The worst about katrina, is coming now

[8X56MS]

I posted this on another board yesterday. I think that most have not yet grasped the importance of what is going to happen to one of our most basic rights. The way this is playing out, they way the Government waited until just the right moment, the way the media has played its part in sensationalizing the Katrina affair, and the bleating of the sheep, wanting protection from any and everything, is freightning.

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"Most folks missed the important thing about Katrina. None of the Media, or politicians (duh!) have mentioned it.
Now, we are seeing the first glimpse of the dawn of our worst nightmare.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050917/ap_on_re_us/katrina_military_role

Notice the clever way the Feds used existing law to explain why they did not leap into the fray? Now, with the usual deafening bleet from the frightned sheep, the Feds are going to 'look into' getting rid of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. and adding teeth to the Civil War-era Insurrection Act, that allows President's to bypass normal law, and 'send in the Troops'.
Since the folks are asking, ney, DEMANDING increased Federal response, we are darn sure going to get it. Course, then it will be up to the Feds alone, to decide when to act.
I can almost hear the death knell of States Rights."

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Mannlicher-Schoenauer

Nemo Me Impune Lacesset

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. Slavery has so frightful an aspect to men accustomed to freedom,that it must steal in upon them by degrees and must disguise itself in a thousand shapes in order to be received.
David Hume,1742

[Valigator]

Ok I read and I reread....I am not totally grasping your point here...are you saying your fears are that the military will over-rule the states rights...be given too much power? With the new powers vested to Homeland Security, we are already there...thank goodness for a sunset law on it...but its there never the less...help me out here....road blocks, ID cards ...it almost has to go in that direction...NO?

[8X56MS]

its not all that complicated really. Only a few things stand between life as we know it, and living in Venezuela, to use an example. Laws that prevent the Federal Government from deploying troops in our cities at a whim, and the 2nd Ammendment, which gives us the right to be armed. Take those away, and we are not far removed from living in a third world dictatorship.
As my sig line says,"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. Slavery has so frightful an aspect to men accustomed to freedom,that it must steal in upon them by degrees and must disguise itself in a thousand shapes in order to be received.
David Hume,1742"

My point here is that averageAmeicans, so earnestly desiring safety, and protection, seem more than willing to give up the Constitutional restraints against abuse of Federal power, that have to date, kept us a (well kinda) free country.

We have been conditioned to think we live in DisneyWorld. There, everything is perfect, and if there is a problem, you can sue someone.

[rainydays]

No doubt Katrina created a massive disaster in New Orleans and no doubt it was devastating to all involved. No doubt someone had to step in and create some order and evacuate people and such. I think its fortunate we had a government that would do that. Do we all think this will be the last disaster the U.S. will face. I think not. Should the feds dole out 220 billion dollars to re-build what should be a duck pond. I don't believe thats the feds role. If the people built N.O. once they can do it again if they believe it warrants re-building. Once wrong with going out and getting grants and loans to build stuff. After all, isn't that what you and I have to do when we need to some worthwhile project done. The whole idea of he feds. being a giant insurance company just rials me to know end.
Just one of my thoughts, for what it's worth.

[Rocky Raab]

I'm confused by one statement: "the clever way they used existing law to explain why they didn't leap into the fray."

They obeyed the law. If you're suggesting that they should have IGNORED the law, then the rest of your argument is facetious. They can (or should) ignore any other law as well.

I'm reassured by the fact that they DID conform to the law - even though they knew that it might mean added suffering. They did NOT try to justify an end (even a good one) by using illegal means.

I'm as deeply committed to personal, local and state rights as anyone, but I don't see this particular example as threatening to any of them.

IF there were an attempt to repeal the Posse Comitatus laws or the 2nd Amendment or any of a number of other such laws, I'd rebel in a heartbeat. But none of those things has happened yet. Nor do I think the Homeland Security Act has changed much or removed any liberties. Law enforcement could do anything in the HSA before, but only for criminals. The HSA expands those limited powers to terrorists - which seems wise to me.

[8X56MS]

Thats my point Rocky. That there will be an attempt to repeal Posse Comitatus. I suppose I did let a little paranioa creep into my post, but there are times when its hard not to feel a little apprehensive about big government.
I found it unsettling that Rumsfield, and Sen. Warner both were speaking about changes being needed, and mentioning Posse Comitatus on the same day.
I also feel that those who would indeed, desire a larger role for the Federal Government, cannot help but be heartned by the public outcry for faster, more effective Federal Govermnent intervention. The only way this is going to happen, is for laws to change, and for the States to be removed from 'first responder' status, to that of bystander.
Short of revolution, the way to change how things work, is to remove a little bit of liberty and freedom at a time. I think most of us would agree, that this process has been ongoing for some time.