[Scanian]

And I seriously believe that if tea partiers staged a Cairo-type scenario in front of the White House or the Capitol, we’d all be machinegunned.

[AmericanInTokyo]

That's assuming the American People would rebel (in such a way) against tyranny on their own soil, before the point of no return (the point of no returning being where it would be impossible or useless organizationally, logistically, communication-wise and the like, to rebel.)

[Joe Boucher]

Scanian, I lived in D.C. back in 1972 to 74. Was a great time as Nixon was being impeached and there was a great wave of American democracy playing out.
D.C. was a load of fun and you could walk up to and in the Capital without being challenged. Or all over the place.
A few months ago the wife and I were there and the whole place is like an armed camp.
You can’t get ANYWHERE near the White House and as for the Capital?
And yes, I would NOT be surprised to see protesters gunned down by one of the Many Many layers of crap ass security there now.
Course that would be an inquiry that would completely exonerate Obammy and company.