If we had a civil war in the U.S.

[Alabama]

The way things are heading this may be an inevitable reality in our lifetime.......I would not want to be a liberal during that period of time...if you know what I mean.

How would you know?

[thespork]

Actually,I can see the Military Brass take over using the Constitution under the part of defense from all Enemies Foreign and Domestic.

Ah, so when the "Military Brass" determines (in their infinite and unchecked wisdom) that the constitution has been circumvented, they can then circumvent that document (by ignoring the concept of civilian control of the military) and end circumventions of the document...

Thats enough circular reasoning to make you dizzy...

Every Person that has worn the Uniform of the United States has sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution and would be justified in arresting those in Public Office when They try to destroy it.

What you are essentially saying in that the military functions as a de-facto forth branch of the government; a supreme court, above the supreme court, if you will, determining which duly elected officials are constitutional and who isn't... 

I think you need to re-examine this document you claim to revere so much. It guarantees the existence of a POTUS and enumerates his powers.. There is no such guarantee or enumeration for a standing army...

sorry bub, you just described a military junta.. If America is making you this miserable, I think you might find a nice despot in Asia or Africa more to your liking...

[JohnClark7886]

I believe there is precedent...seems like I remember something about a POTUS from ---egad...Illinois, who suspended parts of the Constitution (and no one dared stop him), illegally of course...but hey I could be wrong....

[1mlt]

JC, I wasn't aware anyone could suspend parts of the Constitution for ANY reason. Marcus

[JohnClark7886]

JC, I wasn't aware anyone could suspend parts of the Constitution for ANY reason. Marcus

They can't but Lincoln did......and got away with it because no one dared stop him, SCOTUS included...

[Oroboros]

JC, I wasn't aware anyone could suspend parts of the Constitution for ANY reason. Marcus

Martial Law.

Still, I don't want to see it happen; nor do I want a military junta. If there's a civil war, I'd like it to be more civil than war. Time will tell... 

[JohnClark7886]

JC, I wasn't aware anyone could suspend parts of the Constitution for ANY reason. Marcus

Martial Law.

Still, I don't want to see it happen; nor do I want a military junta. If there's a civil war, I'd like it to be more civil than war. Time will tell... 

Don't think so...

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.


Many people mistakenly believe the POTUS has the authority to declare martial law, however nowher in the Constitution is that right granted to him...but I could be mistaken if someone has seen it in there, please post it here.....

[Oroboros]

JC, I wasn't aware anyone could suspend parts of the Constitution for ANY reason. Marcus

Martial Law.

Still, I don't want to see it happen; nor do I want a military junta. If there's a civil war, I'd like it to be more civil than war. Time will tell... 

Don't think so...

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.


Many people mistakenly believe the POTUS has the authority to declare martial law, however nowher in the Constitution is that right granted to him...but I could be mistaken if someone has seen it in there, please post it here.....

When did I ever say "the President"? Don't put words in my post that aren't there.

"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."
Article One, Section Nine – COTUS

Congressional power, not Presidential. Also, quite limited in scope, but an allowed suspension nonetheless. Do I like it, no. Has it been abused, yes. Is it there, yes.

[LESchwartz]

[Moderator's note:  Racial slurs were cleaned from this thread with "extreme prejudice".  Please follow the board rules.]

[gunlover]

I think the government would crush those rising against it

Since their is no sign of sarcasm here, I'll add  ... You mean the Gov would be crushed by it's own military, if 70% of the military will not uprise against it's American citizens...

[galahad]

Is this war about a revolutionary war against a government or a civil war between various factions? 

[oblivionboyj]

Is this war about a revolutionary war against a government or a civil war between various factions? 

I think allot of assumptions were made, but i don't recall anyone specifying 

[Oroboros]

Is this war about a revolutionary war against a government or a civil war between various factions? 

I think allot of assumptions were made, but i don't recall anyone specifying 

I think they'd go hand-in-hand. Presumably, there would be a faction calling itself the United States of America for a long time. Other factions would either recognize it's authority, or oppose it. Some of those factions would also oppose each other.

[JohnClark7886]

It will end up being Patriots against Elitests, Socialists and Marxists.  Just as in 1776, the Patriots will prevail and return this country to it's rightful owners...the People.  I can see it clearly, you will have the south from Virginia west to the Mississippi, then down including Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, parts of Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and some of the mid continental states together opposing the usurpers like NY, CA, OR and the liberal north east.  However keep in mind there are good people in those states too and they will join the fight.  It will end up being because of a government run amuck and ignoring/dismantling the constitution and trampling on states rights and businesses trying to take over everything for themselves.  I fear minorities will be especially hit hard if they don't support and join the Patriots.  Because of the size of the rebellion it actually will take less time than most people think.  It will be paramount to reorganize the government using the same contsitution but with some modifications to do away with career politicians, graft in government and a totally corrupt legal system--judges included.  I would not want to be an elitist, lawyer, or socialist/marxist during that time...just my 2 cents worth.

[oblivionboyj]

Interestingly...
The liberal North East and Liberal West are misnomers.
The truth is that the "liberal" parts of the country are not regions, but specific cities.
Without New York, Boston, Philly, Newark, Trenton, Hartford, Baltimore and Wilmington the Northeast is about as liberal as the rest of the country.
Without LA, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland the West is prolly more libertarian than most of the country.
I realize those are big "ifs" but my point is there wont be as much regionalization if it happens again.
It will be urban centers against the rest of the country.
Cities would become like fortified cities of the part.
Baring major military support of the elite, the rest of the country would be reasonably stable.
The cities would become fortified prisons.
After a while many residents of the cities would "eat their own".
That would only happen if the military sat it out.
No one really knows what the military would do.
I can see a scenario where they help, hurt, and are indifferent to a civil uprising.