Another Nail in Lady Liberty’s Coffin?
July 24, 2007The Death of Freedom:
From the Washington Post:
“Be careful what you say and whom you help — especially when it comes to the Iraq war and the Iraqi government.
President Bush issued an executive order last week titled “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq.” In the extreme, it could be interpreted as targeting the financial assets of any American who directly or indirectly aids someone who has committed or “poses a significant risk of committing” violent acts “threatening the peace or stability of Iraq” or who undermines “efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform” in the war-torn country.
The executive order, released Tuesday, was designed to target “perpetrators of violence in Iraq including Shiite militia groups linked to Iran, Sunni insurgent groups with sanctuary in Syria, and other indigenous Iraqi insurgent groups,” said Molly Millerwise, a spokeswoman for the Treasury Department, which will determine who is in violation of the order. The move follows similar Bush orders to freeze assets of members or associates of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups and former Iraqi government officials, Millerwise said. “It fills in the cracks,” she added.
White House press secretary Tony Snow offered further clarification at a briefing on Tuesday: “What this is really aimed at is insurgents and those who come across the border . . . or anybody who is caught providing support or poses a significant risk of providing support to those who may come across the border.”
However, the text of the order, if interpreted broadly, could cast a far bigger net to include not just those who commit violent acts or pose the risk of doing so in Iraq, but also third parties — such as U.S. citizens in this country — who knowingly or unknowingly aid or encourage such people.
Under the order, the Treasury secretary — in consultation with the secretaries of defense and state — creates the list of those whose assets are to be frozen. However, the targeting of not just those who support perpetrators
of violence but also those who support individuals who “pose a significant risk” of committing violence goes far beyond normal legal language related to intent and could be applied in a highly arbitrary manner, said Bruce Fein, a senior Justice Department official in the Reagan administration and a frequent Bush administration critic.
Fein also questioned the executive order’s inclusion of third parties, such as U.S. citizens who assist, sponsor or make “any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services” to assist people on the Treasury list. “What about a lawyer hired to get someone off the list?” Fein asked.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control keeps a “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” roll that includes those covered by several such executive orders. It most recently ran to 276 pages; of the roughly 11,000 entries, more than 700 are Iraq-related. Millerwise said the list is primarily for use by banks and other financial institutions that regularly check it to freeze assets and prevent financial transfers.
What happens then to the Shiite Iraqi American who sends money or speaks out in support of humanitarian efforts by Moqtada al-Sadr’s political party? We’ll have to wait and see. Though Millerwise said the Treasury Department already has some names in mind for the list, they will be disclosed only after their assets under U.S. control are frozen.
Meanwhile, the department must develop rules and regulations to carry out the order, a process that Fein said he hopes will protect civil liberties that could be at risk.”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070717-3.html
A Look at History:
“One of the most searing events in German history occurred soon after Hitler took office. On February 27, 1933, in what easily could be termed the 9/11 terrorist attack of that time, German terrorists fire-bombed the German parliament building. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Adolf Hitler, one of the strongest political leaders in history, would declare war on terrorism and ask the German parliament (the Reichstag) to give him temporary emergency powers to fight the terrorists. Passionately claiming that such powers were necessary to protect the freedom and well-being of the German people, Hitler persuaded the German legislators to give him the emergency powers he needed to confront the terrorist crisis. What became known as the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to suspend civil liberties “temporarily,” that is, until the crisis had passed. Not surprisingly, however, the threat of terrorism never subsided and Hitler’s “temporary” emergency powers, which were periodically renewed by the Reichstag, were still in effect when he took his own life some 12 years later.”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18061.htm
Why it Matters:
“In substance, under this executive order, opposing the war becomes an illegal act.
The Executive Order criminalizes the antiwar movement. It is intended to “blocking property” of US citizens and organizations actively involved in the peace movement. It allows the Department of Defense to interfere in financial affairs and instruct the Treasury to “block the property” and/or confiscate/ freeze the assets of “Certain Persons” involved in antiwar activities. It targets those “Certain Persons” in America, including civil society organizations, who oppose the Bush Administration’s “peace and stability” program in Iraq, characterized, in plain English, by an illegal occupation and the continued killing of innocent civilians.
The executive order violates the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the US Constitution. It repeals one of the fundamental tenets of US democracy, which is the right to free expression and dissent. The order has not been the object of discussion in the US Congress. So far, it has not been addressed by the US antiwar movement, in terms of a formal statement.
In May 2007, Bush issued a major presidential National Security Directive (National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive NSPD 51/HSPD 20), which would suspend constitutional government and instate broad dictatorial powers under martial law in the case of a “Catastrophic Emergency” (e.g. Second 9/11 terrorist attack).
On July 11, 2007 the CIA published its “National Intelligence Estimate” which pointed to an imminent Al Qaeda attack on America, a second 9/11 which, according to the terms of NSPD 51, would immediately be followed by the suspension of constitutional government and the instatement of martial law under the authority of the president and the vice-president.
NSPD 51 grants unprecedented powers to the Presidency and the Department of Homeland Security, overriding the foundations of Constitutional government. It allows the sitting president to declare a “national emergency” without Congressional approval. The implementation of NSPD 51 would lead to the de facto closing down of the Legislature and the militarization of justice and law enforcement.
The executive order to confiscate the assets of antiwar/peace activists is broadly consistent with NSPD 51. It could be triggered even in the absence of a “Catastrophic emergency” as envisaged under NSPD 51. It repeals democracy. It goes one step further in “criminalizing” all forms of opposition and dissent. to the US led war and “Homeland Security” agenda.”
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6377
Historic Parallels:
Some hold there is an uncanny similarity to events in 1930’s Germany and what we have seen in America since 2001. The Reichstag Fire Decree led to The Enabling Act of 1933, which gave the democratically-elected Nazis dictatorial powers legally. The Act enabled Chancellor Adolf Hitler and his cabinet to enact laws without the participation of the Reichstag. Patriot Act I & II, Executive Orders and Signing Statements, have done the same here. In the final analysis, it should cause everyone to stop and at least question what is going on. However, like the Germans back in 1933, Americans today are too afraid. As back then, the media, the intelligencia, the politicians, religious leaders, everyone is too AFRAID to say anything or speak up. They who do not learn from the past……
The White Rose:
Google Hans and Sophie Scholl, learn about a group of courageous German Patriots, who while just in their 20’s, were beheaded by the Gestapo for being brave enough to stand up and speak out. “They were asking Germans to embrace a different and higher concept of patriotism — one that involves a devotion to a set of moral principles and values rather than blind allegiance to one’s government in time of war. It was a type of patriotism that involved opposition to one’s own government, especially in time of war, when government is engaged in conduct that violates moral principles and values.” Why can we not do the same now?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18061.htm
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This picture (see below) speaks volumes on how the Administration views our First (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.), Fourth (The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.), Fifth (No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.), and Sixth (In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.) Amendment’s Rights as Citizens…..
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO OVERTURN THIS EXECUTIVE (POWER GRAB) ORDER. HERE ARE LINKS TO FIND YOUR U.S. SENATOR AND HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVE MEMBERS.
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
NOW is the TIME for ALL good people to COME to the AID of their COUNTRY!
ACT NOW…..
BEFORE it is TOO LATE!
