# The American Coup: 11.9.2020 - **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182 "2020-11-09T23:29:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 165
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3288 "2021-01-19T16:34:40Z")
Really interesting summary of the Parler videos of the whole debacle, and gives the Capitol police more credit than you’d think, given the source: > **[I Watched the Parler Videos So You Don't Have To - Here Are My Dumb Opinions](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/1/19/2010242/-I-Watched-the-Parler-Videos-So-You-Don-t-Have-To-Here-Are-My-Dumb-Opinions)** > > I admit, I got sucked in. The archive of downloaded videos on the Pro Publica web site is easily 5 hours long, but the format - each video is organized by location and timestamp - and the fact that few videos are more than a minute long, made it... ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3289 "2021-01-19T18:22:46Z")
Chain stores are pressing a pillow down on Mike Lindell’s face: > **[MyPillow Products Will No Longer Be Sold by These Companies](https://www.newsweek.com/mypillow-products-no-longer-stocked-these-companies-1562510)** > > Calls to boycott the company have grown in recent days after CEO Mike Lindell continued to push baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump. > In interviews this week, Lindell said Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, H-E-B and Wayfair are all dropping MyPillow. “They’re trying to cancel me out,” Lindell told the Right Side Broadcasting Network’s Brian Glenn ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3290 "2021-01-19T18:31:48Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > Chain stores are pressing a pillow down on Mike Lindell’s face: _This is My Pillow_ _Made for my Head_ _This is My Pillow_ _Grandest on my Bed!_ > **[This Is My Country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_My_Country)** > > "This Is My Country" is an American patriotic song composed in 1940. The lyrics are by Don Raye and the music is by Al Jacobs. Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians were the first to record the song, in 1942. The song has played at the end of Walt Disney World and Disneyland fireworks shows. > The song begins slowly, opening with this introductory verse: > A second, rarely performed, verse reads, > It then swings into a march tempo for the chorus. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3291 "2021-01-19T18:37:02Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > In interviews this week, Lindell said Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, H-E-B and Wayfair are all dropping MyPillow. I saw MyPillows at Bed Bath & Beyond a couple/few years ago. I like the idea of the shredded filling, since the one-piece filling of every other pillow I’ve seen gets packed down and misshapen. (I tend to toss and turn a lot.) But I didn’t buy one because Lindell is a Trump supporter. Now he seems like an utter wacko to boot. I guess I’ll have to put up with regular pillows until a non-mental company starts making versions of MyPillow. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3292 "2021-01-19T18:41:48Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > … a Trump supporter. Now he seems like an utter wacko to boot. … But you repeat yourself. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3293 "2021-01-19T18:46:35Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > My general attitude is that expanding police and surveillance powers is a poor idea and that hastily written legislation enacted while the nation and Congress were/are in a febrile mood is dangerous. That is Title II, of which parts are problematic, I admit. See, this is the problem of people making decisions based upon OpEd stuff. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3294 "2021-01-19T18:47:35Z")
Norbert the Narc from The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3295 "2021-01-19T19:22:02Z")
So I saw yesterday that the CEO of Parler is married to a Russian woman. His mother-in-law is a Russian woman who works for the Russian government, and they were married in a building that his mother-in-law manages. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3296 "2021-01-19T19:24:06Z")
I think it’s worth remembering those “I’d rather be a Russian than a Democrat” T-shirts that MAGAts wore/are wearing … without even a scintilla of irony. [NB: I’m guessing the Parler guy’s MIL is standing by her mailbox, waiting for Pelosi’s laptop to arrive] ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3297 "2021-01-19T19:24:18Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I like the idea of the shredded filling, since the one-piece filling of every other pillow I’ve seen gets packed down and misshapen. - Open your pillow and DIY. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3298 "2021-01-19T19:24:41Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Open your pillow and DIY. My dog just offered his help. ---
