My sympathies to you on the other side of the pond – this election feels like a powder-keg. Here’s hoping it passes without major incident.
“International election observers are worried about the US vote. 2020 is the year where the unlikely, even the unthinkable, can happen.
“And election observers, organizers and commentators in Africa, Europe and the US fear that there are significant warning signs for the upcoming US elections… they worry that a protracted poll could lead to a constitutional crisis and even violence.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/11/world/us-election-international-observers-intl/index.html
“‘Our worst nightmare’: will militias heed Trump’s call to watch the polls? With the US dangerously divided, experts fear the president’s remarks will inspire armed factions to show up at polling places…
“FBI background checks – a direct indicator of gun sales – almost doubled year-on-year this summer, a reflection of the jitters that abound.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/09/us-militias-trump-election-day-covid-guns
“In Louisiana, a frightening stand-off between hundreds of black and white gunmen… as MoS reveals Pentagon plans to send in the army if militias descend on Washington in wake of disputed election…
“It likes to call itself ‘the happiest city in America’, but it doesn’t feel that way in downtown Lafayette.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8827153/Growing-spectre-new-American-Civil-War.html
“A man has been shot dead during rival protests by leftwing and rightwing groups in the US city of Denver.
“Police have identified a 30-year-old man as the suspect in a fatal shooting that took place in downtown Denver during duelling protests between leftwing and rightwing groups.”
“Some Americans worried about possible violence after the U.S. presidential election are forming community watch groups, others are working on conflict de-escalation and still others are purchasing guns, according to two dozen voters, online groups and data surveyed by Reuters.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-violence-idUSKBN26U15I
“A chain of U.S. survival communities plan to activate and open to members for the first time over fears of violence following the presidential election on November 3.
“Survival camps with bunkers, weapon arsenals, guard towers and enough food for 25 years will activate after the election amid fears of ‘widespread loss of law and order’ and ‘looting and violence’.”
It isn’t possible for a malevolent narcissist to gracefully lose. Trump will inevitably refuse to leave office, and the result will be massive civil unrest. Strong locked gate, plenty food, etc, is the only way to go.
Certainly that is a highly plausible forecast, Lou. I hope you are well positioned to ride out any chaos. H
Maybe observers from around the world are needed as poll scrutineers in the Excited States!!
Apparently so, Bruce, lol. The “Excited States” is very apposite, given the ever rising volatility. We’re not looking down our noses at you from this side of the pond though – the UK has its own kind of crazy going on with Brexit, political incompetence and general economic implosion. H