Bush says he may need more power in disasters

[IChing]

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Monday urged Congress to examine whether the White House needs stronger powers to deal with catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina.

Bush’s backing for the congressional inquiry raised the possibility that lawmakers might expand presidential authority to:

• Order mandatory civilian evacuations

• Dispatch U.S.-based armed forces for emergency search-and-rescue operations

• Grant wider leeway for active-duty U.S. military personnel to carry out law enforcement operations.

“It’s really important that as we take a step back and learn lessons — that we are in a position to adequately answer the question: ‘Are we prepared for major catastrophes?”’ Bush said during a tour of hurricane damage in New Orleans.

He said if there was a terrorist attack with weapons of mass destruction, such as germ-warfare agents, “we’ve got to make sure we understand the lessons learned to be able to deal with catastrophe.”>>>>snip

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/12629945.htm

first 9-11 power grab then a katrina powergrab

[Erika]

1. I wouldn't trust W to change my cat's cat box in an emergency

at the most.

[hang a left]

8. No doubt....

but watch our lawmakers give exactly what the puppetmasters want.

[Pachamama]

149. If they give him what he wants and more power, then that's my signal to

leave the country!

Giving him more power is like giving the keys to a brand new sports car to the teenager who has been in 5 car crashes that totaled the cars in the last 30 days....

:eyes:

[TaleWgnDg]

37. What the hell is it w/ these neo-cons?

.
Exactly !!! What the hell is it w/ these neo-cons? They want less and less and less government in order to do their own thing without any laws to prevent them from doing their own thing.

However, where does that leave the rest of America? With no government to deliver needed services? And no way to do so w/o borrowing more money off the backs of our children and our grandchildren. Yes. With these incompetents running the government who cannot be trust to change the litter in a catbox? Yes.

Do I smell a swing back to large government and good solid social services delivered to America? And, the outcast of these neo-cons? I can hardly wait any longer. It's been one hell of a ride I've had to endure whilst the voters in America get up to speed with the rest of the civilized world, e.g., Canada, Europe. Indeed.

Piss on George Walker Bush and his off-the-wall radical neo-con reactionaries!!

.

[saigon68]

102. Let's just make the MOTHER FUCKER KING

</SARCASM>

[wellstone_democrat]

114. might as well make it official

n/t

[Pachamama]

150. Actually, that would be the perfect response by the Dems in a vote for *

to get more power....All the Dems can stand up and make great speeches and even introduce bills that pronounce a declaration to make him the king or emperor of the US empire....

That way, the message to Americans and the world would be heard loud and clear about what they need to know about Bush's request for more power...

[Proud_Lefty]

2. We knew it!

And if we haven't learned from our past mistakes, especially all we handed over after 9/11, we're in deep trouble.

[goforit]

85. You already have it A**hole! (0 congress/0 senate/0 supreme court)

[Dr Fate]

3. He just needs to use the ones he already has.

n/t

[jobycom]

15. Exactly. Either he or the states already have those powers, but Bush

wouldn't supply the troops to get it done. There were not enough National Gaurd left in Louisiana for the quick call-up required, so Bush should have ordered a call-up from other states before the hurricane.

After such disasters, it's fairly common to call for martial law, in which case the troops can perform law enforcement duties and have greater leeway over evacuations and search and rescue operations.

But you have to have troops there to get it done. That's exactly where Bush failed. He didn't lack the power, he lacked the ability to do the job.

[ReadTomPaine]

19. Actually, Martial Law hasn't been called in the USA since the Civil War

What you are referring to after hurricanes is a state of emergency. Martial Law generally means courts and civil law are suspended, among other things.

Here's a thread that discussed this issue somewhat:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4515354

One exception to this was Hawaii during WWII. Ironically, during the war of 1812, Andrew Jackson declared Martial Law in Louisiana after liberating New Orleans.

[jobycom]

31. "Nagin declares Martial Law to crack down on looters"

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWL083105lawless.1242410b.html

"Disgusted and furious with the lawlessness of looters who have put fear into citizens, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin declared Martial Law in the city and directed the city's 1,500 person police force to do "whatever it takes" to regain control of the city."

So I'm not sure what you are talking about.

[ReadTomPaine]

39. Nagin doesn't have the authority to declare Martial Law.

Here's a link that will help explain this more clearly:

Q. Has martial law been declared in Louisiana?

A. No.

"People are using that term far too loosely," said Duke University School of Law professor Scott Silliman. "Martial law can only be imposed by a governor or the president of the United States when there is a total absence of any governing authority (meaning no courts, etc). Martial law allows the federal military to come in to preserve the country."

