Military at Bush's coronation: pushing America closer to Martial Law?

[Q]

Perhaps someone could refresh my memory...but has any other American president, acting as a civilian commander in chief, ever posed for photo ops in a military uniform? (Mission Accomplished)

And has any other president had his 'coronation' protected by military troops (armed with grenade launchers)?

Or is it that the Posse Comitatus Act is considered by the Bush Junta to be another 'quaint' and antiquated law that doesn't apply to them? (Geneva Conventions, Bill of Rights, etc)

Bush declared a 'state of national emergency' after 9-11. It appears as if he is quietly and secretly taking us towards Martial Law with his gradual introduction of the military into domestic law enforcement under the guise of fighting the 'war on terror' in the 'Homeland'.

Comments?

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THE POSSE COMITATUS ACT: A PRINCIPLE IN NEED OF RENEWAL
Cite As 75 Wash. U. L.Q. 953

"...The growing haste and ease with which the military is considered a panacea for domestic problems will quickly undermine the PCA if it remains unchecked. Minor exceptions to the PCA can quickly expand to become major exceptions. For example in 1981, Congress created an exception to the PCA to allow military involvement in drug interdiction at our borders. <9> Then in 1989, Congress designated the Department of Defense as the "single lead agency" in drug interdiction efforts.<10>

The PCA criminalizes, effectively prohibiting, the use of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus <11> to execute the laws of the United States. It reads:

Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. <12>

Though a criminal law, the PCA has a more important role as a statement of policy that embodies "the traditional Anglo-American principle of separation of military and civilian spheres of authority, one of the fundamental precepts of our form of government." <13>

Major and minor exceptions to the PCA, which allow the use of the military in law enforcement roles, blur the line between military and civilian roles, undermine civilian control of the military, damage military readiness, and inefficiently solve the problems that they supposedly address.<14> Additionally, increasing the role of the military would strengthen the federal law enforcement apparatus that is currently under close scrutiny for overreaching its authority.<15> Although it seems benign, such an increase in military authority revives fears of past overreaching during the late 1960s.<16> --- http://law.wustl.edu/WULQ/75-2/752-10.html

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[caligirl]

1. Its the only group he has real control over. And many of them hate*

[aquart]

2. He can use the troops to guard himself or fight his war.

He doesn't have enough for both. Not nearly.

And exactly what's he gonna use to implement martial law in 50 states? As usual, poor planning is the hallmark of a Bush adventure.

[Q]

4. Does he actually have to 'implement' Martial Law...

...to enjoy its restraints and benefits for a secretive government working outside the Constitution?

Bush's military guard at his coronation looks too much like Saddam's Republican guard...set in place to keep anyone from taking his illegal power from him.

[JoseRizal]

3. I dont really think so The military are just there as a facade

for his failed Iraq policy and the war against terrorism. Just to portray that despite the troubling crisis in IRAQ the Armed forces are still behind the President or so it seem.

It is for that purpose alone to make Pres.Bush looked credible and a strong leader. Suffice it to say hes neither of those things.

[Q]

5. The point for me is that this is decidedly 'unAmerican'...

...and makes Bush look like a military dictator. It makes one wonder if he'll start wearing a uniform after the coronation.

But underneath all of this pomp and circumstance is something we tend to forget: there exists an actual 'shadow government' put together by the Bushies after 9-11. When you put this together with widespread election fraud and a rubber stamp congress...it appears that we're living under something very similar to Martial Law...if not in name then certainly in form and function.

[JoseRizal]

6. Your take from it is certainly very different than mine

I for one do not see it that way though you have the right to feel that way. For me it's just a facade a show to showcase what is false to reassure the mass of unassuring policy.

You should know it by now that every bush event is like this,on No child left behind you put blacks in the background as in to cue people of color that it beneficial on their behalf to support the Pres. on this endeavour. On Drugs prescription he had seniors to portray support. On his infamous MIssion Accomplished banner with the troops was "to show" that it was a success.

What the americans fail to see and understand that those things are just a side show and nothing else. NCLB is infact underfunded,the Drug prescription is not adequate and with the troops the presidents plan are killing them with inadequate supplies,planning and exit strategy. Its more like a lip service but lack the necessary action to fully address each of the specific task at hand.

One thing this President is good at is taking glory which are not his and make it his own. For that President Bush have no ally but himself and his Lord.

[Carolab]

7. I say we crash his party.

Let them shoot at U.S. citizens for nonviolent protest.

That would make such GREAT PR for the rest of the world.

[beam me up scottie]

8. it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

[Carolab]

10. No, and I doubt that it would be the last. n/t

[beam me up scottie]

11. Do you think another incident like Kent State would be enough

to wake up some of the sheeple?
What is it going to take?

[Carolab]

12. I'm not advocating people being in harm's way.

But, for God's sake, everyone is just so damn complacent.

Where are the angry mobs? The streets should be swarming with them. In the '60s people risked arrest and injury. The situation calls for no less now, IMHO.

[beam me up scottie]

13. Exactly.

Nobody is going to give us back our country.
I would be the last person to encourage violence but dammit, these people need to wake up!
Is a false feeling of safety more important than our liberty?
If we don't stand up now and be heard, do you think things will be any better for your children?
:mad:

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Yep

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