Posted on 03/13/2002 12:03:55 PM PST by Starmaker
Judging from the spirited e-mails I received in response to my last article, I would have to conclude that quite a few Americans are comforted in knowing that we have a back-up federal government on deck should anything happen to the current bureaucracy. I would also have to conclude that I am considered by many to be a conspiracy nut for even daring to raise concerns regarding the federal government's Continuance of Operations Plan.
Let's take a look at what this reader had to say:
As I had pointed out in the article, a "Continuance of Operations Plan" already exists for the executive branch. It is currently based on the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 and the 1967 ratification of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. For this simple reason, a secret government is not needed in order to save us from "chaos and anarchy" and keep the wheels of democracy turning.
If President Bush wants to rotate members of the executive branch in and out of some undisclosed location, that's fine with me. The problem I have with the current plan is that it is not merely a way to preserve the rules of succession. This so-called "shadow government" is a working arm of the executive branch. The Washington Post reported that the role of this underground government would be "to contain disruptions of the nation's food and water supplies, transportation links, energy and telecommunications networks, public health, and civil order." Are we to believe that state governments are incapable of such a tremendous task? Please. Talk about your doomsday scenarios.
This reader in New Orleans thought my views on the subject were less than sincere:
So the shadow government is an insurance policy! And when I— a policy holder of not only life, auto, and health, but dental, eye care, and home insurance, as well as a replacement warranty on my new leather chair— criticize the president, I'm being hypocritical. To the author of the preceding e-mail, let me say that you and your fellow lap dog "conservatives," spewing your pro-big government bilge, are acting as mouthpieces for this administration. It's like watching a bad ventriloquist act and you, sir, are nothing but a dummy.
Another respondent seemed to think I had a more sinister agenda up my sleeve:
"Black helicopter"? "Ross Perot"? "Institutions of our government"? The last I checked, the United States of America was comprised of 50 states, each equipped with its own government, a National Guard, and, in many cases, an armed citizenry. I'll go out on a limb and say that if anything did happen to Washington, D.C., all would not be lost. If I were going to try to take control of the country, I would have to eliminate the institutions of government in all 50 states for my evil little scheme to work. So much for your theory.
Sadly, there are too many people who believe that if the federal government were dealt a devastating blow, the rest of the nation would careen aimlessly about like a decapitated chicken. They believe we should back President Bush in every decision he makes and check our critical minds at the door. They see al-Qaida as the new Soviet Union of the post-Cold War era, and we should just get out of the way and let our elected officials do their jobs. However, in their haste to grant the federal government every benefit of the doubt, they fail to realize that allowing a shadow government to function independently of the normal system of checks and balances can only mean trouble.
But we're fighting a war on terrorism, and these e-mails are examples of Americans who view the events of 9/11 as evidence that we need a shadow government— you know, just in case. I tend to look at the events of 9/11 as evidence that we do not.
Have we already forgotten what happened in the minutes immediately following the first explosion at the World Trade Center? The people of New York sprang into action when their city was attacked. Police officers, firefighters, and ordinary civilians came to the aid of their fellow citizens. A similar scenario played out in Washington, D.C., and brave passengers aboard United Flight 93 gave their lives to prevent a fourth hijacked plane from finding its target.
As a nation, we did not cringe in fear and wring our hands wondering if Uncle Sam was going to be there for us. When we heard that the nation's capital had been hit, we did not collectively cry out in anguish, "Dear God, who will protect us now?!"
In the initial aftermath of 9/11, the Continuance of Operations Plan for our federal bureaucracy was the least of our concerns. As unbelievable as it may seem for many Americans, we were able to cope with the tragedy at hand, and our national history is full of similar examples.
To believe that we would perish in the event of a temporary disabling of the federal government would be to discount the resilience of this nation and its people; to discount the resilience of this nation and its people would be to diminish everything it means to be American. During this trying time, let's not have that weighing on our conscience.
“What are you afraid of? It is you who does not have faith in the constitution. There is comfort in knowing that a continuance in government is there. What would really worry me is a takeover of the left wing liberal elites. Through taking advantage of national emergencies is how the communists came into power in Russia. Check your history. I am not afraid of 150 Americans to make sure that our security is provided in an emergency, and that these people will make sure their is no chaos and anarchy. After the catastrophe we will be able to regroup and rebuild. However it is liberals who are afraid and unsecure [sic], because they know they need all those Americans who will die for their country to protect them, so they don't have to serve for their country. Most liberals like to sit out the fight and then run their mouth.”
“If you apply your logic, why have life insurance? Auto? Health? But you do have those things which only shows your hypocrisy that you don't practice what you preach. You put a heavy load on Bush that you yourself are unwilling to bear. Your words are empty and thought process weak. You say the words that are put into your mouth. You're nothing but a puppet.”
“There is no shadow here, only adults running the store....I guess if a disaster happened and the institutions of our government were destroyed, you would arrive in Washington via your black helicopter piloted by Ross Perot.”
To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Lee at ever_vigilant@hotmail.com .
Which state official has custody of the keys that control our nuclear response?
My state doesn't even have a Department of the Navy, does yours?
There are US military facilities and troops all over the globe. Do they take their orders from Pennsylvania? Utah?
If there's a terrorist disaster, it might be a good idea to close our borders.
You got the phone number of the INS? The Coast Guard? Why would they listen to you anyway?
I have pointed out before that in the event of such an attack, there won't a 30-minute ballistic missile warning, no warning at all.
That's why we need key people in secure locations.
You're right. Let's pack in NORAD too folks. Seriously though, nobody is questioning the "resilience of this nation or its people" when examining a perfectly logical strategic safeguard for the safety of our country, namely the continuity of the federal government in the event of another attack.
And, furthermore, someone should have PINGed me. I didn't bring my tinfoil hat and 3D glasses with me to work today.
The Administration would be remiss if they didn't do such planning.
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.