Terrorism and elections

[Baytor]

Would a terrorist incident in the US a month or so before the election sway how you vote? In the press confrence yesterday, the Department of Ambiguous Warnings...I mean Homeland Security seemed pretty convinced that terrorists are going to try to influence this election, like they did in Spain. So what do you you think? Would it change your vote? Do you think it will change people's vote in general?

 

[Mark Weiser]

I am not sure if this is a real threat or a polictical ploy. I think it will backfire on the Terrorist. I think that Americans will come out in droves if a polling place was struck. Remember the rush on flags and stickers and such of the USA Flag after 9/11

On a personal note the whole idea of the terrorist attack is not to kill someone while voting. The Terrorist would only have to walk by and shoot at the bldg or plow a car or truch into the bldg with a note "NEXT TIME BOOM!!!"

The purpose of the Terrorist is to cause fear. However if they are intent of killing a bunch of Americans they should become Convinence Store Owners and sell cheap food that is causing us to become slugglish lol lol.

Sincerely,
Mark E. Weiser

 

[Flatlander]

Given what happened in Spain, I would have to say that there is a very real chance something could happen, and I would endeavour to speculate that it would help Bush's numbers. I am not well versed on American electoral laws...if something did happen, could Bush postpone the election? If so, for how long?

 

[Mark Weiser]

This is a very good question I have discussed this at work. During War the sitting president could stay in power according to the current War Powers Act. I wonder if something happened if he would not envoke this power. I am going to a quick search and be right back.

 

[Baytor]

I think that if something did happen before the election, it would probably help Bush. This is why I think that if anything happens in the near future, it will be after the election. Here's my reasoning.

The terrorists are probably afraid of Bush. He is not afraid to take the fight to where they are. I think that they will probably think that if something happens before the election, Bush is more likely to be elected, and they will have to deal with him for four more years. By attacking after the elections, they can "win" no matter what. If Bush is in office they attack to "punish" us. If Kerry is in office, they attack to test his resolve.

I know there is a lot of "probably" and "maybe" and general assumption in this, that's why it's just my opinion. Frankly, I really hope I'm wrong. I hope that none of this happens at all.

I hadn't thought about delaying the election...that's a good point to bring up.

 

[Mark Weiser]

I maybe wrong but in the past from my talks and studies I seem to remember that a sitting President can declare a National Emergency and stop the election due to the need to keep things under control. I am sure the Terrorist would love to stop the elections and show that Bush is a Dictator that would line up with what the Terrorist are saying currently in the Middle East.

It would also further dampen or destory Key Friendships/Partnerships with shaky Governements.

Now if I was a "terrorist" the elections would be a very viable target. Strike to the point of causing the President to declare a state of National Emergency and suppressing the rights further of the American People.

hmmmm this could get very interesting

 

[RandomPhantom700]

It wouldn't change my vote any. Hell, if nothing else, a terrorist attack on the US election polls would illustrate that Bush really isn't doing much about terrorism in the first place. However, I do think that it would help Bush, considering how many times I've heard people express the opinion that Bush is winning the war on terror, the one we need to protect our country, blah blah blah.

Hell, even if it isn't historically justified for the President to postpone or stop an election (I haven't done any research), I doubt that would stop Bush from succeeding in doing so if Cheney decided it was a good idea. I just hope to all hell that this election goes off smoothly.

 

[Spud]

It wouldn't surprise me to see another attack soon say around 9/11 or indeed closer to the election. Impacts on the election result? Who knows and I'd hate to think of how either side would try to capitalize on such an attack (I'm sure each party is going through the scenarios though).

Declaration of a National Emergency and postpone the elections? Not likely unless there was a large scale nuke/bio/chem attack. Whoa, that's a heavy thought for Friday afternoon.

 

[Mark Weiser]

It is uncanny how Holywood can seem to predict the future.

I can only say SUM OF ALL FEARS now that is a realistic story line that could happen.

Mark E. Weiser

 

[michaeledward]

The terrorists are probably afraid of Bush. He is not afraid to take the fight to where they are. I think that they will probably think that if something happens before the election, Bush is more likely to be elected, and they will have to deal with him for four more years. By attacking after the elections, they can "win" no matter what. If Bush is in office they attack to "punish" us. If Kerry is in office, they attack to test his resolve.

I know there is a lot of "probably" and "maybe" and general assumption in this, that's why it's just my opinion. Frankly, I really hope I'm wrong. I hope that none of this happens at all.

I hadn't thought about delaying the election...that's a good point to bring up.

I think to ascribe 'fear' to a religious zealot is a difficult proposition. If they die in the course of defending their beliefs, they are rewarded greatly in their afterlife. It makes no difference if they die in a major American city or a cave on the Afghan-Pakistani border. This, of course, is the challenge of "winning the hearts and minds" that is talked about when rationall discussing the US policy towards Islam in general, and Muslem societies in specific.

Further, it has been said that the fundamentalist Muslems who are engaged in this battle for a New Caliphate, have the ability to take the long view; for them, this war against Secular Capitalism, Christianity, Judeaism, and anthing else they are fighting against, has a 100 year time frame. In this window of time, Bush is a small, almost insignificant part of the story. It is ironic that Bush is getting much credit for the fact that no new terrorist attack has occurred on American soil since 911 ... however, we dont' know that any other attacks have been planned either. Certainly, no one has been arrested for planning such an attack (excluding Jose Padilla - who, like Richard Reidm the shoe bomber - may possibly have been just a copy-cat wanna be).

