http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/052107T.shtml
Bush Anoints Himself as the Ensurer of Constitutional Government in
Emergency
By Matthew Rothschild
The Progressive: Friday 18 May 2007
In a new National Security Presidential Directive, Bush lays out his plans
for dealing with a "catastrophic emergency."
With scarcely a mention in the mainstream media, President Bush has
ordered up a plan for responding to a catastrophic attack.
Under that plan, he entrusts himself with leading the entire federal
government, not just the Executive Branch. And he gives himself the
responsibility "for ensuring constitutional government."
He laid this all out in a document entitled "National Security
Presidential Directive/NSPD 51" and "Homeland Security Presidential
Directive/HSPD-20."
The White House released it on May 9.
Other than a discussion on Daily Kos led off by a posting by Leo Fender,
and a pro-forma notice in a couple of mainstream newspapers, this document
has gone unremarked upon.
The subject of the document is entitled "National Continuity Policy."
It defines a "catastrophic emergency" as "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 function."
This could mean another 9/11, or another Katrina, or a major earthquake
in California, I imagine, since it says it would include "localized acts of
nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies."
The document emphasizes the need to ensure "the continued function of
our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of
the three separate branches of government," it states.
But it says flat out: "The President shall lead the activities of the
Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government."
The document waves at the need to work closely with the other two
branches, saying there will be "a cooperative effort among the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government." But this
effort will be "coordinated by the President, as a matter of comity with
respect to the legislative and judicial branches and with proper respect for
the constitutional separation of powers."
Among the efforts coordinated by the President would ensuring the
capability of the three branches of government to "provide for orderly
succession" and "appropriate transition of leadership."
The document designates a National Continuity Coordinator, who would be
the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
Currently holding that post is Frances Fragos Townsend.
She is required to develop a National Continuity Implementation Plan and
submit it within 90 days.
As part of that plan, she is not only to devise procedures for the
Executive Branch but also give guidance to "state, local, territorial, and
tribal governments, and private sector owners and operators of critical
infrastructure."
The secretary of Homeland Security is also directed to develop planning
guidance for "private sector critical infrastructure owners and operators,"
as well as state, local, territorial, and tribal governments.
The document gives the Vice President a role in implementing the
provisions of the contingency plans.
"This directive shall be implanted in a manner that is consistent with,
and facilitates effective implementation of, provisions of the Constitution
concerning succession to the Presidency or the exercise of its powers, and
the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 USC 19), with the consultation of
the Vice President and, as appropriate, others involved."
The document also contains "classified Continuity Annexes."
***
Hi. I just got this intruiging statment. Here's their letter and program.
It looks sound, with a realizeable goal and many potential supporters.
I'll sign it and pass it on when their website if functioning. Consider it
and put it before organizations you're part of or would get behind this.
Ed
The name of our group is "Impeach Bush/Cheney Los Angeles". Our
goal is to have the LA City Council pass this resolution. We're seeking
support and endorsements from community organizations, activist
organizations, labor unions and church groups.
Any help or advice would also be appreciated. We are also in the
process of collecting signatures and hope to have a web-based system
for signatures soon.
Please contact Allan Ides - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
or
Eitan Sadeh - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Allan Ides
James P. Bradley Professor of Constitutional Law
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Petition: Los Angeles City Council Impeachment Resolution
March 2007
IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Jefferson's Manual section LIII, 603, states that impeachment
may be set in motion by charges transmitted from the legislature of a
State; and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard Cheney have intentionally misled
the Congress and the public regarding the threat from Iraq in order to
justify a war against Iraq, in violation of Title 18 United States
Code, Section 1001 and intentionally conspired with others to defraud
the United States in connection with the war against Iraq in violation
of Title 18 United States Code, Section 371; and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard Cheney have conspired to commit the
torture of prisoners in violation of the UN Torture Convention and the
Geneva Convention, which under Article VI of the Constitution are part
of the "supreme Law of the Land"; and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard Cheney have acted to strip
Americans of their constitutional rights by ordering indefinite
detention of citizens, without access to legal counsel, without charge
and without opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to
challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation
by the President of a U.S. citizen as an "enemy combatant", all in
subversion of law; and
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard Cheney have admitted to ordering
the National Security Agency to conduct electronic surveillance of
American civilians duly constituted by Congress in 1978, in violation
of the Title 50 United States Code, Section 1805; and
WHEREAS, In all of this George W. Bush and Richard Cheney have acted in
a manner contrary to the trust placed in their respective offices of
President and Vice-President, subversive of constitutional government
to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the
manifest injury of the people of the State of California and of the
United States,
WHEREAS, it is the uniform practice of the US House of Representative
to receive petitions or resolutions from primary assemblies of the
people;
Be it resolved that George W. Bush and Richard Cheney, by such conduct,
warrant impeachment and trial, and removal from office and
disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit
under the United States;
Be it resolved further by the City of Los Angeles, that our senators
and representatives in the United States Congress be, and they are
hereby, requested to cause to be instituted in the Congress of the
United States proper proceedings for the investigation of the
activities of the President George W. Bush and the Vice President
Richard Cheney, to the end that they may be impeached and removed from
such offices.0020
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