taking it to the streets

[redbird]

I just sent a couple of thousand texts inviting people to participate in pro-democracy count-the-votes rallies tomorrow, in cities around the US. The one in Boston is in Copley Square at 11 a.m., and here's a link to find one in your area.

Those went out mostly around noon EST; a couple of hours later it seems as though the rallies may not be necessary

Comments

[rydra_wong]

May not be necessary any more (fingers crossed), but sounds like they're fun -- here's the Guardian reporting from the "count every vote" rally in Philly:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/nov/06/us-election-joe-biden-donald-trump-result-latest-who-is-winning-live-2020-updates?page=with:block-5fa5a2a18f083df739ba568d#block-5fa5a2a18f083df739ba568d

It’s the second day crowds have gathered here as workers continue to count ballots inside. But the mood is noticeably different - it’s much more jubilant today than it was on Wednesday or Thursday when protesters were more confrontational. Joe Biden overtook Trump’s lead in this key swing state earlier today.

[executrix]

Not to harsh some VERY well-earned squee, but in a normal year in a normal country, winning the election would actually count for something. But here and now, winning the election is just the end of the beginning. Fortunately Trump has bloviated tons of empty bluster before, and he might collapse like the empty suit he is. But then he might not.

[rydra_wong]

True. But if "not" (and if he still has allies who are going to risk going down with him), then establishing people's willingness to get on the streets in large numbers is going to be critical, and establishing that now could help deter any attempts to interfere with the democratic process.

And if he collapses like an empty suit: street party!

[executrix]

Yup--I agree with that analysis!

I'm sort of wondering whether either Trump has made a deal to refrain from blowing up the country in return for pardon from the winner, or plans to reboot the Nixon option by resigning and being pardoned by an incoming Pence during his brief tenure.

What this whole sorry situation has shown is that being Senate majority leader is like being Emperor, except with no responsibilities.

[redbird]

Even if Pence tries that, it might not affect the impending criminal indictment in New York state.

I don't think the courts ever established whether the sort of "and anything else we haven't heard about" pardon Ford gave Nixon was legally binding--and I would enjoy seeing Rudy Giuliani--or a competent lawyer, if Trump notices that Giuliani isn't--trying to convince a New York judge that a pardon that came before a trial and conviction could be legally binding.