If there is an attack on American soil in the time before the election, it absolutely will have an effect on the poll results; which way, I can not predict. But I think the biggest effect would be a painful blow to democracy. We could quite possible start to see a further erosion of rights and liberties; all in the name of fighting a war on terrorism. Soon, we will not be able to speak freely (like on this message board). Soon, we will not have the right to not bear arms (like Switzerland?). Soon, we will not have the right of peaceable assembly (as in protesting the President).

A terrost attack prior to the election would not be about whether it is Kerry or Bush holding court in the oval office ... it would be about, do we continue to allow a government of the people, by the people and for the people will long exist.

Mike

 

[Taimishu]

Im not American but I can see one scenario that would change the vote in any election.
One or more of the contenders geting killed.

The grand American passtime of shooting presidents seems almost sane.

David

 

[Mark Weiser]

Im not American but I can see one scenario that would change the vote in any election.
One or more of the contenders geting killed.

The grand American passtime of shooting presidents seems almost sane.

David

Excuse me! But I think this statement could be taken out of context and I would be careful. The Secert Service maybe knocking at your door. I as a American (Military Veteran) find that statement slightly offensive. But there again Americans do respect your right to express your freedom of speech just as I have the freedom to disagree with you and verbalize my disappointment LOL.
"Sir your entitled to your Opinion even though you are wrong" Edward Chesser St. Joseph Missouri -- My Grandfather

 

[Flatlander]

It's so easy for the terrorists to "win" with another attack on US soil prior to the election, that I can't see how they couldn't do it, that would be a huge tactical misstep. It's an opportunity they cannot afford to miss. I think its coming.

 

[Mark Weiser]

Honestly I have always said you can ask co-workers the next Terrorist attack will forever damage the American Psyche. I would think an attack in the Middle of the USA lets say Kansas ( I live here) would send a signal to the World.

How can USA protect lets say Iraq when USA can not prevent us from reaching into her very heart. I for one see this as a very plausible problem.

It would not have to be a very big target lets say a International Headquarters of a Major Corporation that is based In Kansas. That would send a very strong message.

 

[michaeledward]

Im not American but I can see one scenario that would change the vote in any election.
One or more of the contenders geting killed.

The grand American passtime of shooting presidents seems almost sane.

David

I will point out that a dead candidate defeated John Ashcroft for a senate seat in the 2000 election cycle. Those voting for Mel Carnahan knew that his wife would fill the seat in the Senate until the 2002 mid-term elections, at which point the seat would again be on the ballot. (I think that is how it worked).

Of course, this had the unintended consequence of putting the Justice Department squarely in the hands of and radical idiological Christian; John Ashcroft.

Oh, Well - Mike

P.S. you are now on several different US government sponsored watch lists. I hope you don't have plans to come and visit the colonies. <chuckle>

 

[Mark Weiser]

Honestly we may joke about it but with the New Patroit Act with key words in that text you are now on alert watch. Some dude at a keyboard at a desk in DC is tracking down your home address, credit information, your whole life history just for using those keywords.

 

[michaeledward]

Mark Weiser, please understand that I was not joking about my post script at all, even if I did include the little light-hearted note concerning a chuckle. I do hope Taimishu has no plans to visit our once great country. The loss of the First Amendment to the Constitution bothers me a great deal. And, I am hoping that Republicans start to see the world as it is, not as they hope it will be.

The world that is includes smaller and smaller protections for individual liberty. In his radio address today, the President again put forth the idea that some Americans are more equal than other Americans, and that we must codify this unequal equality into a Constitutional Amendment.

The last time we tried to Amend the Constitution with a moral code, it needed to be repealed in short order. Have we learned nothing?

I guess my question would be, do you respect his right to make such a comment. Will you fight to defend his right to make such a comment. Or, as Taimishu is not an American, how about my right to make such a statement.

Mike

 

[Mark Weiser]

Honestly I do not see what the problem was with my posting I was stating Facts under the Patorit Act this forum and emails are constantly scanned for key words by the US Government, however I do know that the intent of the writers of the Patorit Act had the best of intentions but like anything else when Human Beings are involved with power it tends to corrupt the moral values and causes one to lose sight of the true road of being an American.

I am on a personal note very concerned with the way the Government is being run and led by our current President.

I would suspect that if some terror attack is completed on our soil again. We have not see the real GW Bush yet! Me I am worried about the future of our Country since I have children that are teenagers and hope the best for them.

Mark E. Weiser

 

[Kevin Walker]

Hi Guys,

Here in Boston, us life long conservative Boston residents feel that al-Qaida will send terrorists to Boston to 'protect' the democrats at the Democratic National Convention in the Fleet Center (just a mile from my home).

The frickin liberal democrats would be the best thing to happen to al-Qaida!

Also, the frickin DNC is tying up Boston like a hojo-jitsu expert! Boston is not that big a city (only 580,000 residents).

Roads, tunnels, and bridges are being closed, and a stop-and-search EVERYBODY procedure is being inacted by every cop and his brother! 70% of Bostonians are leaving Boston during the week of the Democratic National Convention. Two businesses already declared they will shut down during that week, and dozens of other businesses will be impacted. Not to mention that every liberal weirdo and his brother will descend on Boston just like what happened in Seattle during the WTF.

God, do I hate democrats.

 

[Flatlander]

Apparently.