What would happen in a country if the president is killed??

Originally posted by inimalist
wait... how does the secretary of defense survive?

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
i might be wrong but i though they werent part of civilian government ,just an angency

lol, ok, I assumed you meant all the power systems were destroyed. There are enough "non-governmental" federal agencies that something could fairly easily be decided. Secretary of Defense would be a good guess for who would take over.

Homeland Security would take over, I would think.

FEMA potentially, if I understand their role

EDIT: actually, FEMA might be the same as HS... guess I really don't know a lot about how American stuff is set up

Originally posted by inimalist
FEMA potentially, if I understand their role

I envision a Reign of Terror except waterboarding rather than guillotines.

A big issue would be, who has the ability to access the treasury or collect taxation. HLS, FEMA, etc, these are big agencies, but I'm skeptical any could just assume the role like that, with no financial backing...

makes me wonder if some corporate interests might not get involved as a "financier"

Originally posted by inimalist
A big issue would be, who has the ability to access the treasury or collect taxation. HLS, FEMA, etc, these are big agencies, but I'm skeptical any could just assume the role like that, with no financial backing...

makes me wonder if some corporate interests might not get involved as a "financier"

If that was the case I'd think there'd be more immediate concerns than taxes lol.

Originally posted by Omega Vision
Idk, I think as mentioned before something like this could only realistically come about thanks to a frighteningly successful cut-the-head-off-the-serpent operation by a hostile power.

If that was the case I'd think there'd be more immediate concerns than taxes lol.

I'd question if a foreign power could even do it

it sounds more like a massively coordinated coup, where, ya, again, such issues are probably not the most pressing.

A foreign nation would have to have infiltrated the government to such a ridiculous level that all civilian leaders are killed.

Originally posted by inimalist
I'd question if a foreign power could even do it

it sounds more like a massively coordinated coup, where, ya, again, such issues are probably not the most pressing.

A foreign nation would have to have infiltrated the government to such a ridiculous level that all civilian leaders are killed.

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
I think there would many many people trying to assume power. Governers, Secretary of Defence, Military, CIA. It would be civil war imo

The secretary of defense would be dead in this scenario, he's in the official line of succession to the Presidency.

Oh

It would become just like the book 1984 even through with all branches alive it is already coming to that.

Originally posted by Colossus-Big C
The president, the vice president and everyone who would normally become president if such thing happens are also killed?

Lets say everyone in the government period is killed? This incoudes all branches etc

Then the largest criminal organisations would take over, as they have all the resources (weapons, territory, numbers -can you DIG IT!?) 😄 to hand already. Martial Law could counter that threat but there would have to be a figurehead to lead them and who would they follow if they were no longer getting paid/looked after?. Many soldiers might just try to protect their families rather than clashing with street gangs or some higher criminal power.

Of course there will be remote locations where people will just bunch up up together for survival and the more power-hungry/egotistical citizens will rise to the top, and ironically be betrayed by other power-hungry/egotistical citizens.

Originally posted by Lord Shadow Z
Then the largest criminal organisations would take over,

They might take control of parts of certain cities, but American organized crime simply isn't what it used to be.

Originally posted by Omega Vision
In America? Doubtful.

They might take control of parts of certain cities, but American organized crime simply isn't what it used to be.

But with lack of organised law in places their numbers would rocket up, either by force or necessity. This would mean that their sheer numbers would be enough to rule the roost.

Of course there will be major turf wars so initially they'll be fighting each other.

Originally posted by Lord Shadow Z
But with lack of organised law in places their numbers would rocket up, either by force or necessity. This would mean that their sheer numbers would be enough to rule the roost.

Of course there will be major turf wars so initially they'll be fighting each other.

The loss of the central government doesn't mean the complete collapse of law and order on a local level.

Even if it did, gangs would only maybe control inner cities, and only the worst ones like Detroit.

PANIC.....oohh no, run,,,,,, Scream OUT, "Godzillla

Originally posted by Omega Vision
You're not arguing from facts, you're arguing from your desire to see The Warriors IRL.

I'm merely looking at it from a logical perspective, my previous segue about The Warriors was just an attempt at humour. Nothing more.

Originally posted by Lord Shadow Z
But with lack of organised law in places their numbers would rocket up, either by force or necessity. This would mean that their sheer numbers would be enough to rule the roost.

Of course there will be major turf wars so initially they'll be fighting each other.

why?

the federal government does little to control criminals on a day to day level, and the police forces haven't been removed.

Obama isn't the one stopping the Crips from taking over LA...

also, organized crime in America is nowhere near that organized. They might have some guns (though I can't imagine the American public being unarmed...) but they have nothing like domestic policy. They exist as money making organizations, not as bureaucratic institutions. Hell, this is even true of groups like the Mexican cartels. In very few places do criminal organizations actually begin to provide the services of the state. Hezbollah, sure, some of the Colombian cartels and rebels, some Somali groups, but realistically, a police state is far, far, far more likely in America.

Originally posted by inimalist
why?

the federal government does little to control criminals on a day to day level, and the police forces haven't been removed.

Obama isn't the one stopping the Crips from taking over LA...

also, organized crime in America is nowhere near that organized. They might have some guns (though I can't imagine the American public being unarmed...) but they have nothing like domestic policy. They exist as money making organizations, not as bureaucratic institutions. Hell, this is even true of groups like the Mexican cartels. In very few places do criminal organizations actually begin to provide the services of the state. Hezbollah, sure, some of the Colombian cartels and rebels, some Somali groups, but realistically, a police state is far, far, far more likely in America.

Well that's a good counter argument and I agree with the majority but I think as a general rule that any loss of higher authority, especially with an entire goverment gone gangs would at least be a major worry until a new government could be formed.

You are right of course in suggesting that the police and other law enforcement agencies can act independently and control situations but I don't think this is entirely the case. They may not work as effectively with each other if the backbone of the goverment is removed, all the chain of command would be ruined, particulars like resources and the availibility and management of funds could also take a hit, public anxiety/loss of direction may come in to it. Why is it that when rebels form in a country they go straight for the government if the governments are not needed?

Society has always appeared to be in check then one thing, just one thing like a natural disaster, or a contentious issue, or just anything that rips at the fabric of a country can get a situation out of control, and I think the loss of an entire government could qualify. Hurricane Katrina for example, looting, lawlessness, where was the control in that situation until the government were shamed into doing something about it? Everything was sluggish before it was a national issue - an issue in which the government eventually dealt with because local organisation wasn't there.

I agree the mentality of gangs is to generate money but its not always about money and is more likely about territory, but to get the territory they wouldn't think twice about taking it by force in a country shocked to the core and in a state of indecision. Now that may be my 'movie mentality' like Omega Vision has suggested by bringing up my slight humouous reference to The Warriors but I don't think it's entirely impossible.