This has not happened.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/08/martial.law.qanda/

[jobycom]

87. Martial Law was called after Camille in 1969

Martial law can be declared by a governor. It's more common than your first post suggested. I've heard it declared by local officials after hurricanes, but I guess they were using rhetoric. Still, it is normal to have the National Gaurd on the ground after a severe hurricane, and to put them in charge of preventing looting.

[ReadTomPaine]

133. Thanks for that tidbit! Didn't know about calling for ML after Camille n/t

[pitohui]

128. we have state of emergency in louisiana

that's our term for it

it was called before katrina ever hit

so i don't wanna hear anything more from the blowjobs, i mean, the blowhards be they chimperor of the usa

[Bluerthanblue]

132. Here is a link to Jeb declaring Martial Law in Fla on 9/7/01...

is this different???

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=25051

Admit I'm not a legal 'savvy' person, but it sure seems like this is the same as martial law.

[ReadTomPaine]

134. The circumstances involved with this declaration are quite interesting...

It seems as tho Jeb declared "stealth" Martial Law in Florida a few days before 9/11.

Wonder why he did that, eh?

[DoYouEverWonder]

36. I believer there is a difference between the State issuing Marshall Law

Which has been done numerous times in the past and even during Katrina, has opposed to the Federal Government calling Marshall Law which is rare.

[ReadTomPaine]

42. Check post #39 above.

[sarcasmo]

60. When * wants active-duty U.S. military personnel to carry out law

enforcement duties. Martial Law will be enacted the next time. Looks like this was a great trial run for the Dictator in late 07.

[Bluerthanblue]

117. didn't brothet 'jebby' declare Martial law BEFORE 9/11? or was

that a 'State of Emergency'? I distinctly remember he signed into effect a 'uh-oh' before there was anything to 'uh-oh' about..???

[unrepuke]

126. I remember that - he had the expected attack date wrong

[ReadTomPaine]

135. Very interesting indeed. n/t

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

49. I agree...

... waiting until there was "proof" that the Louisiana National Guard were unable to deal with the emergency due to staff and equipment being out of the country gave them the perfect copout to "LIHOP" on Katrina.

[krkaufman]

18. Precisely. But his failure to do so is why they must PRETEND...

... that additional powers are needed. This bid for add'l powers will create the MISperception that he *didn't* already have the power/authority to act.

Same as 9/11 and the Patriot Act. Had to create the Patriot Act in order to create the perception that investigative actions were somehow thwarted by existing laws --- rather than by his own negligence and incompetence.

[FlaGranny]

93. Nixon had no trouble with

Hurricane Camille. Of course Nixon had a brain in his head.

[krkaufman]

148. Yep. I was just thinking that everybody is decrying Mike Brown's....

... lack of qualifications for the Directorship of FEMA, and it occurred to me that the media are missing a very basic point....

George Bush *is* Mike Brown. Bush's qualifications are no better than Mike Brown's; and the media overlooked both guy's lack of qualifications.

[not fooled]

110. yup, I smell a big power grab.

[Coastie for Truth]

29. He's too incompetent to use it.

Wastes all of his time on Rove smear jobs.

[NEOBuckeye]

4. Bush doesn't need more powers. He needs a prison sentence. n/t

[evlbstrd]

5. There's your answer to the lack of Federal response to Katrina.

A reach for even broader powers domestically. The camps are coming.

[IChing]

12. We had hurricanes before but never a president that did as much damage as

One, until now
Kristallnacht, Kristallnacht, Kristallnacht!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pachamama]

151. He's going to ask the Congress to abolish the Posse Comitatus Act - I've

seen this coming for years....here it comes....

Will the Congress bend over and say "Ja Wohl mein Fuehrer" and will the American people shake in fear and say "Whatever you need to keep us safe?"

:eyes:

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on .....

[ninkasi]

6. No matter what happens....

Bush wants more power. NO! He had the power to help during Katrina, and chose instead to eat cake and play a guitar. No matter what happens, he tries to seize power because of it. He can't effectively delegate the power he has now, why give him more?

[Mz Pip]

7. Why?

So he can screw up more? Duh. I don't think so.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[0007]

66. ....or at least at a faster pace.

[0007]

104. A hummer has lots of power. Ask Clinton! What I meant to say

is that junior should drive a Hummer, they have power to spare.

[alittlelark]

9. I don't think he'll have much of a chance w/ this power grab

Too many know that he was disinterested from the get-go in NO. The president does not need additional powers - he/she just needs to PAY ATTENTION, DAMMIT!!!!

[Carolab]

10. Oh, dear God, here it is: DICTATORSHIP.

And THIS is what Roberts is for--to extend *'s "powers".

