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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2005 : 07:24:02
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.... to hoard canned goods and stockpile ammunition.
Martial law:
quote:
Martial Law in a Nutshell--15 Questions
By Mary Maxwell, Ph.D.
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Nov 9, 2005, 00:21
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1. Q: Is it likely that martial law is imminent in the U.S.?
A: Yes. The way has been partially cleared for it legally by the Homeland Security Act, that 'grandfathered in' the whole of a secret 1979 executive order dealing with emergency rule. One legal hurdle to martial law still remains, namely, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which explicitly forbids soldiers to participate in domestic law enforcement. However, Congress could easily annul the Posse Comitatus Act, and is being pressured by the attorney general and the Pentagon to do just that.
2. Q: What is martial law?
A: In popular usage, martial law means that some or all civil liberties are suspended. For example, there could be a curfew, which would prevent people from exercising their normal liberty to walk around after 9 p.m. Legally, martial 'law' means that military commanders are assigned to carry out law and order among civilians. Hence, soldiers can determine what the rules are, can arrest civilians for breaking them, and can subject them to summary justice. A person could not turn to the courts for help.
3. Q: Have any democratic countries experienced martial law?
A: Yes, many. For example, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada declared martial law over Montreal in 1970 in response to kidnappings by Quebec separatists. In the Philippines, martial law under President Marcos lasted from 1972 to 1981. Greece endured 'the rule of the Colonels' from 1967 to 1974.
4. Q: At the moment, while the Posse Comitatus Act is still in effect, does it offer good protection?
A: No. Posse Comitatus was substantially weakened by amendments in 1981 and 1991 that gave the Defense Department a role in the enforcement of drug laws. Since then, many American cities have acquired joint task forces composed of military and local police (who can be temporarily deputized as federal officers). A drug dealer, or an innocent person, may have his door broken down--legally--and his home entered by soldiers and police with guns drawn.
5. Q: What does the Constitution of the U.S. say about martial law?
A: The term 'martial law' never appears in the Constitution. However, the idea of it is conveyed in two sections of Article I as follows: Section 8 says The Congress shall have the Power . . . (15) To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions. Section 9 (2) says The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety will require it.
And so forth. Chilling.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2005 : 14:15:33 [Permalink]
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quote:
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety will require it
But surely, an act of terrorism cannot be classified as neither rebellion nor invasion?
Chilling thought though... That physical evidence can be neglected. (if I read the quote right) |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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ronnywhite
SFN Regular
501 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2005 : 19:35:54 [Permalink]
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| Very interesting link, but some or most of the possibilities mentioned don't require martial law to become potential points of concern, depending greatly on one's socioeconomic level and community environment- they already go on when law enforcement performs their jobs improperly. The quality and character of police- local, state, and federal- and the degree of integrity they apply surely varies... many are very good, of course. But the verified instances I've read of in the news- including "breaking doors down" and shooting people without proper, or necessarily any cause (as the list mentioned), "planted guns", and everything up to, and including these... when I consider that the actual frequency of such occurances is likely many, many times what the reported numbers suggest... I'm not sure we'll have to wait until martial law is declared, and UN troops imbed our foreheads with chips provided by the New World Order (joke... lol) to have something to worry about. |
Ron White |
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