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.

[azhenfud]

"I'm thinking it's a huge poker play by President Bush. I think he knows that no one will go for it..."

Like the poker play of Campaign Finance Reform's encroachment upon the First Amendment? No one believed it would make it to the President's desk - let alone him signing it.

No, I take ANY grab for power just as what it appears to be - whether from a "conservative" or liberal.

[freeeee]

Waiting for the caterwalling from the usual ACLU types.

So sorry to complain about the single most important distinguishing characteristic of free countries being pissed away.

I guess we should know our place and just stare meekly at the ground. After all, that's the kind of behavior that made this country great.

[freeeee]

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.

Right. Just like Campaign Finance Reform.

Think up some new lies. That one doesn't work anymore.

[stopem]

Thank you!! Great post. Finally someone who really understands what is happening and put it into words.

I can tell you stories....I heard from a security guard and manager of a extended stay motel, they have 18 NO black evacuees living in their motel. (this is hearsay, disclaimer)
They have disrupted the place and have caused so much trouble for other guests, the manager and the security guards that the mgr called the police, the police came to the scene with a supervisor of the police and the disruptors were told they could file a complaint against the mgr because of their civil rights and they were going to arrest the security guard. WHAT???
The supervisor of the police told the manager he could not "evict" them the mgr said that it was a motel and he did not have to give them 30 days eviction notice. I am not an atty so I have no idea if that is true or not that a "guest" cannot be evicted or if its just these Louisiana people that have special priviledges.
DISGUSTING!

This is a story the media will never tell.

[John Jorsett]

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

I can only hope that this is the president's way of upping the ante in a game of chicken, to mix a few metaphores. Federalizing emergencies is a spectacularly bad idea, and I'll be happy if this is just Bush's way of saying, "Don't like the way we handled Katrina? OK, GIVE ME *ALL* THE POWER! AAAAHAHAHAHAHA!" just to scare the critics away from the idea.

[OB1kNOb]

I don't like where this is headed one bit. It doesn't matter which party is in power. It's a bad idea either way.

[ravingnutter]

Ummmm...JMHO, but I think we have a disconnect here. The President is talking about relief efforts...the ACLU is talking about law enforcement. One does not automatically equate to the other.

[Attillathehon]

Exactly. But it sure will educate a lot of people who didn't understand the federal role in the Katrina mess. It also forces the Dims to do a 180. Good for W!

[bethtopaz]

With all due respect, I appreciate any constructive criticism or instruction from someone with more political experience and knowledge than myself, but it's very hard to receive any information from someone who speaks down to me in a vitriolic manner. Please be kind. Honey attracts more flies than vinegar. Thanks.

[WilliamWallace1999]

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

This Texas boy is 100% in agreement with that statement. Bluffin' is fine; but them's fightin' words if he is serious. Can you imagine the abuse of power if Billy Jerk had this in place? Or Hitlery? Waco would just be the prelude to a new civil war.

[OldFriend]

I have been consistently against the relaxing of the posse comitatus act.

Been consistently warning people to be careful what they wish for.

I was simply making an observation. The left has been screaming that Bush should have sent in the military and now they are going to be screaming that they don't want the military.

Talk about dysfunctional!!!

[skeptical_con]

I'll be happy if this is just Bush's way of saying, "Don't like the way we handled Katrina? OK, GIVE ME *ALL* THE POWER! AAAAHAHAHAHAHA!" just to scare the critics away from the idea.

--------------

And those cowards will give it to him too.

Sayonara, Posse Comitatus!

Here is a nice picture of Waco, Texas.

[kitkat]

Rush just backed us up on what we said about Bush's plan to show up Gov. Blanco and the dems. He also said that if what they want is Gen. Honore going down there in the future, that's what they'll get. LOL

[pollyannaish]

I hope this doesn't happen, and I hope it is strategery. The President has been put into a classic Catch-22.

But most important I want to say this: Democrats force people to lead poorly because they are nothing but whining, pandering, demanding two year olds who are beyond dangerous to this country. And the press is like the maiden aunt who gives into every tantrum by offering candy and tickets to Disneyland. They must be stopped.

[BradMorris64]

Right. Just like Campaign Finance Reform. Think up some new lies. That one doesn't work anymore.,

I wrote...

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

You conveniently left that sentence out when you wrote your reply accusing me of lying.

As far as I'm concerned, states rights are the most important concept behind the constitution. If the President is in fact going to try to take over federal control of the states without their permission in the event of an "emergency". I will fight it tooth and nail.

Anyway, in the future I suggest you don't distort what a person posts by conveniently leaving out part of the post. That, to me, seems dishonest.

[r-q-tek86]

This move parries both lines of attack

DING DING DING! Winner.

Bush is in a position where he is not playing the "blame game" with the Governor or Mayor but is highlighting the limits that the Federal Government DID face in Katrina. Great move.

[kitkat]

*** It also forces the Dims to do a 180. Good for W!***

You're right, hon.

[kitkat]

***Bush is in a position where he is not playing the "blame game" with the Governor or Mayor but is highlighting the limits that the Federal Government DID face in Katrina. Great move.***

Yup!

[Lorianne]

Well, that's what all the Yammering Class was asking for! Now we'll here them yammer on about Bush's power grab.

[kinghorse]

I am officially creeped out by this Republican President's fondness for Federal power. Took me a while but I'm pretty much convinced of it now.