http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Oldline_Republican_warns_somethings_in_works_0719. html

I'd love to be able to dismiss this out of hand as the crazy ramblings of a paranoid kook, but I find myself unable to do it.

Time for the tinfoil hats.

On the plus side, the possible perpetrators of the sort of national coup the article proposes are such hubris-minded incompetents that it'd require divine approbation for them to pull it off. Not necessarily Heavenly approbation, but divine on some (sub)level.

I thought it was a very candid assessment of Cheney, though,...."ruthless"...."that man will do anything". It is only a more radicalized version of what some, like Greystone and myself, have already been speculating about.

I also would not put it past Cheney, et al, to attempt to manufacture a crisis (they are already are, with Iran) in order to convince the public that the state of perpetual 'war' (and associated 'emergency' executive powers) are justified; sadly, I think that inertia/apathy will do most of the (non) work for them with regard to all the usurpation of power that has already taken place. Certainly, Congress has shown little political will with regard to challenging or dismantling it yet (and while a lot was discussed in last night's Democratic political debate, the *legitimacy* of us having a 'war' on terror, Iraq withdrawal timelines notwithstanding, or the proper limits of executive power, was not touched on).

Regards,
Nydia

For the curious, the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive can be found here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html


A decent commentary on the Directive can be found here:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824

And here is another interesting tidbit on this (I'm going to have to dig for the original source of the quotes from Rep. De Fazio) from Suicidegirls (I've cut/pasted for the NSFW crowd):

Oregonian Peter DeFazio is a member of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee. He started getting quite a few calls from constituents who believe there is a conspiracy hidden somewhere in the classified sections of the “White House plan for operating the government after a terrorist attack.” So, he decided to look into the matter.

As a member of the U.S. House on the Homeland Security Committee, DeFazio, D-Ore., is permitted to enter a secure "bubbleroom" in the Capitol and examine classified material. So he asked the White House to see the secret documents.


The Bush administration sent back their answer and it was not very nice: DENIED. You're not good enough for the bubbleroom, bitch. Actually, DeFazio is lucky he didn’t receive a beat down for being nosy.

"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," DeFazio says.


Really? You can’t believe it? Peter, I’d like to introduce you to the Bush administration. They kind of do whatever they want because nobody ever legally challenges them.

According to legal scholar Norm Ornstein there is no reason the White House should be able to deny a member of the Homeland Security Committee access to the material.

"I find it inexplicable and probably reflective of the usual, knee-jerk overextension of executive power that we see from this White House."


Maybe it’s because the White House posted something on its website a couple of months ago that is scaring the shit out of some people. In May 2007, Bush announced a new National Continuity Policy that lets him take over the government if there is a “catastrophic emergency.” What is a “catastrophic emergency?”

"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.
...
"The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government."


Obviously, after his wonderful leadership during Hurricane Katrina, this is a good move.

Basically, Bush can determine when a national emergency has occurred and then he can take over all government functions. Maybe he’ll call himself, “The dictator guy.” The idea is for him to use these powers to ensure that the country survives the crisis with an "enduring constitutional government." I’m sure there will be no problems.

The White House document does throw Congress a bone.

"Enduring Constitutional Government," means a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government, 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 branches…


Ah, yes. The White House loves to “cooperate” with Congress and show “proper respect for the constitutional separation of powers.” The idea of this power grab has both liberals and conservatives worried.

The possibility of Bush seizing dictatorial powers with this order is slim to none. He would need the cooperation of too many people to pull it off. He’s already at a place where half of Americans want him impeached. But I certainly could see him saying it and thinking it was true. He appears to be that deluded and crazy.

One young fella has had his world rocked by all this nonsense.

"Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right,” said Representative DeFazio.


Uh oh.

Regards,
Nydia

There are times when the "I told you so" moment is just too pyrrhic.

yeah what Byl said....i am a conspiracy theorist and im sorry but i think this is a legitimate threat and this does worry me.