[RummyChick]

whats the downside to declaring martial law? I can't understand why it isn't done. How bad does it have to get?

[nascaryankee]

From what I understand, martial law hasn't been declared. But the 'State of Emergency' declaration is the same thing.

[Thud]

It's making A decision which is Governor Blanco's problem, not the martial law. Any decision she makes might be wrong in hindsight and get her blamed, so it is safer for her fragile psyche not to make one. The more important the decision seems, and the more demands there are that she make it, the greater are her issues with making it.

Several of my friends have commented on her looking frozen with fear when questioned, like a deer in the headlights. That is exactly right. She's so afraid of doing something wrong that she can't do anything right.

While men have such problems too, Blanco is female and IMO the public will associate Blanco's gender with such behavior rather than her being the usual incompetent political hack.

At least Mayor Schmitz of San Francisco rose to the occasion in 1906 - the City was grateful to him for his Rudi-like performance during and following the Great Earthquake and Fire, and rewarded him with further office (even a statue I think) even after his criminal conviction for corruption in office.

IMO Blanco will go down in history as the Governor who destroyed her state.

"whats the downside to declaring martial law? I can't understand why it isn't done. How bad does it have to get?"