**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 19, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3299 "2021-01-19T20:03:23Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > “They’re trying to cancel me out,” Lindell told the Right Side Broadcasting Network’s Brian Glenn OH NO’s! His freedom of speech\* is being trampled on! \*for those definitions of “freedom of speech” which include “the government must REQUIRE retail stores to sell my product” ---
**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 19, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3300 "2021-01-19T20:07:03Z")
And now apparently Parler is working to get back online with the help of a Russian owned tech firm that has worked with hate groups and disinformation campaigns in the past. So go ahead Maga-heads. Send all of your personal information to the Russian Government, because you don’t trust the American government. Are they brain dead idiots or Traitorous nincompoops? Could be both. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3301 "2021-01-19T20:20:35Z")
I just saw that conspiracy charges have been filed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3302 "2021-01-19T20:28:19Z")
In case you want to know slightly more than Snowboarder Bo shared: [https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/oath-keepers-capitol-riot-charges/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/oath-keepers-capitol-riot-charges/index.html) > [@](#): > > The Justice Department charged Thomas Caldwell, a 65-year-old from Virginia with a leadership role in the paramilitary right-wing group, with four counts, including conspiracy to commit an offense, obstruction of an official proceeding and “Violent entry or disorderly conduct.” ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3303 "2021-01-19T20:36:43Z")
OK, as non-US, can you (briefly!) explain to me the particular significance of the conspiracy charges - is it just an indication of organised intent? Thanks j ---
**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 19, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3304 "2021-01-19T20:38:02Z")
> **[Texas man at Capitol riot allegedly threatened to kill his kids if they...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01/19/capitol-rioter-reffitt-threaten-children/)** > > Federal agents arrested Guy Reffitt on Saturday and charged him with obstruction of justice and unlawful entry. > Two days after Guy Reffitt joined the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, federal officials said, he returned home to Wylie, Tex., and proudly told his family of his escapade. But by Jan. 11, when Reffitt learned the FBI was on to him, he changed his tune, according to an affidavit. > > “If you turn me in, you’re a traitor and you know what happens to traitors … traitors get shot,” Reffitt, 48, said to his son and daughter, according to his wife, who recounted the conversation to the FBI, which did not name the relatives. > > On Saturday, the FBI caught up to him. Reffitt, an oil worker with ties to self-styled militia and right-wing extremist groups, was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly threatening his family and unlawful entry into the Capitol. > > Reffitt is one of more than 100 individuals who have been charged with breaching the Capitol earlier this month. > … > Federal agents searched Reffitt’s home on Saturday. His son [age 18] told an FBI agent that his father came home two days after the attempted insurrection carrying his AR-15 rifle and a Smith & Wesson pistol and revealed he had gone armed to Washington, “stormed the Capitol” and recorded the events on his GoPro. > > Reffitt’s son told authorities that around Jan. 11, he told him and his sister to “erase everything.” The man then allegedly told his son that if he “crossed the line and reported Reffitt to the police, putting the family in jeopardy, Reffitt would have no option but to do Reffitt’s duty for Reffitt’s country, and ‘do what he had to do,’ ” the affidavit said. > > Reffitt then allegedly threatened his daughter, Reffitt’s son said, warning her that if she recorded his comments or posted anything about it on social media, he would “put a bullet through” her phone. > > Reffitt’s wife, who was not home when her husband allegedly threatened their children, confronted her husband. She says he told her “he was trying to protect the family, and if someone was a traitor, then that’s what’s going to happen,” according to the FBI. > > Reffitt’s wife told the FBI that her husband is “super passionate” but didn’t believe he would act on his threats. She added he “did not indicate regret or take anything back,” according to the affidavit. > > In an interview with [KXAS](https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/wylie-man-who-was-at-capitol-riot-threatened-to-kill-his-family-fbi-says/2530571/), Reffitt’s son, who is 18, said his father has become increasingly obsessed with politics over the past four years. His son blamed President Trump for manipulating his father. > > “I love him but I hate him,” he said of his father. “I don’t really know him anymore.” > … Fine upstanding citizen with traditional American values. Yeah. Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3305 "2021-01-19T20:43:05Z")
This is My Pillow, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without me, My Pillow is useless. Without My Pillow, I am useless. … ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3306 "2021-01-19T20:48:58Z")
He was trying to protect his family by…threatening them. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3307 "2021-01-19T21:29:48Z")
“Better dead than living in a Democracy.” That’s not quite how the _de facto_ Republican motto “Better dead than Red” had it back in the 1960s, but here we are. Vlad must be so proud of Guy Reffitt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182.md?page=164) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182.md?page=166)