posted May 26, 2007 10:23 PM              

There was absolutely no news coverage regarding this power grab.

No wonder he has a sheepish grin on his face

Bush makes power grab

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

World Net Daily
Posted: May 23, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

President Bush, without so much as issuing a press statement, on May 9 signed a directive that granted near dictatorial powers to the office of the president in the event of a national emergency declared by the president.

The "National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive," with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security Presidential Directive, and HSPD-20, as a Homeland Security Presidential Directive, establishes under the office of president a new National Continuity Coordinator.

That job, as the document describes, is to make plans for "National Essential Functions" of all federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, as well as private sector organizations to continue functioning under the president's directives in the event of a national emergency.

The directive loosely defines "catastrophic emergency" as "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."

When the president determines a catastrophic emergency has occurred, the president can take over all government functions and direct all private sector activities to ensure we will emerge from the emergency with an "enduring constitutional government."

Translated into layman's terms, when the president determines a national emergency has occurred, the president can declare to the office of the presidency powers usually assumed by dictators to direct any and all government and business activities until the emergency is declared over.

Ironically, the directive sees no contradiction in the assumption of dictatorial powers by the president with the goal of maintaining constitutional continuity through an emergency.

The directive specifies that the assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism will be designated as the National Continuity Coordinator.

Further established is a Continuity Policy Coordination Committee, chaired by a senior director from the Homeland Security Council staff, designated by the National Continuity Coordinator, to be "the main day-to-day forum for such policy coordination."

Currently, the assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism is Frances Fragos Townsend.

Townsend spent 13 years at the Justice Department before moving to the U.S. Coast Guard where she served as assistant commandant for intelligence.

She is a White House staff member in the executive office of the president who also chairs the Homeland Security Council, which as a counterpart to the National Security Council reports directly to the president.

The directive issued May 9 makes no attempt to reconcile the powers created there for the National Continuity Coordinator with the National Emergency Act. As specified by U.S. Code Title 50, Chapter 34, Subchapter II, Section 1621, the National Emergency Act allows that the president may declare a national emergency but requires that such proclamation "shall immediately be transmitted to the Congress and published in the Federal Register."

A Congressional Research Service study notes that under the National Emergency Act, the president "may seize property, organize and control the means of production, seize commodities, assign military forces abroad, institute martial law, seize and control all transportation and communication, regulate the operation of private enterprise, restrict travel, and, in a variety of ways, control the lives of United States citizens."

The CRS study notes that the National Emergency Act sets up congress as a balance empowered to "modify, rescind, or render dormant such delegated emergency authority," if Congress believes the president has acted inappropriately.

NSPD-51/ HSPD-20 appears to supersede the National Emergency Act by creating the new position of National Continuity Coordinator without any specific act of Congress authorizing the position.

NSPD-51/ HSPD-20 also makes no reference whatsoever to Congress. The language of the May 9 directive appears to negate any a requirement that the president submit to Congress a determination that a national emergency exists, suggesting instead that the powers of the executive order can be implemented without any congressional approval or oversight.

Homeland Security spokesperson Russ Knocke affirmed that the Homeland Security Department will be implementing the requirements of NSPD-51/ HSPD-20 under Townsend's direction.

posted May 26, 2007 11:19 PM            

It is similar to Clinton getting in the legislation that allowed for a line item veto, then it was pulled before he left, thus rendering Bush powerless to do anything but a total veto.

posted May 26, 2007 11:31 PM            

For the record, I think this would have streamlined the response to Katrina instead of the Federal government waiting at the threshold, ringing the LA doorbell while the LA governor sat back and waited until the damage was done before letting the feds in to help.

There is a reason why that same situation was dealt with differently in Mississippi and in states such as Florida.

National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive

White House News

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20

Subject: National Continuity Policy

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.

