The Unitary King George

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/23128

The Unitary King George
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-05-31 10:32. Media

By Marjorie Cohn

As the nation focused on whether Congress would exercise its constitutional duty to cut funding for the war, Bush quietly issued an unconstitutional bombshell that went virtually unnoticed by the corporate media.

The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, signed on May 9, 2007, would place all governmental power in the hands of the President and effectively abolish the checks and balances in the Constitution.

If a "catastrophic emergency" - which could include a terrorist attack or a natural disaster - occurs, Bush's new directive says: "The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government."

What about the other two co-equal branches of government? The directive throws them a bone by speaking of a "cooperative effort" among the three branches, "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." The Vice-President would help to implement the plans.

"Comity," however, means courtesy, and the President would decide what kind of respect for the other two branches of government would be "proper." This Presidential Directive is a blatant power grab by Bush to institutionalize "the unitary executive."

A seemingly innocuous phrase, the unitary executive theory actually represents a radical, ultra rightwing interpretation of the powers of the presidency. Championed by the conservative Federalist Society, the unitary executive doctrine gathers all power in the hands of the President and insulates him from any oversight by the congressional or judicial branches.

more...

[Captain Hilts]

1. He's our Third George. Let's call him 'George the Third'. nt

[bdamomma]

2. this seems very serious, and should be brought forward to our

Senators and Reps, this should not go unnoticed. and they should not be playing this down, cause apparently some people are saying this is totally okay. :wtf:

[babylonsister]

3. I'm mailing this to KO; maybe he can bring some attention to this. nt

[bdamomma]

4. keith seems to be our ears.

this needs more coverage.

[bdamomma]

5. that was a WH press release right??

I think I'll send it to him also.

[babylonsister]

6. Here's the link to the directive:

Link to presidential directive: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/2007050...

[bdamomma]

7. I got it, and just sent it to Keith. thanks

we are his reporters!!!!!

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

8. It is definitely NOT okay. Any effort to consolidate all power in the executive is NOT okay.

It's not okay no matter who is the president and it's especially NOT okay in the hands of this machiavellian, power-mongering regime.

Those who tremble at such a move by this administration have EVERY RIGHT AND JUSTIFICATION to be so concerned. I mean, consider precisely what the PNACers would do in the event of another 'terror' attack. :scared: They will relentlessly wage a world war in an effort to control the oil in the M.E. no matter what the possible outcomes.

[deutsey]

9. The foundation is all there...all they need is a reason

And they're really good at coming up with such reasons.

:evilfrown: