Does anyone think the amount of force on display in DC and state capitals is overdone?

[dutch777]

Maybe it is my rose colored glasses or my fond memories of simpler times, but I am wondering how many right wing or other wingnuts there really are that want to come out and go toe to toe with a, now, educated and energized and properly equipped and prepared police presence. I have no doubt that hundreds of thousands on the internet spout off about MAGA and taking back America and whatever else and promise to show up with guns and grit to make it happen. And that even more folks are sadly ignorant of the reality of elections and true meaning of democracy and tolerate the discussion. (Hint: Sometimes your side loses even when YOU don't want that!) But how many really have the guts and wherewithal to do more than type?

But I also wonder, by putting this many National Guard and others on the street, do the wingnuts not still think they won just because they elicited this level of reaction, even if they never show up? And by that, just give them more fuel to perpetuate their evil fire? I am not saying don't push the perimeter out and not secure it with proper fencing and guard it. But something in me says this would be better if the Guard and other reinforcements were not in full view. If they are staged in parking garages and buildings proximate and can react quickly to a threat but not make it look like we are an armed camp, might that not be better? I am glad we reacted and learned, but I always worry about overreactions whether it is an international incident or a domestic one. And I really want to see this evil fire die either for lack of fuel or because we snuff it out. Curious what DUers think.

[Quixote1818]

1. The latest chatter seems to indicate they may not go near any of this now even the state capitals

I have no idea though. I would just trust what the military suggests is needed as they are the ones trained in threats. They are probably showing a lot of force as a statement. Obviously better to be overly prepared than not prepared enough.

[TXPaganBanker]

2. Absolutely not.

They need to be shown that if they show up, they will be crushed. They need to see that their bullshittery will be dealt with as if it's a threat to the nation. It's like a bar bully talking shit all the way up until he gets invited to step in the ring with a pro.

[brush]

3. No. Take no chances with these rignt wing thugs.

Let them know their camo-wearing, rag tag forces with AR-15s are no match for government forces.

[kysrsoze]

4. I'd rather err on the side of caution and remind these traitors...

they are NOT in control. They need to be visible and ready to go, with packed magazines.

We did nothing when they took over Michigan’s capitol, and that emboldened them to tear apart the U.S. Capitol. Do you really think hiding the presence of National Guard and other security forces will do anything other than telling them, “Come right in,” and potentially resulting in a chaotic bloodbath when they converge on D.C and things get out of hand?

We could have prevented a lot of this by having a huge security presence in Charlottesville. These are not good people, and they are looking for weaknesses.

[dalton99a]

5. Whatever it takes to keep them away and swear in Joe Biden.

It's temporary and necessary.

[mahina]

6. Not I.

[Downtown Hound]

7. Not at all

I want a strong message sent that sedition and terrorism will not be tolerated. And I also want these MAGA trash to know what they're really in for if they ever get that civil war they fantasize about so often.

And if they start anything this weekend, I want their bodies stacked in the streets and their blood running in rivers down storm drains.

That's where I'm at with these pieces of human garbage. I'm simply out of fucks to give.

[dalton99a]

9. +1. Terrorists should be generously sprayed with live ammo.

Mobs tend to dissolve when they see real bullets

[mdelaguna]

23. Good points

[KentuckyWoman]

8. Over the top is the right call

Trumpers need a beatdown.

[Demovictory9]

10. no

[MagickMuffin]

11. Better to be prepared than be under prepared

which is what happened last week by design by the current admin.

[regnaD kciN]

12. No. Next question?

[moonscape]

13. No, because I want to drink champagne

on the 20th without anything, or anyone, blowing up.

[MyMission]

14. Not overdone, we must show that our forces are there and prepared

You also asked "But how many really have the guts and wherewithal to do more than type?"

A lot of those delusional cult members, wingnuts, and militia did have the guts and wherewithal to show up. And a lot didn't show up, regret it and look forward to the next opportunity. And a lot really don't have the guts to do more than type. There are a lot of them. Some have only jumped on the 45 bandwagon (after crawling out from under a rock) to further their own pre-existing racist or anarchist agendas. They are the most dangerous, IMO.

