Bush could seize absolute control of U.S

[michael perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/printer_7986.shtml
Bush could seize absolute control of U.S. government
By DOUG THOMPSON
Publisher, Capitol Hill Blue
Jan 13, 2006, 07:42

President George W. Bush has signed executive orders giving him sole
authority to impose martial law, suspend habeas corpus and ignore the
Posse Comitatus Act that prohibits deployment of U.S. troops on
American streets. This would give him absolute dictatorial power over
the government with no checks and balances.

Bush discussed imposing martial law on American streets in the
aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by activating "national
security initiatives" put in place by Ronald Reagan during the 1980s.

These "national security initiatives," hatched in 1982 by
controversial Marine Colonel Oliver North, later one of the key
players in the Iran-Contra Scandal, charged the Federal Emergency
Management Agency with administering executive orders that allowed
suspension of the Constitution, implementation of martial law,
establishment of internment camps, and the turning the government
over to the President.
John Brinkerhoff, deputy director of FEMA, developed the martial law
implementation plan, following a template originally developed by
former FEMA director Louis Guiffrida to battle a "national uprising
of black militants." Gifuffrida's implementation of martial law
called for jailing at least 21 million African Americans in
"relocation camps." Brinkerhoff later admitted in an interview with
the Miami Herald that President Reagan signed off on the initiatives
and they remained in place, dormant, until George W. Bush took office.

Brinkerhoff moved on the Anser Institute for Homeland Security and,
following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, provided the Bush White House
and the Pentagon with talking points supporting revised "national
security initiatives" that would could allow imposition of martial
law and suspension of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1978, the law that
is supposed to forbid use of troops for domestic law enforcement.

Brinkerhoff wrote that intentions of Posse Comitatus are
"misunderstood and misapplied" and that the U.S. has in times of
national emergency the "full and absolute authority" to send troops
into American streets to "enforce order and maintain the peace."

Bush used parts of the plan to send troops into the streets of New
Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. In addition, FEMA hired former
special forces personnel from the mercenary firm Blackwater USA to
"enforce security."
Blackwater USA, in its promotional materials, describes itself as
"the most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement,
security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the
world," adding that ï¿1/2we have established a global presence and
provide training and operational solutions for the 21st century in
support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.ï¿1/2

Blackwater is also a major U.S. contractor in Iraq and has a contract
with the Bush White House to provide additional security work "on an
as-needed basis."

The Department of Homeland Security established the ï¿1/2Northern Command
for National Defense, - a wide-ranging program that includes FEMA, the
Pentagon, the FBI and the National Security Agency. Executive orders
already signed by Bush allow the Northern Command to send troops into
American streets, seize control of radio and television stations and
networks and impose martial law "in times of national emergency."

The authority to declare what is or is not a national emergency rests
entirely with Bush who does not have to either consult or seek the
approval of Congress for permission to assume absolute control over
the government of the United States.

The White House press office would neither confirm nor deny existence
of Bush's executive orders or the existence of the Northern Command
for National Defense. Neither would the Department of Homeland
Security.

But my sources within the White House and DHS tell me the plans are
in place, ready for implementation when the command comes from the
man who keeps telling the American public that he is a "war time
president" who will "do anything in my power" to impose his will on
the people of the United States.

And he has made sure that power will be absolute when he chooses to
use it.

Copyright 2006 by Capitol Hill Blue

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Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
Chico, CA 95929
530-898-5321
fax 530-898-5901