This whole thing was premeditated for two reasons:

1. Get people to distrust the agencies "in charge".
2. Privatize the duties of these "inept" agencies.

SO transparent.

[ladylibertee]

22. Point well spoken. I could not have said it better myself.

[CrispyQ]

98. Transparent to us.

The sheeple do not seem to be aware of bushco's strategy, as they bow at the feet of their fearless leader, grateful that he is saving them from big government, nary aware that someday when they realize the bait & switch he has pulled on them, it will be too late to get back what they so willing gave up.

Someday in the near future millions of sheeple are going to wake up & wonder what the fuck happened.

[applegrove]

11. No. Just do the job itemized in the government documents you have.

[complain jane]

140. That would be refreshing.

[Patchuli]

13. Actually, what is needed

is the power of the people to get rid of the incompetent dunce in the WH.

[ingac70]

14. So this is why he sat on his ass....

Instead of acknowledging the disaster right away.

To make up another lame excuse for wiping his ass with the Constitution.

[Trillo]

16. Bush says he needs more POWER for

strummin' his gift-guitar.

http://media.zzounds.com.nyud.net:8090/media/fit,325by400/quality,85/brand,zzounds/MF350headAcab-6df26fed39633333bc394511dfd90a5f.jpg

[me b zola]

17. Chilling.

The only thing scarier than reading this are the droves of people whom have their brain on automatic pilot. At what point do the sheeple wake-up?

Incredible. So this is how the little bastard takes responsibility??????? Ok. I read him loud & clear. :grr: :mad:

[NYC]

20. Now we know what Thursday night's speech will be about.

He'll tell us how miserably the Katrina rescue failed because he didn't have enough power.

[Generator]

118. Oh Jesus

I think you are right! I really am going nuts here. Am I the only one banging my head pointlessly at the screen watching the world be re-made slowly into this creeping fascism like a horror show? Just like Roberts-he looks so "nice" and he is the face of the banality of evil, one decision at a time.

[Pachamama]

152. I'm also like you...constantly banging my head in disbelief and feeling

like no one sees it and its so friggin clear and obvious what they are doing....I've been telling my family and friends for 2 years now that Posse Comitatus Act was the next thing in their sites....they all called me paranoid....

Un-effing believable...its deja vu all over....we get to live thru fascist re-dux 2000-2008: a space odyssey....

[ngGale]

21. More power is the last thing * needs...

he abuses and misuses the power he already has. He has too much power, he needs less.

[IChing]

23. **** said: " weapons of mass destruction, such as germ-warfare agents"

Not that we found those CIA agents who used anthrax during 9-11

I found that line a little alarming to say the least.

[IChing]

111. DID YOU READ THIS ON WMDs AND GERM-WARFARE AGENTS??????????????

Was this mentioned on purpose?

[Qibing Zero]

24. Eff the executive branch.

"Smaller government" my ass, they just want a dictatorship.

This is what happens when power-hungry closed-minded bastards gain control. I've always thought that our system of checks and balances was much too easily abused by the executive branch, and bush's presidency proves it. Congress constantly passes bills that the president approves of because they 'trust' his judgement, and even when the more progressive members disagree with something, there aren't nearly enough of them to do anything about it. The president has the power to name supreme court justices, so the exact same thing happens.

Fuck! We shouldn't be absolutely trusting of any president's will, let alone bush's. Wasn't our government founded on the principle of not trusting anyone in a position of power? Oh wait, no - the persons in positions of power are supposed to be checking on each other. Oh, okay. I guess if all else fails, we're supposed to just forget the entire thing and lead a popular revolution?

It's time people start realizing why the Constitution is such a great document: because it allows itself to be amended.

[expatriot]

25. PEOPLE: the thing is, he already HAD these powers. He COULD have done

these things RE: Stafford Act that was passed by Congress a long time ago.

http://www.ohioema.org/robertt.htm
GENERAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 402. In any major disaster, the President may -

(1) direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities and the resources granted to it under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) in support of State and local assistance efforts;
(2) coordinate all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and local governments;
(3) provide technical and advisory assistance to affected State and local governments for -
(A) the performance of essential community services;
(B) issuance of warnings of risks and hazards;
(C) public health and safety information, including dissemination of such information;
(D) provision of health and safety measures; and
(E) management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety; and
(4) assist State and local governments in the distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and emergency assistance.

ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 403. (a) In General. Federal agencies may on the direction of the President, provide assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster, as follows:

(1) Federal Resources, Generally. Utilizing, lending, or donating to State and local governments Federal equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other resources, other than the extension of credit, for use or distribution by such governments in accordance with the purposes of this Act.
(2) Medicine, Food, and Other Consumable. Distributing or rendering through State and local governments, the American National Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and other relief and disaster assistance organizations medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and other services and assistance to disaster victims.
(3) Work and Services to Save Lives and Protect Property. Performing on public or private lands or waters any work or services essential to saving lives and protecting and preserving property or public health and safety, including -
(A) debris removal;
(B) search and rescue, emergency medical care, emergency mass care, emergency shelter, and provision of food, water, medicine, and other essential needs, including movement of supplies or persons;
(C) clearance of roads and construction of temporary bridges necessary to the performance of emergency tasks and essential community services;
(D) provision of temporary facilities for schools and other essential community services;
(E) demolition of unsafe structures which endanger the public;
(F) warning of further risks and hazards;
(G) dissemination of public information and assistance regarding health and safety measures;
(H) provision of technical advice to State and local governments on disaster management and control; and
(I) reduction of immediate threats to life, property, and public health and safety.
(4) Contributions. Making contributions to State or local governments or owners or operators of private nonprofit facilities for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subsection.



(c) Utilization of DOD Resources -

(1) General Rule. During the immediate aftermath of an incident which may ultimately qualify for assistance under this title or title V of this Act, the Governor of the State in which the incident occurred may request the President to direct the Secretary of Defense to utilize resources of the Department of Defense for the purpose of performing on public and private lands any emergency work which is made necessary by such incident and which is essential for the preservation of life and property. If the President determines that such work is essential for the preservation of life and property, the President shall grant such request to the extent the President determines practical. Such emergency work may only be carried out for a period not to exceed 10 days.
(2) Rules Applicable to Debris Removal. Any removal of debris and wreckage carried out under this subsection shall be subject to section 407(b), relating to unconditional authorization and indemnification for debris removal.
(3) Expenditures Out of Disaster Relief Funds. The cost of any assistance provided pursuant to this subsection shall be reimbursed out of funds made available to carry out his Act.
(4) Federal Share. The Federal share of assistance under this subsection shall be not less than 75 percent.
(5) Guidelines. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988, the President shall issue guidelines for carrying out this subsection. Such guidelines shall consider any likely effect assistance under this subsection will have on the availability of other forms of assistance under this Act.
(6) Definitions. For purposes of this section -
(A) Department of Defense. The term "Department of Defense" has the meaning the term "department" has under section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
(B) Emergency Work. The term "emergency work" includes clearance and removal of debris and wreckage and temporary restoration of essential public facilities and services.

[WePurrsevere]

54. Thank you! I was trying to remember that last night!

As many here have said... he does NOT need MORE power... he needed to use the power he already HAD.

[Neecy]

80. maybe not..

I don't see anything in the Stafford Act that covers the third item in the original post:

Grant wider leeway for active-duty U.S. military personnel to carry out law enforcement operations.

This is what they want - the ability to call out active duty military to invade our cities in the event of an 'emergency', i.e. civil unrest. This is the final step to a police state.

[FlaGranny]

94. Maybe the Bush administration

has no one in it that is familiar with the Stafford Act. It wouldn't surprise me.

[BadGimp]

26. What if this was the "End Game: they had planned all along?

What if this is exactly what they wanted and saw this tradegy as a way to achieve it.

Would you put it past them?

"ALWAYS BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND"
annonymous

These people are always acting according to a plan that is many steps ahead of the present supposed reality.

See past the seemingly obvious...see the intended End Game.

Just think about it!

[tanyev]

61. Hijacking Catastrophe.

They've already done it once.

[slay]

27. Do you want Bush to have the power to make you leave your home?

And force troops in your city? New Orleans was a special case - it was below sea level. This is nothing more than another power grab by the NeoCons. I wouldn't be surprised if they responded so slowly just for this purpose - to make us give them more power, and give up our rights. :mad:

[kineneb]

146. Hell no!

That is My responsibility. If I need rescuing, I will ask. As for his Brownshirt commandos, once they are in the door, they are legal targets...I don't care who they are.

[Be Brave]

28. Hey, chimpass, you don't need more presidential power

What you need is more brain power.

Leave it to the idiot to turn every disaster into a chance to grab more power.

[nolabels]

32. We could always send him a magic wand and some pixie dust

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/celebrity/wizard.htm

[AnneD]

156. more power...right

when monkeys fly outta my butt.

[OneBlueSky]

30. gee . . . using Katrina to advance the BushCo agenda . . .

whoda thunk it??? . . .
:sarcasm:

[applegrove]

33. More power for the communications networks that keep failing?

[DoYouEverWonder]

34. He didn't use the power he already had

Bush & Co need to be removed from power, not given more.

