A knitting blog by a girl who breaks things for a living.

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Originally uploaded by eskarina8.

.. but now it's all but snow. Bah!!!!
Predicted by NOAA to have about 3 inches tonight. Double Bahh!!!

A couple minutes ago I was browsing through digg.com and came across a link entitled Bush's Plans for Concentration Camps and Martial Law. Now I'm thinking to myself, oooh there's a little bit of embellishment - perfect example of crazy liberals giving level-headed liberals a bad name.

The linked article talks about the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007, which has a harmless enough name. According to a blogger, this act

...allows the president to declare a 'public emergency' and station troops anywhere in America and take control of state-based National Guard units without the consent of the governor or local authorities, in order to 'suppress public disorder.'

I thought to myself, This can't be.

So I looked it up. Here.

Sure enough, it seems to be completely true. Below are my favorite sections:

Section 1042 -
Revises federal provisions allowing the President to utilize the Armed Forces in connection with interference with federal and state law to allow the President to employ the Armed Forces and National Guard in federal service to restore public order in cases of natural disaster, epidemic or other public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident, or domestic violence. Requires the President to notify Congress within 14 days of the exercise of such authority. Authorizes the President, when exercising such authority, to direct the Secretary to provide supplies, services, and equipment to persons affected by the situation.

Although I'm a little relieved that the President must give 14 days notice, the language is such that the Congress cannot block the desired action of the President to summon these forces. It's a courtesy, not any coordination with Congress.

Section 1044 -
Authorizes the governor of a state, with the approval of the Secretary, to order units or personnel of the National Guard of such state to training duty to carry out in any state along the southern land border of the United States specified surveillance, support, and other border security activities. Prohibits such duty from exceeding 21 days in any year. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate the performance of such activities. Prohibits such activities from including direct participation in a search, seizure, or similar law enforcement activity. Terminates such authority on January 1, 2009.

So not only does the State Governor now have to ASK PERMISSION to use the National Guard, but *if* approved, will have to undergo the unnecessary bureaucratic process of coordinating efforts with the Secretary of Homeland Security. Doesn't this seem like this will, I dunno, SLOW efforts to react to any incident or natural disaster. Imagine how slow the reaction to Katrina was WITHOUT this Act in place. Now, imagine what the consequences will be with this in place.

This is an unnecessary law that gives the President too much authority. Why doesn't he trust States to handle their own incidents before calling upon federal aid for help? Why is this law coming around now? Has there been a domestic terrorist attack on American soil within in the past year to justify the timing of this? And why is it that this slipped by without media coverage?

I plan on contacting my State officials mentioning all of these concerns and questions, and I urge you to do the same.