Definitions

(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;

(c) "Continuity of Government," or "COG," means a coordinated effort within the Federal Government's executive branch to ensure that National Essential Functions continue to be performed during a Catastrophic Emergency;

(d) "Continuity of Operations," or "COOP," means an effort within individual executive departments and agencies to ensure that Primary Mission-Essential Functions continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies;

(e) "Enduring Constitutional Government," or "ECG," means a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government, coordinated by the President, as a matter of comity with respect to the legislative and judicial branches and with proper respect for the constitutional separation of powers among the branches, to preserve the constitutional framework under which the Nation is governed and the capability of all three branches of government to execute constitutional responsibilities and provide for orderly succession, appropriate transition of leadership, and interoperability and support of the National Essential Functions during a catastrophic emergency;

(f) "Executive Departments and Agencies" means the executive departments enumerated in 5 U.S.C. 101, independent establishments as defined by 5 U.S.C. 104(1), Government corporations as defined by 5 U.S.C. 103(1), and the United States Postal Service;

(g) "Government Functions" means the collective functions of the heads of executive departments and agencies as defined by statute, regulation, presidential direction, or other legal authority, and the functions of the legislative and judicial branches;

(h) "National Essential Functions," or "NEFs," means that subset of Government Functions that are necessary to lead and sustain the Nation during a catastrophic emergency and that, therefore, must be supported through COOP and COG capabilities; and

(i) "Primary Mission Essential Functions," or "PMEFs," means those Government Functions that must be performed in order to support or implement the performance of NEFs before, during, and in the aftermath of an emergency.

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

(4) Continuity requirements shall be incorporated into daily operations of all executive departments and agencies. As a result of the asymmetric threat environment, adequate warning of potential emergencies that could pose a significant risk to the homeland might not be available, and therefore all continuity planning shall be based on the assumption that no such warning will be received. Emphasis will be placed upon geographic dispersion of leadership, staff, and infrastructure in order to increase survivability and maintain uninterrupted Government Functions. Risk management principles shall be applied to ensure that appropriate operational readiness decisions are based on the probability of an attack or other incident and its consequences.

(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.

(6) The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government. In order to advise and assist the President in that function, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHS/CT) is hereby designated as the National Continuity Coordinator. The National Continuity Coordinator, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), without exercising directive authority, shall coordinate the development and implementation of continuity policy for executive departments and agencies. The Continuity Policy Coordination Committee (CPCC), chaired by a Senior Director from the Homeland Security Council staff, designated by the National Continuity Coordinator, shall be the main day-to-day forum for such policy coordination.

(7) For continuity purposes, each executive department and agency is assigned to a category in accordance with the nature and characteristics of its national security roles and responsibilities in support of the Federal Government's ability to sustain the NEFs. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall serve as the President's lead agent for coordinating overall continuity operations and activities of executive departments and agencies, and in such role shall perform the responsibilities set forth for the Secretary in sections 10 and 16 of this directive.

(8) The National Continuity Coordinator, in consultation with the heads of appropriate executive departments and agencies, will lead the development of a National Continuity Implementation Plan (Plan), which shall include prioritized goals and objectives, a concept of operations, performance metrics by which to measure continuity readiness, procedures for continuity and incident management activities, and clear direction to executive department and agency continuity coordinators, as well as guidance to promote interoperability of Federal Government continuity programs and procedures with State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate. The Plan shall be submitted to the President for approval not later than 90 days after the date of this directive.

(9) Recognizing that each branch of the Federal Government is responsible for its own continuity programs, an official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President shall ensure that the executive branch's COOP and COG policies in support of ECG efforts are appropriately coordinated with those of the legislative and judicial branches in order to ensure interoperability and allocate national assets efficiently to maintain a functioning Federal Government.

(10) Federal Government COOP, COG, and ECG plans and operations shall be appropriately integrated with the emergency plans and capabilities of State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to promote interoperability and to prevent redundancies and conflicting lines of authority. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate the integration of Federal continuity plans and operations with State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to provide for the delivery of essential services during an emergency.

