What is Digg?356 Comments
- aaronwolfe, on 10/11/2007, -10/+261Man, haven't you even seen Revenge of the Sith....
Bad dude creates a war, senate is too big and slow to prosecute the war, bad dude needs more power to keep people safe, senate gives him more power, bad dude keeps war going while taking more power....poof....all of the sudden he's a dictator...except for us there is no Obi-Wan or Yoda in sight...
Darth Ignoramus? - harumph, on 10/11/2007, -15/+235take the next small step here and consider that in the case of a catastrophic attack he would be under no pressure to EVER leave office. that may be the most dangerous thing i can think of.
- EntropyMan, on 10/11/2007, -7/+150@aaronwolfe, it's a clear scenario, but you don't need to look at fiction to see it in action. Just look at Nazi Germany and how Hitler rose to power.
And before some neotard responds to my prior post and claims this only kicks in during mass casualties, I just want to point out this little loophole:
(b) "Catastrophic Emergency" means 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;
Notice the "OR" -- in legal terms, that means it doesn't require any casualties or damage, just the last part is enough. So if Washington DC was shut down due to a nuclear threat with no actual bomb found, Bush could assume control during that time, or beyond. He could order the capitol evacuated and run things from his command bunker in Cheney's colon. - rnwen2750, on 10/11/2007, -20/+155Yeah, I want the man who sat on his bum and read to children during 9/11 to help out in a state of emergency. Forgotten what he was doing during and after Katrina?
- EntropyMan, on 10/11/2007, -8/+105@screamingruns, we're not talking about habeas corpus. We're talking about the whole f*cking government. And a terrorist act is not "rebellion" or "insurrection." It's an act of war by a non-nation, which does not apply to the Habeas clause.
The problem with this is it could be anything. An anthrax attack. A nuclear threat. I wouldn't be surprised if nothing even happens -- just some "evidence" of a looming terrorist plot in DC to trigger this clause.
I hope the military would have the good sense to disobey such a clearly illegal order. But history says they might not. - aaronwolfe, on 10/11/2007, -7/+67@entropyman
You're quite right...I just wanted to get Bush's Sith name out there.
@sonofdy1
Commander in Chief of the armed forces....it seems this plan would expand his power over the judicial and legislative branches, something he does not have now. - hbweb500, on 10/11/2007, -4/+52@sonofdy
Marshal Law was a comic. Martial law is what you were going for, I think.
Also, if this was martial law, Bush wouldn't need to pass another bill to gain these powers. This is obviously something more, granting additional powers to the president. Also, I urge you to read about the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the deployment of troops on American streets by the president.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act - micropizzle, on 10/11/2007, -7/+54This is exactly what Hitler did to gain his dictatorship. Heh, must be a coincidence.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -15/+59sonofdy1:
If anybody needs a tin foil hat it is you, for being a sleeping, nieve, fool who this everything is a ok - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -5/+47Dupe:
http://digg.com/politics/George_W_Bush_Declares_Himself_Dictator_During_A_Catastrophic_Emergency
5000+ diggs. - COMPACTION, on 10/11/2007, -3/+36I still can't believe this moron is still running the show. You got rid of Nixon for less!
- brennankeller, on 10/11/2007, -2/+31Captain Murphy: Until we find the thief, I am declaring Martian law!
Sparks: Um, I think its martial law.
Captain Murphy: Silence! Under Martian law... uh... what are my powers, exactly?
Sparks: Under martial law, you could suspend habeas corpus, empower a posse comitatus...
Captain Murphy: That's crap. Mars is wild, untamed. I'm forming a cadre of Martian knights charged with enforcing Martian law.
-- Sealab 2021 - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+32Granting such power to any man, especially a leader of a failed administration is illegal and totally unconstitutional.
What isn't in place now to move the country to a Nazi-like dictatorship? Should we expect another inside-sponsored, massive catastrophe--another false flag operation--for the transition to take place?
