The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive that was signed on May 9, 2007 is a scary document and we don't know the half of it because
(23) Annex A and the classified Continuity Annexes, attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this directive.
we really don't know the half of it. The part we do know basically places “all governmental power in the hands of the President and effectively abolish[es] the checks and balances in the Constitution” in the event of a “catastrophic emergency” like a
or a
This has led many on the internet (and here, here and here) to fear the worst which is understandable considering that our
very funny, but I meant
thinks he is a
With this back drop, Congressman Peter Defazio (D-Oregon) who serves on the Homeland Security Committee and has clearance to see secret documents figured he'd take a looksie at the classified parts of the Directive. Only he was amazingly denied access to the confidential parts of the Directive by the Bush administration. DeFazio was none too pleased stating:
“I just can't believe they're going to deny a member of Congress the right of reviewing how they plan to conduct the government of the United States after a significant terrorist attack...
We're talking about the continuity of the government of the United States of America. I would think that would be relevant to any member of Congress, let alone a member of the Homeland Security Committee.”
Legal scholar Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute concurs, stating that he could not “think of one good reason” to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee.
Well, since there appears to be little we individual citizens can do to learn the government's plan in the event of a catastrophe, it would be prudent for all of us to have our own plans. Should Bush/Cheney declare Martial Law and start locking up Americans by the bunches, what will you do? Can you make a run for the border? Do you have a passport and is it current? How 'bout a Republican Party card with your name on it (I'm not kidding)? Cash on hand?
Maybe peoples worries about the Directive do not prove out. Maybe nothing happens and Bush turns over the reigns of the country to the next elected president. Maybe. And maybe people are right to worry.
Read more about Congressman DeFazio in The Oregonian