(11) Continuity requirements for the Executive Office of the President (EOP) and executive departments and agencies shall include the following:

(a) The continuation of the performance of PMEFs during any emergency must be for a period up to 30 days or until normal operations can be resumed, and the capability to be fully operational at alternate sites as soon as possible after the occurrence of an emergency, but not later than 12 hours after COOP activation;

(b) Succession orders and pre-planned devolution of authorities that ensure the emergency delegation of authority must be planned and documented in advance in accordance with applicable law;

(c) Vital resources, facilities, and records must be safeguarded, and official access to them must be provided;

(d) Provision must be made for the acquisition of the resources necessary for continuity operations on an emergency basis;

(e) Provision must be made for the availability and redundancy of critical communications capabilities at alternate sites in order to support connectivity between and among key government leadership, internal elements, other executive departments and agencies, critical partners, and the public;

(f) Provision must be made for reconstitution capabilities that allow for recovery from a catastrophic emergency and resumption of normal operations; and

(g) Provision must be made for the identification, training, and preparedness of personnel capable of relocating to alternate facilities to support the continuation of the performance of PMEFs.

(12) In order to provide a coordinated response to escalating threat levels or actual emergencies, the Continuity of Government Readiness Conditions (COGCON) system establishes executive branch continuity program readiness levels, focusing on possible threats to the National Capital Region. The President will determine and issue the COGCON Level. Executive departments and agencies shall comply with the requirements and assigned responsibilities under the COGCON program. During COOP activation, executive departments and agencies shall report their readiness status to the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary's designee.

(13) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall:

(a) Conduct an annual assessment of executive department and agency continuity funding requests and performance data that are submitted by executive departments and agencies as part of the annual budget request process, in order to monitor progress in the implementation of the Plan and the execution of continuity budgets;

(b) In coordination with the National Continuity Coordinator, issue annual continuity planning guidance for the development of continuity budget requests; and

(c) Ensure that heads of executive departments and agencies prioritize budget resources for continuity capabilities, consistent with this directive.

(14) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall:

(a) Define and issue minimum requirements for continuity communications for executive departments and agencies, in consultation with the APHS/CT, the APNSA, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Chief of Staff to the President;

(b) Establish requirements for, and monitor the development, implementation, and maintenance of, a comprehensive communications architecture to integrate continuity components, in consultation with the APHS/CT, the APNSA, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Chief of Staff to the President; and

(c) Review quarterly and annual assessments of continuity communications capabilities, as prepared pursuant to section 16(d) of this directive or otherwise, and report the results and recommended remedial actions to the National Continuity Coordinator.

(15) An official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President shall:

(a) Advise the President, the Chief of Staff to the President, the APHS/CT, and the APNSA on COGCON operational execution options; and

(b) Consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security in order to ensure synchronization and integration of continuity activities among the four categories of executive departments and agencies.

(16) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall:

(a) Coordinate the implementation, execution, and assessment of continuity operations and activities;

(b) Develop and promulgate Federal Continuity Directives in order to establish continuity planning requirements for executive departments and agencies;

(c) Conduct biennial assessments of individual department and agency continuity capabilities as prescribed by the Plan and report the results to the President through the APHS/CT;

(d) Conduct quarterly and annual assessments of continuity communications capabilities in consultation with an official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President;

(e) Develop, lead, and conduct a Federal continuity training and exercise program, which shall be incorporated into the National Exercise Program developed pursuant to Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8 of December 17, 2003 ("National Preparedness"), in consultation with an official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President;

(f) Develop and promulgate continuity planning guidance to State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector critical infrastructure owners and operators;

(g) Make available continuity planning and exercise funding, in the form of grants as provided by law, to State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector critical infrastructure owners and operators; and

(h) As Executive Agent of the National Communications System, develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive continuity communications architecture.

(17) The Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall produce a biennial assessment of the foreign and domestic threats to the Nation's continuity of government.

(18) The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall provide secure, integrated, Continuity of Government communications to the President, the Vice President, and, at a minimum, Category I executive departments and agencies.

