Originally posted by whatukno
Also if they are indeed classified. Wouldn't it be wise for the senator to deny reading them? From what I understand classified material is not
allowed to be talked about.
Then maybe you can explain
this:
After receiving concerned communications from constituents, in July 2007 U.S. Representative and Homeland Security Committee member Peter DeFazio
made an official request to examine the classified Continuity Annexes described above in a secure "bubbleroom" in the United States Capitol, but his
request was denied by the White House, which cited "national security concerns."[7] This was the first time DeFazio has been denied access to
documents. He was quoted as saying, "We're talking about the continuity of the government of the United States of America...I would think that
would be relevant to any member of Congress, let alone a member of the Homeland Security Committee."[8] After this denial, DeFazio joined with two
colleagues (Bennie Thompson, chairman of the committee; and Chris Carney, chairman of the Homeland Security oversight subcommittee) in a renewed
effort to gain access to the documents.[9]
If it was no big deal, why would DeFazio, out of serious concern, go get other members involved to try and gain access to these documents? Huh?
The other issue is that no one knows how NSPD-51 reconciles with the
National Emergencies
Act, a U.S. federal law passed in 1976, which gives Congress OVERSIGHT over presidential emergency powers during such emergencies, because the
National Emergencies Act is not mentioned in the text of the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive.
The bottom line is that we don't need Bush's Directive, and we don't need to concentrate this kind of power in the hands of one man. SCREW THAT. Go
keep your head buried in the sand, man. He's trying to override laws that already exist, AGAIN, and attempting to bypass congressional oversight. And
if you want to hear how concerned I really am about it, go listen to my latest NSR, in my sig. I am not a happy camper.