The Capitol rioters have joined a small but notorious cadre in the annals of history: a duo that since the end of World War II has attempted to stage coups against the United States of America, a university tracking project finds.
Really reaching with this one. Late 1940s? 11 people? ok.
"Someone must initiate the coup.
The target "must have meaningful control over national policy."
"There must be a credible threat to the leaders' hold on power."
Those involved must use illegal or irregular means to seize or remove the target, or render it powerless.
It must be organized."
According to their own criteria, the capitol riot meets 1/5 at best.
I also note they say "since the end of WWII" so they can elide out the Butler Plot.
A bunch of business leaders in the 1930s saw fascist tactics in Europe so quickly cobbled together a plan to have a bunch of disgruntled military veterans march on DC, overthrow Roosevelt, and install a dictator. This was all alleged by retired general Smedley Butler, who was to be the dictator in question. He admitted to it under oath and everyone suspected quickly denied the allegations and the entire media called Butler a delusional freak in a coordinated campaign. A later investigation confirmed Butler's allegations and then no one was prosecuted because this is America.
Yeah, I think their wires got crossed. Smedley Butler was the man who revealed the plot after the Fascist conspirators attempted to recruit him. He's also the author of War is a Racket.
I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.
"Someone must initiate the coup. The target "must have meaningful control over national policy." "There must be a credible threat to the leaders' hold on power." Those involved must use illegal or irregular means to seize or remove the target, or render it powerless. It must be organized."
According to their own criteria, the capitol riot meets 1/5 at best.
I also note they say "since the end of WWII" so they can elide out the Butler Plot.
That absolutely jumped off the page for me.
deleted by creator
A bunch of business leaders in the 1930s saw fascist tactics in Europe so quickly cobbled together a plan to have a bunch of disgruntled military veterans march on DC, overthrow Roosevelt, and install a dictator. This was all alleged by retired general Smedley Butler, who was to be the dictator in question. He admitted to it under oath and everyone suspected quickly denied the allegations and the entire media called Butler a delusional freak in a coordinated campaign. A later investigation confirmed Butler's allegations and then no one was prosecuted because this is America.
Also involved in the plot was one Prescott Bush, whose son later went on to kill JFK so they clearly had a real character trait
Also, Butler was a socialist and the last person they should have tried to include lol
Those same leaders were also providing support for fascists all over.
Just to be clear, Butler didn't get caught and admit it under oath or anything he actively opposed it.
Genuinely good troop.
Yes, I meant to say he admitted under oath as a whistle-blower, not as a suspect or anything
deleted by creator
They're leaving out a lot with their criteria and I have to guess it's so they could make the specific comparison with the CPUSA.
If they included all of American history they'd have to start with Shay's rebellion and include the Civil War.
Their definition is also so vague I could probably argue that Watergate was a coup attempt.
deleted by creator
you mean the business plot?
Yeah, I think their wires got crossed. Smedley Butler was the man who revealed the plot after the Fascist conspirators attempted to recruit him. He's also the author of War is a Racket.
That shit is what radicalized me
shit was fundamental to me. can only imagine the blowback someone in his position got for telling truth like that.
deleted by creator
If 3 guys just grabbed the Black Rod before parliament opened and ran away it would be more of a coup than this.
Yeah it definitely was irregular lol
Meets at least 3.