Bush grants himself the option of dictatorial powers

[Samurai Drifter]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20...0070509-12.html

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/05/371299.html

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article....RTICLE_ID=55824

I like how both sources report on it with the same attitude, though their biases are generally different.

...the gears of the national conspiracy continue to turn... I'll be preparing myself for a national emergency.

[DreamerGirl]

He's hoping for a chance to declare a "catostrophic event" before his presidency is up.

I hate him.

And how the hell did anyone let him get away with this?!

[Ceraziefish]

So, anyone remember the Roman Republic? Because that's exactly what happened there. The consul gave himself emergency powers, then never stopped having an emergency, etc.

After a few generations they just called them Emperors.

[darkon]

PALPATINE!

GEORGE LUCAS WAS RIGHT!

[Galkar]

PALPATINE!

GEORGE LUCAS WAS RIGHT!

HOW COULD WE HAVE BEEN SO BLIND?

[Nega-Brent]

Not my fault, I didn't vote for him.

[Samurai Drifter]

Not my fault, I didn't vote for him.

Neither did I, but it's still our problem.

[Nega-Brent]

Neither did I, but it's still our problem.

There isn't really anything normal people can do to fix the country anymore.

[DreamerGirl]

There isn't really anything normal people can do to fix the country anymore.

If people could actually agree and work together they could.

Not make it perfect or anything, but fix some problems. No one agrees on anything anymore though.

[Satan]

Living within walking distance of Canada never felt so good

[Nega-Brent]

If people could actually agree and work together they could.

Not make it perfect or anything, but fix some problems. No one agrees on anything anymore though.

That wouldn't do much either. You can't provoke change in the government if the voice of the people falls on deaf ears. Clearly our current administration is devoted to doing the exact opposite of what the majority of the American people want.

[Gundampilotspaz]

So, anyone remember the Roman Republic? Because that's exactly what happened there. The consul gave himself emergency powers, then never stopped having an emergency, etc.

After a few generations they just called them Emperors.

Except that was that built into the Roman system as a way for the senate not to get into the way during Total War.

We also have a similar protection; congress is given the power to declare war but once War is declared then the President is in complete charge of the military.

Also, I *believe* the senate needed to accept the Dictator *looks it up*

Yup. from Wikipedia:

When a dictator was considered necessary, the Senate passed a senatus consultum that one of the consuls should nominate a dictator; and without a previous decree of the senate, the consuls had not the power of naming a dictator. The nomination of the dictator by the consul was necessary in all cases. It was always made by the consul, probably without any witnesses, between midnight and morning.

Also, the system worked until Ceaser abused it. Dictators served only 6 month terms and most give away their power after the crisis was over.

[DreamerGirl]

That wouldn't do much either. You can't provoke change in the government if the voice of the people falls on deaf ears. Clearly our current administration is devoted to doing the exact opposite of what the majority of the American people want.

Apparently not when they've been voted in.

No, if everyone truly hated the administration enough they would be overthrown.

[Nega-Brent]

Apparently not when they've been voted in.

No, if everyone truly hated the administration enough they would be overthrown.

Apparently over 70% of the country isn't enough then.

[DreamerGirl]

Apparently over 70% of the country isn't enough then.

How much of that 70% is willing to do something radical?

[margot]

There isn't really anything normal people can do to fix the country anymore.

yep

[amy]

we can do it if we keep voting in local elections

also, this is creepy, and i read that thing like four times and I still can't figure out where it says that. Language like that should be regulated D<

[Belial]

<-- Happily Armed

"Rise like Lions after slumber

In unvanquishable number -

Shake your chains to earth like dew

Which in sleep had fallen on you -

Ye are many - they are few."

-Percy Shelly-

[noodle]

There isn't really anything normal people can do to fix the country anymore.

tell that to Lee Harvey Oswald's can-do attitude and magic bullet!!!!

[darkon]

tell that to Lee Harvey Oswald's can-do attitude and magic bullet!!!!

...Except looking at what came afterwards that did the opposite of fixing.

[The Lone Magician]

Luckily, my friends and I have some nuclear weapons stashed off the coast of California. Funny enough, I think they're the ones Bush was trying to find.

EDIT: FBI, THIS IS A JOKE. I HAVE NO SUCH WEAPONS. DO NOT BUG ME, I HAVE BETTER USES OF MY TIME THEN TO DEAL WITH YOU.

[Ceraziefish]

Except that was that built into the Roman system as a way for the senate not to get into the way during Total War.

We also have a similar protection; congress is given the power to declare war but once War is declared then the President is in complete charge of the military.

Also, I *believe* the senate needed to accept the Dictator *looks it up*

Yup. from Wikipedia:

When a dictator was considered necessary, the Senate passed a senatus consultum that one of the consuls should nominate a dictator; and without a previous decree of the senate, the consuls had not the power of naming a dictator. The nomination of the dictator by the consul was necessary in all cases. It was always made by the consul, probably without any witnesses, between midnight and morning.

Also, the system worked until Ceaser abused it. Dictators served only 6 month terms and most give away their power after the crisis was over.

Perhaps I didn't understand it as well as I thought I did. Still, it's similar. Although their system was certainly better... Imagine that, 2000 years of progress, and for what?

[GummyBearOfDoom]

Luckily, my friends and I have some nuclear weapons stashed off the coast of California. Funny enough, I think they're the ones Bush was trying to find.

Did the FBI show up at your door?

[Gundampilotspaz]

Perhaps I didn't understand it as well as I thought I did. Still, it's similar. Although their system was certainly better... Imagine that, 2000 years of progress, and for what?

Well, there were a lot of murders in order to cease power.

[The Lone Magician]

Did the FBI show up at your door?

While it wouldn't surprise me that they'd be dumb enough to take my jokes seriously, I doubt they'll show up.