Why are there 25,000 soldiers in DC then?

Police warn of possible bid by militia group to attack US Capitol

The U.S. House of Representatives canceled its planned Thursday session after the Capitol Police warned on Wednesday of a possible plot by a militia group to breach the building, a threat that echoed the deadly Jan. 6 attack.

This 'sudden' warning is just more kabuki since Trump supporters have been long told that on March 4, 2021 he will be sworn in as president. It was a way to keep the Q believers still believing just awhile longer.

The House had been scheduled to debate and vote on a police reform bill on Thursday. But a House Democratic aide said that the police warning, based on intelligence that "an identified militia group" could present a security threat, contributed to the change in plans.

So what else was threatening congress that they can't do their job even thought DC has 25,000 US troops guarding it and with the razor wire topped fences it looks more like a defensive area in a country that we are not wanted in.

"The United States Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress or towards the Capitol complex," it said in its statement.

It said it is working with local, state and federal agencies "to stop any threats to the Capitol," adding, "We are taking the intelligence seriously." It did not disclose the nature of the intelligence.

Apparently not if congress is not safe enough to do its business then huh?

But on top of all of that we found out that the pentagon didn't like the optics of sending troops against a bunch of white people whilst knowing damn well that if they had been made up of poor and minority peoples that thought might not have crossed their minds. Or was it a setup so we can play kabuki state theater every so often as needed for more kabuki?

Some good comments:

Hard to find any weapons on them when they hardly arrested anyone. They just peacefully escorted everyone out like an elementary school fire drill.

All of these alleged threats are fabrications Of the government to justify continued military/national guard in Washington DC and continued manipulation of how things used to be done...like President Biden not doing a State of the Union.

But, sadly:

No, they are Domestic Terrorists. Treat them as any other Terrorists Group.

A cynical person might not think it a coincidence that the announcement of this threat comes the day after the capitol police chief has asked Congress for a very significant increase to their funding.

The individual members of Congress are no more important to me than an average store owner. If Congress was as concerned with protecting average Americans (in their minds), as they are themselves, we would be in a much better place.

Okay raise your hand if you think the pentagon would have paused sending troops into the capital to PROTECT congress if it were actually foreign terrorists that had been the ones that did it? How would things have been handled differently if anyone at the capital thought congress's lives were at risk? People were banging on doors, windows and making lots of noise, but we are too believe that the secret service waited till the last minute to remove Pence and Pelosi? If so, well they aren't too smart.

Bingo!

Why do the members of Congress not continue with their work online? The mandated shutdown due to the pandemic forced many, many people across this country to continue their work online. If students and workers in all types of employment were expected to keep working via online when they weren't allowed to gather in person why can't our taxpayer paid members of Congress continue working?....

I'm wondering if this supposed attack on the Capitol Building could be a red herring? Is there a target elsewhere the attackers could storm while so much focus is being trained on the Capitol Building? I sure hope not.

The house is set up for online work. They used it thru the early days of the pandemic when Pelosi was cutting them out of the debates on bills and only working with Mnuchin, Schumer and LOTS of republicans who could suggest things in or out, but not house dems for some reason according to Thomas Massie who I believe is a R house member who likes to spill the beans on congress.

General: Pentagon hesitated on sending Guard to Capitol riot

Defense Department leaders placed unusual restrictions on the National Guard for the day of the Capitol riot and delayed sending help for hours despite an urgent plea from police for reinforcement, according to testimony Wednesday that added to the finger-pointing about the government response.

Maj. Gen. William Walker, commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, told senators that the then-chief of the Capitol Police requested military support in a "voice cracking with emotion" in a 1:49 p.m. call as rioters began pushing toward the Capitol. Walker said he immediately relayed the request to the Army but did not learn until after 5 p.m. that the Defense Department had approved it. Guard troops who had been waiting on buses were then rushed to the Capitol, arriving in 18 minutes, Walker said. (so the troops just sat on the bus for 3 hours without anyone asking why they were or no one noticing that they were NOT sent to the captital immediately to help save congress from the mob of furry vikings? -sd)

The hours long delay cost the National Guard precious hours minutes in the early hours of the Jan. 6 rioting, with Walker saying he could have gotten personnel into the building within 20 minutes of getting approval. As it stood, the support did not happen until the evening. The delay also stood in contrast to the swift authorization for National Guard support that Walker said was granted in response to the civil unrest that roiled Washington last June as an outgrowth of racial justice protests.

