I'm not denying that they have committed a crime. They did. But a coup requires manpower, military power and very intelligent people behind. They didn't have any of that.
Just because they're incompetent doesn't change the fact that they were illegally invading the capitol, with the hopes of overturning the election (thereby installing their leader into power for 4 more years).
If you look at it that way, yes. But I don't think it was a coup as it wasn't even planned. Maybe some of them actually wanted to get in but I still don't see it as a coup but as insurrection.
> But I don't think it was a coup as it wasn't even planned
What? It just so happened to magically line up when the Senators / Congressmen were tallying the electoral votes? It was a planned march. It happened on the day of the electoral tally for a REASON. This is beyond symbolic: they wanted to overturn the election.
And they still do. The next march is Inauguration day, but this time I think people will be more prepared and better defended against it.
With luck, maybe we can knock enough wind out of their sails and prove to them that this behavior is unacceptable. But this is not the time to feign ignorance or become apologists for their cause.
They are still proud of what they accomplished (!!!). They were harassing Senator Graham just a few hours ago (https://twitter.com/iheartmindy/status/1347616155394043904). (EDIT: Twitter has removed comments. Good move, but it means you aren't seeing the planning that's going on from those crazies anymore)
Now is the time to prepare and defend. They're throwing down the gauntlet for Inauguration day, so we need to defend ourselves and our democracy. (EDIT: DC National Guard is debating M4 rifles or 9mm Berettas. They're taking this threat seriously)
> Maybe some of them actually wanted to get in
They live-streamed themselves getting in and bragged about it on Twitch and Youtube. By their own words they're trying to keep Trump as President.
Wait what? So you don't have any argument against what I said and now you change the subject?
The same senators and congressmen that objected were interrupted from doing so because of the mob. None of the elected officials did anything illegal by objecting. Did they have anything to back their claims? No, but that's another discussion.
I don't see neither how harassing a senator today has anything to do with the other day events. I don't support that just as I don't support the ones who almost beat Sen. Rand Paul.
Any of this makes me become an apologist. I only stated that a coup wasn't the idea behind the Capitol assault.
> Wait what? So you don't have any argument against what I said and now you change the subject?
Take a step back and breath. Lets cover things.
1. You're clearly not seeing the big picture here. Planning for this event has taken place over social media. A large portion of Americans were ignoring thedonald.win, and other websites, but the events on Wednesday means we can no longer ignore these fringe sites.
2. The intent of these trespassers is clear. They're not saying "Some anomalies in some votes", they want Trump to remain president. This is a far more extreme view.
3. They are now harassing Graham because Graham was supposed to support them in the electoral college tally. But Graham changed his tune after the events of Wednesday and is now arguing that the protesters be arrested.
From the perspective of the insurrectionists / would-be coup, Graham has betrayed them and their cause. That's why they're harassing him.
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And yes: arguing that they are "not a coup" is the very definition of apologist. You are trying to whitewash their actions by using a weaker word to describe their illegal actions.
My point to you is this: they were not defeated on Wednesday. All that has happened is that they have revealed themselves on the national stage. As we move forward, we need to take them into account in our planning. Calling them for what they are: a coup, a dangerous insurrection mob who wishes to literally take over the country, is the bare minimum.
We need to properly describe the nature of the threat before we can plan against them.
They are a coup. They WILL be back. Hopefully we will be ready next time.