But word is circulating that many are now not planning to riot because they fear it's a trap. Lol The reason they think it's a trap is because of the show of force, which is not a trap but rather a defense.

If force was not on display they'd think they could show their force; they'd walk into the trap and wreak havoc and cause harm before and as they were subdued. I think it's better to show the force, especially on inauguration day. Same goes for state capitals. Fewer groups may show up, but I expect the extremists to engage in extreme behavior in a number of cities, including DC.

Many will be jailed or killed before the rest back down or crawl back under their rock.

[Crunchy Frog]

15. No.

[Straw Man]

16. Forgive the use of what is generally a right-wing meme, but ...

... I think it applies here:

[denbot]

17. Yup..

They’ll stay well clear of “targets” firing back with live ammo. It causes horrible bone spur flare ups.

[EndlessWire]

18. Every day the number gets larger.

I like it. I think that it comes up as a precaution. The leaders of the rioters said that they would show up in overwhelming force. If that were to happen, we'd have a chance to defend.

The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that we narrowly avoided a truly horrendous massacre. We were so lucky. And, I believe that they absolutely intended to take prisoners and kill a few.

[Demsrule86]

40. Kill a few? Once the killing started it would have ended up being more than a few.

[Rice4VP]

19. No. The Trumpanzees will stay home out of fear of getting shot or arrested

The Capitol was a soft target

[octoberlib]

20. No.

[C_U_L8R]

21. Strong deterrence.

Magat traitors need to receive this unmistakable message. They will be annihilated if they try any more shit. Fuck these Trump terrorists.

[tonedevil]

22. No...

or might i say Fuck No.

[raccoon]

24. No. Nt

[hlthe2b]

25. NO. Enough said.

[we can do it]

26. No, the traitors need to be eliminated.

[obamanut2012]

27. Your concerns are noted

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

28. No.

The fascists need to know that attempting to murder elected officials, overthrow democracy, and overthrow our government, will be met by extreme measures, and is an exercise in absolute futility, which will, without doubt, cause them significant personal and collective harm.

It doesn't matter what deranged fascist terrorist lunatics think, what matters is that know that they will be crushed into oblivion if they ever launch another attack on our country again, and that fascist terrorism will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form in our country.

We will not appease fascists, and we will not repeat the mistakes of the Weimar Republic.

If they don't show up, it means our tactics were 100% successful.

[PCIntern]

29. These people need to know that they will be annihilated

Last edited Sat Jan 16, 2021, 09:40 AM - Edit history (2)

If they dare draw weapons on a real militia.

It was very telling that when the Q anon woman was shot all of those revolutionaries in the hallway got real quiet and were scared to death, as well they should’ve been. There’s always a lot of talking big actions implied, but when push comes to shove People turn tail and run as fast as they can.

I’m just sorry that they don’t have bayonets mounted

[XanaDUer2]

36. That's the example I was thinking of

when they saw she was shot, they were suddenly like, uh-oh, shit just got real.

[Demsrule86]

39. Yeah, she tried to climb in the window where there were elected in the room...it was a red line,

Ashli crossed it and was shot...she is Air Force and knew better. These people have been coddled IMHO by law enforcement and of course the FBI wasn't allowed to go after them...they were Trump's peeps...but now they must be rooted out and not allowed to commit violent acts.

[moondust]

30. No. Let them see

what they are up against and how ridiculous and futile their racist tantrums truly are.

[ProfessorGAC]

31. Ask Yourself This

What would have happened had this guard presence existed on January 6?
If you answer "Nothing at all" then it means you understand.

[Squinch]

32. .

[Chainfire]

33. It is a statement. It says, we are in charge, we will invest what ever is necessary.

We will not allow terrorists to disrupt our government. It is a deterrent, a visible warning to the seditionists, that if they come, they may not leave alive. The criminals who ignore the warning do so at their own risk.

It is necessary after the security failures of last week. I hope that the various states come to the same conclusion and that any attempt of violence is met with overwhelming force.

[Karma13612]

34. Nope

No, and further:

This isn’t just a signal to the MAGA insurrectionists. This is also to show the other peaceful citizens in this country and the world that we still have the strength and ability to fight against our domestic terrorists.