[strizi64]

35. back in 1933

it was the same. Democrats handen over power to Hitler. Never forget and fight the beginning

[Wordie]

38. Bush uses his failure to increase his power??? The guy's unbelievable! nt

[zum]

40. I'm skeptical

when people who claim to want smaller, less intrusive government claim to need more and greater power through legislation to achieve it....

[annabanana]

46. umm.....yup

welcome to DU...

[deadparrot]

70. These people are *not* conservatives.

It's just a guise to give the impression that they aren't what they are...far-right extremists.

[arrianna]

41. Bush needs more power

like my ass needs a boil :hurts:

[DELUSIONAL]

43. Write your congressional Reps and Senators

telling them that bushie and the FEDS didn't use the power they were given -- and giving them MORE isn't going to fix the problem.

Be sure to read this

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/politics/12637130.htm

Chertoff delayed federal response, memo shows

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The federal official with the power to mobilize a massive federal response to Hurricane Katrina was Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, not the former FEMA chief who was relieved of his duties and resigned earlier this week, federal documents reviewed by Knight Ridder show.

Even before the storm struck the Gulf Coast, Chertoff could have ordered federal agencies into action without any request from state or local officials. Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown had only limited authority to do so until about 36 hours after the storm hit, when Chertoff designated him as the "principal federal official" in charge of the storm.

As thousands of hurricane victims went without food, water and shelter in the days after Katrina's early morning Aug. 29 landfall, critics assailed Brown for being responsible for delays that might have cost hundreds of lives.

But Chertoff - not Brown - was in charge of managing the national response to a catastrophic disaster, according to the National Response Plan, the federal government's blueprint for how agencies will handle major natural disasters or terrorist incidents. An order issued by President Bush in 2003 also assigned that responsibility to the homeland security director.

But according to a memo obtained by Knight Ridder, Chertoff didn't shift that power to Brown until late afternoon or evening on Aug. 30, about 36 hours after Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi. That same memo suggests that Chertoff may have been confused about his lead role in disaster response and that of his department.

Chertoff's Aug. 30 memo is posted at www.krwashington.com

[Disturbed]

45. More and more power until...

the Silverspoon Sociopath is the Dicktator that he craves to be.

Why can't some former CIA personnel with those special skills get rid of this Bush Crime Admim.? Just askin'.

[malaise]

44. Bush is a disaster n/t

[jamesinca]

47. No he doesn't need more power

He can't handle the power that he has. The only thing he has not done is launch a nuclear weapon, purposely or accidently. That is next though you watch.

[AspenRose]

101. *cue to legislation to approve pre-emptive nuclear strikes*

:scared:

The man's bad news...BIG TIME

[bklyncowgirl]

48. The Patriot Act for disaster assistance

One of the immediate responses to 9/11 was to create the Patriot Act which seriously eroded civil rights in the name of fighting terrorism.

Now they're proposing legislation that would allow the president to sieze power from state and local officials.

In both cases, had the Federal Government been doing their jobs with the powers they had, the tragedies would have been much less horrifying and in the case of 9/11 might never have happened in the first place.

The goal of this is to deflect criticism of the President and to centralize power in the executive branch.

[no_hypocrisy]

50. Electrified fences around FEMA Camps

[laruemtt]

51. try a little less vacation time and

using a few more brain cells, you idiot sob.

[Gman]

52. These bastards have a grand plan

You don't just grab more and more power and run the risk that a Democrat will be in office with all that power. It defies logic. They plan on having and using all the power they can grab for a very long time into the future. These bastards do absolutely nothing without a reason and they damn sure don't do anything for humanitarian reasons. They're up to something new with this.

[O.M.B.inOhio]

53. Election fraud, so much corruption, the stakes are high to stay in power.

[Me.]

108. Totally

This is the very reason why he was trying to blackmail Blanco into federalizing the state which she refused to do.

[ananda]

55. uh oh

Looks like Bush is using his .. errr.. failure to continue and strengthen the USA government and executive powers in the ongoing effort to turn this country into a thirdworld police state.

What happened in NOLA was the practice run.

Sue

[NCPatriot]

56. You see - He already has the Power!

Who appointed Chertoff?

Who appointed Brownie?

Who pulls their strings?

So... IMHO, Bush already HAS the power and obviously does not know how to use it wisely!

I cannot believe I used the words Bush + wisely in the same sentence!

<Edit for Spelling - only 1-cup of coffee so far!>

[Benhurst]

57. Come on now. He does need more powers for future disasters.

Unfortunately brain transplants have not been perfected.

And nobody's ever figured out how someone can grow a pair who doesn't have any.

