Bush makes power grab

[PsychoMantis]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824

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," (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html) with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824#) 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."




I dont know about you guys but this doesnt sound so good.

[SBL]

Well, I would hope that somebody would take the reigns in the event of a major crisis. I don't see a problem.
This topic sounds awfully familiar, though. repost?

[helomech]

It appears to be a document that replaces the previous set in place by the Clinton Whitehouse,Presidential Decision Directive 67 of October 21, 1998 with a more current one;

I just did a cursory look,it just looks to me like the President is going to man up and take charge and not allow a breakdown of federal and local governments during time of crisis such as.....New Orleans and the state of Louisiana-Gov.Blanco and Mayor Nagin who failed at their jobs leadership in a time of need..

Just my 0.02

[PsychoMantis]

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 (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824#) 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.

[SBL]

^Again, I don't see how it's an issue. Seems like a logical step.

[Techmarine1228]

After reading the full directive, it must have been written to confuse us lol.

It's vague in many parts and has some "loose" meanings on others. However, in the case of an emergency, its good to know that our President actually has a plan incase of a failure in local government to make sure this country's government doesn't collapse.

[Rictor]

^Again, I don't see how it's an issue. Seems like a logical step.

While I haven't read the draft directive,I'm inclined to think there's maybe a reason why such powers have not been centralized for the two centuries of the US' existance, separation of powers being one of the central foundations of the constitutional republic.

[SBL]

While I haven't read the draft directive,I'm inclined to think there's maybe a reason why such powers have not been centralized for the two centuries of the US' existance, separation of powers being one of the central foundations of the constitutional republic.


It's a new era.

[PsychoMantis]

1) Whereas before the President would have this power if Congress was killed, in this version Congress can be 100% alive and still relieved of its power.

2) Whereas before the catastrophic event had to take place within U.S. borders, the Bush version states that the catastrophic event can take place anywhere in the world.

Dude,are you blind or something? It bascially means Bush can extend his powers over congress. And how about give Local and State goverment more of a chance? Louisana dropped the ball during Katrina but whoses to say Texas would have done better? (Which,btw they did during Hurricane Rita)

[Firetxmi]

Very scary legislation.

Very much like the beginnings of Nazi Germany.

[SBL]

1) Whereas before the President would have this power if Congress was killed, in this version Congress can be 100% alive and still relieved of its power.


2) Whereas before the catastrophic event had to take place within U.S. borders, the Bush version states that the catastrophic event can take place anywhere in the world.
Dude,are you blind or something? It bascially means Bush can extend his powers over congress. And how about give Local and State goverment more of a chance? Louisana dropped the ball during Katrina but whoses to say Texas would have done better? (Which,btw they did during Hurricane Rita)

Hmmm, the WorldNetDaily. Now there's an unbiased and source.p-)

This whole thing is a contingency plan, like the boy scout motto: "always be prepared". I believe you, and Mr. Corsi are reading far too much into it. But if you think President Bush is going to grant himself dictatorial powers by means of a fabricated threat in his last two years in office... well, you just go right ahead.

[Firetxmi]

But if you think President Bush is going to grant himself dictatorial powers by means of a fabricated threat in his last two years in office... well, you just go right ahead.
[/COLOR]

And what would prevent him? After all, the Al-Qaeda NO. 2 has been "killed" twice (yes, the exact same man)- conveniently around politically necessary times.

[SBL]

And what would prevent him? After all, the Al-Qaeda NO. 2 has been "killed" twice (yes, the exact same man)- conveniently around politically necessary times.

Sounds like regular old politics to me. But you don't have to take my word for it, the next 2 years ought to sort out who's right and who's wrong on this issue.

[Rictor]

Not to be anal, but I think that's al-Q's #3. Number 2 is al-Zawahiri, who's certainly never been killed.

[helomech]

1) Whereas before the President would have this power if Congress was killed, in this version Congress can be 100% alive and still relieved of its power.

2) Whereas before the catastrophic event had to take place within U.S. borders, the Bush version states that the catastrophic event can take place anywhere in the world.

Dude,are you blind or something? It bascially means Bush can extend his powers over congress. And how about give Local and State goverment more of a chance? Louisana dropped the ball during Katrina but whoses to say Texas would have done better? (Which,btw they did during Hurricane Rita)

Not sure if that was directed at me but,I used the Lousiana situation(kind of like the Bonnie situation) as an example because it was the most glaring because those mentioned were in the media making excuses immediately...and not doing their job of taking care of the people

[American Patriot]

omg bush is teh hitlar1!2

[Firetxmi]

Not to be anal, but I think that's al-Q's #3. Number 2 is al-Zawahiri, who's certainly never been killed.

True. I stand corrected. The point is still valid regardless.

[Hollis]

omg bush is teh hitlar1!2


LOLOL, RUN RUN!! the sky is falling...............

[SBL]

True. I stand corrected. The point is still valid regardless.

You act like politicians don't lie or something. Naturally, Bush is going to do what's politically expedient, just like every other President has on down to George Washington.

[Firetxmi]

You act like politicians don't lie or something. Naturally, Bush is going to do what's politically expedient, just like every other President has on down to George Washington.

Which is exactly my point.

[SBL]

Which is exactly my point.

Being a slippery politician does not mean that one is on-track to being a dictator. The fact is that the current system works, and those who hold the keys to power do quite well because of it.

[Chulo]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=112584


and like i said on that thread.. Bush is out of the office in a few months.. its not a power grab.

[Merfeller]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824

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," (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html) with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824#) 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."




I dont know about you guys but this doesnt sound so good.

This was already discussed in a previous thread. The powers unified by this directive (which is not the same as a law) already exist singularly, so there's not really anything new here. The key words are "extraordinary levels of mass casualty" i.e. Congress is wiped out, DC or NYC or another major metro are nuked, etc. And it's not really a Bush power grab, is it? He'll be out of office in another year and change. Calm down.

[mi35d]

Why does it seem that any bill signed by the president is somehow labeled a "Bush grab for power"?

Yet, despite this supposed mountain of power that he has somehow "grabbed", I'm still waiting for the dictator like power grab to occur. If you follow the left's mindset and their belief that they're going to win in 2008, these laws would actually benefit THEM in their own "power grabbing" attempts.