Regarding the Bush Executive Order Criminalizing the Antiwar Movement

[G_j]

http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=23032

Bush Executive Order: Criminalizing the Antiwar Movement
by Prof. Michel Chossudovsky

<snip>

This latest executive order criminalizes the peace movement. It must be viewed in relation to various pieces of "anti-terrorist" legislation, the gamut of presidential and national security directives, etc., which are ultimately geared towards repealing constitutional government in the case of an impending "national emergency".

The war criminals in high office are intent upon repressing all forms of dissent which question the legitimacy of the war in Iraq. The executive order combined with the existing anti terrorist legislation is eventually intended to be used against the anti-war and civil rights movements. It can be used to seize the assets of antiwar groups in America as well as block the property and activities of non-governmental humanitarian organizations providing relief in Iraq, seizing the assets of alternative media involved in a critique of the US-led war, etc.

In May 2007, Bush issued a major presidential National Security Directive (National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive NSPD 51/HSPD 20), which would suspend constitutional government and instate broad dictatorial powers under martial law in the case of a "Catastrophic Emergency" (Second 9/11 terrorist attack.

On July 11, 2007 the CIA published its National Intelligence Estimate which pointed to an imminent Al Qaeda attack on America, a second 9/11 which would according to NSPD 51 immediately be followed by the suspension of constitutional government.

NSPD 51 grants unprecedented powers to the Presidency and the Department of Homeland Security, overriding the foundations of Constitutional government. It allows the sitting president to declare a “national emergency” without Congressional approval The adoption of NSPD 51 would lead to the de facto closing down of the Legislature and the militarization of justice and law enforcement.

The executive order to confiscate the assets of antiwar/peace activists is broadly consistent with NSPD 51. It could be triggered even in the absence of a "Catastrophic emergency" as envisaged under NSPD 51. It goes one step further in "criminalizing" all forms of opposition and dissent. to the US led war and "Homeland Security" agenda.

<snip>

[msongs]

1. so, what is the democratic party congressional doing about this, if anything? nt

[ikojo]

14. Since Clinton wanted to enact similar legislation

following the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995, the Dems will do NOTHING. They fear being perceived as weak on terror (remember John Kerry said he'd HUNT down Osama bin Laden and KILL him and KILL every terrorist?)

[stellanoir]

2. Let's see. . .

Start an un winnable war against a sovereign nation that poses no threat, based entirely on bogus intelligence (sheer stupidity,) loot the treasury solely to enrich your cronies, compromise our global standing, trash our constitution, thus robbing the futures of us and most of our kids, and they can further rob us of our hard earned resources.

Okay now everyone bend over and say Bwahhhhhhhhhh.

No need to complain.

Have a nice day.

/sarcasm.

Congress better stop behaving like an "invertebrate."

[G_j]

3. "invertebrate" Congress

fits...

[H2O Man]

11. It fits

quite well.

[CrispyQ]

15. ...

[G_j]

17. =.=

:rofl:

[TroglodyteScholar]

18. Mr Fish is my hero!

Best cartoons since the Far Side. It's just a lovely bonus that Mr Fish is political.

:toast:

[Gabi Hayes]

24. my desktop picture

[leftchick]

12. Nancy says "I hear you now shut up!"

<snip>

Pelosi also reiterated Saturday that she would not engage in what would perhaps be the biggest confrontation possible with the White House -- seeking the impeachment of Bush over the Iraq war.

The speaker said she had "no hesitation" criticizing the president about his handling of the war, but said there were more important priorities for lawmakers -- such as health care and creating jobs -- than the divisive pursuit of impeachment.

"Look, it's hard enough for us to end the war. I don't know how we would be successful in impeaching the president," Pelosi said.

She did note that calls for the president's removal are not coming just from San Francisco.

"I'm not unsympathetic to the concern people have -- I hear it all over the country. People here have said to me, 'Well, people on the left want the president to be impeached.' I hear it across the board across the country. It's not just the left," Pelosi said.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/21/BAGKTR4SJC3.DTL&tsp=1

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. the particular words of the Executive Order that concern me

in the part that reads "(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of"

...are: "to pose a significant risk of committing".

The Order doesn't define violence nor limit it to violence abroad or internal to the United States. But furthermore, it provides for the seizure of assets and imprisonment of any alleged violator based merely on the perception that they might pose a significant risk of violence. In other words, no violence needs to have been committed but only the asumption that certain activity could lead to violence. This could be applied to quite a few public demonstrations and any one where there is even the slightest confrontation between demonstrators and police.

This is intended to have a chilling effect on the leaders of any anti-war movements in trying to stop them from publicly expressing dissent.

[Selatius]

6. It sounds like the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act Wilson used to destroy the anti-war movement

Back then, the US was embroiled in a different world war in far away Europe, but the oppression back home was devastating to the anti-war movement.

[SpiralHawk]

16. Thought Crime

If the Big Brother Totalitarian Republicons imagine that you have thought about something they don't like, you are subject to their fascist brutal, anti-American punishment.

[bobthedrummer]

22. Add some Philip K. Dick, Sinclair Lewis, etc. yet NSPD51 is real kick

[annabanana]

20. preemptive..... (SOP for this crowd). . . . . n/t

[bobthedrummer]

21. .

[Selatius]

5. Bush is one mass casualty event away from becoming Adolf Hitler.

When the attack comes, the White House's absolute power will become apparent. The rule of law will be replaced with absolutism.

[G_j]

7. absolutism

we're sliding in that direction as we speak.

[ikojo]

13. And there will be people on this board

saying how we must gather around our leaders and support our troops...even as those same troops aim guns at those who disagree with the administration.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. NOT ON THIS BOARD! NO ONE I know of on DU would EVER support such a thing. Where the hell

did you get that idea?

[Karenina]

8. K&R!!!

:kick:

[Solly Mack]

9. K&R

[seemslikeadream]

10. War and Globalization

War and Globalization
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3117338213439292490&q=Hijacking+Catastrophe&total=29&start=20&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=7

[bobthedrummer]

19. .