Bush Hiding Secrets of "Dictator Act" from HomeSecCom Chairman.

By Captain Eric H. May
Military Correspondent

Crawford, Texas -- In a move certain to generate more alarm, the Bush Administration's Frances Townsend yesterday denied House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bernie Thompson's July 27 written request for access to National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51), the so-called "Dictator Act," which allows Bush to control federal, state and local governments -- as well as key private industries -- in case of a catastrophic event.

Critics point out that NSPD-51, which Bush signed May 9, allows him to determine what does and doesn't constitute a catastrophe, and opens the door to dictatorship.

This weekend I will write and publish a comprehensive update to this developing story via Internet publications, and it will run in the Iconoclast's next issue Tuesday. For more details, see my last two articles:

Next 9/11, Summer 2007?
 http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/07/07/23/may.htm

Peter DeFazio and the Portland Nuke
 http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/07/07/30/may.htm

Below is the letter of refusal from the White House.




The White House
Washington

August 1, 2007


The Honorable Bennie G Thompson
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Christopher P. Carney
Chairman
Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight
Committee on Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio
Committee on Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20525

Dear Chairman Thompson, Chairman Carney, and Representative DeFazio:

I am writing to respond to your letter of July 27, 2007, concerning the classified annexes to National Security Presidential Directive-51/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-20 (NSPD-51/HSPD-20) of May 4 2007 ("National Continuity Policy").

One of the overriding goals of NSPD-51/HSPD-20 was to describe, for the first time in an unclassified manner, actions that the executive branch is taking to ensure the effectiveness of our national continuity capability. As the National Continuity Coordinator, I understand the important work done by those at all levels of government to ensure the preservation of our form of government under the Constitution and the continuing performance of National Essential Functions under all conditions. NSPD-51/HSPD-20 represents the most information ever publicly provided by the executive on continuity issues.

As you know, NSPD-51/HSPD-20 directs that an implementation plan be submitted to the President for approval this month. The implementation plan will provide further direction to executive branch departments and agencies to promote coordination of continuity programs with our partners at the Federal, State, and local levels and in the private sector.

Regarding the highly sensitive classified annexes to NSPD-51/HSPD-20 that you requested, we are unable to share them with the membership and staff of the Committee. It has long been the policy of the executive branch -- predating the current Administration -- to treat specific continuity operational details as extremely sensitive. Traditionally, the executive branch has briefed the most senior congressional leadership on sensitive continuity information. For the House of Representative, we remain in regular contact with the Offices of the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Republican Leader on specific continuity plans. We are committed to continuing to work with congressional leadership on these issues and are sensitive to respecting their prerogatives in coordinating continuity issues between the legislative and executive branches.

Sincerely,

Frances F. Townsend
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism

cc:
Hon. Nancy Pelosi
Hon. Steny Hoyer
Hon. John Boehner