Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack
News Max.Com ^ | 11-21-03

Posted on 11/20/2003 5:14:53 PM PST by hope

Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack

John O. Edwards, NewsMax.com
Friday, Nov. 21, 2003
Gen. Tommy Franks says that if the United States is hit with a weapon of mass destruction that inflicts large casualties, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government.

Franks, who successfully led the U.S. military operation to liberate Iraq, expressed his worries in an extensive interview he gave to the men’s lifestyle magazine Cigar Aficionado.

In the magazine’s December edition, the former commander of the military’s Central Command warned that if terrorists succeeded in using a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) against the U.S. or one of our allies, it would likely have catastrophic consequences for our cherished republican form of government.

Discussing the hypothetical dangers posed to the U.S. in the wake of Sept. 11, Franks said that “the worst thing that could happen” is if terrorists acquire and then use a biological, chemical or nuclear weapon that inflicts heavy casualties.

If that happens, Franks said, “... the Western world, the free world, loses what it cherishes most, and that is freedom and liberty we’ve seen for a couple of hundred years in this grand experiment that we call democracy.”

Franks then offered “in a practical sense” what he thinks would happen in the aftermath of such an attack.

“It means the potential of a weapon of mass destruction and a terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event somewhere in the Western world – it may be in the United States of America – that causes our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event. Which in fact, then begins to unravel the fabric of our Constitution. Two steps, very, very important.”

Franks didn’t speculate about how soon such an event might take place.

Already, critics of the U.S. Patriot Act, rushed through Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, have argued that the law aims to curtail civil liberties and sets a dangerous precedent.

But Franks’ scenario goes much further. He is the first high-ranking official to openly speculate that the Constitution could be scrapped in favor of a military form of government.

The usually camera-shy Franks retired from U.S. Central Command, known in Pentagon lingo as CentCom, in August 2003, after serving nearly four decades in the Army.

Franks earned three Purple Hearts for combat wounds and three Bronze Stars for valor. Known as a “soldier’s general,” Franks made his mark as a top commander during the U.S.’s successful Operation Desert Storm, which liberated Kuwait in 1991. He was in charge of CentCom when Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda attacked the United States on Sept. 11.

Franks said that within hours of the attacks, he was given orders to prepare to root out the Taliban in Afghanistan and to capture bin Laden.

Franks offered his assessment on a number of topics to Cigar Aficionado, including:

President Bush: “As I look at President Bush, I think he will ultimately be judged as a man of extremely high character. A very thoughtful man, not having been appraised properly by those who would say he’s not very smart. I find the contrary. I think he’s very, very bright. And I suspect that he’ll be judged as a man who led this country through a crease in history effectively. Probably we’ll think of him in years to come as an American hero.”

On the motivation for the Iraq war: Contrary to claims that top Pentagon brass opposed the invasion of Iraq, Franks said he wholeheartedly agreed with the president’s decision to invade Iraq and oust Saddam Hussein.

“I, for one, begin with intent. ... There is no question that Saddam Hussein had intent to do harm to the Western alliance and to the United States of America. That intent is confirmed in a great many of his speeches, his commentary, the words that have come out of the Iraqi regime over the last dozen or so years. So we have intent.

“If we know for sure ... that a regime has intent to do harm to this country, and if we have something beyond a reasonable doubt that this particular regime may have the wherewithal with which to execute the intent, what are our actions and orders as leaders in this country?”

The Pentagon’s deck of cards: Asked how the Pentagon decided to put its most-wanted Iraqis on a set of playing cards, Franks explained its genesis. He recalled that when his staff identified the most notorious Iraqis the U.S. wanted to capture, “it just turned out that the number happened to be about the same as a deck of cards. And so somebody said, ‘Aha, this will be the ace of spades.’”

Capturing Saddam: Franks said he was not surprised that Saddam has not been captured or killed. But he says he will eventually be found, perhaps sooner than Osama bin laden.

“The capture or killing of Saddam Hussein will be a near term thing. And I won’t say that’ll be within 19 or 43 days. ... I believe it is inevitable.”

Franks ended his interview with a less-than-optimistic note. “It’s not in the history of civilization for peace ever to reign. Never has in the history of man. ... I doubt that we’ll ever have a time when the world will actually be at peace.”

Editor's note:
Check out "Resolve" with the official President Bush photo – Click Here Now

The Iraqi "Deck of Death" playing cards – Get yours today!

