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A comment on New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using Info Hacked by Russians. Parent comment

Re:New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using I... by awinder on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @10:10AM (#13471878)
It honestly shocks me when people think that the individual still has this much power. The power of government has changed a bit since the 1700s, unless people plan of acquiring a large fleet of planes and tanks, this is just farsical.
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Re:New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using I... by mooseburger on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @10:17AM (#13471956)
I recall Vietnam managing to survive the US Army despite lacking planes and tanks. Holding land ultimately requires boots on the ground, so unless the government plans to engage in total war against an insurrection (mass bomb American cities), guerrilla will be possible.

It's also highly likely a portion of the army would defect if things get that far, making it less a revolution and more a civil war.

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Re:New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using I... by throwaway46983 on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @11:01AM (#13472396)
In my experience Americans get (rightfully) nervous just by the presence of police officers, the thought of protesting or even talking about politics. A US conflict involving guns is more likely to resemble Cambodia than Vietnam.
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Re:New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using I... by mooseburger on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @12:12PM (#13473255)
That's true. The situation needs to get very dire before random Americans are willing to take up arms.

Personally, I think a civil war is likelier than a revolution, due to the army dividing. Though to be clear, both seem rather unlikely.

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Re:New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using I... by mi100hael on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @10:32AM (#13472097)
I'm pretty surprised when people think the US government is essentially omnipotent. Look how poorly they fared against a bunch of people living in dirt houses and caves with rusted Soviet rifles. It's easy to win when you can just steamroll a country, but it's far harder when you need to balance the need for support & legitimacy from the non-fighting majority.
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Re:New CIA Chief to Gladly Spy on Americans, Even If Using I... by pdkl95 on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @10:49AM (#13472273)
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10752635#10753894

You should read my comment from a year ago that addressed why the situation would be much more complicated, and certainly not "farcical".

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