Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations. Others based the need for enhanced patrols on past riots in urban areas (following professional sports events) and also on Internet rumors.

 

Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could intimidate voters.

 

Sen. Obama (Ill.), the Democratic nominee for president, has seen his lead over rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) grow in recent weeks, prompting speculation that there could be a violent backlash if he loses unexpectedly.

 

Cities that have suffered unrest before, such as Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and Philadelphia, will have extra police deployed.[/Quote]

 

 

Carville said earlier this month that “it would be very, very, very dramatic out there” if Obama lost, a statement some commentators interpreted as predicting riots. In an interview Tuesday, however, Carville said he did not explicitly predict rioting.

“A lot of Democrats would have a great deal of angst and anger,” said Carville, who predicted that on Election Day “the voting system all around the country is going to be very stressed because there’s going to be enormous turnout.”

 

 

Other commentators have made such bold predictions.

 

 

“If [Obama] is elected, like with sports championships, people may go out and riot,” said Bob Parks, an online columnist and black Republican candidate for state representative in Massachusetts. “If Barack Obama loses there will be another large group of people who will assume the election was stolen from him….. This will be an opportunity for people who want to commit mischief.”[/Quote]

 

Police prepare for unrest

 

What say you, do you think there will be riots one way or another?

This is ridiculous. No riots either way.

I voted no riots either way.

It depends on how you define "riots." The way I define the word, there will be riots either way. Widespread riots if Obama loses and smaller outbreaks if he wins. Given that cars or rolled and set ablaze in cities winning sports championships, I see no reason to believe that the election of the first African-American president would not result in more widespread "celebrations."

This is ridiculous. No riots either way.

Apparently, police in certain areas don't agree with you.

Regardless of which way the election goes, the country will be more divided than at any time since the civil war. If Obama loses, there will be unrest in the streets of large cities. To think otherwise is naive. If McCain loses, many will never accept the liberal/ socialist/somewhat Carpathian Obama as president. And, although it will shock some BGP posters, all who vehemently oppose Obama are not racists- even though they will undoubtedly be so labeled by the liberal media and its lemming-resembling followers.

Regardless of which way the election goes, the country will be more divided than at any time since the civil war. If Obama loses, there will be unrest in the streets of large cities. To think otherwise is naive. If McCain loses, many will never accept the liberal/ socialist/somewhat Carpathian Obama as president. And, although it will shock some BGP posters, all who vehemently oppose Obama are not racists- even though they will undoubtedly be so labeled by the liberal media and its lemming-resembling followers.

Good post, I totally agree. :thumb:

I do want to say something. If Obama wins, and while I disagree with nearly all of his voting record and a lot of what he says on the campaign trail, there have been some things he has said while campaigning that were actually fairly conservative (at least compared to McCain). Now, I am know campaigning is campaigning, but if he follows through on some of the more conservative ideas he has touted, I hope we can remain objective and give him credit.

Regardless of which way the election goes, the country will be more divided than at any time since the civil war. If Obama loses, there will be unrest in the streets of large cities. To think otherwise is naive. If McCain loses, many will never accept the liberal/ socialist/somewhat Carpathian Obama as president. And, although it will shock some BGP posters, all who vehemently oppose Obama are not racists- even though they will undoubtedly be so labeled by the liberal media and its lemming-resembling followers.

 

Really?

 

More divided since the Civil War? Seems 2000 was pretty divided. The man with largest popular vote lost. He lost when a recount was halted by an administration whose Governor was the winning candidate's brother. The Supreme Court ruled along party lines and practically gave the election. I think the process worked. Some did not. The appearance of political collusion was heavy but riots didn't break out and system ruled and moved on. I'd say we were pretty divided then.

 

More divided since the Civil War? Did you catch the 60's? When a minor but vocal faction did all they could legal and illegal to stop an unpopular war. Meanwhile the South was being torn apart where federalized troops had to enforce new laws of desegregation. At the same time riots that consumed major cities flamed in the streets in '65 and later at the death of King in '68.

 

 

 

Why are we considering that now we are more divided?

 

Is it because both have charged up the level of do or die, life or death on this election? ("If Obama wins it will bring the wrath of God on us", or "If Obama loses it will have been because he is black.")

 

Are we divided by politic? Surely. But while the rhetoric is maybe hotter than many other times I see nothing more than the American Experience at play.

There won't be any riots.

No riots either way, much to the disappointment of those with an active hatred for Obama.

Either way that deal I got on ammo last weekend might be useful. :lol:

No riots either way, much to the disappointment of those with an active hatred for Obama.

Actually, you bring up a good point. There may be riots on BGP from that crowd if Obama wins

.

Actually, you bring up a good point. There may be riots on BGP from that crowd if Obama wins

.

 

 

I'll definitely be steering clear of the gun crowd. :eek: I'm pretty sure there's already a stack of targets with my picture on them, at the ready. :eek:

I'll definitely be steering clear of the gun crowd. :eek: I'm pretty sure there's already a stack of targets with my picture on them, at the ready. :eek:

 

 

I'll protect you.