Bush eyes bigger military role when disasters hit (huge problem)

[2Design]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/26/bush.military/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said he wants to make it easier for the military to take charge after a disaster like Hurricane Katrina, but the White House acknowledged Monday the proposal raises "a lot of issues" that need resolution.

Critics argue that putting active-duty troops on American streets would violate a long-standing tradition that keeps the military out of domestic law enforcement.

But Bush said he wanted to improve the federal response to a "catastrophic" event like Katrina, which left more than 1,000 people dead after it struck last month.

"I want there to be a robust discussion about the best way for the federal government, in certain extreme circumstances, to be able to rally assets for the good of the people," he said. (Watch Lt. Gen. Honore in action -- 2:35)

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 bans the armed forces from participating in police-type activity on U.S. soil.

<snip>

This is a huge problem and probably part of the reason for the lack of response - this paves the way for more 'facist' ways

Again trying to use tragedy to get congress to give him more power like he did with 911 - and stupid congress will probably roll over on this one

If FEMA was not under homeland security - it could run fine - he created this mess - they put bs security before lives -

It will be interesting to see how much the american people buy in to this bs

[RC]

1. Bring our National Guard back and the problem would be solved.

That is what they are for.

[JDPriestly]

3. How right you are!

Bring back the National Guard, keep the governors in charge of them and the problem is solved.

[Inland]

4. That's EXACTLY RIGHT

The NG was the dual- or triple-use armed units, that could be deployed for natural disasters OR civil insurrections OR overseas emergencies.

But since Bush has the entire NG either in, back from, or going to Iraq, they aren't available for home duties.

Once again, the Bush "solution" is to provide himself with an area of authority that is a) redundant with another agency or bureau or arm of government but b) entirely under his command and control.

Did the same thing with the CIA, homeland security, etc.

[2Design]

5. that worries me - they have so many lifers who are not in the fight

but are judging the national guard and throwing them to the wolves so no one is willing to sign up anymore for domestic defense

they have a bigger more evil plan developing here and I don't trust them one bit

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

2. hammerhead delay just said 'no'.

So that's the end of that. I actually agree w/hammerhead but don't pass it around. This was another one of dumbya's dingbat ideas.

best

[2Design]

6. they have started the spin machine on this - blanco wouldn't

give him this - that is why they are blaming dems in la and of course the repub thinks it is a great idea -

this is part of their plan

if we had national guard here and regular troops in iraq - I mean the lifers signed up for wars not the national guard

[Atman]

7. This has NOTHING to do with DISASTERS

except BushCo's disastrous policies.

Bush WILL invade Iran. The GOP WILL steal the next election. He wants this in place before it happens so he can us the troops against the millions who turn out in protest.

I guaran-freakin'-tee.

[Robertwf]

8. Outsourcing Issue

With the military relying increasingly on outsourcing its functions--whether clerical, logistic or military intelligence, just who would be involved if the military was officially in charge of domestic disaster response? It would end up with the same general type of issues that came up in Katrina.
FEMA needs to be empowered and it needs to be retrofitted with experienced, competent civil servants.
We do not need any more govt. contracts with private security firms. We need people to start thinking about competency-basedstaffing of government agencies.

[UTUSN]

9. Never Has a More Mentally Incompetent Been Challenged

with more questions.

[KenCarson]

10. why does this sound more like they are planning the disasters than the

response to them?

[Nothing Without Hope]

11. *** Please read this SYNTHESIS THREAD for the back story on this crisis **

This is a major, major constitutional crisis we're heading into, one the neocons have been preparing for a long time. This thread talks about Bush's comments about more military power, with of course him in sole charge of the military. Please read the FULL THREAD - not only the opening post.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4790112
Thread title: Missing A KEY POINT in *'s speech: POWER GRAB FOR POTUS AND MILITARY

There are MUST-READ articles linked to in the replies as well. For example:

On the dictatorial powers of the President under FEMA (Reply #31)- this will CURL YOUR HAIR:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4790112#4790882

The meaning, history and precedents of the Posse Comitatus act: (Reply #16):
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4790112#4790545

The infamous 2001 Yoo Memo, another of those Bush DOJ memos that blatantly ignores the Constitution and all law to say that Bush has dictatorial powers. This one says he has sole control of the US military and sole power to declare war - and folks, he can declare martial law any time he pleases for "civil unrest" and under one of those FEMA executive orders, Congress can't even REVIEW it for SIX MONTHS (reply #23)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4790112#4790660

THERE IS MUCH MORE, AND MORE WILL BE POSTED. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE THREAD

People, I believe that one of the reasons for the deliberate delay and blockage of aid to the Katrina-hit areas by the feds was to set up what was supposed to be a big contrast between "efficient" federal efforts when they finally arrived vs "incompetent" local/state efforts. This would help with PR to push for what they REALLY want, which is further suspension of the Constitution and concentration of powers in the POTUS. Didn't work -- yet -- in part because the feds are NOT efficient and also because their lies to blame all mistakes on local and state authorities didn't come off all that well either. But THEY WILL NOT GIVE UP - they want Bush to be a dictator with just some flim-flam trappings of democracy to fool the people, and they see this as their chance.

So now Bush says we should have more of what was the WORST of the Katrina response and nothing else. Just think how many more thousands would have died if NO ONE but the feds had had any power after the storm - as it was, hundreds and perhaps thousands have died directly because of their failure to deliver aid and repeated blockage of aid from anyone else, civil or foreign. We're not supposed to check the laws and find that the federal government ALREADY has full power in disasters and it was not invoked for DAYS while the WH and their media mouthpieces LIED about it. Oh, and by the way, yes, he would be a military dictator, but we're not supposed to notice that.