Okay, I have kept silent about this entire issue since I first saw it, but enough is enough.
For those of you who may have not had the chance to look around and see what George W. Bush is doing lately, let me be the first to inform you.
THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY!
Now that last sentence may seem, excessive in a sense. But lets look at the Facts…
Mr. Bush has in the last 2 years published 46 Executive Orders, either changing powers, granting powers, and extending certain laws that may or may not have anything to do with the war in Iraq.
There were other new powers delegated to the executive branches as well:
My new order takes additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315 by blocking the property and interests in property of persons determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. The order further authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, to designate for blocking those persons determined to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person designated pursuant to this order, or to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.
Out of these new orders, one especially drew my attention: Presidential Directive 51
Now here is a brief summary of the article: (Note: Some parts have been edited out due to space issues.)
Purpose
(1) This directive establishes a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies. This policy establishes “National Essential Functions,” prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.
(2) In this directive:
(a) “Category” refers to the categories of executive departments and agencies listed in Annex A to this directive;
(b) “Catastrophic Emergency” means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;
Policy
(3) It is the policy of the United States to maintain a comprehensive and effective continuity capability composed of Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government programs in order to ensure the preservation of our form of government under the Constitution and the continuing performance of National Essential Functions under all conditions.
Implementation Actions
(5) The following NEFs are the foundation for all continuity programs and capabilities and represent the overarching responsibilities of the Federal Government to lead and sustain the Nation during a crisis, and therefore sustaining the following NEFs shall be the primary focus of the Federal Government leadership during and in the aftermath of an emergency that adversely affects the performance of Government Functions:
(a) Ensuring the continued functioning of our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government;
(b) Providing leadership visible to the Nation and the world and maintaining the trust and confidence of the American people;
(c) Defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and preventing or interdicting attacks against the United States or its people, property, or interests;
(d) Maintaining and fostering effective relationships with foreign nations;
(e) Protecting against threats to the homeland and bringing to justice perpetrators of crimes or attacks against the United States or its people, property, or interests;
(f) Providing rapid and effective response to and recovery from the domestic consequences of an attack or other incident;
(g) Protecting and stabilizing the Nation’s economy and ensuring public confidence in its financial systems; and
(h) Providing for critical Federal Government services that address the national health, safety, and welfare needs of the United States.
The Sectary of Treasury can take away property….Okay, but what about the 5th Amendment:
…nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Not only is The President violating the 5th Amendment, he is avoiding it all together! I remember once, we lived in a country were suspicion alone did not make you a criminal. I guess those days are over…
Can anybody say Dictator?
Bush says he can declare national emergency for any reason, if he thinks its hurting our country. Even if its not on US soil. Wait a minute! What is happing over in Asia? Aren’t all those nations ALWAYS on the brink of War?
In my opinion, that means that if anymore wars break out, Bush may be able to use these new powers to stay in office, take control of the country, and efficiently rule America as a dictator. With most of the nation’s troops across the ocean, and the political situation all clustered like it always is, it doesn’t seem to be too much to put past Bush.
Now, I’m not some liberal who wants Bush impeached. I’m not some reactionary that is going to swear loyalty to Bush if this happens either… The real main point of this
Doesn’t this all seem a little TOO similar to what Palpatine did before taking over the Republic? Does Bush know that Star Wars is available to the public?
This country never ceases to amaze me…