[Pacifist Patriot]

58. Oh good gravy. All he needs is this...

Hey Bush, it's not about more power, it's about using the power you've got correctly! Jackass.

[Corgigal]

59. Why does this President need more powers

when his own staff has to give him a DVD of the news ? If he can't be bothered watching the news or reading a newspaper, what good is he? He has no idea what is going on in this country and doesn't believe he needs to know unless it's about him.

Yeah, we all need to give him more powers and hope that someone on his staff, who's brave and doesn't mind Bush flipping out on him,
will make a DVD of the important topics of the day.

This is the reason why we don't want a regular Joe being a President. If they don't read, aren't curious and have no understanding of middle America and it's poor then they shouldn't
be in office.

[rodeodance]

62. this is dangerous. congress (Patriot act) granted more powers as a

'solution' to 9/11--now with this disaster and a Republican congress with whimpy Dems--Bush wants more power.
This is dangerous.

[leesa]

63. ????? Give this dweeb more power? Well, there's a death wish.

Wasn't this the same fool who took responsibility yesterday?

[bunny planet]

64. No way George. You've got way more power than any village idiot should

have as it is. Seems like your little quasi-apology has another more sinister motive after all. What a surprise.

[electron_blue]

65. uh-huh, what I said would happen on Sep 2

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4579305

[Lithos]

67. He already has these powers

They are already included in the Stafford Act, he was the one who chose not to use them.

This is yet another attempt to confuse the issue by the Administration to hide their incompetence.

L-

[Maraya1969]

68. Well if that doesn't mean the end of the world I don't know what does

[deadparrot]

69. No, George, we need someone with actual ability.

:crazy:

[athenap]

71. More power?

How about 2000 volts, sitting down, for murder through criminal negligence. I hear they still have one in Texas...
:sarcasm: (I am only snarking...I'd rather see him do live and have to live with it)

This makes that "I stayed on vacation" even more sinister than incompetent. If this spoiled brat gets what he wants, we're all in trouble.

[SeanQ]

72. No thanks, particularly to the third one!

Just do the job you have the authority to do correctly!!! If more armed services personnel are needed in an emergency situation then get the frelling National Guard home!!!

[Solly Mack]

73. Keep expanding the powers of the executive and Congress can disband

Who needs them with such a powerful executive office?

So if Congress wants to keep neutering themselves, go ahead, keep expanding those powers - and if you're expanding them in the hopes of one day retaking the Whitehouse-you're a bigger fool than joe blow republican is...as if Republicans in Congress would allow a Democratic President to get away with this shit.

[SillyGoose]

74. WRONG. He needs to stop engaging in cronyism when filling vacancies

in vitally important agencies. He also needs to get his ass to work instead of lolling around for weeks on end on vacation.

I see no reason to expand his powers when he can't manage the damn power he already has.

If I'm not mistaken, it took him 4 days to authorize the deployment of other states' NG troops into Louisiana after the Governor's request. Maybe if those troops and other resources had been in place at the proper time this whole thing wouldn't be an issue. And maybe if those whose responsibility it is to handle disasters like this had the proper qualifications to do so, this wouldn't be an issue.

:banghead:

[The Backlash Cometh]

75. Ya know, let this be a lesson to the right-wingers.

If you want a good leader for the federal government, pick someone who respects and understands it.

There was a process. It required cooperation between the federal government and the state and local leaders. Those state and local leaders may not have been white males and they may not have made it into private Yale clubs, or the Republican party, but they expected the federal government to fulfill its commitment, regardless of who was at the helm. That process should never have been politicized.

[LisaLynne]

76. This is why he said he took responsibility yesterday.

He's working up to do the same thing they did after 9/11 -- everybody's afraid and upset, so they can do the power grab thing. Part of me thinks we have GOT to have learned our lesson and that this will fail miserably this time, but there is another part that is really scared that once again, the weak and capitulating Congress will give him everything he wants and we'll be just that much closer to a dictatorship.

[rocktivity]

77. Well, this explains his responsibility taking

I knew he had an angle. Now we know that it is--using the "failures" of the governor and mayor during Katrina as an excuse to grab even MORE power!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Stand and Fight]

78. Pelosi was right...

This man is dangerous, and we continue to underestimate him.

[confludemocrat]

96. Right. If a good of heart,good politician can do one thing its read people

and that was telling. she could tell and have it reenforced up close that he is delusionally-based deadly dangerous

[tularetom]

79. Look At It This Way

What difference does it make what powers he has - he's not going to handle the situation properly anyway. Do you think if he had these extraordinary powers it would have made him cut short his vacation? Maybe he would have had AirForce One drop down to 5,000 feet instead of 10,000 as he returned to DC three days after the hurricane hit. All that will happen with more powers is he won't have anyone else to point fingers at after he screws up.

