Protests in Washington

[TheUsualSuspect]

It seems things have gotten a little out of hand. Pro-Trump protestors claiming that the election was rigged. Storming the capital and word is at least one woman has been shot.

There is now a curfew of 6:00PM.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5256053.1609963396!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg

https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5256172.1609967388!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg

https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5256025.1609962849!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg

https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5256155.1609966827!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg

[Yoda]

Totally predictable and preemptive reminder that this thread can be about the event itself, but cannot and will not devolve into political arguments. Which is kind of another way of saying that even weighing in on how much you do or don't agree with any aspect of this is probably not a good idea, since if you do that, someone else will want to dispute it, and then before ya' know it the the thread is closed. Which it will be, at the first sign of anything like this.

So please stick to the news as news itself, if possible. Thanks.

[Taz]

Sitting here in utter dismay. I wish could say it is beyond belief, but sadly the way this has been continiously provoked and motivated by the outgoing sitting President, who told even before the election that he would not commit to the peaceful transfer of power, that these scenes while utterly shocking has been shaping up in this way for months.

Sitting from across the world and listening to this all unfold, my thoughts are with all peace loving people in America dismayed by these events, irrespective of political affiliation. I truly hope that as much as possible people remain safe and even when there are signs of armed protestors that this lawlessness, as bad as it already is does not escalate into something even more truly tragic.

[Daniel M]

Not completely surprising, to be honest. It's been coming and whilst I will avoid getting too political I suspect we will now see historical revisionism whereby a lot of people pretend they didn't sell-out and appease certain behaviour for their own self-interests which has led to this. The last few years I have become a lot more libertarian in a lot of my views and it saddens me how people will appease/justify authoritarianism if it suits their agenda.

Can't believe how easy it was for all those people to breach the building and effectively takeover. I would have thought this would have been expected especially with Trump's rally.

[Mr Minio]

that's not how you Mishima, n00b

[xSookieStackhouse]

GLAD I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA. THIS REMINDS ME OF THE VIDEO GAME CALLED THE DIVISION 2

oops caps on

[Citizen Rules]

All I can say is: I knew this would happen. I've been predicting this for the last couple of weeks. How could it not happen with the kind of statements & behavior Trump has shown for the election process.
I wonder if Trump will actually leave the White House willingly? Or will the National Guard have to escort him out?

[John McClane]

Keep in mind that police were told to not use force to stop these people, and requests for federal presence were not implemented by the Mayor of DC. This was a calculated decision (why being my biggest question) and not a failure of organization. Permits were issued and the nature of their presence was not in question.

This was not a failure of democracy. It was the dying gasps of an inept administration, and the thing that made me most sick was seeing all those American flags touching the ground.

[matt72582]

It doesn't seem like the curfew is being enforced.

[Citizen Rules]

I just read about the riot in Washington D.C. I feel sick.

[mark f]

I've been watching the entire spectacle all day on my TV. (I can still watch movies on my computer.) It's unbelievable in that it has never happened in my long life but it's totally believable to anybody who has watched what's going on for so long. What happens next is anybody's guess.

[Dog Star Man]

It seems things have gotten a little out of hand...

Yes... a someone died... a little is an understatement...

[Mr Minio]

The last time it happened was in 1814. Kinda late for the 200th anniversary!!!

[gandalf26]

The past few years of Trump, QAnon and now Covid have made it like the golden age of conspiracy theories, all helped along by the tech companies algorithms to keep people consuming ads. I'm embarrassed to admit I fell down the rabbit hole myself 2008 ish and slowly dragged myself out in the years after.

Someone's going to have to look at why people are so polarized and can't tell what's true anymore and what can be done about it, especially in the US. People are angry, and they have plenty of reasons to be, but they've mistakenly placed their trust in a joke of a man.

