Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack

News Max.Com ^ | 11-21-03

[Paul C. Jesup]

I can see a military dictatorship happening in this country, but the military is smart enough to know that taking to take the guns from the gun owners in this country would be counterproductive to them for two reasons.

One, for the most part gun owners in this country currently supports the military.

Second, the pile of body bags in this country will be a mile high from the attempt.

Now if the General wants to stabilize this country right after seizing power of this country, he would first need to get rid of the IRS, EPA, ATF and most of the other socialist bureaucracies that make life miserable in this country.

Second, tell the gun owners of this country that they can keep their guns as long as they behave themselves and not try and start a revolt.

This is the easiest way from someone to pacify the rural gun owners from starting a gorilla revolt. The unarmed urban people who will scream bloody murder for getting rid of these socialist bureaucracies can be dealt with more direct methods.

[Momaw Nadon]

You are assuming of course that there would be sufficient civilian authority left to control the terrible chaos that would result.

Isn't that what the 'Shadow Government' or 'spare government' is for?

[Stop Legal Plunder]

The Institute on the Constitution educates citizens on the Founders' Constitution. It's a helpful bulwark against tyranny. You can find more information here .

[oceanview]

only an attack on NYC or DC (maybe Chicago) would have that kind of national effect.

[desertcry]

Sorry, I don't know much about shadow Goverment. Can you illuminate me on that?

[Monti Cello]

You are correct. Freedom and the spirit of the Constitution are organic. The ideas will not be erased by any weapons.

One could just as easily argue that such a tragic event could lead to a rebirth of the Constitutional values.

A terrible tragedy or loss will strip a person or nation to the core. While the useless politicians have strayed, the people still embody the Constitutional core.

[Stew Padasso]

Well at least he is not talking about disarming us. The military can route traffic and ward off looters. But to ditch the constitution, no way.

[freedumb2003]

Thanks! I collect great wavs (there is a wonderful Mel Brooks site) -- I attach them to emails when I send them to project teams (obviously on the projetct I am on).

Stripes had some great ones -- "We are Mutants" "Let's hear for for our biggest bestest big toe buddy"

:)

[ezo4]

"One could just as easily argue that such a tragic event could lead to a rebirth of the Constitutional values."

you nailed it on the head.

[F16Fighter]

"We can survivie a WMD...we will not survive the destruction or setting aside of the Constitution."

That does depend on where and to what extent -- does it not?

Should either New York City or Washington DC take a huge hit, assumptively a number of amendments would at least be suspended during an "State of Emergency."

[Momaw Nadon]

Sorry, I don't know much about shadow Goverment. Can you illuminate me on that?

Sure, don't you remember, shortly after 9/11/2001 that it was revealed by President Bush and Vice President Cheney (or maybe it was Sec. Defense Rumsfeld) that we have a group of people prepared to take over in the case that the civilian leadership of this country was killed in a massive attack.

This group of people is inactive now, but would serve as a 'spare' or 'replacement' government.

[txhurl]

Now if the General wants to stabilize this country right after seizing power of this country, he would first need to get rid of the IRS, EPA, ATF and most of the other socialist bureaucracies that make life miserable in this country.

No, first the lawyers, remember??

[tacticalogic]

only an attack on NYC or DC (maybe Chicago) would have that kind of national effect.

They probably have the resources to launch that kind of attack. Bio would be particularly effective in metropolitan areas, especially if it was a contaigen. The higher the population density, the more effective it would be.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Well I did include 'other socialist bureaucracies'.

[Malsua]

>>I hope you are correct however my observations show me otherwise. <<

I think a synthesis of all of the above will happen in the face of a massive attack.

If a major WMD attack occurs in a big city or more than one, we can expect the market and the economy to collapse. As it happens here, so goes the world. All the western economies will collapse. All global commerce will cease, all air travel will cease for the most part.

This is not to say that there won't be local economies...there will certainly be and they will appear immediately. There will be massive food shortages in the short and near long term until a controlling authority starts forcing food movement.

There will be MASSIVE famine in China/India/etc until those governments start forcing labor to provide food where as now, food moves as it get's paid for. Food moves now because the people farming are feeding workers who are exporting goods, mostly to the USA. If the USA falls apart, those funds go away and it will take the iron fist of the chicoms to feed their people. In fact, China's sleeping police state is probably best capable of solving such a crisis(not that I support a police state or those commies).

There will also be a huge hole in the food supply in the USA until we adjust. Farmers will once again be popular and cities that require petroleum to exist will de-populate to sustainable levels. Land that is now idle, and there is alot of it, will start producing again. Enviro-weenies won't be very popular.

I suspect that were a massive WMD attack to occur, the country would take a number of years to adjust and afterwards would have significantly fewer people. Once that settled significantly, the constituion would become the prime document. Let's face it, the bulk of citizens of the USA won't tolerate a dictatorship beyond what might be necessary to make the country survive a massive attack.

I wouldn't relish martial law, but if a number of cities disappeared, what else could keep the country together? Of course, if JBTs showed up and demanded my food, they get to meet mr Mossberg.

Lets hope these Islamofascists are all turban and no Jihad.

[jwalsh07]

There are no major cities with enough emergency service workers and police to deal with the ensuing panic and massive casualities from an effective WMD attack. There are not even enough hospital beds.

Field hospitals would be the first order of business.

[Momaw Nadon]

Washington sets up shadow government

[tiki]

me too

[cubreporter]

General FRanks is a very competent and dignified man who knows of what he speaks.

Isn't there a quote somewhere that reads something like "There will always be war or talk of war?" Anybody help me on that? Do I have it right or close? Thanks.

[Momaw Nadon]

Isn't there a quote somewhere that reads something like "There will always be war or talk of war?"

It sounds like a quote from the Bible.