Can This Be True??? Bush grants presidency extraordinary powers

[babsbunny]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55825

President Bush has signed a directive granting extraordinary powers to the office of the president in the event of a declared national emergency, apparently without congressional approval or oversight.

The "National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive" was signed May 9, notes Jerome R. Corsi in a WND column.

It was issued with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security Presidential Directive, and HSPD-20, as a Homeland Security Presidential Directive.

The directive establishes under the office of the president a new national continuity coordinator whose job 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.

[babylonsister]

1. Yes-here's another thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3275744

[rurallib]

2. true true. Wanna have some fun? Go to Google and

enter "FEMA camps". Then read up on your new homes.

[FloridaJudy]

3. Really scary stuff

Unfortunately, it's true:

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

I just want to know why the hell none of the MSM have covered this! I'm a fanatical on-line news junkie, and I didn't even read about this until today (via a link from Common Dreams). The Madman-in-Chief has granted himself absolute, unrestrained power in the event of some unspecified "emergency", and no reporters are calling in "stop the presses"?

At this point I wouldn't even trust Bush with a pair of blunt scissors, let alone the authority this gives him. :scared:

[MonkeyFunk]

5. Did you read the directive?

I don't see what's so scary. There NEEDS to be a plan in place in case of a severe crisis.

Go read it - it's really not that scary.

[SoonerPride]

7. um, don't we already have laws, and uh, stuff?

I know this might seem like an archaic notion, but doesn't Congress write the rules, regulations and procedures for how our goverment functions? You know, those dusty old things called "laws?"

Doesn't the Constitution lay out the order of succession in crisis?

Aren't there already procedures on the books to deal with this?

And even if there was a gap in laying it all out neatly, isn't it the job of Congress to write the legislation that details what will happen and who is responsible for what in "x" situation?

Where, exactly, in the Constitution does it authorize a President to write "directives" on who will do what and how the government will respond? Who gives him the authority to ensure anything for anyone?

The Executive merely enforces and enacts the laws as passed by the people. He isn't an Emporer and cannot wipe his arse without our permission.

The precedent has already been set though, with this administration's numerous "signing statements" whereby he picks and chooses which laws or parts of laws he will adhere to. No one in the other two branches lifted a finger to stop him. Thus, creating his own law is now fine and dandy and hardly makes a blip on the public radar screen. We're all more concerned with the winner of American Idle and the latest price of a gallon of gas.

[FloridaJudy]

8. Of course there needs to be a plan

Just not this one! I carefully read it, and the description of "crisis" is so vague that it could be applied to almost any thing the President thinks it should be. Also, although it pays lip-service to "separation of powers, this is who's in charge:

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.

See any mention of Congress? Of the judiciary? Nope, it's all the Prez and his appointed toadies - er - advisors. Under a sane POTUS maybe this wouldn't be as scary, but we're dealing with one who's already suspended habeas corpus and thinks the Geneva convention only applies to other nations.

[polichick]

4. Well, he wanted to be a dictator.

Another step closer.

[Kool Kitty]

9. True enough, he is a step closer.

Before, he was only a dick.

[mr.alleycat]

6. Didn't he

Already declare we are under a national emergency?