BREAKING / LONE STAR ICONOCLAST / 8/2/07
Bush Hiding Secrets of "Dictator Act" from HomeSecCom Chairman
By Captain Eric H. May
Military Correspondent
Crawford, Texas -- In a move certain to generate more alarm, the Bush
Administration's Frances Townsend yesterday denied House Homeland Security
Committee Chairman Bernie Thompson's July 27 written request for access to
National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51), the so-called "Dictator
Act," which allows Bush to control federal, state and local governments -- as
well as key private industries -- in case of a catastrophic event.
Critics point out that NSPD-51, which Bush signed May 9, allows him to
determine what does and doesn't constitute a catastrophe, and opens the door to
dictatorship.
This weekend I will write and publish a comprehensive update to this
developing story via Internet publications, and it will run in the Iconoclast's
next issue Tuesday. For more details, see my last two articles:
Next 9/11, Summer 2007?
http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/07/07/23/may.htm
Peter DeFazio and the Portland Nuke
http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/07/07/30/may.htm
Below is the letter of refusal from the White House.
The White House
Washington
August 1, 2007
The Honorable Bennie G Thompson
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Christopher P. Carney
Chairman
Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight
Committee on Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio
Committee on Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20525
Dear Chairman Thompson, Chairman Carney, and Representative DeFazio:
I am writing to respond to your letter of July 27, 2007, concerning the
classified annexes to National Security Presidential Directive-51/Homeland
Security Presidential Directive-20 (NSPD-51/HSPD-20) of May 4 2007 ("National
Continuity Policy").
One of the overriding goals of NSPD-51/HSPD-20 was to describe, for the first
time in an unclassified manner, actions that the executive branch is taking to
ensure the effectiveness of our national continuity capability. As the National
Continuity Coordinator, I understand the important work done by those at all
levels of government to ensure the preservation of our form of government under
the Constitution and the continuing performance of National Essential Functions
under all conditions. NSPD-51/HSPD-20 represents the most information ever
publicly provided by the executive on continuity issues.
As you know, NSPD-51/HSPD-20 directs that an implementation plan be submitted
to the President for approval this month. The implementation plan will provide
further direction to executive branch departments and agencies to promote
coordination of continuity programs with our partners at the Federal, State,
and local levels and in the private sector.
Regarding the highly sensitive classified annexes to NSPD-51/HSPD-20 that you
requested, we are unable to share them with the membership and staff of the
Committee. It has long been the policy of the executive branch -- predating the
current Administration -- to treat specific continuity operational details as
extremely sensitive. Traditionally, the executive branch has briefed the most
senior congressional leadership on sensitive continuity information. For the
House of Representative, we remain in regular contact with the Offices of the
Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Republican Leader on specific continuity
plans. We are committed to continuing to work with congressional leadership on
these issues and are sensitive to respecting their prerogatives in coordinating
continuity issues between the legislative and executive branches.
Sincerely,
Frances F. Townsend
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
cc:
Hon. Nancy Pelosi
Hon. Steny Hoyer
Hon. John Boehner