It will not work. While the administration has secretly been passing laws to turn itself into a dictatorship, and the media has systematically complied to not expose them, the citizens still believe we have a democracy. They will not turn against their own people. A single act of abuse would unleash the fury of 300 million people, mostly armed--It may have worked in Nazi Germany but it will not work here. That is what they can't test market. - mlock2k, on 10/11/2007, -2/+30If Katrina is any indication Bush should be as far away from the loop as possible. I think it should stay at the state level until it is ruled a national event then and only then would the government be able to step in for help. That way our states can build up our own support services. Because who knows our states better than ourselves.
- redking123, on 10/11/2007, -10/+31Hitler got the same power but he never abused it. But then I don't know much about history. Could never happen here anyway. Conspiracy nuts!
- Grumps, on 10/11/2007, -1/+22This is getting fishy isnt it? Is he planning to make something happen in his remaining term to further dictate on this free nation?
- Portaljacker, on 07/09/2009, -2/+19II always knew Bush would try to make himself emperor of America. I bet he's organizing the "catastrophe" himself.
- keenfrenzy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+17If a nuke went off in NYC, theres not a bill that can be passed that would stop 100,000 people from dying instantly. Laws and bills can't reverse physical effects of a nuke.
=============================================
Advisor: "Sir, a bomb just went off in NYC."
President: "A bomb? Quick, let's make it illegal for bombs to kill people."
Advisor: "Yes sir!"
10 hours later...
"...and as result of the president's anti-damage bill, the bomb had no effects whatsoever on the city. I'm (insert newsperson name), for all of us here at (insert network name), goodnight."
=============================================
I wish people would stop thinking laws fix everything.
What fixes things is people being educated and understanding what precipiates these attacks, whether they be by terrorists or by an opressive government, and learning how to stop it before it can start. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -2/+18“Trying to get 535 people to agree (even to a simple majority) is a nightmare.”
They didn’t seem to have much trouble getting the Patriot Act passed.
Introduced into the House of Representatives as H.R. 3162 by Congressman James F. Sensenbrenner (R, WI), the Act swept through Congress remarkably quickly and with little dissent. House Resolution 3162 was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 23, 2001. Assistant Attorney General Viet D. Dinh and future Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff were the primary drafters of the Act. The bill passed in the House of Representatives on October 24, 2001, and in the Senate (Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) cast the lone dissenting vote, and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) was the sole non-voting member) on October 25, 2001. President George W. Bush signed the bill into law on October 26, 2001.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act#Legislative_history - BlakeEM, on 10/11/2007, -8/+24This means he could basically attack Iran and start another world war and be the dictator of the USA even after his term is up. Even just considering this bill at all should be grounds for impeachment.
- Visnik, on 10/11/2007, -3/+17"Well, the choice here is pretty simple. We either allow one person the control during a catastrophic attach (or crisis) or we try to give the power to a group of people (in this case Congress) who has proven time and again that it takes months to pass a simple bill. There is entirely too much partisan infighting for Congress to be in control during such an event. The thing to remember here is that after Bush leaves office, whoever is elected as the next president will have the same powers..."
Just don't talk, you just make your self look un-educated. How do you think Hitler gained power? I will explain in terms your can understand. He requested full control of the government if there was a "catastrophic event" then what do you know, there was one in the form of the burning of the Reichstag* "Oh great Hitler will save us", he gained complete and total control of government. Pick up a history book to find out what hap pend next. I will get you started:
*
Having become Chancellor, Hitler foiled all attempts to gain a majority in parliament and on that basis persuaded President Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag again. Elections were scheduled for early March, but on February 27, 1933, the Reichstag building was set on fire.[27] Since a Dutch independent communist was found in the building, the fire was blamed on a Communist plot to which the government reacted with the Reichstag Fire Decree of February 28, which suspended basic rights, including habeas corpus. Under the provisions of this decree, the German Communist Party and other groups were suppressed, and Communist functionaries and deputies were arrested, put to flight, or murdered.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler#Reichstag_Fire_and_the_March_elections - netdawg, on 10/11/2007, -0/+14our country was _founded_ on the objection to this concept. apparently many americans like you have forgotten
- guchdog, on 10/11/2007, -2/+16Basically this means if you want destroy democracy just attack us and we become a dictatorship. Red or Blue who would want this?