(19) Heads of executive departments and agencies shall execute their respective department or agency COOP plans in response to a localized emergency and shall:

(a) Appoint a senior accountable official, at the Assistant Secretary level, as the Continuity Coordinator for the department or agency;

(b) Identify and submit to the National Continuity Coordinator the list of PMEFs for the department or agency and develop continuity plans in support of the NEFs and the continuation of essential functions under all conditions;

(c) Plan, program, and budget for continuity capabilities consistent with this directive;

(d) Plan, conduct, and support annual tests and training, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, in order to evaluate program readiness and ensure adequacy and viability of continuity plans and communications systems; and

(e) Support other continuity requirements, as assigned by category, in accordance with the nature and characteristics of its national security roles and responsibilities

General Provisions

(20) This directive shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with, and facilitates effective implementation of, provisions of the Constitution concerning succession to the Presidency or the exercise of its powers, and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 U.S.C. 19), with consultation of the Vice President and, as appropriate, others involved. Heads of executive departments and agencies shall ensure that appropriate support is available to the Vice President and others involved as necessary to be prepared at all times to implement those provisions.

(21) This directive:

(a) Shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and the authorities of agencies, or heads of agencies, vested by law, and subject to the availability of appropriations;

(b) Shall not be construed to impair or otherwise affect (i) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, and legislative proposals, or (ii) the authority of the Secretary of Defense over the Department of Defense, including the chain of command for military forces from the President, to the Secretary of Defense, to the commander of military forces, or military command and control procedures; and

(c) Is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(22) Revocation. Presidential Decision Directive 67 of October 21, 1998 ("Enduring Constitutional Government and Continuity of Government Operations"), including all Annexes thereto, is hereby revoked.

(23) Annex A and the classified Continuity Annexes, attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this directive.

(24) Security. This directive and the information contained herein shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure, provided that, except for Annex A, the Annexes attached to this directive are classified and shall be accorded appropriate handling, consistent with applicable Executive Orders.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

Cities have done this on other levels as a response to crime waves:
http://prorev.com/2007/05/baltimore-philadelphia-move-towards.htm

Clinton considered this and also had exercises concerning the lockdown of cities through the use of the Military in 1999 in case of a year 2000 meltdown.

There are also several emergency plans already on the books, from the Federal level to the local city level that would lock down areas in the event of an outbreak..

The door would slam shut across the borders and people would not be able to leave their city or county or state for that matter.

I helped write some of those protocols on a County, City and border level.

posted May 27, 2007 01:08 AM              

No where in that long article does it say one word about Congress. That's the point. These presidential directives give total power to the executive branch - to the president - without even consulting or informing the Congress. It seems that all through his administration Bush has held the other branches of government in total disdain. Now he has just made it official.

There is provided under the Constitution three branches of government. Not just the executive branch. There is provided under the U.S. Constitution a checks and balance system so that no one man, no one branch of government has total control. That system was designed to protect America from the possibility of ever having a dictatorial government.

This is serious. Very serious. It threatens not only the Constitution but democracy itself.

I could say much the same as you just did regarding wondering if those of us on the left would be as upset if it were a Democratic president. I wonder if those on the right would be so indifferent to it and take it in stride if it were a Democratic president doing this. I doubt it. I think the Republicans would be screaming their heads off.

As for me I would be equally upset about this grab for total power if it were a Democrat or an Independent in office. I think most Americans who love democracy and uphold the Constitution would be equally upset no matter what the party affiliation is.

posted May 27, 2007 01:18 AM              

I think we learned from that incident that we really can't rely on either our local, state or federal government to protect us in any emergency.

If the federal government is so interested in saving us against some nuclear threat they foresee from the terrorists, why then did they refuse to allow the anti-dote for radiation sickness to be manufactured and distributed to hospitals all over the country for use in an emergency?

They have an anti-dote for radiation sickness in this country developed by a drug company yet the government, even though the drug was tested and found to be a very effective anti-dote by the military, has refused to fund production for the drug or allow it to be distributed to hospitals across the country in case of an emergency.

posted May 27, 2007 01:19 AM            

There are also alot of contingency plans. I don't feel we are in jeopardy at this time, but I do worry about what will happen when someone else steps in, specifically if it is someone like Hillary. I am not worried about Obama but I sure wouldn't want her or Al Gore to have a 10th of that power because they would use it for their own purpose.

I DO think this was actually done in order to expedite emergency response. What does a government do when their hands are tied when it comes to responding to an outbreak or hurricane, then they are blamed by their slow response?

