Let's look at the definition of "crisis" in the directive. Who cares what previous ones might have said? Other recent leaders didn't act at all like this one that has been pushing his Unitary Executive ideals around.

"(b) "Catastrophic Emergency" means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;"

Seems pretty clear that the President could easily have ruled the 9/11 event as fitting this description, yet our country rebounded just fine without extraordinary measures being taken. Monetarily there was huge damage. Our economy suffered greatly. The level of mass casualties in the event was a record for an attack within our borders. Record levels could sure be construed as extraordinary. Actually, it doesn't refer to an attack at all. Those same things could spring from another Katrina-like strike or a volcanic eruption.

Oh, and of course you did exactly what I asked that you not do and that's to attack the people that are putting this forth because that wasn't the issue here. It was simply a yes or no question, no gray area at all. I didn't ask you about herding Jews into a train. You did what you always do and reframed the post. You're an intellectual coward Tom and other than your lapdog Lee, it's becoming pretty obvious to everyone on here.

Let's just say my challenge had been to ask what your response would be if you were in a sinking lifeboat with a woman and there was just one life vest. I guess from your response here, the answer would be from you that the situation would never happen to you because ships no longer have lifeboats without enough vests to go around. You know because you researched it. You saw it in print and the question is preposterous. But no Tom. You'd have answered that one like a knight in shining armor because there was no risk of entering into a discussion about a political topic.

So since you were too much a pussy to directly address the task, it seems you've given me the right to answer for you. Here's my take about guys that ride the coattails of power like you've exhibited since I've gotten on this board. You'd go along with it irregardless of how the incident transpired because you're one of those scared and timid people that needs someone else to make your decisions when peril or discomfort strikes. You'd rationalize quickly that the guys in charge know more than we do about the circumstances of the event and they should just be trusted to be working in the best interest of the country.

What's scary about that attitude is that it's probably the exact same type of person that stood by and ignored abuses as Hitler's minions seized power. Those scores of Germans weren't inherently evil. They were just lazy and frightened and financially insecure. The beginning of that era didn't start with Jews being herded into trains. It began with a myriad of small "acceptable" abuses, tiny almost imperceptible steps towards the larger goal and the eventual horrors.

I'm not sure, as I said in the post, that Bush and Cheney will pull this stunt but they've certainly given clues that the action is in their nature and it's the responsibility of citizens to keep vigilant if nothing else. I know what I'll do Tom if I feel that a grab for ultimate power is in the works and I have this sinking feeling that we'd end up on opposite sides. You'll never believe me but that is not the outcome I'd want. I truly want to believe that beneath your unbelievable denial is some sort of patriot just waiting to be pushed over the edge, someone that just enjoys debate and pissing people off for the time being. But I also know that well-meaning and extremely intelligent individuals became members of the Nazi party and that folks like Bowser, Alcaray, Buck, Lindy, ER, Robert, McFly and others would be standing up to it at great peril to themselves and their families.

Why in the hell can't I bring myself to add your name to that list? It's simple. You've never defined the line.

Art