Read Between the Lies

This Congressional research document was written for members of congress on several oversight committees to give a brief overview of the National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 51, President Bush issued in May of 2007. The report points out that the federal government in this day and age must be prepared to uphold continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic incident of any level that would affect the workings of the government infrastructure across the country. It lays out a list of eight items, or National Essential Functions (NEF) determined by the President that must be upheld in the event of such an emergency. These include upholding the constitution, national defense, foreign relations, response and recovery, and economic stability. The second section determines various chains of command within the administration and the Department of Homeland security once an event has occurred.

This source document is important for several reasons. First, to point out that President Bush has changed any number of existing laws and regulations pertaining to executive power since September 11. This directive is no exception. It effectively negates similar documents from several previous administrations. In essence it says, when there is a national emergency, of which the President gets to decided what qualifies, then he and his administration have direct control over all of the aforementioned infrastructure until he sees fit. I also chose this document to point out what issue the directive does not address, but still gives itself power to gain control over, and that is the election process.

When first giving the president the complete power to “uphold the constitution” in time of crisis, the order effectively gives the President control over any and all elections. Imagine there was a terrorist attack right before the elections this November, and Bush declared that the country was too unstable and in a state of emergency to hold elections. The elections would be cancelled and he would “legally” stay in office until he saw fit to hold the elections. How does this affect people on a state or community level? Well, I believe having a ruler who gets to decide when he steps down from power running our country would be the most important issue to every American at that time, and it should be before that happens.

Full Text of Congressional Research Document

Full Text of National Security Presidential Directive

Cited:

U.S. Congressional Research Service. (June 8, 2007). National Continuity Policy: A Brief Overview (1 ed.) (RS22674). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Office of the Press Secretary, (May 9, 2007). National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive . Retrieved March 18, 2008, from White House Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html