I don't have any of those answers. I can only say I am not worried at this time, but I would be scared crapless if the likes of Pelosi, Reed or Clinton had access.. just like I would if some of the other right wing fringe people had their hands on that power.

posted May 27, 2007 03:47 AM              

If it isn't Bush who abuses the unlimited and unchecked power then somewhere down the road it could be anyone who is elected (if in fact we still have elections down the road) be it Republican, Democrat or Independent.

I think there is much truth to the statement that " power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely."

This is as Zala said, scary. It opens the door and makes America ripe for a dicatorship. If we lose the Constitution and the checks and balance system of government we have, then we can easily lose America.

The war in Iraq is even being run from behind the desks of the executive office. I read just the other day that many generals in the field are getting very upset by that. It's the first war in American history where the generals have little say and where the decisons are all made by the Bush administration and Bush himself. That alone tells me that the man is power hungry and once having some he wants more and more.

But even if it isn't him, it's as you say, Pid maybe the next elected president or the one after that.

posted May 27, 2007 09:38 PM              

One of these articles comes from what appears to be a Conservative site.
http://newsblaze.com/story/20070525082902lill.nb/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html

Did America Die on May 9, 2007?
By John Lillpop

Just in time for Memorial Day, America, land of the free and home of the brave and the best hope for all of humankind, appears to have died.

Although conservatives have been warning of the imminent death of our constitutional republic for some time. Still, the death comes as a shock to many.

The cause of death appears to be abuse by the executive branch.

All that is known for sure is that on May 9, 2007, President George W. Bush signed a presidential directive that would grant dictatorial powers to the office of the president in the event of an emergency.

And who would be authorized to declare such an emergency?

Hard to believe, but that would be the same person to whom those dictatorial powers would accrue; namely, the president.

The presidential directive, titled the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, apparently has no provision for congressional oversight whatsoever.

Dr. Jerome Corsi of WorldNetDaily authored an exclusive commentary on Bush's extraordinary power grab. That commentary can be seen at the following link.

The directive itself can be viewed at this link.

Allowing dictatorial powers to end up in the hands of a termed-out president with approval ratings hovering around 30 percent probably does not pass the Civics 101 smell test.

Even worse, this president's woes are compounded by an extremely unpopular war, a hostile congress including members of his own party, and an amnesty scheme that could destroy American sovereignty, language, and culture by legalizing 12-30 million third world illegal aliens.

Given the political realities that George W. Bush faces, one cannot help but wonder if the president's May 9 directive will, in effect, also serve as a death certificate for the most successful and prosperous society in recorded human history?

Copyright © 2007, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Bush To Be Dictator In A Catastrophic Emergency

by Lee Rogers
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=ROG20070521&articleId=5721

Global Research, May 21, 2007

The Bush administration has released a directive called the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive. The directive released on May 9th, 2007 has gone almost unnoticed by the mainstream and alternative media. This is understandable considering the huge Ron Paul and immigration news but this story is equally as huge. In this directive, Bush declares that in the event of a “Catastrophic Emergency”, the President will be entrusted with leading the activities to ensure constitutional government. The language in this directive would in effect make the President a dictator in the case of such an emergency.

The directive defines a “Catastrophic Emergency” as the following.

"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;

So what does this mean? This is entirely subjective and doesn’t provide any real concrete definition of what such an emergency would entail. Assuming that it means a disaster on the scale of the 9/11 attacks or Katrina, there is no question that the United States at some point in time will experience an emergency on par with either of those events. When one of those events takes place, the President will be a dictator in charge of ensuring a working constitutional government.

The language written in the directive is disturbing because it doesn’t say that the President will work with the other branches of government equally to ensure a constitutional government is protected. It says clearly that there will be a cooperative effort among the three branches that will be coordinated by the President. If the President is coordinating these efforts it effectively puts him in charge of every branch. The language in the directive is entirely Orwellian in nature making it seem that it is a cooperative effort between all three branches but than it says that the President is in charge of the cooperative effort.

The directive defines Enduring Constitutional Government as the following.

