The Hill has a disturbing article describing how police around the country are preparing for the possibility of problems on election day.
Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest.
Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation’s first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence.
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.
Those internet rumors are coming from a variety of places — and they’ve been out there for many months.
For instance — I spent an extremely unpleasant several hours earlier this week reading some white supremacist and other fringe sites, where there’s a LOT of talk about how they need to arm because of the perceived coming racial unrest. But speculations about rioting can also be found on other sites, some of which are very widely read.
Simultaneously, on the other side of the very wide political aisle, the wheels are already in motion to declare another election stolen in the event of an Obama loss. As the polls have widened to show increasing leads for Obama, these rumblings, too, have gained speed.
All of these folks, imo, are trying to awaken a Dead Parrot… but taken altogether, it’s really no surprise that police departments are gearing up.
I’m really looking forward to November 5th. You?
*****
Added: If Rick Moran’s Dead Parrot doesn’t provide enough perspective, maybe James Joyner will.