(10-21-2016 02:30 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-20-2016 12:32 PM)OldOwlNewHeel2 Wrote:  

(10-20-2016 09:58 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(10-20-2016 09:36 AM)OldOwlNewHeel2 Wrote:  

(10-20-2016 09:01 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  Bingo.

It wasn't like Gore went around before the election, screaming about it being rigged against him and then went and contested it, so it's a false equivalency.

Trump is just adding fuel to the fire for a significant amount of conspiracy minded folks who truly believe that the election is rigged and not that a majority of the country, should the polls be correct, doesn't want Donald Trump to be their president.

As we've briefly mentioned before in this thread, regardless of what Trump actually meant, his position as the Republican nominee obligates him to avoid the doublespeak of which he is so fond. Even if he intended a nuanced meaning, he should know that a not-insignificant subset of his followers actually think an armed rebellion is a good idea (See the "torches and pitchforks" sheriff, for instance)). At worst, he's trying to start a riot. At best, he's recklessly abusing his position.

You really think Clark meant that literally? Really? I have used that "pitchforks and torches" phrase many times to describe the Parliament, but I never meant it literally. It just means to protest. It is an image from the first Frankenstein movie. I wonder what the stats are on pitchfork sales?

I think that when Trump loses, there will be literally a few dozen people nationally who want to do something about it, and I doubt any of them will be using a pitchfork.

This reminds me of my former father-in-law, who once told me the Russians were stockpiling horses and wood, as the Bible said Armageddon would be fought with wooden weapons and the blood would rise to the horses' eyes. yeah, sure, like the Russians used the Bible for their military planning.

Oh, I don't know - why don't we let Clarke tell us what he meant?

Quote:“When I tweeted the above image, I meant it. I wasn’t speaking in code,” continued Clarke.

You can take it up with him, I guess.

You're the one I asked a question of.

I guess the answer to my question is Yes, you really do think he meant it seriously. I think he just means that they should protest. But at least you won't have to worry about all those Idaho militias pouring out of the woods with their AK-47s. No, they will definitely be carrying pitchforks and torches.

I also differ with on your belief that the subset of Trump followers who would protest in a violent way is "not-insignificant". I think it IS an insignificant number, tallied in dozens, not thousands. But we will know in less than weeks. I am looking forward to all the pictures of mobs carrying pitchforks, rioting by torchlight.

FTR, if I mention "pitchforks and torches" again to refer to people angry over actions or inactions of our AD, it is not to be taken literally, OK?

Only a few points:

• My apologies for misunderstanding your question. Do I think that he meant folks should literally carry torches and pitchforks? No, but nothing in my original post indicates that was my position.
• Do I think he literally meant we should have an armed rebellion? Yes, as confirmed by the man himself.
• Is our specific dispute about this one guy particularly relevant to my larger point? Not really. The straw man is alive and well, it seems.
  

And, finally, how many rebellious morons would constitute a "significant number" for you? It only took two for the Oklahoma City bombing. There were only two D.C. snipers. Hell, there were only 19 hijackers on 9/11. Do I think an armed rebellion or significant political violence is likely to occur after Trump loses? Not particularly. But just because there's a low chance of someone dying because I'm shooting my gun up in the air doesn't mean it's a good idea. In an average person, it's irresponsible. From a presidential candidate who KNOWS certain fringe groups will interpret his messages to fit their own ends, it's inexcusable. Lord help us if we "only" end up with "dozens" of Ted Kaczynskis.