The Fast Track to Tyranny: Tyranny Trifecta Spectacular
Posted by Brian McLain on 09.26.2007
This week Brian McLain continues his series by examining The John Warner Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, The Military Commissions Act of 2006, and the National Security Presidential Directive 51.
Good day to all of the readers out in 411mania land, and thank you for taking the time and opportunity to check out my latest entry into my series "The Fast Track to Tyranny". In the past articles we've taken a look at the PATRIOT Act and Patriot Act II which both extend police powers and government confidentiality to extremely frightening levels. I felt it appropriate at this time to go into three more federal government actions that would let you, the reader, know exactly what we might be dealing with in the future. Each of these government actions go above and beyond any measure meant to keep the American people safe and work off each other to establish a very concerning foundation for a system of government that would very much be anything but American. So grab on to your seat and hold on, it's going to get a little rough.
First of all, I said in previous articles that I would have certain search terms for those of you who might hunger for a little more information but dealing with legislation I have not been able to do extensive research on and, thus, would not be covering in this particular series. I finally am choosing to make good on my word now. Please take a look at the information that is out there, make certain to be skeptical but keep an open mind to the possibility that these particular government plans may very well in the works or, at the very least, be an illustration of the mindset of those in Washington. Should you find the information useful or questionable, I would very much appreciate it if you drop me a line and discuss anything you find interesting.
Search terms
1. Operation Northwoods
2. Operation Cable Splice
3. Operation Garden Plot
4. Rex84 or Rex 84
Now on to the meat and potatoes of the article:
The John Warner Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007
This bill, on its face and with quick skimming, doesn't appear to be much more than a defense spending bill. However if you take a closer look within the pages of this massive legal document it has very disturbing provisions hidden throughout the act.
Section 1076: Placed within the means in which the massive $500 billion dollar budget may be used is the "Use of Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies"
Subsection 333: In the event of an emergency, declared so by the president with no congressional oversight, the president shall basically hijack a state's National Guard without the permission or knowledge of said state's governor, as the state is considered to not be capable of suppressing or handling the situation effectively enough. This is an implementation of military forces to take over common policing duties of a designated state. This is a practice that has been regulated and forbidden through the passage of the Posse Comitatus Act that was placed in effect to end the martial law and military occupation of the south after the Civil War. The exact condition in which this may take place is outlined in subsection A:
"Restore public order and enforce the laws of the United States when, as a result of a natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident, and other conditions in any State or possession of the United States, the President determines that domestic violence has occurred to such an extent that the constituted authorities [police] of the State or possession are incapable of maintaining public order."
This section of the act is a repel of that regulation of federal powers to use military force on the American people and very much opens the door to federal martial law to be declared on a whim of the President for any reason he sees fit. If you would notice some of the generalities in the bill, all the President must do is determine, again without congressional oversight because they wrote him that blank check, that a State is "incapable" of handling a situation. I had a face to face confrontation with Duncan Hunter, the sponsor of the bill, during the Iowa straw poll and brought this particular section up, and he immediately began to back away when he realized I was not simply questioning the bill.
The Military Commissions Act of 2006
This bill was signed into law by the faux-mander and chief on October 17, 2006, the same day that the John Warner Defense Authorization Act was signed into law and very much compliments the act.
Chapter V Subsection 949t: As you all remember, George W. Bush has stated time and time again that the United States does not torture imprisoned individuals and this part of the bill proves it. This section removes congressional oversight over the interrogation practices of federal intelligence and policing officials and decrees that the only two individuals responsible for determining if an action is considered torture are the President and the Secretary of Defense. Pliers and water boarding for everyone!
Section 7: Habeas Corpus, the ability to challenge one's detention and holding at any time, is repealed. This legal defense is about as old as common law itself, and it met its death upon the signing of this bill. However, this is only for those considered "enemy combatants" so nothing to worry about in regards to us United State's Citizens, right? Maybe not…
Subsection 950t: Just as the definition of terrorism was blurred, so was the term "enemy combatant", and the definition of terrorism is very much in play in this section of the act. Remember when I said that new policing power established in the PATRIOT Act and Patriot Act II could now cover political dissidents, domestic abusers, druggies, etc? Well this establishes that under said definition an individual may be designated an "enemy combatant" for a long list of crimes listed within the section and place said individual under the jurisdiction of military courts, effectively stripping any legal resident or Citizen of their status and, thus, their Constitutionally protected rights.
Can this simply get any worse? Yes…it can.
National Security Presidential Directive 51
Continuity of Government has long been in the scope of certain administrations, and this particular NSPD establishes a continuity of government that would plainly, again under conditions determined by the president without congressional oversight, place the control and function of all established governments, tribal, local, state and federal under the Executive branch and the presidency. The language of the directive can be a little confusing, however the specific language is what makes this directive a very dangerous tool. The directive also does not specify who or under what conditions an emergency may be considered over.
You will notice in the directive constant use of the word "coordinate", and that is the most dangerous word of the entire language. It is the Executive branch that is absolutely responsible for maintaining and coordinating the day to day activities of all governments mentioned within and places a great deal of power in the hands of the Department of Homeland Security by creating a new office of National Continuity Coordinator, filled by the assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and a new committee to be chaired by the senior director of the Department of Homeland Security. But if these conditions and stipulations weren't frightening enough, what might be worst of all is the part of the directive that is classified.
"(23) Annex A and the classified Continuity Annexes, attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this directive.
"(24) Security. This directive and the information contained herein shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure, provided that, except for Annex A, the Annexes attached to this directive are classified and shall be accorded appropriate handling, consistent with applicable Executive Orders."
This raised some eyebrows in Congress, so the head of the Congressional Committee on Homeland Security, Peter DeFazio, requested to have a look at the annexes so that Congress could also prepare for the event of such a catastrophic event. His request was repeatedly denied due to "national security concerns", which was a shock to DeFazio who had always been privy to such documentation and information. He was quoted as saying, "We're talking about the continuity of the government of the United States of America...I would think that would be relevant to any member of Congress, let alone a member of the Homeland Security Committee."
I guess that would only be true if the president considered Congress to be apart of the continuity of government should such a situation arise.
If you are wondering how to get a hold of the bills and directive that I had examined, feel free to please search for them on your favorite search engine. I have had issues in the past with legal links shutting down for some reason (THOMAS tends to be particularly testy). I know I'm getting into some very worrisome territory here and I know people will have lots of questions so please, feel free to email me your thoughts, concerns, and even objections and I will always write you back regardless. Next week I will be examining a current enemy legislation of mine and one that I am personally fighting in the state I reside in, the REAL ID Act of 2005. Until next time, friends, thanks for reading.
STAY CURRENT