Humboldt County CA Democrats Lead the Nation in Challenging Bush on Dictatorial Powers
Submitted by Chip on Sat, 2007-08-11 20:19
HUMBOLDT DEMOCRATS MAY BE FIRST TO CHALLENGE BUSH ON HIS EXECUTIVE
ORDERS GIVING HIM 'DICTATORIAL POWERS' IN TIMES OF NATIONAL EMERGENCIES
In what is believed to be a first in the nation, the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee has called for bipartisan action by Congress to overturn two Executive Orders recently issued by President George Bush that the Committee believes would allow him to assume "dictatorial powers" during a national emergency and to confiscate the assets of those opposing the Iraq war at any time--both in violation of the rights of citizens under the U.S. Constitution.A resolution approved by the Committee Wednesday night asserts that an Executive Order issued on May 9 would override the National Emergencies Act, a federal law passed by Congress in 1976, that gives the President certain powers if he declares an emergency but provides Congress with a means to countermand the President’s declaration and allows for judicial review. In addition, a July 17 Executive Order would authorize the Treasury Department to freeze and confiscate the assets of anyone even suspected of using undefined violence in opposition to the Iraq war without provision for judicial review.
The July 17 Order, in effect, serves to criminalize the antiwar movement and make opposition to the war an illegal act, the Resolution contends.The two Orders violate the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution, the resolution maintains.
The HCDCC resolution asserts that they "could lead to an extraordinary, unprecedented and unconstitutional taking of legislative and judicial branch prerogatives at great costs to personal rights hard-won by generations of Americans." The HCDCC is believed to be the first group or individual anywhere to critically review the Orders, together with a related National Intelligence Estimate issued by the CIA on July 11.
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http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/25687
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