You have commented 338 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Home Front: Politix
Tin-Foil Hat Time? Or Gust Front?
2013-01-27
Posted by:Mercutio

#8  IIRC MacArthur argued that the Bonus Marchers were devol into an potens existential,
"revolutionary" threat agz the US Govt, hence the need to send in the troops to clean 'em out at bayonet point.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2013-01-27 22:50  

#7  There is a slight bit of paranoia reflected in the article. I'm not saying it couldn't happen. The Bonus Army (WWI vets and others) occupied Anacostia Flats in DC in 1932. They marched on Washington to try to obtain promised WWI benefits. The DC police fired on them and two marchers were killed. Hoover ordered MacArthur (Patton and Eisenhower were also involved) to march on them. Fifty-five marchers were injured and 135 arrested.

I would find it hard to believe that Obama would be so stupid as to embark on such attacks on Americans. Americans do not tolerate such naked aggression very well. I don't think many in the military would obey such orders that are clearly unconstitutional. I think many police officers in fly-over land would not obey such orders. You would have an insurrection that would be very costly and would likely go on forever. Like many insurrections, one does not know where they are going to end when they begin. I doubt anyone would be so foolish, but then again one never knows.

If one considers the difficulty we are having in Afghanistan and we had in Iraq, I think any moves against Americans as mentioned in the article would be a huge mistake with many unintended consequences. Consider what happened to despots such as Musollini, Kaddafi and Saddam for example.
Posted by: JohnQC   2013-01-27 17:17  

#6  It's not the leaders, but the ranks that are important. Why do you think they keep weapons in locked arms rooms and the basic load miles away while in garrison? Ever hear of 'fragging'?

Isn't any appointment to a 'leadership post' in the US military subject to confirmation.

Only specific General Officer billets. Otherwise assignments are per the system which is predicated upon the authority of the Secretary of the respective service. Commissioned appointments and promotions are subject to Congressional approval.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-01-27 09:14  

#5  A close examination of replacements might be revealing.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-27 08:37  

#4  Can't say I'm surprised.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2013-01-27 07:40  

#3  Isn't any appointment to a 'leadership post' in the US military subject to confirmation.

Couldn't a senator apply a reverse 'litmus test' just to quell these rumours?
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660   2013-01-27 04:30  

#2  The draft had some unseen benefits, but when fired upon they fired back.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-27 04:10  

#1  Gust Front!
Posted by: Secret Asian Man   2013-01-27 03:32  

00:00