last official entry, from Little, Brown copy editor Ben Allen: "Harasser of taxes: A mav, a ma, sex at fore's Sarah." The judges will announce their decision in this space on Election Day, Nov. 4. Unless the Bush administration declares. . . . Oh, never mind.

    Conniepae
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    It's happening. And there's not much we can do without getting killed. Still, in perseverance there is hope.

    JaetheFirst
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    They better not, or all hell is going to break out. That I'm sure of. The net is closing in on the criminal regime.

    kennymotown
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    At this point I see anything as being possible.

    Bring on the Chaos!

    Ride on!

    1percent
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    I dont want a revolution. I want Americans to take back America, using the "Rule of Law" and the Constitution. Everyone is not participating in their activities. Some are going along, to get along. Some care that George W. and his administration are not following the law, or have changed it to pardon himself.

    Accountability and testimony "under oath", making them answer questions "OUT LOUD". If they tell they are forced to say it, "out loud", they will shame themselves. They cant say it, without recognizing its criminal. Not in the "Court of Public Opinion", but in our U S Court.

    Exposure and shame may stop them from doing anything like this article talks about. I dont care whos to blame, I dont want any more shanagans that will hurt us further. How low can we go?

    recommended by WorldPeaceTV, huntre, Vierotchka
    Conniepae
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    Canceling the election is a very real threat. Watch this Naomi wolf interview about the United States Coup that occurred on October 1, 2008.

    also see this thread when I proposed the same concern back in March 2008.

    http://current.com/items/88860937_will_the_2008_us_election_be_cancelled

    recommended by Vierotchka, huntre, jubal
    uroborus8
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    I don't think this is realistic, but....

    With this administration? Who knows...

    fuzionmuse
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    As recent as 6 months ago, the American public thought that the collapse of the economy was impossible, let alone a conspiracy.

    keithponder
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    Would this be considered a kick in the balls to every American?

    Bob Marley- "GET UP STAND UP!"

    Horntho
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    this could possibly kill the whole economy, if they do this now, but who knows of what might anyone would so drastic these days?

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    I left the States, & now reside in canada. I knew the shit would hit the fan eventually!

    pinacolada
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    It's important we all keeps our eyes open and stand up for what's right and what we believe in. The PEOPLE of this country must unite against DOMESTIC terrorists AKA George Bush and other members of the government.

    The reason this is happening is because people are in denial and think it CAN'T happen to America. It's been in the making for 20+ years and the United States of America is quickly approaching a dictatorship.

    We need to set aside our differences and realize it's up to us to save this country.

    recommended by Vierotchka
    PirateSauce
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    This just makes me wonder more about the existance of any cahones in the justice department. Why haven't Bu$h & Company been arrested for treason?

    Patio_Patty
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    you're all trippin'. lol

    just start packin'.

    pressrecord
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    There is a MAJOR flaw in that conspiracy theory that no one has address like an elephant in the room.

    Even if Martial Law is declared what amount the of weapons in the hands of private citizens?

    Especially in the hands of crinimal gangs? They don't follow the laws anyway so they would be even more predisposed to use those weapons.

    More people would be inclined to join them and get eapons on the black market if they were physically threatened and their rights completely trampled on.

    I know the people that have been driven by greed to grab more power and resources by profiting by crisises.

    But are they REALLY ready for all out anarchy and gun battles in the streets? Do you actually think they are going to take that risk?

    Argon18
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    Not these guys ;)

    If the Republicans lose in 2008, they will leave office armed and dangerous.

    WhiteNoise
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    C'mon now, y would they postpone the election. Things are getting real crazy.

    dubsizzle
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    this is very, very scary

    rebot
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    I wont lie. Just the mere thought of it scares me. I just pray they all take it like men and walk out of office when Barack is elected. And I fear more that is Barack isnt elected, it will get much worse. And some people think the opposite, that he is a terrorist and he's the evil one. I dont trust anyone. (except RON PAUL!)

    nkeg87
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    Useless paranoia. Don't fall for it. Elections will happen. The results are up to the American people.

    dabne
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    lol, love the headline.

    Someone addresses conspiracy theories, calls them stupid but conspiracy-nuts only read the headline and thus think there's legitimacy to their idiocy.

    It's just like the planet x cult or essentially any Christian that believes that the rapture is coming (which is most of them).

    People have this earnest desire that they would rather see society crumble and the earth fall to ruin rather than man the machines that sustain their own utopia.

    It's sort of like when you were a kid and you wished that it would snow or rain really hard so you didn't have to go to school.

    recommended by Brendan_M
    Saladin
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    i think at this point they're skurred. yes i did , they're skurred... remember where the army comes from, the people. most vets i talk to want out, and they disagree with the war. are the army going to ignore where they come from? i dont think so. there might be a lot of blackwater sellswords but they cant match the army and the armed populace.

    ALL WE ARE SAYING IS GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!

    -NEPH

    if it comes down to it, if we face the armed forces, here's the chant:

    WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? WHO DO YOU LOVE?

    i think the bad guys will find themselves severely outnumbered, considering the fact that there are a lot of GENERALS on Obama's side.

    watch.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuK2A1ZqoWs

    Nephwrack
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    Isn't going to happen. No way. Stop spreading paranoia.

    miles_ahead
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    i'm not spreading anything... when they revoked the posse act they opened the door. it's our civic duty to shut it.

    honestly miles i hope nothing happens but i think we can fight force with love. i just hope the war criminals in the white house are brought to justice.

    if the powers that be decide to suspend our due process then we have no choice but to stand up.

    Nephwrack
  •  

    election postponed in order to rig election (again)...

    satanskidney
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