# Election Day \[Week\]\[Month\[s\]\] \[Year\] 2020 follow-along thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 3, 2020, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618 "2020-11-03T05:36:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 436
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8720 "2021-01-16T23:54:24Z")
What orders? He said he wants a sendoff. Is that an order? That could mean one guy with a cap gun. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8721 "2021-01-17T00:05:34Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I would rather give him the Darwin award, circumstances permitting. Only people who die without surviving offspring are eligible. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8722 "2021-01-17T00:18:14Z")
One of which was coached by Tuberville. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8723 "2021-01-17T00:30:58Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > the military ought to make all reasonable efforts to make it happen. No. This is a person who just whipped up an armed mob to go and storm the Legislative branch of government while they were in the process of counting electoral votes. Because this person did not accept the clear and unequivocal fact that he had lost the election. This is a person who has just been impeached (for the 2nd time), this time for incitement to insurrection. INCITEMENT TO INSURRECTION. I really hope that at this time, the Chiefs of Staff of all branches are well aware that Trump is no longer their commander in chief in reality. And that Pelosi, McConnell, Biden and all the military are of one mind on this. Trump needs to be kept far, FAR away from the military at this point. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8724 "2021-01-17T00:40:25Z")
The military takes an oath to the **Constitution** , not to _any_ President. Any indication that the military approves of the recent actions of this current President is something they very rightfully want and need to stay away from at this point. And giving him some rousing sendoff would be one of those things, because it would imply approval. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8725 "2021-01-17T00:48:02Z")
Yes, exactly. Also, look at what happened when Trump wanted tanks for his North Korea style parade. He was told “no”. Same thing here. The president might be “commander in chief” for serious matters… but when it comes to using the military like a plaything or child’s toy, they have ways of simply making sure that idiotic plans don’t actually happen. “Commander in Chief” does not mean “Supreme Dictator”, and the Joint Chiefs do not have to follow idiotic orders to have a child’s party. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8726 "2021-01-17T00:54:10Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I think “the Presidency, the Senate and the House” is as close as we’re going to get. I will continue to refer to “the Trifecta”. The elected divisions of government that govern us: The electarchy. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8727 "2021-01-17T00:56:00Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > the Joint Chiefs do not have to follow idiotic orders to have a child’s party. No, but they do have to follow “lawful orders” and if previous Presidents got 21 gun salutes and AF One, then he should get those if he asks because by recent precedent they are lawful. And BTW, I doubt you despise him as much as I do. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8728 "2021-01-17T00:57:20Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > No, but they do have to follow “lawful orders” They can follow them really slowly, and it would be a shame if all the planes were getting waxed that day. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8729 "2021-01-17T00:57:32Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > No, but they do have to follow “lawful orders” and if previous Presidents got 21 gun salutes and AF One, then he should get those if he asks because by recent precedent they are lawful. Absolutely not. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8730 "2021-01-17T01:00:37Z")
I think people are forgetting here that the purpose of the military is to protect this country from threats, not to act as a cheering section for whatever politician happens to occupy the Oval at the time. They aren’t under any obligation to do strictly ceremonial stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8731 "2021-01-17T01:01:42Z")
I promise that I will only use “Trifecta” informally, in a context where I am sure it will be understood. If, on the morning after the November 2024 election - I am gleefully running around my house singing “We won the Trifecta!”, my family will be perfectly clear what I mean. 😀 😘 ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8732 "2021-01-17T01:03:46Z")
I believe outgoing presidents have gone to an armed forces farewell ceremony. Traditionally, where the outgoing president congratulates the military and gives a rousing speech. [Obama did one,](https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/1042207/defense-leaders-salute-obama-at-armed-forces-farewell-ceremony/) even though his relationship with the military was not the warmest. [Trump will not be doing](https://www.mediaite.com/news/pentagon-confirms-military-will-not-hold-traditional-farewell-ceremony-for-trump/) the military farewell ceremony. This was a Pentagon decision. I cannot find any reference anywhere to outgoing presidents getting a military flyby and military 21 gun salute. This seems to be a Trump thing that he wants because he is a special child. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8733 "2021-01-17T01:05:46Z")
I have to wonder why CBC Canadian news has more substantive stuff than CNN at the moment: > **[Biden to use executive actions to roll back Trump policies on 1st day in...](https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/biden-executive-actions-first-day-1.5876511)** > > In his first hours as president, Joe Biden plans to take executive action to roll back some of the most controversial decisions of his predecessor and to address the raging coronavirus pandemic, his incoming chief of staff said Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8734 "2021-01-17T01:07:45Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I have to wonder why CBC Canadian news has more substantive stuff than CNN at the moment: This appeared in the NYTimes a few hours ago: > **[Biden Seeks Quick Start With Executive Actions and Aggressive Legislation...](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/us/politics/biden-administration-executive-action-legislation.html)** > > In an effort to mark a clean break from the Trump era, the president-elect plans to roll out dozens of executive orders in his first 10 days on top of a big stimulus plan and an expansive immigration bill. Frankly, CNN is never the place I go to first for news. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8735 "2021-01-17T01:12:34Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > They can follow them really slowly, and it would be a shame if all the planes were getting waxed that day. I absolutely agree. All the qualified pilots are napping so no flyover, all the bullets are being polished so no 21 gun salute (besides, I’m positive at least 21 of his in the Capitol had guns on them-he used up his 21 gun salute last week), any and all military band members are Covid quarantined so no fanfare flourishes. Grudgingly he may have the necessary military air crew to be flown to Florida or wherever, but he absolutely must be off the plane by noon or else he has to finish his trip by Greyhound. Amtrak is too good for him. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8736 "2021-01-17T01:20:11Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > I think, when evaluating anyone’s chances at the presidency, people are underestimating how much the entire conservative establishment immediately falls behind whoever the presidential nominee is. Sure, but they have to win the primary first. That seems unlikely for someone like Pence who has neither side of the Republican Party behind him, or for Ivanka for similar reasons–the Trump people like men who pretend to be strong and much of his coalition is misogynist and the other side would consider her just Trump 2.0. They also both lack charisma, even the weird hateful version Trump uses. It’s not like there’s going to be a dearth of candidates vying for the position. And surely the establishment has learned from Biden’s ascension how to keep out the spoilers. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8737 "2021-01-17T02:24:05Z")
No, trump is _leaving,_ not staying. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8738 "2021-01-17T02:26:41Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Frankly, CNN is never the place I go to first for news. Frankly, the PaywallTimes is never the place I go to first for news. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2021, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8739 "2021-01-17T02:34:04Z")
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