The Washington Post reported this morning that the National Defense Authorization Act has a provision that would allow the President to take direct control of the National Guard in the event of a national disaster or threat to homeland security. This is truly a troubling development. The article noted that the governors are almost unanimous in their opposition to the proposed law, which has apparently already passed the House. I can think of three very troubling reasons for this.
The Washington Post reported this morning that the National Defense Authorization Act has a provision that would allow the President to take direct control of the National Guard in the event of a national disaster or threat to homeland security. This is truly a troubling development. The article noted that the governors are almost unanimous in their opposition to the proposed law, which has apparently already passed the House. I can think of three very troubling reasons for this.
One, Bush wants control of the National Guard to prevent interuptions in sending troops to Iraq, Afghanastan, and possibly Iran. Faced with natural disasters that would interfere with deployments Bush could override governors and order Guard troops where he wants them not where they would be most needed. He has shown a disturbing tendency to continue horrible policies in the Mideast and this would allow him to continue with even less interference.
Two, Bush could use this to enforce his immigration policies on the Mexican border. This law would allow the monkey-in-chief to overrule governors who wanted to withhold their Guard troops from participating in border duty by declaring a homeland security threat. One avenue of protest would be eliminated.
Three, Bush, again by declaring a homeland security threat could use the National Guard as a national police force to carry out any other proclamations of laws he would want to enforce that might meet state or local opposition. For example, If mass demonstrations were planned to protest a stolen election, Bush could invoke a threat to homeland security and use the National Guard to stop the demonstrations even if state and local officials favored them. He could even use the National Guard to arrest and turnover to the regular military, enenmy combatants found in the U.S. Remember the Bushies also want a law passed giving the President and Rummy the power to arrest U.S. citizens as enemy combatants and hold them in military custody with out charge. Greater control of the National Guard would make it possible for the President to ignore state and local law enforcement in carry out this law if it passed. Is this the beginnings of a police state? We must oppose this. Call your Congressmen and Senators now.
This is my first diary here. I would appriciate any constructive criticism. Thanks in advance.