A senior Pentagon official who testified, Robert Salesses, said it took time for the Army to sort out what the National Guard was being asked to do and what its support might look like, especially since the Capitol Police days earlier had not asked for any help. Mindful of criticism that the response to the demonstrations last spring was heavy-handed, military officials were also concerned about the optics of a substantial National Guard presence at the Capitol, and that such visuals could inflame the rioters, Walker said.

Seriously? We have spent trillions on building up the security state after 9/11, but the guard wasn't sure what it should do if sent to save congress? Seriously we are supposed to believe that there wasn't a plan planned out to the T on how to protect the capital from attack? Sure. Kinda like there was no national security plan for an epidemic that had been long know to be coming and they even ran drills on it months before. Sure. No plan to get food to people or any of anything that has gone on. Millions will probably end up homeless after all is said and done because the government owned corporations want less of us. How else can you let a deserted mall be turned into a casino instead of some type of housing for people?

"The Army senior leadership" expressed "that it would not be their best military advice to have uniformed Guardsmen on the Capitol," Walker said.

Give me an effing break! I am going to watch what Lee does with the patriot act 2.0. He says that he is a strict constitutionalist so let's see if that is true.

Were any heads shaken when they heard this?

"The response to the request took too long, so I think there needs to be a study done to make sure that never happens again," Walker said. "It shouldn't take three hours to get a yes or no answer."


I wonder what the pentagon would gain from standing down in the face of predicted violence. I bet we will see soon enough.

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snoopydawg's picture

On Jan 20 9 people showed up at the 50 state capital protests around the country. 9. NINE. 9 and nothing has happened since then and now and yet we are supposed to believe that capitals across the country need to have more security protections? Why? What do they plan on doing to us that we will storm the Bastille? Huh? Answer me gd cuz I am tired of the BS.

Increased security for state Capitol awaits governor's signature

Utah representatives agreed Wednesday that more needs to be done to protect the Capitol and officials, passing SB222 to spend more than $1 million on security measures.

"I wish (it) was not necessary, but because of what we've seen in recent history, both here and in Washington, D.C., it's becoming more important for us to focus on the issue of security around our Capitol, around our elected officials and even around our staff," said floor sponsor Rep. Robert Spendlove, R-Sandy.

"So, if you know, once in a while we do things that make people mad. And sometimes we make people mad enough that they make threats toward us,"

During one of the BLM protests at the capital someone wrote on it with red paint. During another one a group overturned a police car and set it on fire. One guy pointed a bow and arrow at protesters. Every person who they say broke the law face charges that are in place for whatever we already need. We do not need newer and more draconian charges to add on to people unless you just want to disappear them. And there is already a plan in place for that. Oh yeah, Obama signed an NDAA that allows the president to arrest and hold indefinitely. It has already been done to a few vets that had something to say after they got sent to the sandbox as cannon fodder. Will look for it again later.

"a republic if you can keep it."

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snoopydawg's picture

Police request 60-day extension of Guard at US Capitol

The Capitol Police have requested that members of the National Guard continue to provide security at the U.S. Capitol for another two months, The Associated Press has learned. Defense officials say the new proposal is being reviewed by the Pentagon.

The potential plot is tied to the far-right conspiracy theory promoted by QAnon supporters that former President Donald Trump will rise again to power on March 4, the original presidential inauguration day.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said she learned that the request for a 60-day extension was made in the last 36 hours, and that the Guard is now seeking volunteers from states around the country to fill the need.

Huh? If they want to go to DC they can,, but if they don't they do not have to? Oky doky.

U.S. Capitol Police officials have also told congressional leaders the razor-wire topped fencing around the Capitol should remain in place for several more months.

Slotkin said, however, that she was going to her office to work on Thursday. "I'm not going to let these guys scare me away," she said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

ETA a feel good story. Utah has set a limit for insulin at $30 on all insurance plans it can, but has set up help for people on federal plans.

"Anybody in the state of Utah can get their insulin at the state's cost, which is about a 60% savings over if you've just paid cash at a pharmacy," Thurston said.

Last night I wrote how Utah has gone after child torture camps and identity changing counseling centers. Hot damn we get to change our clocks!

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hard at work, reportedly.

How else can they continue to water down the Covid bill?

Thanks for your patient instructions. I'm writing them down and hope to eventually succeed.

I couldn't agree more than I do about Tweets and newspaper clippings that are presented without an interesting comment.

Most of the time when I see a lengthy article, if it's something I'm interested in I've already seen/read it.

Same with tweets. Unless it's obvious that it is new and will interest most of us.

Not so much on music video. Sometimes just seeing the title, indicates the mood and stirs memories.

