I don't foresee Senator PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. losing the election, by itself, as a trigger for unrest and violence. But I do foresee the possibility of big trouble if he loses the vote count when the exit and other polls indicate that he should have won.

These has been a significant loss of confidence in the electoral process after the debacle in Florida in 2000 and the alleged electronic vote rigging in 2004. If there is a widespread perception that the election was stolen, there is likely to be widespread dissent and protest, some of which could turn violent.

The potential for violence will be increased if there is a heavy-handed official response to protests. Let us remember that it was the Chicago Police who rioted at the 1968 Democratic Convention, not the protesters.

I fear that there are some elements in the Federal government who are just itching to crack down and quash any hint of dissent or protest from the citizenry, and might seize upon this opportunity to exercise their new, self-granted "emergency powers." I am, as always, more afraid of what my government may do than I am of what my fellow citizens may do.

Jeff