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What If... USA Fell?

This brings up some good questions worthy of discussion:

Leroy Sievers and the Nightline Staff
ABCNEWS Washington D.C. bureau

What if the worst happened? If Washington, and much of the government, was destroyed? Who would govern? And from where? There is a plan, and we've learned that part of that plan was actually implemented on 9/11. It's the Armageddon Plan.

Now there is an order of succession, set out in the 25th amendment to the Constitution. But in the event of a catastrophic event of some sort, it's safe to assume that many of those in the line of succession would be killed or incapacitated. Then what? And it takes much more than a President to run the country. What about the myriad of Federal agencies that actually run things? So a plan was developed that would set up several centers around the country where the government could be reconstituted. In the event of a crisis, certain officials would be sent to those locations to ensure their safety and the continuity of government. But there are all sorts of problems. What about communication? How do you convince the country that a lower-level cabinet member is now the President? How do you convince the rest of the world? And it's certain that some form of martial law would be instituted, at least for a short time.

What are your thoughts?

Fell USA If What

I don't think we would have too much difficulty. There are clear lines of succession. The confusion at best would last until the next election. The max would be 4 years since we elect our President every 4 years. Most likely much less time than that. If there was a major disagreement over who was in charge, the Supreme Court would interpret the law and tell us based upon the Constitution who is in charge. Once that ruling had been made, I believe the citizens would accept it. Especially since we can always elect whomever we want at the next election cycle anyway.

I also don't think there is any problem convincing the rest of the world. As long as we have a recognized leader in power in our country and not in civil war, I think the rest of the world would accept that person.

What If... USA Fell? History & Civil Business Politics

If the U.S. fell, I'd be happy I was Canadian.

But in all seriousness, I think that things like 9/11 prove that people would pull together, at least to some degree.

Edited: xtrasweetgirl on 20th Apr, 2004 - 4:28pm

Fell USA If What

. I know you were kidding, but in reality, being Canadian wouldn't help you. If the US falls, you can be sure Canada and Mexico would be next. You are right here conveniently located for the next attack after the US.

Edited: tenaheff on 20th Apr, 2004 - 4:28pm

Fell USA If What

I agree with that statement (well said) Think about it! if the US ever fall the rest of the world would probably. Too many countries depend on the US. The wall street crash many many years ago put many european countries in depression... I think it would be even worse today!!

What If... USA Fell?

I hope if I am here in Trinidad nothing will happen I doubt it. People will continue eating mangos and singing calypso. -->

What If... USA Fell

America or USA has too many enemies, hence all these attacks from terrorists from various backgorunds!!! i think if these get togther they would destroy the US even though it wouldnt do them anygood since it ruins their reputation,,


P.S how do u get this quote thing, i did click quote but i still dunno what 2 do sorry if its too much to ask

What If... USA Fell Politics Business Civil & History

This is actually a very difficult question, and gets extremely complicated to resolve.

If, for example, a nuclear weapon was detonated in Washington, D.C., at a time when the entire Congress was in town, as well as the President, how would things fall out?

Under current rules, members of the House of Representatives can ONLY be elected to the office. Constitutionally, there is no other way. Therefore, the House would be gone until special elections could be held.

The Senate has other rules. Most states, as I understand it, have provisions for the Governor of that state to appoint Senators to office until election time.

The Congress has been addressing this very question during the last couple of weeks. There was a bill before the House to provide for governors to appoint members of the House in such a case. However, I think it was voted down. It may have required a Constitutional Amendment.

IMO, as tenaheff and xtrasweetgirl pointed out, although many would rejoice at such an event, there aren't very many people in the world that this wouldn't hurt - badly. That includes, especially, those who think they would have the most to gain from such an event.

Offtopic but, Look at the "BB Code Help" button at the side of the reply screen. It shows how to do it. You use the '[' and ']' symbols around the word 'quote', then place your quote, then use the symbols '[', '/', and ']', again around the word 'quote' to end.

Edited: Nighthawk on 3rd May, 2004 - 12:33pm