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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2020 November 15

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November 15

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US election

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quote: "We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate." --Jayron32 12:53, 16 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.

Could the army and the police side with Trump if they feel that there was election fraud? What could happen next? 118.71.137.158 (talk) 10:30, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, and the sun could rise in the west tomorrow. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots16:39, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
What happens next is fairly obvious. See coup d'etat. Also, we do not answer requests for speculation here.--WaltCip-(talk) 16:50, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Right. A question that starts with "could" is almost always answerable as "yes", but it would depend on future events, just like a question starting with "will" does. Hence such a question is not appropriate here. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots20:12, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Armies don't feel. Generals or colonels might.  --Lambiam 20:18, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
The New York Jets could win the 2021 Superbowl too. In fact, that's probably more likely. Clarityfiend (talk) 06:20, 16 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Can you quantify the likelihoods of the respective events? If not, do you have a basis for this comparison, or is it merely wishful thinking or your gut feeling?  --Lambiam 11:41, 16 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Police equipment

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What backpack with a hose did this policeman in the middle carry? To me, it looks like a compressed air container, possibly for rubber bullets. Thanks. 212.180.235.46 (talk) 13:01, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]

My guess is it is to be used for spraying water doped with CR gas (or a similar irritant) used for crowd dispersal (and as a punishment for peaceful protesters, even though that is not officially allowed).  --Lambiam 20:15, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
You're familiar with what is officially allowed in Poland? --174.95.161.129 (talk) 23:38, 15 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I am not, but note that a TV reporter for the network of the news report the image is from is cited there as stating: "The police have long weapons and gas." I do know that the Turkish police doped their water cannons with CR gas during the Gezi Park protests, even though there was no legal basis authorizing this.  --Lambiam 11:34, 16 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]