"Enduring Constitutional Government," or "ECG," means a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government, coordinated by the President, as a matter of comity with respect to the legislative and judicial branches and with proper respect for the constitutional separation of powers among the branches, to preserve the constitutional framework under which the Nation is governed and the capability of all three branches of government to execute constitutional responsibilities and provide for orderly succession, appropriate transition of leadership, and interoperability and support of the National Essential Functions during a catastrophic emergency;

Further on in the document it states the following.

The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government.

This directive on its face is unconstitutional because each branch of government the executive, legislative and judicial are supposed to be equal in power. By putting the President in charge of coordinating such an effort to ensure constitutional government over all three branches is effectively making the President a dictator allowing him to tell all branches of government what to do.

Even worse is the fact that the directive states that the Secretary of Homeland Security will serve as the lead for coordinating overall continuity operations. We already know that the Homeland Security department is not really working to secure the homeland. Instead the Homeland Security department is really working to enslave the homeland just like the Home Office over in the United Kingdom has made that country an Orwellian hell of closed-circuit TV spy cameras. If such an emergency is declared, we can only guess what sort of surprises the Homeland Enslavement department will have for us.

The directive itself recognizes that each branch is already responsible for directing their own continuity of government procedures. If that’s the case than why does the President need to coordinate these procedures for all of the branches? This is nothing more than a power grab that centralizes power and will make the President a dictator in the case of a so called “Catastrophic Emergency”.

It is insane that this directive claims that its purpose is to define procedures to protect a working constitutional government when the very language in the document destroys what a working constitutional government is supposed to be. A working constitutional government contains a separation of powers between three equally powerful branches and this directive states that the executive branch has the power to coordinate the activities of the other branches. This directive is a clear violation of constitutional separation of powers and there should be angry protests from our legislators about this anti-American garbage that came from the President.

Global Research Articles by Lee Rogers

I guess if they now try to impeach Bush and Cheney they will declare that an emergency. LOL

posted May 27, 2007 09:50 PM              

Succession of leadership means precisely what it says. The PD states that the other two branches of the government must succeed leadership of the U.S. of America solely to him.

If that is not instituting a dictatorship I don't know what is.

posted May 28, 2007 02:39 AM              

Seems odd doesn't it that with such a short time left and with the Democratic party's image in the minds of most americans being much more favorable at this time then the Republican party, that Bush would want to pass all this power onto a Democratic president?

Something isn't right about that picture.

I agree. This move is highly suspect. Maybe Bush intends that there be a national emergency before the next election. Once he is established as dictator with Congress waiving all power to him there will be no election.

posted May 28, 2007 01:25 PM            

This latest attempt is just a long line of moves he has made to destroy democracy. People in this country are losing faith in the system, and for obvious reasons. The executive office has never been so powerful, and with such incompetent boobs at the wheel.

We're dealing with someone who rigged the first election, brought us into a war based on lies, mismanaged that war, plunged the country into incredible debt, ruined our international image, has done everything to strengthen the executive office while weakening congress, and all while chucking with that stupid grin on his face.

posted May 28, 2007 03:38 PM              

Totally abuses of power and corruption. But then again this day has been coming for the past 20 years. Under both parties. Mostly though through the past 20 years we have had Republican party control in government.

No way can all the corruption and erosion of the Constitution and government as a whole be dumped on the Democrats. They haven't even had control of Congress until the past election. So their hands have pretty much been tied.

posted May 28, 2007 10:20 PM              

"Society has been conditioned to rely on the system for all its needs. That's why during a crisis situation, the people have always turned to government for help. People have been domesticated and have been whittled down to nothing more than degenerate, apathetic beings who care about little more than self-gratification and fulfilling their wants. This is all by design."

^
I can't agree with that enough!

If a widespread disaster hit, could any of us actually survive? The torch would pass to the aboriginal people across the world who still have survival skills intact. however, what would folks, in the developed world do without grocery stores to provide food? could we keep warm without a house? For most of us, that is a NO.

Peak oil has hit. prices will only go up from here. Most of us have not prepared. It could get pretty bleak pretty quick.

posted May 28, 2007 11:50 PM              

I think that prior to what happened in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina Americans may have relied on, trusted and believed that their local, state and federal government had it all figured out and a sure fire plan in effect that would save them.