I was really scared on Jan 6 2021. I wasn’t sure we had enuf force on our side to stand up to the thugs who terrorized our Nation’s Capital. Now I am more confident.

I also fear Civil War II. I think it might still happen. But at least we will have a National Guard who can help us fight back. We need to keep them well fed and housed properly.

[MoonRiver]

35. No, they are needed. The more the "merrier."

Those crazy thugs will take advantage of any perceived weakness.

[MrsCoffee]

37. They aren't gonna show up if the fix isn't in. They won't take on a real force.

Why should security forces hide and risk drawing the assholes out to play?

[Demsrule86]

38. No, They planned to assassinate the VP and Nancy Pelosi among others. And the threats

continues...we need to go after these people arrest them, prosecute them...and work to end domestic terrorism.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

41. Some people don't mind authoritarianism as long as it's directed against the right people.

[GoneOffShore]

43. Not seeing this as an authoritarian move. It is protection of elected government officials against

credible threats.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

44. Yeah, I posted before coffee. "Show of state force" would have been better.

[Downtown Hound]

45. Please explain to me how defending a legitimate democratic

election against those that have used violence and lies to illegally overturn it and are continuing to threaten violence against it is authoritarian?

Shame on you for lacking the ability to think.

This isn't authoritarianism, this is defending against it. This is stopping an illegal and violent, fascist, coup. This is democracy at it's best. This is saying our democratic voices will not be taken away by a fascist criminal and his wounded ego and his mob of terrorist thugs.

This is democracy at its strongest, basically saying, "Fuck with me, and I'll take your head off."

You should be ashamed of what you wrote.

[GoneOffShore]

42. Not at all. There should have been a similar show of force when the RWNJ's showed at state capitols

for the mask 'protests'.
They were armed and dangerous then and it was a test run.

[DemocraticPatriot]

46. I am not troubled by the show of force--

I AM troubled that this has become necessary...


I had read about some of the talk before the occupation of the capital, and thought it was just that-- talk by keyboard commandos. I never thought enough of them would have the guts to actually do it. Well, enough of them had the guts...

Watching the takeover of the capital on TV was surreal, like a weird dream. One minute I was watching the electoral votes being opened, then they paused for debate. I changed the channel for a couple minutes, then came back to a riot on live CBS news...

They have reduced us to this. We DO need this show of force, especially for Inauguration Day.

[Happy Hoosier]

47. Not after Jan 6

Si vis pacem, para bellum

[dutch777]

48. Thanks to all that commented!

My thought line was three fold. First, while I totally agree the ability to quickly squash anything violent or even remotely resembling insurrection and disrupting the peaceful transfer of Presidential powers to Biden/Harris is appropriate and necessary. The second thought was that DC is such sacred ground that I really hate its majesty overshadowed by an overly large visible police presence until that is necessary. And third, and this is my deepest concern, that while we can stand these people off from the ceremony and the Capitol, it does not snuff them out. Indeed they may be like a deep wound that seems to heal over on the surface but festers internally and invisibly but seriously poisons and debilitates the system. So, if it were just me, I would have that overwhelming force but just not linked front and center arm in arm for days but rather as groups of quick reaction forces that can deploy in minutes to anywhere that causes threat in DC.

One could counter, and this is certainly a valid view, that my concept would essentially be using the Inauguration ceremony as bait and as such cause increased risk to the event and moreover, the participants. But deep inside of me I would like to see the bad guys overplay their hand right now, get caught in full daylight and media coverage and prosecuted to the full extent of the law to make a clear statement that there is a line and laws and they will be vigorously defended and enforced.

I worry also, that while Facebook, Twitter, et. al. have belatedly found a moral spine and they are trying to shut down insurrectionist and hate speech, the effort will dissipate. And hunting down and closely monitoring a million or more scattered individuals with potential ill intent across what can become endless new chat networks and even private channels will be a large effort for law enforcement that also will not be sustained or entirely successful. In short, as successful and peaceful as the Inauguration will be, it will, sadly, not be the end of this threat.

[lame54]

49. We don't know what they know

[Ms. Toad]

50. Did you sleep through January 6????? n/t

[Mr.Bill]

51. I still think there's a good amount of them

who think the military presence will join their side when the fighting begins.

[Angleae]

52. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.