[Daniel M]

The past few years of Trump, QAnon and now Covid have made it like the golden age of conspiracy theories, all helped along by the tech companies algorithms to keep people consuming ads. I'm embarrassed to admit I fell down the rabbit hole myself 2008 ish and slowly dragged myself out in the years after.

Someone's going to have to look at why people are so polarized and can't tell what's true anymore and what can be done about it, especially in the US. People are angry, and they have plenty of reasons to be, but they've mistakenly placed their trust in a joke of a man.

The misinformation that surrounds us really scary to me. I have a number of friends who in real life appear to be completely normal, friendly, rational people yet I see them on social media indulge in some of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories going. Stuff like PizzaGate, White Rabbit etc. Also lots of anti-semitic stuff seems to be on the increase too. It's becoming increasingly mainstream. Vulnerable people (often with poor mental health) are being exploited by conspiracies and misinformation more than ever, it's a huge threat that isn't going to go away.

I don't really support government regulations on tech companies but people need to put pressure on firms who need to put pressure on social media platforms to change their rules and take on greater responsibility to protect people from this targeting. It is a dream for countries like Russia and China who must be laughing now. Regulations, in general, aren't anti-free speech, if a private organisation responds to public mood that's up to them. I really do worry about the future and I'm not sure there's an easy way out of it. I think it's an unfortunate natural consequence of having liberal Western societies and the expansion of the internet.

[Mr Minio]

The misinformation that surrounds us really scary to me. I have a number of friends who in real life appear to be completely normal, friendly, rational people yet I see them on social media indulge in some of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories going. Same here. Conspiracy theories and politics. People seem friendly and normal and then you find out they have some really weird ideas and beliefs. Lesson learned: don't talk politics!

[Cobra]

Watched it briefly. Then turned it off, decided instead to watch something else.

[Cobra]

I don’t get into politics very often, if anyone asks me what my political opinions are. I usually say either that’s not important or ignore the comment.

[Darth Wish]

Seeing the footage here in the UK it wasn't a surprise.
Trumps' narcissism made this almost inevitable, he truly believes he is the best at everything and no one else matters.

[ScarletLion]

No surprises. Calling for 'Trial by Combat' (Giuliani) was bound to end in this.

The only thing worse than those protestors are the senators (Cruz etc) that STILL tried to overturn the result of the election AFTER the capitol building had been stormed and 4 people had been killed. I hope their names are never forgotten.

[FlickBic]

I wasn't surprised at all, I somehow predicted that this would happen.

[matt72582]

I thought four people died.

[Holden Pike]

One person was shot and killed by the authorities, three others died at and around the event due to things like heart attacks.

[matt72582]

One person was shot and killed by the authorities, three others died at and around the event due to things like heart attacks.


Wow... I wonder if the event exclusively caused the heart attack, or if they already had problems.

[Holden Pike]

They haven't released details yet, but yes the other three people who died likely had underlying health conditions that were exacerbated by the intensity of the events.

[Darth Wish]

I just read there were a couple of pipe bombs found and a newly elected Republican lawmaker was amongst the rioters wearing a motorcycle helmet!

[Yoda]

They found explosive devices at both the RNC and the DNC, apparently. Waiting for full confirmation on that, though.

[cricket]

Haven't read the thread and haven't really followed the story. It doesn't matter what side you're on, people have been out of control for months and all of it is wrong.

[Dog Star Man]

I don’t mean to belittle or be insensitive to this event at all as everything about it is just awful and my prayers are with people, but it does vaguely remind of this scene for some reason...

https://youtu.be/CjnRX__xyMs

[Captain Steel]

Still too early to know all the details or exactly what happened or why.

But I'm just posing an invitation to speculate (food for thought as it were)...

It was publicized that the proceedings at the capitol would include Republican Congresspeople questioning the election outcome on the House floor (an obvious last-ditch effort to aid Trump or somehow lead to an overturn). Which is what they went on to do last night - if anyone tuned into CSPAN in the wee hours of the morning.

The protest outside yesterday was intended to support the effort of Republicans inside Congress who were determined to question the election.