[unblock]

81. unblock says he may need more talent and compassion in disasters

what a putz!

[lateo]

82. Umm....no.

[Sugar Smack]

83. Who's "WE", asshole?

Another steaming mound of horseshit from that cartwheeling purveyor of death's mouth.

[raccoon]

84. I wonder if the neocons have something similar to the so-called

Patriot Act, all written up, ready to introduce into Congress for it to be swiftly passed by the Congress, WITHOUT THEM EVEN KNOWING WHAT THE HELL IS IN IT, as Michael Moore pointed out in "Fahrenheit 9/11".

If they have something like this in mind, and the Congressmen/women pass it like a bunch of sheeple...then....there is no hope for the USA.

[geckosfeet]

86. Ah ha haha ha ha. ROTFLMAO ! What an effin ID10T error he is. n/t

[AllyCat]

88. He can't use the power he does have. Why give him more?

After all, didn't he have the power to pick up the PHONE and make some calls BEFORE the hurricane hit to make sure FEMA was doing its job? Or to communicate any number of other life-saving measures?

With more power, does he get more vacation in which to ignore that power?

Jerk.

[daleo]

89. In other words: "I'm incompetent, so give me more power" n/t

[glitch]

90. Thump! And the other shoe drops.

Anybody giving this * more power is a fifth-columnist.

[JustSayNO 2 Sheeples]

91. A TYPO in the title. What he meant to say was....

...that he needs more vacation time.

FUGWB

[54anickel]

92. Oh good grief! He'll pre-emptively nuke one of our cities "cuz the

terra-ist was gonna set off a nasty germ bomb, gotta kill the city to save it".

[mcscajun]

95. He needs More Powers? Bullshit! He didn't use the ones he HAD

And that's why New Orleans is GONE. Why people were floating dead in toxic sludge.

Bastard. He should choke first.

[confludemocrat]

97. Umpteenth time showing how incompetent he is and wants more power?

This wil not fly, the weather has changed these Repugnantlican pols are smelling (and beginnning to face) oblivian and they won't be in lock-step this time.

[Imagevision]

99. I believe this proves Bush just didn't give a shit about the people!

His only concern was taking over the national guard from NO. Senator

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

100. Duh. How about just restoring FEMA to a cabinet-level

post... that would be a great start.

Idiot.

[Az_lefty]

103. so the problem is the chimp doesn't have enough power???

BULLSHIT! He has all the power he needs, he just needs to do his damned job.

[madmark]

105. The Bush Admin fails at a task that they had the resources and powers

to deal with (like not stopping 9/11 and now not evacuating NO flood victims) and then seizes on the opportunity to seek more power at the expense of either individual rights (Patriot Act), states rights (this current proposal), or congressional rights (current proposal and Homeland Security). Its total bullshit.

Lack of competence is not a basis for a power grab.

[jokerman93]

106. next time they'll be ready

Power grab! Unbelievable. No, I take that back. Predictable. So I suppose next time there's a disaster they'll be all ready with relocation camps to house the refugees. If they can force people at gun point to remain in the dome, they'll certainly see the need to do the same at any camps they set up.

Sooo glad they're doing all this for the good of Murika.

Sorry. The idiot prince has all the power the executive needs to fulfill its obligations to the American people. So maybe we need to get someone in there who can complete a coherent thought without help and tie his own shoes at the same time -- might do a better job.

:sarcasm:

[Mary Hinge]

107. absolute power corrupts...absolutley!

[bloom]

109. That is ridiculous...

:grr:

[indepat]

112. Does this imply if he had only had sufficient powers, everything would

have been handled hunky-dorey in the Katrina catastrophe? Do we see another Patriot Act brewing?

[gkhouston]

113. No sale. He didn't do jack shit with the power he already had.

And the authority he had would have been sufficient, if he'd used it in a timely fashion.

[phusion]

115. Goodbye, democracy. Nice knowing you.

Does this include the power to declare emergencies around election day and cancel the election?

:grr:

[digno dave]

116. Bush needs more power like i need a boil on my ass

[Miss Chybil]

119. Why? He didn't use the powers he already has. He went to sleep,

ate cake and played the guitar.

[earth mom]

120. United States of America! Get ready for King George!

Because that's what this is all about! What is happening was totally and completely planned and is being executed according to plan-EXACTLY the way they want it to! Don't be fooled by *s stammering senseless statements and seemingly incompetent ways! He is as cagey as a fox! He and his cabal have planned everything to the nth degree!