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NYCVG

ggersh's picture

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

snoopydawg's picture

@ggersh

a few people did have guns. A few pistols and didn't one guy have a rifle? He was photo'd with the guy that had zipcuffs IIRC. But yeah kinda wimpy of an armed violent coup don't you think? I doubt people that we have do our coups for us are heavily armed. Yeah. Remember the Maiden Square Massacre that we funded and armed neo Nazis. But Trump and look....squirrel.

Anyone hear anything more about the pipe bombs that were found at the RNC and DNC headquarters? You'd think that would be an important thing to figure out if as they say there still is a threat. Maybe they are working on it, but does anyone trust the intelligence agencies? I never did, but with all the kabuki since the DAY, 9/11 they have lied to us too many times.

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@snoopydawg
The False and Exaggerated Claims Still Being Spread About the Capitol Riot

"The fire extinguisher tale was far from the only false or dubious claim that the media caused to circulate about the events that day. In some cases, they continue to circulate them."

"Over and over, no evidence has emerged for the most melodramatic media claims — torn out Panic Buttons and plots to kill Vice President Mike Pence or Mitt Romney"

About the "zip tie guy"
"Eric Munchel, a pro-Trump rioter who stormed the Capitol building while holding plastic handcuffs, took the restraints from a table inside the Capitol building, prosecutors said in a court filing Wednesday.

Munchel, who broke into the building with his mom, was labeled “zip-tie guy” after he was photographed barreling down the Senate chamber holding the restraints. His appearance raised questions about whether the insurrectionists who sought to stop Congress from counting Electoral College votes on January 6 also intended to take lawmakers hostage.

But according to the new filing, Munchel and his mother took the handcuffs from within the Capitol building – apparently to ensure the Capitol Police couldn’t use them on the insurrectionists – rather than bring them in when they initially breached the building.
(A second man whose photo with zip-ties later surfaced similarly told Ronan Farrow that he found them on the floor, and the FBI has acknowledged it has no evidence to the contrary).

Why does this matter? For the same reason media outlets so excitedly seized on this claim. If Munchel had brought zip-ties with him, that would be suggestive of a premeditated plot to detain people: quite terrorizing, as it suggests malicious and well-planned intent. But he instead just found them on a table by happenstance and, according to his own prosecutors, grabbed them with benign intent."

About the arms
"That protesters were found before and after the riot with weapons does not mean they intended to use them as part of the protest. For better or worse, the U.S. is a country where firearm possession is common and legal. And what we know for certain is that there is no evidence of anyone brandishing a gun in that building. That fact makes a pretty large dent in the attempt to characterize this as an “armed insurrection” rather than a riot."
(all emphasis is mine)

I'll add this. The Capitol has every inch under surveillance cameras and if anyone was brandishing guns there would be photos of it, lots of them, but no photos exist or they'd be all over the news and arrests would have happened.

https://scheerpost.com/2021/02/18/the-false-and-exaggerated-claims-still...

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snoopydawg's picture

@aliasalias

Yeah my gun comment was snarky that didn’t come thru. The FBI is trying to make it seem more serious than it was. And we’ve seen how relaxed cops were with some of them inside. As the Viking dude said, cops let me in and escorted me out all nice and calmly. The guys in the rotunda stayed inside the rope lines too. Yeah of course some got out of control but gang thinking probably took over.

Notice how the media doesn’t talk about all the Trump supporters who went home after the rally. More did that then went inside. But almost every article I read tells me that they are domestic terrorists and I should fear them. I understand how they felt cuz I went there before Obama became president. What if he had asked us to do something outside the lines? How many would have?

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@aliasalias

when even the family asked people to stop repeating that. He told his brother that he felt fine and just got sprayed with possibly bear spray which is now why he died. But when will we hear about the others that died then? 1 had a heart attack. One was crushed by the crowd. One way killed by an unnamed man and 2 other cops killed themselves. No word on anyone and even Ashlii Babbit's story has gone away. I often wonder about her husband.

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Success! Thank you snoopydawg. Now I need practice.

This is the dangerous approach NY and other states have taken to destroy hospitals as part of our healthcare facilities network and turn them instead into For Profit centers.

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snoopydawg's picture

@NYCVG

where cities are allowing hospitals in usually minority or poor neighborhoods to close even tho it leaves them in dire straits. Hedge funds have been allowed to not only buy up hospitals, but many doctor practices and making doctors work for them if they want to continue working in their fields. The pay is much lower than private practice and quality of medical care for us regular Joe's is being affected. But it's the privatization plan the elites are doing.

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"How would things have been handled differently if anyone at the capital thought congress's lives were at risk?"

This just doesn't pass the smell test.