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
George W. Bush
Saddam Hussein/Iraq
Al-Qaeda
War on Terrorism


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: constitution; napalminthemorning; tommyfranks; wmd; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 401-415 next last
To: BikerNYC
"We should be judged by future generations by how we act in the worst of times, not in the best. Hopefully, we will never have to test ourselves like that."



But given the hypothetical, you seem to think that we should conduct business as usual if WMD is let loose in this country? I would expect a suspension of many 'civil liberties' while we respond, includng a lock on any VISAs and putting religion vs state aside and "inspecting every osque in the USA for arms et al. The function of our government is to protect our citizens. A mass deportation of illegals sounds just fine as well. But the real preblem would be to deermine WHO we are going to be going after. That's the problem with rougue nations passing WMD to terrorist organiations.

The hy[othetical Franks proposes is really nasty and will result in some extreme actions, certain to upset a whole lot of ACLU folk.

please forgive typos
181 posted on 11/20/2003 7:30:56 PM PST by bart99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Mo1
Believe me the last thing most people are going to be concerned about is some recent ME immigrants rights. I sure won't.
182 posted on 11/20/2003 7:32:15 PM PST by John Lenin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 178 | View Replies]

To: Momaw Nadon
Thank you very much Momaw, yes I seem to recall now about the Shadow Govt., but only very hazily. Hence, I'm not very comfortable and therefore doubtful that it will be very effective in governing a country in an extremely chaotic condition. Whereas there's a long history of the effectiveness of the military rule in restoring order. I hope I'm wrong, and that whatever Shadow Govt that will get control will be able to do it with the constitution intact. But as I said, if I have to bet, I will bet that a temporary military Govt., as in Japan right after WWII will
probably happen to maintain order and keep our society civilized, until stability is restored.
183 posted on 11/20/2003 7:33:10 PM PST by desertcry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 157 | View Replies]

To: Ramius; Monty22; Jeff Head
Ramius, you need to do a word search of the Constitution of the united States. No where does it provide for "Martial Law."

Martial Law is the suspension of the Constitution and automatically makes those who attempt to institute it an enemy. As Jeff Head said, They who announce "Martial Law" and those who stand with them are our enemies for they have attempted to overthrow the Constitution.

Jeff, I am one of the millions who will do my part to see my enemy dispatched, post haste.

184 posted on 11/20/2003 7:38:01 PM PST by rw4site (Ratlif is already a RAT. It's part of his name.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: hope
We might go to martial law after a massive attack while we killed everyone else in the world, but I think we would revert to constitutional law soon after. Our military would find ruling civilians a bigger pain in the ass than being ruled by them.

SO9

185 posted on 11/20/2003 7:41:59 PM PST by Servant of the 9 (Double Blue Margarittas, Little Girl?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: oceanview
"did everyone flee all the cities in Japan after Hiroshima?"



This analogy with Japan t the end of WWII is silly. Are the people posting this suggesting that if the USA get a few cities demolished rom nukes, we'll just surrender and we'll all convert to Islam as a national policy?

186 posted on 11/20/2003 7:42:33 PM PST by bart99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Straight Vermonter
AH HA! YEAH! ALL WE ANCIENT ROME BUFFS CAN RETURN TO THE DAYS OF OLD! HAIL CAESAR!
187 posted on 11/20/2003 7:43:08 PM PST by republicanwizard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Jackie222
ping
188 posted on 11/20/2003 7:44:08 PM PST by B4Ranch (Wave your flag, dont waive your rights!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MikeWUSAF
"And damn those who don't think we are in a holy war because we are."



Most sensible statement in this thread.

Now, how do we deal with it...... just wait for the WMD to arrive here in the USA or .......... PROTECT our country through some pre-emptive action with IRAN, SYRIA, NORTH KOREA and a few other places that pose these threats. and keep SAUDI ARABIA from acquiring nukes and do something about Pakistan before the Islamocs just take control of their nukes.
189 posted on 11/20/2003 7:47:04 PM PST by bart99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Head
My reading of the excerpt from teh article is that Franks is not advocating this merely predicting what will happen. I agree as to what should be done to any officer openly advocating this.

Tommy Franks is not that far off from many on this forum as to what would probably happen should a city be taken out by a terrorist nuke.

