Sect. 1042 of the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Use of the Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies, gives the executive the power to invoke martial law. For the first time in more than a century, the president is now authorized to use the military in response to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, a terrorist attack or any other condition in which the President determines that domestic violence has occurred to the extent that state officials cannot maintain public order. The Military Commissions Act of 2006, rammed through Congress just before the 2006 midterm elections, allows for the indefinite imprisonment of anyone who donates money to a charity that turns up on a list of terrorist organizations, or who speaks out against the governments policies. The law calls for secret trials for citizens and noncitizens alike. Also in 2007, the White House quietly issued National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51), to ensure continuity of government in the event of what the document vaguely calls a catastrophic emergency. Should the president determine that such an emergency has occurred, he and he alone is empowered to do whatever he deems necessary to ensure continuity of government. This could include everything from canceling elections to suspending the Constitution to launching a nuclear attack. Congress has yet to hold a single hearing on NSPD-51. https://youtube/watch?v=E4nXVXTGaHE
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:54:52 +0000
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