Bush Making a Grab for Power?

[floslib]

While I was reading various news sites on the internet, I came across an article that worries me a fair bit. Here it is: Bush makes power grab

And the version on the White House page (more complicated, for anyone interested in detail): National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive

So obviously this worries me because I think President Bush has already made terrible choices in office, and has way too much power as it is. Giving him absolute power would make everything to this point look like the good old days. We need him out of office as soon as we can get him out.

I know there is a clause on the books somewhere that allows the constitution to be suspended in times of crisis, but I don't know if it applies with what these articles claim is happening now or not. And if it does, or if this goes through anyway, is there anything we can do to effectively oppose it? Maybe he could be impeached before he could make use of the clause? Maybe there's something congress can do, despite the fact it doesn't sound like it from how the directive is worded?

If nothing else, at least this might help get the word out that this directive exists.

Admittedly, I could be worried about nothing, and there may not be a circumstance that allows him to use the directive before leaving office.

[Brutha]

I know there is a clause on the books somewhere that allows the constitution to be suspended in times of crisis,

In time of crisis it doesn't matter much what clauses are in the books.

Words have no magical power.

[pianoperformer]

Wow, I don't like that...why do this if he isn't planning something? i thought there were already provisions for martial law?

[PianoManGidley]

I wouldn't be too worried about it, as 1) the article states that Congress can keep the President in check by limiting his powers if they feel he acted irresponsibly in this and 2) this article was published over a year ago and the President has done nothing so far to implement this ability.

[schola]

Wow. I had heard of this but I had never read the text of the directive.

Here are some juicy quotes:

The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government.

So the President has the power in an emergency situation.

An official designated by the Chief of Staff to the President shall ensure that the executive branch's COOP and COG policies in support of ECG efforts are appropriately coordinated with those of the legislative and judicial branches in order to ensure interoperability and allocate national assets efficiently to maintain a functioning Federal Government.

He has power over the other 2 branches as well.

Federal Government COOP, COG, and ECG plans and operations shall be appropriately integrated with the emergency plans and capabilities of State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to promote interoperability and to prevent redundancies and conflicting lines of authority. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate the integration of Federal continuity plans and operations with State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to provide for the delivery of essential services during an emergency.

And power over state and local governments and private organizations and corporations.

Vital resources, facilities, and records must be safeguarded, and official access to them must be provided;

And access to whatever records he sees fit.

Provision must be made for the acquisition of the resources necessary for continuity operations on an emergency basis;

And he can take possession of whatever else he sees fit.

As a result of the asymmetric threat environment, adequate warning of potential emergencies that could pose a significant risk to the homeland might not be available, and therefore all continuity planning shall be based on the assumption that no such warning will be received.

So we can assume that the "provisions" in this directive are already in place by now.


Don't forget that the President after Bush will have access to these expanded powers too. The threat doesn't end with Dubya.

[Dannyboy1]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I will leave everything to fight for the people if he tries to stay in office!

[schola]

I think it will probably be more subtle than that Dannyboy. Bush is too unpopular now to make a power grab. But the next President...

The corruption in Washington extends far beyond George W. Bush.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by schola

I think it will probably be more subtle than that Dannyboy. Bush is too unpopular now to make a power grab. But the next President...

The corruption in Washington extends far beyond George W. Bush.

I'm not even kidding here. I believe Bush and whoever is backing him would let a horrible terrorist attack happen just so he could remain President. I truly believe he does not care about individual lives. He certainly doesn't care in foreign countries or with our own soldiers. I hope to God I'm wrong, but I would not be surprised if a horribly successful attack happens before he leaves office.

[Dan.Linehan]

I think he has shown that he doesn't know how to respond to terrorist attacks. The public would just want him out that much more.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

I think he has shown that he doesn't know how to respond to terrorist attacks. The public would just want him out that much more.

But he's too stupid to realize it. He would use that law and seize control. I guarantee it. Then what?