Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ready for Martial Law?
According to the New York Times and other reliable sources, the Bush administration managed to slip some language into a massive Defense Department appropriations bill last October which authorized the president to declare martial law just about as he pleases.
The language gives the president sweeping powers to use the military as a domestic police force in response to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, terrorist attack or to any “other condition.” It's that "other condition" that has Constitutional scholars and congressmen worried.
Accordingly, there is a bill now pending in the Senate, sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, and Christopher (Kit) Bond, R-Missouri, that would repeal the provisions.
The Hill provides more insight on the issue and the proposed Senate bill.
What will these people think of next?
The language gives the president sweeping powers to use the military as a domestic police force in response to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, terrorist attack or to any “other condition.” It's that "other condition" that has Constitutional scholars and congressmen worried.
Accordingly, there is a bill now pending in the Senate, sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, and Christopher (Kit) Bond, R-Missouri, that would repeal the provisions.
The Hill provides more insight on the issue and the proposed Senate bill.
What will these people think of next?
Labels: Martial Law, President Bush, US Senate
