Bush seeks to federalize emergencies

Washington Times ^ | 9/27/05 | Bill Sammon

[Crackingham]

President Bush yesterday sought to federalize hurricane-relief efforts, removing governors from the decision-making process.

"It wouldn't be necessary to get a request from the governor or take other action," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday.

"This would be," he added, "more of an automatic trigger."

Mr. McClellan was referring to a new, direct line of authority that would allow the president to place the Pentagon in charge of responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks and outbreaks of disease.

"It may require change of law," Mr. Bush said yesterday. "It's very important for us as we look at the lessons of Katrina to think about other scenarios that might require a well-planned, significant federal response -- right off the bat -- to provide stability."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) accused Mr. Bush of attempting a power grab in the wake of fierce criticism that he responded too slowly to Hurricane Katrina a month ago.

"Using the military in domestic law enforcement is generally a very bad idea," said Timothy Edgar, national security policy counsel for the ACLU. "I'm afraid that it will have unforeseen consequences for civil liberties."

SNIP

But stabilizing a crisis might require federal troops to arrest looters and perform other law-enforcement duties, which would violate the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The law was passed in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction to prevent the use of federal troops from policing elections in former Confederate states.

The White House wants Congress to consider amending Posse Comitatus in order to grant the Pentagon greater powers.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[sydbas]

While I don't think this is a good idea I can't blame President Bush for proposing it. Essentially he is saying that OK I took a big hit for Katrina so I am going to make sure that next time I don't have to deal with the likes of Nagin and Blanco. If the dems stand in his way he can say, after the next disaster, I tried to get authority to step in but you blocked it. This is a political move and at least it's a 'fighting back' attempt by President Bush.

[MNJohnnie]

no one is "demanding" he do this - he should just leave this issue alone. its not going to pass congress anyway.

Oh yeah that is why all these people on Free Republic are posting all these posts about "Bush's plummeting poll ratings" and screaming how the sky is falling. Screaming "Why doesn't Bush DO something". You know all those Moveon "conservatives" who were screaming for Bush to "do something" the week Katerina hit? Screaming Bush should just have ignored the law and sent in the Marines?

WE know better, unfortunately it seems many "conservatives" do not. I just pray you are right about Congress on this.

[D-fendr]

I dunno if this is good or bad, but they should name it the Blanco-Nagin Act.

[kitkat]

***no one is "demanding" he do this - he should just leave this issue alone. its not going to pass congress anyway.***

Precisely, BUT tell me this? Has the President said even ONE word against Gov. Blanco and her mess up during Katrina? And yet, the Dems are still screaming that Bush was slow to act.

NOW, what a great way for Pres. Bush to call the nation's attention to who was responsible. Blanco is probably tearing her hair out over this ploy. Bush plays chess.

[Gone GF]

Bush has been expanding federal government and presidential power ever since he was elected. Is anybody really surprised he's grabbing at the chance to do so again?

[azhenfud]

"It wouldn't be necessary to get a request from the governor or take other action," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday.

"This would be," he added, "more of an automatic trigger."

So much for enumerated powers of the FedGov and the Constitution. Might as well throw conservatism out the same window.

[kitkat]

***Fellow Freepers. I think we are seeing more srtategery in action.***

Absolutely agree. And, by the way, I hadn't read your post before I posted the same opinion.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Emergencies? Riots? Floods? Volcanos? Terrorists? Wrong election outcome? Endangered species?

[Gone GF]

"Oh and you flunkys at the ACLU, bite me."

Sometimes the ACLU is actually right. I think it's best to use whatever tools you can to fight this, even the ACLU.

[labard1]

"Huge mistake.
Anytime the Federal Gov't gets more power, its bad."

Agreed. I don't think this puppy is going anywhere, but isn't it a good way for Bush to make a point about the poor quality of the Louisiana/New Orleans response without using names and joining in the mud pit? The horror would be if he gets this authority.

[NJ_gent]

""This would be," he added, "more of an automatic trigger.""

Of course, because automatics are the quickest way of executing liberty, the Constitution, the Posse Comitatus Act, American tradition, Federalism, and states' rights.

""It may require change of law,""

Mr. President, changing good laws in response to criticism by people who dislike you personally is about as dumb an idea as can be. The laws we have in place, like Posse Comitatus, exist to protect us from situations that are far more dangerous to the American people than hurricane Katrina. A hurricane or a terrorist attack can only destroy lives and property. What you propose could destroy freedom in this country.

"the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The law was passed in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction to prevent the use of federal troops from policing elections in former Confederate states."

The law was passed because it was recognized that standing armies engaging in domestic law enforcement activities invariably end up being used against the interests of the people. It's happened time and time again throughout history and throughout the world. Why in Hell anyone would want to send us back to the dark ages of oppression by standing army is beyond me.

"The White House wants Congress to consider amending Posse Comitatus in order to grant the Pentagon greater powers."

Let us hope, for our sake, the country's sake, and the sake of future generations, that Congress quickly, quietly, and firmly tells the White House where it can stick that idea.

[sgtbono2002]

More loss of States Rights and Federal encroachment because one Dem Governor doesnt have sense enough to come in out of the rain.

[bethtopaz]

I'm thinking it's a huge poker play by President Bush. I think he knows that no one will go for it and I think you hit the nail on the head, sydbas.

[OldFriend]

Waiting for the caterwalling from the usual ACLU types.

[OldFriend]

The bungling was all Nagin and Blank-O

[DustyMoment]

Apparently he didn't learn from the TSA debacle and is still smarting from tiny tommies line "You don't professionalize until you federalize".

Frankly, Bush needs to stay out of this one.

[KarlInOhio]

Would you want your political opponents to have this power?

Imagine President Hillary with this power in national emergencies. I still remember all the speculation about XXX-42 using Y2K to cancel the elections in 2000.

[freeeee]

I'm thinking it's a huge poker play by President Bush.

Well isn't that cute. Poor W gets some bad press. So to save his ratings he wages our liberty as if it were a plastic poker chip.

Such raw unmitigated arrogance.

[BradMorris64]

Fellow Freepers. I think we are seeing more srtategery in action. This is a direct counter-punch to the media attack on the President's response to Katrina. This move highlights the way the current laws work and will put the liberals in a catch-22. They would love to have more power, but supporting this move lets him off the hook. Opposing this plan shows they really DIDN'T want to fix the problem, just attack Bush. This move parries both lines of attack.

I tend to agree with this. I think the President is calling the liberals bluff. They screamed he didn't act fast enough, he is threatening them with a federal takeover just to put them in a spot from which they can't logically escape. They will look like fools trying to weasle out of this, but they will have to do it because they will not give up this much power to the president. Brilliant.

However, if he is serious. Then I have major problems with it.