Democracy or Dictatorship? & Do we care?

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Bush's Martial Law Plan Is So Shocking, Even Congress Can't See it . member of Homeland Security Committee barred from viewing post-terror attack provisions Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet Monday, July 23, 2007 President Bush's post-terror attack martial law plan is so shocking that even sitting members of Congress and Homeland Security officials are barred from viewing it, another example of executive über alles and a chilling portent of what is to come as constant reminders of the inevitability of terror attacks reverberate. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D - OR) was asked by his constituents to see what was contained within the classified portion of the White House's plan for operating the government after a terrorist attack. Since DeFazio also sits on the Homeland Security Committee and has clearance to view classified material, the request would have appeared to be routine, but the Congressman was unceremoniously denied all access to view the documents, and the White House wouldn't even give an excuse as to why he was barred. "I just can't believe they're going to deny a member of Congress the right of reviewing how they plan to conduct the government of the United States after a significant terrorist attack," DeFazio told the Oregonian on Friday. "We're talking about the continuity of the government of the United States of America," DeFazio says. "I would think that would be relevant to any member of Congress, let alone a member of the Homeland Security Committee." "Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right," DeFazio concluded. The article also quotes Norm Ornstein, a legal scholar who studies government continuity at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, who told the paper he "cannot think of one good reason" to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee. "I find it inexplicable and probably reflective of the usual, knee-jerk overextension of executive power that we see from this White House," Ornstein said. The only plausible reason DeFazio was barred access to the documents is that the plans for a post-terror attack continuity of government scenario are so abhorrent that to reveal their true nature would cause a public outcry and lead to a major repeal of what is contained in the documents. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D - OR) What we already about Bush's recent spate of executive orders, and in particular PDD 51 , is bad enough - the provisions outline preparations for the implementation of open martial law in the event of a declared national emergency. New legislation signed on May 9, 2007 , declares that in the event of a "catastrophic event", the President can take total control over the government and the country, bypassing all other levels of government at the state, federal, local, territorial and tribal levels, and thus ensuring total unprecedented dictatorial power. It is important to understand that, although these powers have been on the books for previous presidents, Bush is the first to openly brag of the fact that he will utilize them and officially become the supreme emperor of the United States in the aftermath of a catastrophe that the government itself has said will happen on innumerable occasions. According to columnist and author Jerome Corsi , the power grab assures that "The president can declare to the office of the presidency powers usually assumed by dictators to direct any and all government and business activities until the emergency is declared over." Also in May, it was reported that a high-level group of government and military officials has been quietly preparing an emergency survival program named "The Day After," which would effectively end civil liberties and implement a system of martial law in the event of a catastrophic attack on a U.S. city. Last year we also exposed the existence of a nationwide FEMA program which is training Pastors and other religious representatives to become secret police enforcers who teach their congregations to "obey the government" in preparation for a declaration of martial law, property and firearm seizures, and forced relocation. The documents that Congressman DeFazio was blocked from seeing likely interlock with both these programs and detail the overarching agenda to effectively nullify what's left of the U.S. Constitution and firmly ensconce George W. Bush as a supreme dictator. Only by putting enough pressure on the media and in turn the White House to be transparent about what the secret martial law provisions are can we lead an effort to repeal them before the next terror attack, whether real or manufactured, takes place.

wow Angel read this online today. I see it is dated July and I wonder if this Congressman since then has been allowed to see this. Think i will check that out. What has happened to checks and balances, the 3 branches of our Govt? I do feel like a fraud most days teaching these basic concepts. Wish W was smart enough to read the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Those founding fathers must be rolling over in their graves, dont you think? I really do not want to believe that it is this bad. What is happening to our once great nation, and why the silence of so many people? Seems to me W uses nationalism, FEAR, and religion to get away with what he is getting away with. Shame on Congress for not doing the job they were elected to do. I called my Congressman and 2 Senators last May after i read about this PDD-51 the signing statement W signed May 9th, 2007 which in effect ,as you read above, makes him the head of ALL 3 BRANCHES of our Govt. in the event of another attack or even a natural disaster like Katrina. W gets to decide what is and what is not a natural disaster. I want you to know Both Sen. Brown and Voinovich offices knew nothing of what i was talking about. They promised to check into it and get back to me and i only heard back 2 months later from Sen. Brown. He sent me this worthless letter that said in essence thank you for contacting my office. I always enjoy hearing from my constituents and if i can be of any help to you in the future please dont hesitate to contact my office. wow a lot of nothing in other words. The other Senator never did reply as well as my Congressman. The Congressmans office did seem familar with PDD-51 and just told me that under the Patriot Act W was able to do all this under the law. The guy who answered the phone did not share my concerns.

Quotes of the Day

Robert.M.Hutchins :"The death of Democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment."

Elizabeth Cady Stanton :"That only a few, under any circumstances, protest against the injustice of long-established laws & customs, does not disprove the fact of the oppressions, while the satisfaction of the many, if real only proves their apathy & deeper degradation."

Henri Frederic Amiel: "Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence."

Plato: "The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."