LA Times calls for Military Coup against a President Trump. Free speech or Treasonous speech?

2016-07-20T15:04:25-04:00

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Jul 20 at 2016 3:05 PM

2016-07-20T15:05:57-04:00

Treasonous to even suggest removing the President by force of arms

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 3:06 PM

2016-07-20T15:06:56-04:00

Link?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jul 20 at 2016 3:08 PM

2016-07-20T15:08:44-04:00

How long do I have to get my shopping done? And will Pam Anderson look any better coming out of the water?

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 20 at 2016 3:09 PM

2016-07-20T15:09:41-04:00

LA Times is a news paper, are you reporting on an opinion piece or a report, either one is Free Speech, because Treason is acts against the USA, and Trump is not the USA.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 20 at 2016 3:17 PM

2016-07-20T15:17:22-04:00

I call for a military coup of the LA Times! Well all of LA. I say we build the Trump fence up and around LA. We can give it back to Mexico. It was a lost cause anyway. Pure granola...fruits, nuts, and flakes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 3:23 PM

2016-07-20T15:23:31-04:00

First, this isn't a call for a military coup: "Americans viewing the recent failed coup attempt in Turkey as some exotic foreign news story — the latest, violent yet hardly unusual political development to occur in a region constantly beset by turmoil — should pause to consider that the prospect of similar instability would not be unfathomable in this country if Donald Trump were to win the presidency."

The article then goes on to argue that one might be necessary if and when Trump began issuing illegal orders and attempted to force the military to carry out those illegal orders.

So the second point is that this is speculative, no one really knows what Trump woudl do as President... however if any President began issuing what were clearly illegal orders and trying to force the military to carry those orders out, it's not inconceivable that those in the military might remove the President from power.

I'm also reminded of this article: http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/15/gop-propaganda-succeeds-43-republicans-support-military-coup-america.html

GOP Propaganda Succeeds As 43% of Republicans Support a Military Coup Against America

Six years of anti-Obama hysteria has led to a plurality of Republicans supporting the military takeover of America

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Jul 20 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-07-20T16:01:30-04:00

Just want to point out - we have a political system that creates checks and balances on power by design. Its different than any other - again, by design. If one branch of government goes out of wack the other two are there to correct it. Trump may be extreme by current standards and norms, but as long as he doesn't reach too far (what that means is to be determined) the system will work.

The greatness of our country is not based on one politician claiming it needs to be rebuilt. Our greatness is our governmental system, the checks and balances, and a military that would NOT seize control from a rightfully/legally elected official. We're better than that. And, by the way, we have always been great and continue to this day regardless of what some may think. Just my humble opinion.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Jul 20 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-07-20T16:01:35-04:00

Gosh , somebody is afraid.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 20 at 2016 4:16 PM

2016-07-20T16:16:43-04:00

No they did not, no the article does not, and its hardly considered an "article" more like biased opinion fantsy

Response by SSG Brandon Wolfe made Jul 20 at 2016 4:19 PM

2016-07-20T16:19:18-04:00

Political posturing to garner support behind Hillary Clinton ahead of the general election. While I do not agree with a hypothetical being used against an individual, it is free speech and it is being employed by both parties. Basically it is a metaphorical call to arms to ensure Trump doesn't get voted in because "he could cause a coup". Very Very unlikely to happen. All I can say is research the candidates and choose based upon how you feel.

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jul 20 at 2016 4:35 PM

2016-07-20T16:35:25-04:00

Where have they been for the past 7.5 years? Oh that's right they are in Los angeles...

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 20 at 2016 4:45 PM

2016-07-20T16:45:56-04:00

In the alien invasion movies, LA is always the first to get hit because the film crew only has to go up the road. So since they've been broadcasting "hit LA first" into space for years, they should want the military there, not DC. And they should want Trump big time because of his position on aliens.

