New presidential directive gives Bush dictatorial power

The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, signed on May 9, 2007 declares that in the event of a “catastrophic event”, George W. Bush can become what is best described as "a dictator":

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

This directive, completely unnoticed by the media, and given no scrutiny by Congress, literally gives the White House unprecedented dictatorial power over the government and the country, bypassing the US Congress and obliterating the separation of powers. The directive also placed the Secretary of Homeland Security in charge of domestic “security”.

The full text is below. A critical analysis on the directive can be found here.

This is another step towards official martial law (see “US government fans homeland security fears”), which suggests that a new "catastrophic event" 9/11-type pretext could be in the pipeline.

It's simply the latest commentary on something that's been around since the 1800's. The potential for misuse/abuse has ALWAYS been there, long before 2000. Lincoln used it, Wilson used it, Roosevelt used it.

Bush hasn't even begun to scratch the surface of the powers that are available to him during crises. So far, he's limited himself to the military/intelligence communities. Seems to me if he were hell-bent on becoming a "dictator," he would've moved far further by now.

Here's a decent article on the subject. Still, it's just a re-hashing of the same old stuff that folks have commented on for 150 years now. Congress is still ticking (as well as they ever were) and SCOTUS is alive and well. I really don't think a dictatorship is looming.

FindLaw's Writ - Dean: Presidential Powers In Times Of Emergency

Similar executive security directives have been issued by previous presidents, their texts have been kept secret; this is the first to be made public .

You know why I know this is no big thing ? Because the MSM did not spend 6 weeks over-hyping alarmism.

Here is what the paranoid missed ( provision 2E of the directive):

Quote:

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“Enduring Constitutional Government,” or “ECG,” 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, to preserve the constitutional framework under which the Nation is governed and the capability of all three branches of government to execute constitutional responsibilities and provide for orderly succession, appropriate transition of leadership, and interoperability and support of the National Essential Functions during a catastrophic emergency.

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National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive

The National Emergency Act say that the president may declare a national emergency but requires that such proclamation “shall immediately be transmitted to the Congress and published in the Federal Register.”

Is there anything wrong, illegal, or unconstitutional about the President serving as a coordinating leader of the federal government in case of emergency? He is the EXECUTIVE.

Taking notes on the OP!
Great, OG!