El Presidente and "Catastrophic Emergencies"
From nagasvoice:
"From the Progressive, there's some worrying subsurface rumblings from Bush.
"The President has basically passed a bill declaring himself dictator in event of a 'catastrophic emergency."
http://progressive.org/mag_wx051807
"And he gets to declare what it is, & when it is one.
"I know that some time ago twistedchick had posted some links discussing the potential abuse of emergency powers to declare martial law.
"seamusyote brought it to our attention, here: http://seamusyote.livejournal.com/13606.html."
***
Okay, this is me talking.
First, here is the document in question. It's not a bill--I checked http://www.thomas.gov/. It's a presidential directive.
National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive.
This kind of thing--which I've seen entirely too often during the Shrubbery's terms in office--is frustrating, even maddening. Because I know it's wrong. I know that it violates the Constitution fifty ways from Sunday. And I wouldn't trust ANY politician, let alone the slimy semi-simian currently in the White House, to have the power to take over completely in case of an emergency and not use it.
The question is, what can be done about it?
Seriously, I'm trying to think of something to do--something actually halfway effective--and I can't think of a damned thing.
Any suggestions?
***
ETA: A possible explanation for this directive can be found here.
"From the Progressive, there's some worrying subsurface rumblings from Bush.
"The President has basically passed a bill declaring himself dictator in event of a 'catastrophic emergency."
http://progressive.org/mag_wx051807
"And he gets to declare what it is, & when it is one.
"I know that some time ago twistedchick had posted some links discussing the potential abuse of emergency powers to declare martial law.
"seamusyote brought it to our attention, here: http://seamusyote.livejournal.com/13606.html."
***
Okay, this is me talking.
First, here is the document in question. It's not a bill--I checked http://www.thomas.gov/. It's a presidential directive.
National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive.
This kind of thing--which I've seen entirely too often during the Shrubbery's terms in office--is frustrating, even maddening. Because I know it's wrong. I know that it violates the Constitution fifty ways from Sunday. And I wouldn't trust ANY politician, let alone the slimy semi-simian currently in the White House, to have the power to take over completely in case of an emergency and not use it.
The question is, what can be done about it?
Seriously, I'm trying to think of something to do--something actually halfway effective--and I can't think of a damned thing.
Any suggestions?
***
ETA: A possible explanation for this directive can be found here.