Hi Tom,

There are already orders in place which allow for a military take over of healthcare...and industry...and your local circle K in the event of a 'significant' crisis.

If a national emergency is declared...

An official could knock down your door and say...

"Tom, we need your computer for the national defense..Oh and throw in the Carl Barks books too!"...and you would have to give it to him. Not only that but he could 'hire' you on the spot - "We need your rocket skills - let's go!"

I haven't checked...but it was Clinton who last signed that executive order allowing such broad dictatorial powers for the government.

When I first read of the order - I was semi-astonished. It was like a pmarshall-law on steroids cloaked under the term 'preparedness'. A Dennis-esque vision of America and the secret government ;-)

But it was not Reagan (Boo!) or Bush (hiss!) who conjured this one up - it was Clinton (Mr. Mergatroy!) and his 'team'.

'Outer space' in an emergency is controlled solely by the Secretary of Defense according to this order.

Under Section 204.
Chemical and Biological Warfare. The authority of the President is delegated to the Secretary of Defense. This authority may not be further delegated by the Secretary.

'Strengthening Domestic Capability'
means that the govt can take over any industry it sees fit to take over in an emergency.

Under section 601 (c) The head of each department or agency is authorized to exercise the President's authority to employ civilian personnel in accordance with section 703(a) of the Act when activating all or part of its Nder unit.

This was made law back in June, 1994.

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Federal Employees who are granted eligibility for classified information shall:

(1) protect classified information in their custody from unauthorized disclosure;

(2) report all contacts with persons, including foreign nationals, who seek in any way to obtain access to classified information;

(Yep, Brits, Canadians and Germans are foreign nationals!)

(3) report all violations of security regulations to the appropriate security officials; and

(4) comply with all other security requirements set forth under this order and its implementing regulations.

(b) Employees are encouraged and expected to report any information that raises doubts as to whether another employee's continued eligibility for classified information is clearly consistent with the national security

(This is the narc-provision. When people wonder why folks in govt. don't report UFO's or take positions on controversial issues - that line above is why. If you read it closely you will see that it doesn't say report those who 'violate' the law - it just says report anybody for anything which 'raises doubts'. Lovely govt-vagueries which can be used much like that anti-smoking law - as a tool to get even or harass.)

The law has probably been revised by Bush since this order was made effective August 2, 1995.

Yes, the govt can do pretty much whatever the heck it wants... whenever it wants to.

Civil liberties are very desirable but most nations probably have similar dictatorial crisis laws on theior books.

"The national interest requires that certain information be maintained in confidence through a system of classification in order to protect our citizens, our democratic institutions and our participation within the community of nations."

Basically since 1950 - under Truman - who was also a little dictator - laws of this nature have been on our books.

It's nothing new Tom...this one just is made to satisfy some lobbying group somewhere... ;-)

Best wishes,

SDAI-Tech1