Posted on 10/04/2005 12:02:27 PM PDT by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush asked Congress on Tuesday to consider giving him powers to use the military to enforce quarantines in case of an avian influenza epidemic.
He said the military, and perhaps the National Guard, might be needed to take such a role if the feared H5N1 bird flu virus changes enough to cause widespread human infection.
"If we had an outbreak somewhere in the United States, do we not then quarantine that part of the country? And how do you, then, enforce a quarantine?" Bush asked at a news conference.
"It's one thing to shut down airplanes. It's another thing to prevent people from coming in to get exposed to the avian flu. And who best to be able to effect a quarantine?" Bush added.
"One option is the use of a military that's able to plan and move. So that's why I put it on the table. I think it's an important debate for Congress to have."
Bird flu has killed more than 60 people in four Asian nations since late 2003 and has been found in birds in Russia and Europe.
Experts fear that the H5N1 bird flu virus, which appears to be highly fatal when it infects people, will develop the ability to pass easily from person to person and would cause a pandemic that would kill millions.
"And I think the president ought to have all ... assets on the table to be able to deal with something this significant," Bush said.
He noted that some governors may object to the federal government commandeering the National Guard, which is under state command in most circumstances.
POLICE DUTIES BANNED
"But Congress needs to take a look at circumstances that may need to vest the capacity of the president to move beyond that debate. And one such catastrophe or one such challenge could be an avian flu outbreak," Bush said.
The active duty military is currently forbidden from undertaking law enforcement duties by the federal Posse Comitatus Act.
That law, passed in 1878 after the U.S. Civil War, does not prohibit National Guard troops under state control from doing police work. But, unless the law is changed, it would keep them from doing so if they were activated by Washington under federal control.
While the law allows the president to order the military to take control and do police work in an extreme emergency, the White House has been traditionally reluctant to usurp state powers.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters he was not aware of any current planning by the military to help respond to a flu pandemic.
But he noted that after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf region, Bush had asked Congress to consider giving the military control over initial response in dealing with major natural or other domestic disasters.
"Obviously the (Defense) Department has a tremendous amount of capability in a lot of areas. And we are a large force," Whitman said, noting also that the military had deployed field hospitals to Louisiana after the hurricanes.
Health experts are working to develop vaccines that would protect against the H5N1 strain of flu, because current influenza vaccines will not.
And countries are also developing stockpiles of drugs that can reduce the risk of serious disease or even sometimes prevent infection -- but supplies and manufacturing capacity are both limited.
Bush said he was involved in planning for an influenza pandemic, which experts say will definitely come, although they cannot predict when, or whether it will be H5N1 or some other virus. (Additional reporting by Maggie Fox)
If they cough, you must cut them off.
"...everything but an asteroid."
That asteroid may take the form of the Avian Flu. I can't figure it out. Only 100+ cases outside the US, yet "they" predict this pandemic. Don't know if it's hysteria or what. BTW, I have always thought Bush as a good man and that's not going to change. God Bless him!!
"If they cough, you must cut them off."
LOL .. if what coughs? Chickens?
That poor man, what he's had to endure in his presidency, a lesser man could not do. God bless him.
Thanks Gimme!
You are so right. I was thinking of that today. He has had more to deal with than most Presidents have had.
I expect all the constant bashing form the left, but not here. That's why I come here, for some sanity.
It seems that this may not be the place either.
My son was telling me just a minute ago that Bush has had the worst luck as president. I told him that's not true. Bush is our president because maybe God saw that he would be able to handle everything that was going to be thrown at him. That it was his destiny to be our president at this time. The load he has too carry is staggering, and I respect him for keeping his head above all the backstabbing and name calling.
God bless him and keep him strong.
I am with you on that. Wish more were.
I wish more were as well. :-(
I guess you should look up the definition of obtuse.
If not, we can take this to the back alley I've heard so much about.
The back alley? Wow! You gonna beat me up momma? LOL
I can't let a jerk get the last word.
And I should grow up? LOL. Lady Liberal, you are a laugh riot!
The back alley? Wow! You gonna beat me up momma? LOL
That doesn't sound too bad to me.
You didn't deny you were a jerk....shoe fits huh. I thought it did.
As an after thought miss, you're wasting time posting your childish pictures...I block them.
ob·tuse (b-ts, -tys, b-) KEY ADJECTIVE: Lacking quickness of perception or intellect.
You're obtuse. Guess which meaning I'm associating with you?
So, are you afraid to meet me in the back ally little lady?
I'm tired. We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow. Right, Little Lady?
Anyway, it's been fun toying with you my little leftist friend, look me up any time you need help with your misunderstanding of fundamental things.
In the mean time, try not to support any more leftwing politicians who destroyed the country. Ta Ta for now.
I'm not a leftist lady, but that doesn't seem to stop you from referring to me in that sense. Don't get your hackles up ma'am.
You had it right.
Just in case it hasn't been posted yet.
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/index.html
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