I do not for one think it would happen unless the most likely target for a nuke were the site ie. Washington DC. If the weapon took out a majority of Congress and the POTUS and VPOTUS much of the SCOTUS along with many thousand mid level government employees we would have a brief paralysis of the US government except for the military. Recognition of the dangers is of course the way to avoid disaster.
190 posted on 11/20/2003 7:47:34 PM PST by harpseal (stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin
"He seems to forget that the military serves at the pleasure of the civilian government who in turn serves at the pleasure of the citizens. "

Sir, I think you have forgotten what percentage (probably 80+%) of our citizens would rather hand over their rights for temporary security.

191 posted on 11/20/2003 7:48:50 PM PST by B4Ranch (Wave your flag, dont waive your rights!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin
Tommy forgot the 2nd amendment. It is there to protect the people from bone headed individuals with his line of thinking. He seems to forget that the military serves at the pleasure of the civilian government who in turn serves at the pleasure of the citizens.

Your sooo right. Martial Law, hmm.I might consider depending on the locale and situation. Military form of gov't, not on your f*cking life.

192 posted on 11/20/2003 7:49:07 PM PST by Michael Barnes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: unix
I was in Charlotte during hurricane Hugo and martial law was declared to stop the looters and no one said a peep. As usual people overreact to something they have never faced with. You won't say diddly if the attack is bad enough you will welcome troops to protect you.
193 posted on 11/20/2003 7:52:36 PM PST by John Lenin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 192 | View Replies]

To: hope
Is this guy trying to warn the people of something planned already?
194 posted on 11/20/2003 7:52:42 PM PST by CaptIsaacDavis (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Head
"In WW II we were shocked back into reality and awakened. We can be again."



Sorry..... another bad anology. There wasn't a risk of WMD in WWII (until afterwards during the MAD period of the cold war). The hypothesis put forward was a WMD attack in America. Geez, in WWII, we didn't even fight on our home soil.

So when we are "shocked back into reality " this time, get ready for an unleashing of nukes by the USA onto every rouge state in the world. An attack of WMD on our soil would result in unimaginable damage, but rather over there and there and there and there...... than more here.
195 posted on 11/20/2003 7:57:22 PM PST by bart99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin
Bump.
196 posted on 11/20/2003 7:57:47 PM PST by First_Salute (God save our democratic-republican government, from a government by judiciary.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Head
Bump.
197 posted on 11/20/2003 7:58:27 PM PST by First_Salute (God save our democratic-republican government, from a government by judiciary.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: rw4site
They who announce "Martial Law" and those who stand with them are our enemies for they have attempted to overthrow the Constitution.

So... if there is a major emergency in some region of the U.S.-- say, the detonation of a nuclear weapon-- and the national guard is called to duty in the area, and lacking any other remaining government infrastructure in the area (becuase they're all DEAD) the national guard is ordered to assume control, in order for there to be *some* kind of orderly leadership in an otherwise chaotic situation.

This would be, in fact, a state of martial law. The power to order this is quite within the constitution and the powers of the President as commander in chief. It would also be arguably absolutely necessary in order to regain some sense of order when the standing government of a region is destroyed.

Are you actually arguing that these soldiers called to such duty should be shot? That instead of restoring order to a destroyed region of the country we should instead opt for a lawless and anarchic wasteland? Is that what this is about?

198 posted on 11/20/2003 7:59:16 PM PST by Ramius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 184 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin
"Tommy forgot the 2nd amendment. It is there to protect the people from bone headed individuals with his line of thinking."

My guess is that they would not mess with the 2nd Amendment following a WMD attack, but would simply curtail citizen movement temporarily.

After all, Myrddin, what would you suggest we do if underground terrorists snuck in a few nuclear bombs into the US and started setting them off at random.

My guess is that people would be demanding the military do something, and quick, to stop the massive carnage.

Furthermore, Tommy Franks is not a bone head simply for postulating what he thinks might happen were the US to be attacked by WMD.

What if alQadia successfully spread SMALLPOX around the country, and/or began spreading anthrax through the mail, or in subways.

Would the population get mad if some quasi military units clamped down temporarily.

Sure it would be scary, but I don't think we would have much choice.

199 posted on 11/20/2003 8:03:00 PM PST by Edit35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Stop Legal Plunder
Bump.
200 posted on 11/20/2003 8:03:55 PM PST by First_Salute (God save our democratic-republican government, from a government by judiciary.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 401-415 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson