Linkmeister

Coup alert

Um. Does anyone else read this the way I do?

This directive establishes a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies. This policy establishes "National Essential Functions," prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.

[snip]

"Continuity of Operations," or "COOP," means an effort within individual executive departments and agencies to ensure that Primary Mission-Essential Functions continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies;

"Enduring Constitutional Government," or "ECG," means a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government, coordinated by the President, as a matter of comity with respect to the legislative and judicial branches and with proper respect for the constitutional separation of powers among the branches, to preserve the constitutional framework under which the Nation is governed and the capability of all three branches of government to execute constitutional responsibilities and provide for orderly succession, appropriate transition of leadership, and interoperability and support of the National Essential Functions during a catastrophic emergency;

Seems to me (and you really should read the whole thing) that Bush is setting up a scenario in which he could assume control of all government activities at any point when he or the Vice President or the Office of Management and Budget determine that some disaster has occurred.

Color me paranoid, but we've all seen how much respect the Bushies have for other branches of government and for the rule of law in general, so I think this directive deserves a whole lot more attention than it has so far gotten. I'd go so far as to say the Congress should demand it be reversed. Each branch of government has its own continuity plan already; there's no need for the Executive Branch to assume control.