Why would Trump-supporters want to disrupt such a proceeding or attack Congresspeople (among whom were Republicans there to question the election and call for investigations to secure future election integrity)?

The only people who'd logically feel disrupting such proceedings would benefit their agenda would be anti-Trumpers.

However (my caveat...), when it comes to extremists, we all know there are idiots on all sides who, if they see one person breaking a window or who get caught up in a fervor, will follow, whether their actions make any sense, serve any goal or not.

[mark f]

Their Fearless Leader told them.

[SFMZone]

They haven't released details yet, but yes the other three people who died likely had underlying health conditions that were exacerbated by the intensity of the events.

They just announced a fifth person has now died. No details, likely the same as the other three listed only as "died of medical emergencies." A number of people were injured falling off scaffolding, climbing, etc. Unknown if the four people died from these incidents. I share your view - the "medical emergencies" deaths were health related - heart issues or whatever. They also published more details about the lady that was shot. She was an avid QAnon conspiracy theory supporter.

In any case, this is going to have a long wave of repercussions - numerous people will be fired, numerous will serve jail or prison time. The Capital Police Chief just resigned, but it wouldn't surprise me if he faces charges. Trump's officials are dropping like flies - staff are resigning left and right. There will be lengthy investigations and probes. You can bet they will be scouring for any intentional lapse of security. If they discover that, some could face treason level charges. We thought 2020 was bad.........

71351

[Captain Steel]

Their Fearless Leader told them.

That seems to be the current consensus according to the MSM.

I didn't hear all of Trump's speech yesterday (or much of it at all) so I don't know what he said.

Do you have any quotes that would indicate that he incited the people gathered in D.C. to storm the capitol, to disrupt or threaten the Congress where Republicans had pre-publicized their intent to challenge the election outcome by questioning election integrity, or that Trump had somehow instructed his supporters to break windows to get in, vandalize and do things that would warrant them getting shot and killed by capitol police?

[mark f]

Knock yourself out. Trump speaks a full hour starting around 2:54:00, telling them he'll march down to the Capitol with them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvJVZAxJE8Y

[SFMZone]

Why would Trump-supporters want to disrupt such a proceeding or attack Congresspeople (among whom were Republicans there to question the election and call for investigations to secure future election integrity)?

The only people who'd logically feel disrupting such proceedings would benefit their agenda would be anti-Trumpers.

The problem with your conspiracy theory is face recognition software has identified several known right wing activists who occupied the capital. A QAnon conspiracy theory trump supporter, Proud Boy Chapter founder, an Arkansas pro-gun leader, and many more. Left wing activists are also well known.....not one single LWA has been identified to be present inside the capital.

The second problem with your conspiracy theory is it was well published before the meeting that the few Republicans planning to object had a near zero chance of succeeding. January 6th was to be a huge win verifying the electoral votes for left/Democrats/Antifa or whatever label you want to use for "anti-Trumpers" and it's a real stretch to think they would sabotage what they have waited for, for so long.

Democrats/left/Antifa or whoever......their number one agenda has been attempting to remove Trump. They impeached him but failed to remove him from office. They bantered 25th amendment but failed to get momentum for that. One failure after another.

And on the one day.....the one all important day Democrats were.....finally......able to overcome failure and make a significant step towards their agenda - that being the all important step of removing Trump with the confirmation of electoral votes.....you believe Democrats just up and decided to sabotage that day? That just makes no sense at all.

[Captain Steel]

Just for the record: I didn't present a theory, conspiracy or otherwise.

I simply said that the only people who'd logically feel disrupting such proceedings would benefit their agenda would be anti-Trumpers.

But I also provided the caveat that extremists following any agenda may not act logically.

[Yoda]

Yeah, I've seen this kind of "skepticism with plausible deniability" thing before. Easy way to get the idea out there without technically saying a thing or, of course, having to defend said thing.

Predictably, thread closed.