The Bush administration has asked for legislation enabling it to postpone the November election as a result of a **** attack. While worded very carefully to suggest that an attack must take place for such a move; I do not see either of the below stories unequivocally state that, if granted, these powers might not also permit elections to be “postponed” on merely a well-publicized threat. Don’t believe the press stories. Read the legislation when it is introduced to see what it says there. If that discretion is included then we are at the edge of an abyss more dangerous than anything we have ever faced.
These powers, if enacted, will go to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS would also be the entity to decide when, or if, postponed elections would be held.
Allowing suspension of the elections on just the threat of a **** attack would create a hole in the legislation big enough to drive an **** tanker, or an open dictatorship, through. Since the legislation has not been seen yet we do not know what it will say. Once introduced, the bill would then go into Senate and House Committees (Republican controlled) where the language could easily be modified to give discretionary power to the Administration. At that moment the Constitution would overtly cease to have any operational meaning at all. The separation of powers would vanish.
Judging from the news stories tonight we will probably see the legislation introduced fairly quickly. From the instant it appears, this legislation must be tracked daily, even hourly, at
http://thomas.loc.gov .
Does any one of us doubt that if threatened or desperate, the administration would use those powers without hesitation?
I ask those who read this to stop for a moment and consider what it would mean for all of us on this side of the fence if the Bush administration both acquired and used the power to suspend the election -- with or without an attack. What restraints would be left to prevent some of our worst-case scenarios from coming true? Why even maintain the illusion of democracy? All vestiges of accountability will have been removed.
We should each evaluate our own situations accordingly. Hopefully most of us will see that we have no choice but to bond together more than ever before. To quote Ben Franklin: “We must all hang together or else we shall surely all hang separately.”
This is the moment at which it all becomes very, very real. Although there is strong Democratic Party opposition appearing with derisive statements from Rep. Jane Harman and Sen. Diane Feinstein, my initial assessment, after watching CNN, FOX and MS-NBC, is that the press is already “selling” us this legislation. Fortunately, early stories also report that the act would also require a constitutional amendment.
However, with this Supreme Court we can be assured of nothing. Yet, knowing this, we can be sure that there will be many chances to fight and beat this travesty. There will be many places at which our skills and resources can function to create and implement a coordinated response.
All the efforts put into 9/11 and into the anti-war movement will need to pale by comparison with the effort that must be put forth to prevent this legislation from passing. Every lesson learned about organizing; mobilizing; reporting; strategy; education; and influencing congress (if that’s possible), needs to be remembered and applied now. There will be many tests to come.
May whatever form of divinity each of us holds dear give us guidance, wisdom and strength as we consider this.
For almost three years FTW, along with many other brave souls, has been saying that 9/11 was just the beginning. Tonight it seems that the next stage – whatever that will turn out be – is knocking at everyone’s door. Do not give up. Do not be afraid. If all this is true and comes to pass, then everything is as bad as we have been saying all this time. So we had that much of a head start, didn’t we?
We are not defenseless. The cause is not lost. There is always a sense of relief when a dreaded event finally arrives because – only in that moment – can anything be done about it.
I don’t usually quote Dianne Feinstein but she was right when she said that America holds elections in the middle of wars, earthquakes and disasters. No matter what, we must demand an election this November. Even the debates about which candidate is or isn’t better, or whether one will or won’t make a difference, are now moot.
Stop. Catch your breaths. Steel your hearts and minds in preparation. Soon we’re all going to find out what we’re made of. If we do not have an election this November then the world we have been fighting to change until tonight will become only a “pleasant” memory compared to the world that will follow.
Mike Ruppert-Author
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VOTE KERRY!
The Administration is using fear now. As a way to steal this election. They know Bush wont be reelected legally. They must steal in order to keep. Look at Florida now. Attempting to get Voters thrown off the voting rolls in order to keep it "safe" in Repulibklan hands. Now they are quietly attempting to get new rights to delay the election based on fear.
So the President has lied about war, **** off our allies, Thousands of ppl including our soldiers have been **** b/c of his misguided sense of liberation and revenge, He has lied to the PEOPLE of THIS NATION, Tried to get the 9/11 commission stopped b4 it even started now he agrees with them(mostly), Gotten us into a huge debt, lost more jobs than any sitting president(check his resume), doesnt listen to his security advisors, is a pill popper pretezel choking bike falling slush who cant speak correct english, increased our dependence on middle east **** causing gas prices to rise to high levels,and has taken away our civil liberties thanks to homeland security.
Whats a lil delaying and stealing this election compared to those fine accomplishments above? hell add some fear and make ppl think another attack is gonna happen rite away then say I'm the only one who can protect u.
What a great president.
VOTE KERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It will be a sad sad day if that legislation were to be passed. What would stop the administration from postponing the elections indefinitely citing constant **** threats :?: :?: I've already got my form for my absentee ballot becuz there is no way in hell that I'm not gonna vote in this election.
Well HamptonBeauty_08, I'm Alain....
Taye, ur funny....
VOTE KERRY!!!!!!!!!!
Call your,write visit your congressman/woman tell them u dont want ur rights as citizens to vote freely to be taken away or used as a fear factor to keep a thief in office. Voice your displeasure with the current administration and its plans and policies and vote and spread the word.
VOTE KERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many more ppl must die for Bush?How many more jobs must be lost? How many rights must be lost?
Rest in Peace to those soldiers who died needlessly.
:?: I've already got my form for my absentee ballot becuz there is no way in hell that I'm not gonna vote in this election.
Rest in Peace to those soldiers who died needlessly.