Otherwise clueless babble in that rag.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 4:57 PM

2016-07-20T16:57:01-04:00

They should be hung for treason!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 20 at 2016 5:11 PM

2016-07-20T17:11:48-04:00

He's Not President Yet, Just a Populist Candidate Spouting Xenophobic Garbage.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 20 at 2016 5:18 PM

2016-07-20T17:18:21-04:00

I don't think it meets the Constitutional definition of Treason (would be closer to Sedition):

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

However that does not make it acceptable either.

The issue however is that the Constitution does not have a "mechanism" for Military Coups, but it does have a "mechanism" for Impeachment. That's the PROPER way to remove officials we don't like/want/need/etc.

Using "force of arms" AS AN ORGANIZATION goes against our Oath to Defend and Support the Constitution. The President is the Commander in Chief. Period. However, there are mechanisms to avoid conflicts between him and the Constitution itself.

As for the People, they have every Right to Protest verbally and call for the removal of ANY Public Official. We're Citizens, not Subjects. Virtue of being elected only offers someone the Protections of the Constitution's Framework just like everyone else.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 20 at 2016 5:21 PM

2016-07-20T17:21:25-04:00

Free speech -- from the same people that whine every time someone points out Obama's fraud and treason!

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jul 20 at 2016 5:23 PM

2016-07-20T17:23:01-04:00

"He's Not President Yet, Just a Populist Candidate Spouting Xenophobic Garbage." - PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

His dog whistle must be calling the support of the Xenophobe Marcus Luttrell am I right?

Response by CPT Dave Brest made Jul 20 at 2016 5:31 PM

2016-07-20T17:31:12-04:00

When I was a young 2LT , my BDE C.O. gave me 15 minutes to scrap a political bumper sticker off my car ( I think it was in support of a local school levy) because "US Army officers don't HAVE political opinions .That's why we don't have coups every other week like some G--D----- banana republic !"

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 20 at 2016 6:07 PM

2016-07-20T18:07:11-04:00

Please provide a copy of the article you are citing. I read one early today in the LA Times that said a military coup could not succeed and made comparisons with the recent coup attempt in Turkey. I did not see one that called for a coup, in the event of a Trump victory.

Response by Capt Tom Orlando, MSOM, PMP made Jul 20 at 2016 6:52 PM

2016-07-20T18:52:05-04:00

Definitely TREASON! I suggest they be arrested them moment he is inaugurated. They called for the violent overthrow of the President.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 20 at 2016 9:53 PM

2016-07-20T21:53:44-04:00

You would have a lot more credibility if you posted a link. Because frankly, I find it hard to believe, and reading the comments, I think I'm right.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 11:00 PM

2016-07-20T23:00:31-04:00

I'm a firm believer that no one with any common sense actually reads the LA Times.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Jul 21 at 2016 7:47 AM

2016-07-21T07:47:05-04:00

We took an oath to uphold and defend...not overturn. Semper Fi

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jul 21 at 2016 10:52 AM

2016-07-21T10:52:18-04:00

Free speech for now, but personally I find it a little ridiculous how we're already talking about overthrowing someone who hasn't even been elected yet...

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Jul 21 at 2016 1:04 PM

2016-07-21T13:04:56-04:00

Let's set aside for the moment the fact that the general election hasn't even taken place yet. It is treasonous speech. Unfortunately, it's likely to be defended by the courts as free speech.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 21 at 2016 1:07 PM

2016-07-21T13:07:43-04:00

If you make a post like this then you need to provide a link. No excuse for this type of post.

Response by CPT Dave Brest made Jul 28 at 2016 12:47 PM

2016-07-28T12:47:41-04:00

A little-noticed difference In the Oath of Allegiance given to enlisted and officers is that enlisted swear to obey the POTUS and the Constitution, while officers only swear to the Constitution. This was to prevent a usurper from taking control of the country. So, although the action might be legal, it is absolutely anathema for an officer to disobey our civilian elected "controllers". The PEOPLE rule this country by their ballot.......like the results or not.