Moves Toward Martial Law

Many or the legal foundations of fascism have been esconced in the Patriot Acts I and II but have not been implimented because thus far, there has been no percieved need but as public anger and protest rises the pollibility increases. In a new move, two provisions buried in the new defense budget bill would make it easier for president to declare martial law. As the Times reports,"The provision, signed into law in October, weakens two obscure but important bulwarks of liberty. One is the doctrine that bars military forces, including a federalized National Guard, from engaging in law enforcement. Called posse comitatus, it was enshrined in law after the Civil War to preserve the line between civil government and the military. The other is the Insurrection Act of 1807, which provides the major exemptions to posse comitatus. It essentially limits a president’s use of the military in law enforcement to putting down lawlessness, insurrection and rebellion, where a state is violating federal law or depriving people of constitutional rights."

There is a bill to repeal these provisions being put forth by Sen Leahy (D) of Vermont and Christopher Bond (R) of Missouri.