Mac1958
Diamond Member
Well, as the OP posted about Elmer Rhodes and his merry band of Oathkeepers, let's continue examing the predictment of these 'in-deep-feces' folks.
Today's New York Times has excellent reportage....mostly taken from the documents released this week from the DOJ that offers a timeline on what these KevlarQueens did prior to January 6th. It is an interesting read.
The DOJ paints a pretty damning picture of their intentions and their planning for those intentions.
(FYI.....they were NOT there as 'tourists', or 'demonstrators', or in any sort of 'LoveFest' mood.)
'Seditious Conspiracy' requires the government to show that at least two people conspired to overthrow the government ...or.... delay the execution of a U.S. law. And these 11 ( Rhodes, Meggs, Harrelson, Watkins, Hackett, Moerschel, James, Minuta, Ulrich, Caldwell and Vellejo) are now accused of:
- Recruiting participants;
- Organizing training in para-military combat;
- Cooridinating travel, teams, and logistics
- Bringing weapons to the Washington DC area in order to carry out the conspiracy.
And the Times pulls from the charging documents these quotes from the Oathkeeper leadership: (FYI --Those Oathkeepers thought all their communications were encrypted. But alas........)
Rhodes: "We aren't getting through this without a civil war....Prepare your mind, body, and spirit".
Rhodes: "I do want some Oathkeeprs to stay on the outside, and to stay fully armed and prepared to go in armed......."
Rhodes: "It will be a bloody and desperate fight. We are going to have to fight. That can't be avoided."
Communications to, from, and by other Oathkeepers --- Meggs, Watkins, Caldwell, were revealed from their encrypted communications.
Elmer Stewart Rhodes...bought arms and ammunition ($22,000+ in the week before January 6th) that were shipped or transported to a designated hotel just across the river in Virginia. There, those arms along with individual arms of various teams, were designated for a 'QRF'....a Quick Reaction Force' under the charge of Ed Vallejo.
Watkins: "Where can we drop off weaons to the QRF team? I'd like to have the weapons secured prior to the OP tomorrow."
Caldwell: (distributing maps) "These maps walk you from the hotel into DC and east towards the target area on multiple roads..."
On January 6th: 'Most defendants entered the restricted Capitol grounds or the Capitol itself, actions tht were later included as part of the sediton charges. Mr. Vallejo and other remained at the hotel, awaiting a call to bring weapons.'
ps....there have been a gaggle of posts and posters who have asserted that this 'Oathkeeper' stuff is fake news. Charges will be dropped; or suggesting a trial by jury is needed; and/or all will be acquitted.
Well, OK. Those opinions are out there. I get it.
But......but, after reading today's Times' piece, ...my money ain't gonna be wagered on these folks escaping without paying a heavy price in freedom, criminal record, and money.
Betcha.
"Seditious conspiracy" does have a nice ring to it. For this guy and probably more to come in the future.
This was never about the rubes, the misguided pawns who stormed the capitol. This is about something else.