- mapez, on 10/11/2007, -1/+14*woosh*
- aaronwolfe, on 10/11/2007, -12/+24Bush needs to be jailed, but he didn't "do 9/11"....
- screamthenrun, on 10/11/2007, -7/+19@EntropyMan: "Invasion of the Public Safety" is open to extremely wide interpretation...
- Buttercup, on 10/11/2007, -6/+18hey retards. this is the COMMENTS section, not a FORUM. if you want to talk ***** about each other, go to a forum. comments is for talking ***** about the article.
- M4tt3r, on 10/11/2007, -1/+12I can tell you for damn sure, the earth is [not] 6,000 years old. As soon as you mentioned that, my brain stops working. I was willing to think, but that just tops it.
You can't use science only when you "feel" like it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiometric_dating - twinkieguy, on 10/11/2007, -7/+18what if the president presipitated said disaster?
- mitchconnerr, on 10/11/2007, -4/+14Mark my words
If he gets the power to do this you can guarantee that there WILL BE another "catastrophic attack" -- I Just pray no more of my family and friends die in the next phase of the "New World Order" - Wargalas, on 10/11/2007, -10/+20@harumph
I'm a Republican and this is simply not going to happen. First off, it's unconstitutional, secondly, he HAS to leave after two terms. Now, if we can only get Congress to adhere to the "2 term limit" that the President has and you'll start seeing REAL progress - ate50eggs, on 10/11/2007, -2/+11Save the cheerleader, save the world.
- EntropyMan, on 10/11/2007, -0/+9In the event of a real emergency, Congress would do what it always does, which is to temporarily grant whatever power is needed to the President to deal with it. The difference is, they can take it back without counting on the President to give it up willingly. That's how it's supposed to work in the constitution.
- EntropyMan, on 10/11/2007, -6/+14@catalysys, it didn't take 3 days for the national guard to be called in for any other emergency in recent memory. And we're not even talking law enforcement, which is was comitatus deals with. They just needed water, food, and evacuation for crying out loud.
@nitro, apparently, not everyone saw it. - nesibus, on 10/11/2007, -0/+8With hardly any time left in office...making an action like this kinda makes you wonder....what does he know that we don't.
- hagbard72, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8Why do you American's put up with that guy?
- bimtott, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8I can't believe there are actually still people here who think this is not a big deal...
- glitch47, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6
Why is our world becoming more and more like Dr. Strangelove? - paradexes, on 10/11/2007, -4/+10Didn't Chancellor Palpatine do something similar? He fought a war with "separatists" and then created new laws that enabled his ability to stay in office long after his expired time? I mean he crafted the Clone wars basically. Can anyone else see the similarites from Star Wars and real life? I wonder who Anakin is in this political drama that we have unfolding. Actually thinking about it Dick Cheney seems to be quite Darth Vaderish is somethings he does. But the difference here is that he may not have any good in him.
So lets recap:
We have a war on some (insert a word here)ists.
Emergency executive powers and resources are given to the elected official. (patriot act, homeland security, clone troopers, lots of money for all of that)
Some major catastrophe happens that enables the elected official to take total control of the situation (lets see another terror attack, Jedi attacking the chancellor)
Wow that George Lucas was a hell of a genius. He used real life events forseen with his mighty "Jedi" skillz and added spaceships and lasers to it.