Bush knows what he is doing and he IS DOING IT!

Folks, the writing is on the wall!

We are pawns and peons who will be easily used and disposed of by the court of King George!

[Megahurtz]

121. Oh Be Serious!

As if you already don't have the power???:think:

Who the hell is he trying to kid?:eyes:

[2Design]

122. here we go again - this was their mistake the first time they gave

him too much power

it isn't power that was the problem it was not doing anything - it was blocking every form of aid - it was imposing stupid security in a time of need when timeliness was more important - these are stupid people in WH and they need to get out of Washington - all of them - the congress and the wh are stupid and continue to only support themselves - they created this mess - all of them

[Akoto]

123. Emperor Palpatine makes his move!

Anyone else reminded of Star Wars by all this? Take disasters, inspire fear, use fear to collect more power. Heh. And as I recall, the final step was using that power to turn the only just figures in the government into traitors and seize total control.

[SocratesInSpirit]

125. You read my mind

As soon as I saw the story, I was strongly reminded of the scene in AotC when Palpatine delivers his speech to the Senate where he accepts "emergency" dictatorial powers and promises that he will lay down his powers as soon as the war is over.

Bush does not need any more powers. Maybe if he had come home from his goddamn vacation before the hurricane hit he might have been able to help marshall a better emergency response -

*laughs bitterly* I crack myself up sometimes.

[Sequoia]

124. "If this were a dictatorship,

it'd be a heck of a lot easier,
just so long as I'm the dictator."
-- George W. Bush Dec 18, 2000

[pitohui]

127. like he can't do all that now

now he's going to pretend he wasn't commander-in-chief of the armed forces

who is he kidding

[jody]

129. Bush will use military force to protect corporate assets, not the People.

[The Wielding Truth]

130. He couldn't handle the power he has and he wants more?????

[VegasWolf]

131. Fuck! I wouldn't even let Bush turn my toaster on. nt

[neuvocat]

136. Hey George, you idiot, you got that power already.

If you were competent enough to use it...never mind.

[sakabatou]

137. He wants MORE power?

What a fucking dictator

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

138. No he just needs to pay more attention

[SIU_Blue]

139. Keep up the parade emporer *,

60% of the country likes your new clothes...

[DawgHouse]

141. He will not be satisfied until there is a complete police state. NT

[JesterCS]

142. You know they say

The Enabling Act is for your own good!~

[Dem2theMax]

143. That was an "Onion" headline, right? LMAO. What an idiot. nt.

[zum]

144. Welcome to Zimbabwe

Bush has used Katrina to achieve what the rest of the world's criticising Mugabe for.

[0rganism]

145. Dunno about that, but we've sure had more disasters with Bush in power

Damn near everywhere I look, there's a disaster in progress or waiting to happen. No thanks, I don't think Bush needs any more power to jack us around more than he already has. He can fuck things up quite nicely with his current powers.

[Nothing Without Hope]

147. The power grab is what he is after - yet the federal authorities were the

ones who WORSENED the disaster. Further, the laws clearly state that he ALREADY has powers to intervene in a disaster - he just didn't bother.

This is a blatant power grab, one they've been working toward for years. For some back story, see this post and the threads and links in it:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1765780&mesg_id=1766896

[ignatius 2]

153. Good Christ, could he be any more transparent about this power grab?

This is unbelievable, my chin hit the desk. Not only did Chertoff not follow the proedures that were there, he or somebody,actually slowed efforts by not allowing volunteers,supplies and medication into the area.

This is freakin' unbelievable and as with everything these maniacs do, I am now wondering if the slow response was intentional to get this military power from congress.

[sando]

154. Of Course Bushit

Needs more power. He won't by happy until he's the dicator he claims he should be to govern better. What he really needs is to be charged with negligent homicide and doing the perp walk to prison.

[Eurobabe]

155. He desperate, he desperate!!

IMPEACH THIS DUMB FUCK NOW!

[Blackwater]

157. Be careful what you wish for

[yurbud]

158. He meant more power to CAUSE disasters

"I need to get me absolute power to blow shit up, so Halliburton can clean it up."

[IndianaGreen]

159. Search and rescue or search and destroy?

We only need the National Guard at home, not in Iraq. The last time Congress gave Bush power, he attacked Iraq. Let's not repeat the mistakes of the past!

[number6]

160. maybe he should start with the power to go potty by himself

without writting a note to CON-dy

[killbotfactory]

161. More power to Vacation?

You need to resign, you worthless fucking shitsack.

[Fire Walk With Me]

162. Yeah, the Patriot Act sure appeared "quickly" after 9/11