The Bush Agenda

Curiousities.....

Historic changes possible in military's role in domestic emergencies

"WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush's push to give the military a bigger role in responding to major disasters like Hurricane Katrina could lead to a loosening of legal limits on the use of federal troops on U.S. soil..."

Blackwater Down
Jereme Scalhill

"The men from Blackwater USA arrived in New Orleans right after Katrina hit. The company known for its private security work guarding senior US diplomats in Iraq beat the federal government and most aid organizations to the scene in another devastated Gulf. About 150 heavily armed Blackwater troops dressed in full battle gear spread out into the chaos of New Orleans. Officially, the company boasted of its forces "join[ing] the hurricane relief effort." But its men on the ground told a different story.."

Today in DC: Commandos in the Streets?

William M. Arkin

"...Today, somewhere in the DC metropolitan area, the military is conducting a highly classified Granite Shadow "demonstration.

Granite Shadow is yet another new Top Secret and compartmented operation related to the military’s extra-legal powers regarding weapons of mass destruction. It allows for emergency military operations in the United States without civilian supervision or control.

"...Granite Shadow posits domestic military operations, including intelligence collection and surveillance, unique rules of engagement regarding the use of lethal force, the use of experimental non-lethal weapons, and federal and military control of incident locations that are highly controversial and might border on the illegal..."

"...Both plans ("...Granite Shadow is the twin to Power Geyser, a program I first revealed to The New York Times in January. The JFHQ spokesman confirms that Granite Shadow and Power Geyser are two different unclassified names for two different classified plans...) seem to live behind a veil of extraordinary secrecy because military forces operating under them have already been given a series of ''special authorities'' by the President and the secretary of defense. These special authorities include, presumably, military roles in civilian law enforcement and abrogation of State's powers in a declared or perceived emergency.."

Hurricane Aid used to 'test out right-wing social policies'
by Julian Borger. Guardian/UK

"President Bush's multi-billion dollar reconstruction plans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina are being used as "a vast laboratory" for conservative social polices, administration critics claim.

The White House strategy involves the suspension of a series of regulations guaranteeing the going local wage and affirmative action for minorities, while offering tax incentives for businesses in the affected region.

Education aid for displaced children will include $500m (£276m) in vouchers for private schools, while a senior Republican has also proposed a new law permitting a wide-ranging waiver of environmental regulations..."

Now, I will admit that I 'Cherry-picked' the above articles. Hand selected them out of piles of articles. But I think that you will agree, something is going on....

I don't know what, but it would seem that the U.S. is being readied for Martial Law under the guise of Homeland Security. Further, the Bush coup de' tat, that is, the conversion of this country from a Democracy to a NeoConservative style Fascism is well under way.

On the other hand, perhaps these are just meaningless exercises in government; perhaps the special forces troops now operating in America are just here for our protection. And perhaps it is better that one religion, one party, one ruler govern this country.

Perhaps.....