In all seriousness...he does have some serious foresight there. We need to fight the corruption we are seeing from all the MSM, lobby and political outlets. This includes many of the newspapers. We don't have much time because it is only a matter of time before the internet is also subverted and we will ALSO be behind a great firewall like china. Freedom of speech for the moment is working....but it's time is limited. Digg me down...at least I said what i needed to say. - arplayer2k, on 10/11/2007, -1/+7It seems that every hour now I read how ***** up this great country is getting. I think blame goes to the media and congress for not making this a bigger issue. Even though Congress might not have any power to overturn this, they can still make it aware to the majority of our public, that cares more about Paris Hilton smoking a joint or what star is winning on American Idol, aware of the issue. Most of us hopefully know how hopelessly pathetic the mainstream media is. Welcome to the age of Idocracy.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6I wonder if this had any connection with the lack of objections.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_anthrax_attacks
The 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States, also known as Amerithrax from its FBI case name, occurred over the course of several weeks beginning on September 18, 2001 (a week after the September 11, 2001 attacks). Letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to several news media offices and two U.S. Senators, killing five people and infecting 17 others. The crime remains unsolved. - iTorrey, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6How is letting local and state government handle things anarchy? We don't need the federal government appointing a dictator and taking over states! That is against everything this country was founded on.
- oskite, on 10/11/2007, -1/+7Sleepy, the population doubling only makes sense if you think we've had the same life expectancy for the past 6000 years. Progression of culture, health, and other technology affect that rate immensely.
- coldphoenix, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6Islamic government...is that a joke?
- NikoKun, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6Why do people allow this crap to happen... -_- In crisis or catastrophies, the government is supposed to function the same as it was built!!! Not change into a dictatorship... -_-
No matter how good a government was made to be, the very nature of government, attracts the power hungry scum of the world... And in this case, if we don't kick them out of office when they misbehave, they are only going to take more and more of our freedoms away.. -__-
The people of the US, just want to relax... but in this country you're not supposed to relax when it comes to politics... We have to continue to keep the government in check. Or else they will do what they want. We are supposed to keep their power down... - fatfinger, on 10/11/2007, -1/+7I hope 70 percent of the united states population is getting ready to revolt, while the other 30 percent stays at home watching Fox news.
- EndersGame, on 10/11/2007, -4/+9"take the next small step here and consider that in the case of a catastrophic attack he would be under no pressure to EVER leave office. that may be the most dangerous thing i can think of."
The scary thing is it seems like thats exactly what Bush has been planning all along. They already intended to start a war with Iraq, 9/11 just pushed their agenda along. 9/11 helped Bush out a lot, but it was still not a "war" and while we are at war with Iraq, there is still no evidence that shows Iraq is a threat to us on our soil. Thats why Bush has been in Iraq for so long, he is waiting for a determined group of insurgents to plot another terrorist attack on our soil. Then we could really justify a war with Iraq. Well, that didn't work for the past few years, so now Bush is looking for a new target. He has to be careful, he wouldn't dare go after our allies so Iran is the next obvious choice. He will keep teasing Iran until Iran attacks, its probably going to be a nuclear attack. At that point, Bush will declare martial law and completely strip this country of all its freedoms.
My theory may sound crazy, but its really the only thing that explains why we are still in Iraq when Iraq no longer wants our help, and we clearly aren't accomplishing anything. It also explains why Bin Laden is still at large, and why Bush and Cheney are now giving more of their attention to Iran. It explains why Bush has been taking away our freedoms, all the stuff he has been doing doesn't really add up unless you think about the possibility of him not leaving office in 08.
What Bush fails to realize is there are more of us then there are Bush supporters. If he tries to take full control of the government or even if he starts a war with Iran, anybody that cares about their freedoms as much as me is going to be out in the streets wreaking complete chaos. I hope I am not joined only by a handful of people when the time comes, think Roman Empire. - Teku, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6Wow all the conspiracy crazies are out today.
There should be one person in charge when there is a national emergency to make sure that the issues do not end up in constant debate. I remember in the wake of Katrina that dumb woman Governor of Louisiana could not make up her mind and people wanted someone to do something, then that general guy went down there and got some stuff done.
I know everyone thinks President Bush plans some sort of Star Wars senate take over, but can we at least agree that one person should take over in an emergency? I honestly believe there is no room for debate and political ***** when lives are on the line. - phanfo, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5everyone read behold a pale horse, the author was part of the CIA and said all this would happen, its pretty prescient and scary that it is coming true
- dforty3, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Yup.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1687360.ece -
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