I know that my blog has been leaning on the political side the last few days, but it’s getting downright scary out there.
On May 8, George Bush issued a National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive (NSPD 51/HSPD-20) giving the president what can only be described as dictatorial power over all levels of government in a “any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions.”
A quick read through the document shows that in such an event, the executive branch would have direct power over all branches of the federal government, as well as state, local, and tribal government, the name of mantaining an “enduring constitutional government.” (Totalitarianism, anyone?)
Such a loose definition gives ultimate authority to the President under even the weakest of justifications – surely a terrorist attack like 9/11, but also under a minor emergency in another country, even if it only affects us economically. And regardless of what triggers such power, is dictatorial authority really what we want right after a true catastrophe? A malicious leader could orchestrate a disaster, and gain control of the government after it is carried out.
Like I said, my apologies for the recent political slant. I’m not even that into politics right now, but the news I’m reading is just really creepy.
Maybe tomorrow I’ll post some links to some tinfoil hats up for sale.