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Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.

snoopydawg's picture

@Dr. John Carpenter

Security waited until the 'mob' had broken in before they moved Pence and Pelosi? The guard in the stairway barely saved Pence's life by turning the crowd away from the room. Please. Yes it may have been scary for them, but I don’t really care. Our kids are in that type of environment daily when they are at school. Plus they have to deal with belligerent cops there.

But look at all the lies about that day. No panic buttons ripped out? AOC was caught in a big lie about where she even was then. A Republican woman said that no people were in her area because it was away from the capital. What else?

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snoopydawg's picture

We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4,” adding: “We are taking the intelligence seriously.” So the House wrapped up all of its Thursday business on Wednesday, canceling today’s session and leaving Congress vacant for the day.

There might be a lot of Trump supporters in DC, but they are there for his inauguration not to attack congress.

Could be true tho if the FBI has a patsy lined up for it, but other than that lets look at the source:

Officials would not identify which militia group was linked to the intelligence, but the Associated Press’ Michael Balsamo, citing anonymous sources, reported that “Online chatter identified by authorities included discussions among members of the Three Percenters,” one of several militia groups whose members were identified among the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.

The discussions included plots against the Capitol on March 4, “according to two law enforcement officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.”

The guy who ran the Patriot guys was working with the FBI and they kept him safe and out of DC on the 6th.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

move along. Diablo

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Rep. Chris Smith asks Pelosi to investigate 'tainted' food allegedly harming National Guard members - ABC News

In a letter Wednesday, Smith told Pelosi that several National Guard members in various states, including New Jersey, "have become ill due to tainted and unhealthy food from a private-sector vendor."

Who is the vendor? Who is the private-sector vendor? I'm sorry, but who is the vendor? ABC GO fuck yourself with the content-free articles that go nowhere. It's all over right wing press, as if they care. And it's not just D.C., it's widespread because that is how big private companies get big public contracts. PU!

Who would want to guard Congress ever again? Erik Prince or someone like that I guess. Private army why not. sheesh

Peace and Love
Edit twice: Oh shit I missed this part, it is probably in the tweets essay. sorry snoopydawg my fault

Thursday, March 4, is the date that some far-right conspiracy theorists believe former President Donald Trump will return to power.

LOL wat

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snoopydawg's picture

@eyo

the national guard troops get to choose if they want to go to DC to protect congress from no threat and if enough of them don't want to then Eric Prince will be hired and that's it. Turn out the lights because the game is over. I refuse to buy more light bulbs during these tumultuous times.

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At the Capitol, a March 4 threat from militant Trump supporters proves a mirage
.
On the day when former President Donald Trump’s most delusional supporters swore he would return to power — and the House suspended its business because of supposed threats to the U.S. Capitol — Washington looked on Thursday morning much the way it has for the past two months.

You think?

Anybody who bought this silliest story yet is in need of help. There was NEVER any plot by any fucking body to overthrow the government of the United States.

Lots of violence. Lots of guns. Lots of stupid talk. As always.

But none of it was a serious effort to overthrow the government. This is not a small matter. Scientific expertise is irrelevant. Political opinions about what the laws should be are utterly irrelevant.

This is an Orwellian assault on the English language. Once words mean only what the authorities tell you they mean, we are right smack dab in the middle of 1984.

.

Meaning of insurrection in English
.

insurrection
noun [ C or U ]
.
an organized attempt by a group of people to defeat their government and take control of their country, usually by violence

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I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

Why 25K troops in DC?
Cause they can't fit, feed or house 26K.
Is it safe yet?

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usefewersyllables's picture

@QMS

simply getting us used to a permanent heavily-armed explicit military presence in DC. Not just the toy soldier 'roid-rage FEMA/DHS/cop types with all the cool gear who have been there all along, but the actual fucking regular military. I know that there wasn't much difference before, but there will be zero difference now.

6 months of other news cycle shiny objects like Kardashian divorces and Brawndo commercials, and nobody will even remember that for the longest time (like maybe 200 years...) there weren't all those razor-wire barricades and fighting vehicles dug into pits with full fire coverage and command of every approach and exposure.

The camel's nose is now well and truly in the tent. I know that the poor people of Washington DC were hoping to achieve statehood at some point. Unfortunately, what they've now achieved is garrisonhood. Welcome to Joint Base YouLoseSuckers, America's very own Green Zone...

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Twice bitten, permanently shy.

@usefewersyllables

Like a heavily militarized seat of government.
What are the reps afraid of? Perhaps it is the
people they fail to represent. Let's see...
on a good day maybe 500 reps in house, so
that works out to about 50 armed guards for
every crook selling democracy, on our dime.

Sheesh

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