Looking Ahead

     Just five days to go. The campaign that’s seemed interminable is coming to an end… or is it? Do political campaigns ever end these days, or do they just take a different shape?

     There are a lot of ugly possibilities ahead of us. It’s unclear which ones are the ugliest. It’s equally unclear how we should brace ourselves for what may come.

     In his Tuesday column, Wayne Root highlights three developments he regards as the most likely in next few days before and after Election Day:

     Option number one: I suspect we may experience a “false flag” mass shooting, or supposed “domestic terrorist attack” that Democrats will use to blame Trump and the GOP. These Democrats are so desperate, I believe they’d rather incite a civil war, than allow a Trump takeover of the White House and the U.S. government.
     […]
     Option number two: Start World War 3. I truly believe the Democrats and the evil, greedy Deep State would rather start a world war than allow Trump to take power. The result of a world war on multiple fronts could be similar to a civil war- lockdown the country, declare martial law and cancel the election. And as a bonus, throw in a draft- ordering our sons and daughters to the Russian Front, or to Taiwan, or the Middle East, or all three at once.
     […]
     Option number three: This is the one I think is the most likely to happen: Trump wins, despite the biggest voter fraud operation in world history. And then the real battle begins.

     Root selects the third as the most likely: a mildly optimistic view. But that raises a new possibility, one which has been on my mind ever since the July 13 attempt on Trump’s life: an assassination attempt on Trump during the transition period.

     It would be unprecedented in American history, but it’s far from impossible.

     From the instant Trump is declared the winner of the election, his security would become the responsibility of the Secret Service. As I noted in a novel, that agency is jealous of its role in protecting the president. During the transition period the Secret Service remains under the authority of the sitting president. Combine its recently displayed lackadaisical attitude toward Trump’s security with the fury of an ousted regime that has failed to steal another four years but still commands the allegiance of thousands of street fighters. What strikes you as the most likely product of that combination?

     What’s that, Gentle Reader? You say you didn’t need any more to worry about? Well, neither did I. Unfortunately, that has never stopped me.

     It’s not too late to shore up the pantry and buy more ammo.