Avian Flu – The end of Freedom?

With the President's recent pronouncements on the possible Avian Flu pandemic it is clear that this is the excuse needed by the extreme elements of our society to seize total control. This will end any remaining beliefs that America is still a land of hope, freedom, opportunity, honor, and integrity. Bush stated in his news conference Tuesday, October 4, 2005; 11:39 AM that:

“I am concerned about avian flu. I'm concerned about what an avian flu outbreak could mean for the United States and the world.
The policy decisions for a president in dealing with an avian flu outbreak are difficult.
One example: If we had an outbreak somewhere in the United States, do we not then quarantine that part of the country? And how do you, then, enforce a quarantine?
It's one thing to shut down airplanes. It's another thing to prevent people from coming in to get exposed to the avian flu.
And who best to be able to effect a quarantine?
One option is the use of a military that's able to plan and move. So that's why I put it on the table. I think it's an important debate for Congress to have.
I noticed the other day, evidently, some governors didn't like it. I understand that. I was the commander in chief of the National Guard and proudly so. And, frankly, I didn't want the president telling me how to be the commander in chief of the Texas Guard.
But Congress needs to take a look at circumstances that may need to vest the capacity of the president to move beyond that debate. And one such catastrophe or one such challenge could be an avian flu outbreak.
And we need to know on a real-time basis as quickly as possible the facts so that the world scientific community can analyze the facts and begin to deal with it.
Obviously, the best way to deal with a pandemic is to isolate it and keep it isolated in the region in which it begins.
The people of the country ought to rest assured that we're doing everything we can. We're watching it. We're careful. We're in communications with the world.
I'm not predicting an outbreak. I'm just suggesting to you that we better be thinking about it. And we are. And we're more than thinking about it, we're trying to put plans in place.
And one of the plans -- back to where your original question came -- was, you know, if we need to take some significant action, how best to do so. And I think the president ought to have all options on the table to understand what the consequences are -- all assets on the table, not options -- assets on the table to be able to deal with something this significant.”

The reason why Bush is asking the Republican led Congress to “vest the capacity of the president to move beyond that debate” is he has an obstacle - the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. This act wisely prevents the military from being used for police enforcement duties on American soil. The act does not prevent asking the military to help in national emergencies – it prevents them from being in charge as an agent of the President, therefore preventing him from having unfettered powers. Bush’s request is quite worrisome as it is a blatant attempt to assign complete authority to the US military under his control. While Bush did mention that efforts are being made on vaccine production, he failed to state why (and the so-called media didn’t ask again) we are so far behind in stockpiling vaccine for our citizens.

Should Congress be stupid enough to sell out the country by granting Bush authority, this one act will make Americans pawns in a military dictatorship. Granting the Presidency this power will allow the military to be used against American citizens – not for them. ALL of our rights are now at risk.

Does anyone believe that the current Republican majority in Washington can be trusted to give up that authority once granted? One need only look to who holds sway over that party for the clear answer – religious extremists (America’s Taliban), corporate globalists bent on controlling the Presidency, far right conservatives (fascists in disguise), condoners of torture, neo-conservative militarists aiming for control of Mideast oil. Trust any of these people? An Avian Flu Pandemic is just the excuse needed for these enemies of America to seize control and establish supremacy thru the POTUS. These are dangerous times for freedom and democracy. A man who is clearly not capable of fulfilling his job leads America. He is surrounded by power hungry conspirators who lead him down a path towards the possible destruction of this country – and he is not aware enough to prevent it. Or worse, maybe he just doesn’t care. Or maybe he is really drinking again.

This is not the first time Bush or members of administration have advocated giving total control to the federal government. Last week, thanks to a Senate Intelligence Committee proposal, the Pentagon was granted power to conduct covert investigations of Americans without any of the safeguards that even the FBI must comply with. That Senate committee has effectively proposed an end to our basic guarantee of privacy under the 4th amendment and they have also allowed the Pentagon to covertly gather information and watch American citizens “as long as the records gathered are related to a lawful and authorized foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activity.” As is currently being observed, this proposal is rife for abuse as it is based upon “terrorism”. The government now classifies all terrorist investigations – there is no way to know if these are true terrorism cases - or political enemies. While the full Senate will review this legislation in October, Americans should not feel confident that liberty is being protected and preserved.

Be afraid – BE VERY AFRAID.

Take action. Write or call your US Congressman and Senator now!