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1807. The Insurrection Act is passed to limit the ability of the President to deploy troops in the U.S. 2006. Before the Insurrection Act can reach its 200 birthday, President George W. Bush amends the act to expand his power over the military. In his own words, the Act "authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, for military construction, for national security-related energy programs, and for maritime security-related transportation programs." In our words, the Act is bringing us closer and closer to federal martial law, and is a dangerous step backward. And before we go any further, it’s worth mentioning that he signed this law on Oct.17, the same day he legalized torture in the Military Commissions Act of 2006.Small changes first. "The Insurrection Act" becomes "Enforcement of the Laws to Restore Public Order." Is that supposed to be comforting, is that the best you can do to pull the wool over our eyes? Do Freedom Fries really taste more like America than French Fries? Bush has changed the law so that he can "release the hounds," so to speak, to restore public order and enforce the laws of the United States as a result of: "a natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident, or other condition in any State or possession of the United States." "Incident?" "Other condition?" Well that’s specific. So, let’s just say "everything you do that smacks of violence in any way will allow us to kick your ass."
And all he has to do is give 14 days notice to Congress! With immigration coming to the forefront of national issues, Bush’s timing is more than suspect. It’s not enough to build a wall that may cost up to $8 billion between the United States and Mexico, now, anyone desperate enough to jump the wall runs an even higher risk of being pummeled by our military. Is Bush just baiting our neighbors down South, hoping we wont notice because he’s renamed the Act to make us feel a litle bit safer? How much more selfish can this country get? Even in the last section of the Act, section "334. Proclamation to disperse," the wording is changed to include the ass-kicking of not only insurgents, but also "those obstructing the enforcement of the laws." In other words, if you have a problem with what we’re doing, don’t even think about fighting back.