However, after what the nation saw happen in New Orleans and the Delta states changed all that. I feel that most Americans now realize that if disaster strikes they are on their own. They no longer have confidence in their government for anything, much less their safety. There may be a few deluded folks around but on the most part New Orleans changed reliance on the government.

I give Americans more credit. Americans can be very creative and ingenious and resourceful. If the necessity arose and their lives were in the balance I feel that people would find ways to survive. They would find ways to get food, water and a warm place should a disaster strike in winter. I give people more credit. In a nuclear attack there is not much people can do against radiation sickness. So it depends on the disaster.

Myself I think it's rather foolish to entrust your life in the hands of politicians. The system is set up so that should a nuclear war break out, the very people who started the war would be the only survivors because they have provided for them with tax payers money shelters and supplies to survive. Since there is an antidote available for radiation treatment and the U.S. government only funded production to accomodate 65,000 people, who do you guess those 65,000 people are going to be?

posted May 29, 2007 12:18 AM              

Than why do people continue to sit ideally by while the powerful accumulate more wealth and screw the majority over even more? I Government serves the people. plain and simple. But this is being reversed. Laws are being forced on us, restrictive ones, and this is not right.

Where are the Americans on the street? I do have to stand by what I said, cause otherwise, if people were awake, they would be a hell of a lot more p!ssed and vocal about the atrocities being performed.

posted May 29, 2007 03:05 AM              

I don't feel that it is due to people depending on the government though. Most people don't trust or even like the government. So why would they rely on the government for anything? Bush would like Americans to rely on the government. Ever since 9/11 he has been telling us that he is the only one capable of saving us and taking care of us. (edited to add) Sort of like the benevolent dictator. LOL

I think, as I said before, that prior to hurricane Katrina and the aftermath of that disaster many people in this country did believe Bush. But not after they watched people dying on the streets of New Orleans and hearing that they were not getting water or food or being taken to safety because of the red tape of Homeland Security which held up the deliveries of food and water and the rescue workers.

I feel that what you described is not due to reliance on the government as much as it is just plain complacency, apathy, indifference to anything that does not pertain to their own personal lives. They fail to see that the laws the government makes does pertain to their lives. It affects them greatly but they don't see the big picture. They only see what is right in front of their noses.

Many people don't keep up on the news except to find out the latest gossip on movie stars or singers. If they do watch the news they don't know anything that the news media is not saying. And the news media in this country, because it is corporate owned doesn't report what the government doesn't want us to know. We have Ronald Reagan to thank for that. He is the one who abolished the fairness act in news broadcasting, he is the one who opened up the media to be corporate owned and controlled. There are only 5 corporations that control the media in the entire world.

If we didn't have computers and the internet we wouldn't know what was going on in the government in this country. That's the major reason that the Bush administration has been trying to put into effect laws that govern the internet.

It really isn't the national media even on the internet that reports ALL the real news.

It is as you say. If more people took an interest in what government is doing they would be on the streets screaming their heads off in large numbers. But they just plain don't pay attention and they don't care unless it affects them directly. Because of their apathy to what is going on in the world and this country eventually it is going to affect us all.

The job of a true patriot is to watch the government. That was once the job of the media too before they sold their souls. Without a news media and real reporters watching the government and reporting to the people what is really going on and without the citizens watching the government and keeping informed, the government becomes what it is now, corrupt, but also feeling that they can do anything they want.

The media thinks we are all stupid and so does the government. What we have right now is what we had before the revolution against the British, taxation without representation. We pay out the tax money yet our elected officials represent corporations who have dumped big bucks into their campaigns to get them where they are. They do not represent the people who vote for them. Some do. Many don't.

The apathy and complacency of most people is due to a feeling of hopelessness. They don't feel that they would be listened to because, face it, we aren't listened to on the most part. The lobbyists who only represent their own self-interests and who can line the pockets of politicians are the only voices they hear.

I agree. People need to get angry and we all need to make them hear our voices or stop paying taxes. Are they going to throw the millions of us all into jail? We have the numbers. The average citizens are the majority. Yet we give our power away to bought off politicians who are selling out this country.