The destruction of Posse Comitatus
This is a bad idea. Bush seeks to federalize emergencies.
The story is about immediately federalizing National Guard troops and sending in the military into disaster areas.
This is a natural reflexive action, considering the grilling that the President got when he wasn't "fast enough" in the wake of Katrina. Never mind the response was faster than any other emergency by Clinton, and most of the efforts were hindered by local officials rather than federal.
I'll say it again, this is a bad idea. If a governor wants to be indecisive and screw up the recovery efforts in their state, that should be their purview. If a mayor does not want to follow his own emergency plans, no blame should be laid at the feet of the Federal government, no matter how much the press wants to.
To bridge Posse Comitatus is a major error in my book. We are built on the pyramid of local, state and federal for a reason, and abridging those prior levels will mean a lot of trouble for civil liberties down the road.
For once, I have to agree with the ACLU, no matter how much it pains me to do so.
Comments
Heh ... I think it's freakin' hilarious! Bush is shoving all that finger pointing at the feds right back in their faces.
Bush: "OK ... the federal response to Katrina was too slow, eh? Well, here's a way we can get there faster. Oh ... what's that? You don't like this solution? It violates states' rights and posse comitatus laws? Pray tell, just what do YOU Dems/lefties/liberal weenies suggest?"
Rock on, W ...
Funny how the only area where the feds were "too slow" is NOLA and some other parts of LA. Mississippi and Alabama got the relief coordinated just fine. Texas is doing OK too after Rita. Hmmm ... ya think Brownie is kinda on to something? Gotta love it when they have nothing left to gain or lose, so the unvarnished, de-politicized and harsh truth comes out.
Posted by: LissaKay | September 27, 2005 11:49 PM
This is a completely bad idea that gets rid of our checks and balances. 49 other states would suffer because one state of voters voted for goofballs. However, I don't think it will happen. I think it is a media move by the Administration. They know it won't get through Congress.
Posted by: Jason | September 28, 2005 11:35 AM